The Health Professions career program offers the following support to our students and alumni:
The Health Professions Advising Office has a committee of dedicated faculty and alumni who provide support for students looking to enter medical, dental, veterinary or optometry school. The office consists of a committee of eight full-time faculty members from a variety of disciplines, four alumni clinical advisors, and an administrative assistant.
As an additional resource, the Health Professions Advising Committee evaluates and provides support for potential medical and allied health professions school applicants. If needed, advisors also provide recommendation letters as part of the application process.
Students wishing to apply to medical, dental, optometry and veterinary (and most health professions) schools must begin the application process almost two years before intended matriculation. While applicants do not have to be evaluated or recommended by the committee, we believe doing so has substantial benefits. If an applicant does decide to apply without the committee's recommendation, we are still happy to provide advice and forward your recommendation letters to medical schools.
To be evaluated by the committee, applicants must request a committee advisor in early October and work with their advisor to submit materials by mid-February, two academic years before intended matriculation. See the Health Professions Advising page on Ignite for more details.
Students interested in enrolling in the health professions advising program should email healthprofessions@holycross.edu. To gain access to the following courses, students must enroll in the health professions advising program and promptly reply to emails seeking interest in these classes before the stated deadline. Seats are limited.
Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts (HECCMA)
If you were unable to obtain a seat in a course you need for your health professions graduate school, you may want to consider taking a course through HECCMA, the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts.
Holy Cross students may register for one course per semester at one of these colleges as part of their Holy Cross tuition, and the courses will appear on the Holy Cross transcript. Information for enrolling in courses can be found on the HECCMA website. Permission of the class dean is required.
Students may take courses at other institutions during breaks or even after graduation. However, students should be careful to determine that the courses meet requirements of individual graduate schools. For example, some accept online courses (and some do not), and some accept community college credit (and some do not). Not all courses may be transferred to Holy Cross.
To be eligible for transfer, a course must meet an academic program or college requirement (health professions advising is not an academic program). Class dean consent is also required. However, untransferred courses may still be used to meet graduate school requirements, and are considered by the Health Professions Advising Committee in their evaluations. They can also be used as prerequisites for Holy Cross courses. Students should speak to a health professions advisor, class dean, academic advisor or professor before taking a course at another institution.
Health Professions is not a major. You should major in a discipline that interests you. Indeed, we have found that students do best when they are intrinsically motivated and passionate about what they are studying. With thoughtful planning, medical school or other health professions school admissions requirements can be fulfilled along with the requirements for any major. It’s a myth that students should major in biology or other science majors in order to get into medical school.
First, let us make a few general comments about premedical preparation and getting into medical school.
The numbers of applications are very high. In 2018, 52,777 individual students applied to allopathic (M.D.) medical schools, making for 849,678 total applications to medical schools, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. A total of 21,622 students eventually matriculated to allopathic medical school, or about 40% of applicants. View the Applicants and Matriculants Data page on the Association of American Medical Colleges website.
The number of applications for osteopathic (D.O.) medical schools has likewise been growing. In 2017, 20,836 applicants in 2016 submitted 189,320 applications, and 7,575 ultimately attended a D.O. school, according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
There are clearly many, many more qualified applicants than there are seats in medical school classes. A typical private medical school receives 10,000-12,000 applications, interviews approximately 650 applicants, and accepts approximately 300 students to fill a class of 140. Many truly excellent candidates do not get interviewed, let alone accepted. Moreover, the typical entering student is older — more than 24 years old at many medical schools, at least two years out of college.
Clearly, students are accumulating meaningful experiences in basic and applied research, clinical work, volunteer settings, and even in business settings prior to entering medical school. Consequently, whereas 35 years ago most students applied to medical school at the earliest possible time, i.e., after their third year of college after completing the basic premedical requirements and then taking medical school admissions tests (MCAT), today most successful applicants take a longer, less direct path to medical school.
All things being equal, e.g., science and non-science grades, MCAT scores, etc., medical schools prefer older and more “seasoned” applicants. After all, many medical students begin seeing patients in the first month of medical school, and it takes a certain level of maturity and experience to handle this well. In addition, medical school is very expensive and training takes many years, making medical education very costly. Application itself costs thousands of dollars. We say this only to emphasize that you should think of getting into medical school as more of a “marathon” than a “sprint.” Apply when you have the experiences to both make a good decision and to be a competitive applicant.
Given the breadth of academic requirements, the need to demonstrate personal integrity and commitment to medicine through appropriate clinical, service, and leadership experience, the demands of the MCAT, and given the normalcy of older applicants, you should feel no rush to fit everything into your first three years at Holy Cross and thus be able to apply as soon as possible.
In fact, it will be almost impossible for many students to apply at the end of their junior year. For this reason, you should consider alternative paths to medical school, most significantly paths that include four years of course work at Holy Cross, paths that include a range of both required and recommended premedical science courses, paths that include a year of study abroad or participation in an academic concentration at Holy Cross, the honors program, and other opportunities offered by our liberal arts college. You should also consider paths to medical school that extend beyond four years at Holy Cross; paths that include significant research, clinical, business, or volunteer experiences after graduation. The Health Professions Advising Office provides advice and support to all alumni, two, three, four, or more years or more years since graduating from Holy Cross.
One last important note about documenting credentials: recommendation letters are the essential document used to evaluate student engagement in class and extracurricular activities. Strong letters speak to an applicant's ability as well as character and personality, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to solicit such letters. Therefore, it is critical for students to get to know their professors and supervisors from an early stage.
Medical schools consider grades in all science courses: biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. They pay particular attention to the core laboratory sciences.
For recent application cycles, the median science GPA for students admitted to allopathic (M.D.) medical schools was about 3.6 (see Association of American Medical Colleges Applicants and Matriculants Data) and 3.5 for students matriculating to osteopathic (DO) schools (see American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Reports on Matriculants).
However, there is no set figure for medical school admission: medical schools take into account the difficulty of the academic schedule, grade trajectory, distribution of grades, additional courses taken, attitude and work habits, and other factors when evaluating a science GPA. There is no specific GPA that will guarantee admission or rejection.
If a student struggles in an early science course, the student can show competency by performing well on a later, related course and on the relevant MCAT section.
For example, if a student struggles in the first organic chemistry class, strong grades in the second semester of organic chemistry and biochemistry may allay concerns by medical school admissions committees. Struggles in introductory biology can be addressed by performing well in such classes as genetics, microbiology, etc. Sometimes, post-baccalaureate coursework may be required (see below). To apply after the junior year, an applicant needs to have a near-flawless record, and a significantly higher GPA and MCAT score than a senior or graduate. Medical schools value the maturity and experience gained by the extra time and are cautious about senior grades they cannot observe.
Medical schools are as concerned with grades in humanities and social sciences as they are for science courses. After all, most medical schools expect a year of English and social sciences in addition to laboratory coursework. For medical and osteopathic schools, the median overall GPA for accepted students is higher than the median science GPA (3.7 for medical schools (Association of American Medical Colleges), 3.5 for osteopathic medicine (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine). Again, allowances are usually made for limited grade inflation at Holy Cross.
To go to medical school without a "gap year" between graduation from Holy Cross and medical school, a student must take the MCAT by May of the junior year.
It is possible to complete all 15 courses that cover the material tested on the MCAT in three years. However, this is a difficult sequence that is not generally recommended. Most students take some time to adjust to college, and it is important not to overload too early.
The three-year path described above requires that students complete at least one year in which they are enrolled in two laboratory courses simultaneously.
This is particularly difficult to accomplish for many students who take multiple laboratory courses during the third year as they must also prepare to take the MCAT by May. Students estimate that MCAT preparation is the equivalent to about two regular courses on top of the normal load.
For reasons discussed above, a four-year path is much more reasonable for the majority of Holy Cross students.
The essential structure of the four-year path is that chemistry should be started by the second year so a course in biochemistry can be taken in the fall of the junior or senior year. In the years that the core chemistry sequence is not taken, biology and physics is taken. In this way, students can avoid having two laboratory classes in the same year. However, strong students should strongly consider taking biology in the second year if possible, allowing additional electives to be taken later. Social sciences should be taken in the first two years and English/literature and statistics courses taken at any time.
A four-year sequence of courses has many advantages over a three-year sequence, one of which is that students do not have to take two laboratory courses simultaneously. But it also has the advantage of offering the student the opportunity to take more than just the required science courses when biology is taken in the second year so that genetics, microbiology, or other important health-related courses can be taken during the third or fourth year. Furthermore, it allows the student more time to prepare for the MCAT, and separates preparation for the MCAT, to a significant extent, from enrollment in required courses.
Finally, and perhaps most significantly, a four-year sequence permits students to explore different areas and programs of study, construct a major, and to gain valuable clinical and service experiences. Students can participate in study abroad, enroll in academic internships, do independent research, work in a nursing home, etc., while also effectively completing premedical requirements when they use all four years at Holy Cross (though when a student studies away from Holy Cross this necessitates taking multiple laboratories in at least one semester).
Both the three-year and four-year paths presume that students take laboratory courses in their first year. Even here, however, there is flexibility. For a variety of reasons, students may postpone the science courses until the second year. These students should begin the sequence of required science courses as described in the three-year path above.
Applicants need to have completed all of the courses before application, with rare exception. Many science majors will find that the science requirements are fulfilled as they complete their major course requirements, though the purpose of these requirements is to encourage students to consider any major.
In addition, the MCAT includes a "Critical Analysis and Reasoning" section which requires students to understand and apply information in reading passages from a variety of disciplines, including ethics, philosophy, and social sciences, but does not assume specific knowledge of these disciplines. Students may consider taking a course in ethics to fulfill their philosophy requirement.
A note about knowledge competencies: The Association of American Medical Colleges describes requirements as "competencies" rather than specific courses. However, medical schools expect these competencies will normally be met by taking traditional courses. This competency approach does leave open the possibility of an applicant meeting competencies outside of normal courses. For example, a biological psychology class might meet the psychology competency (rather than a traditional introductory psychology course). Or, an applicant might acquire the competency in biochemistry by working in a professional laboratory. However, in these cases, the applicant will have to document how she or he met the competency in concrete ways — for example, by submitting a syllabus or detailed letter.
Students may find it helpful to use this course planning worksheet (PDF) to work out a four-year schedule. This provides a grid to fill in courses by semester and lists MCAT, medical school and common area requirements for reference.
There are some opportunities for students to apply to medical school in the second year of college. Students may consider the FlexMed program at Icahn Medical School at Mount Sinai and early admission programs at University at Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and SUNY Upstate Medical University. Applying to medical school is a very difficult decision for a second-year student to make, so any student considering this option should meet with the associate health professions advisor (or the health professions advisor) to discuss these programs.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult for a non-permanent U.S. resident to gain entry into a U.S. medical school. Only 0.6% of matriculating medical students had a legal residency outside the U.S, and overall, only about 10% of international applicants gained acceptance to a U.S. medical school.
These barriers are the product of three basic facts. First, international students are ineligible for federal financial aid and so those requiring aid must rely on a medical school's internal resources, and very few schools can afford this. The few medical schools that accept international students usually require students place in escrow one to four years of tuition and fees before starting medical school. In addition, since medical training involves working in clinics (often in the first month of medical school), work visas may be required, and they are difficult to obtain. Finally, with so many U.S. applicants and so few medical school and residency spots, foreign residents are at a serious disadvantage.
Medical school admissions committees take a close look at the overall MCAT score as well as the breakdown of the individual sections.
The MCAT is broken into four sections, each scored on a 118-132 scale and the overall score ranges from 472 to 528. The four sections are:
In recent admissions cycles, the mean MCAT scores for matriculating students into M.D. schools, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, are:
In recent admissions cycles, the mean MCAT score for matriculating students into osteopathic schools, according to American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, are:
Holy Cross offers a professional test preparation course on campus every spring.
Aside from medical school, some other graduate health professions programs require entrance exams, including optometry (OAT), physical therapy (PCAT), podiatry (MCAT). Some require the GRE (PA, NP, DVM).
Medical schools expect that applicants have had some exposure to environments where they worked directly with people in need. This can include shadowing, internship, and hospital volunteer experiences but working with people with diverse backgrounds in other stressful settings (e.g., shelters, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, etc.) can be equally valuable. It is essential that applicants have hands-on experience working directly with patients and not just observing.
Medical schools value deep, long-term engagement over short term involvement. At Holy Cross, students may get clinical experience though summer internships through the Center for Career Development, the Academic Internship Program, and through volunteer programs are described below. The Center for Career Development also offers alumni shadowing and other helpful services to connect students with alumni working in many health professions.
Research experience is valuable, and most accepted students have participated in a serious study. However, it generally not considered a requirement for medical school (as clinical experience is).
At Holy Cross, students pursue serious research in many different ways, through the Academic Internship Program, Summer Internship Program, various opportunities through the Office of the Science Coordinator, the Weiss Summer Research Program, the College Honors Program and department honors programs. Many departments and individual faculty offer research positions for students.
Medical schools like to see applicants have engaged with and served their community. Deep engagement is more valued than short-term involvement.
At Holy Cross, the Chaplains’ Office coordinates many volunteer programs like Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD) and immersion programs. Several other Holy Cross groups volunteer in the local and wider community as well. Attend the annual fall volunteer fair and ask other students about good opportunities.
The following are Holy Cross clubs and extracurricular opportunities related to health professions advising.
American Medical Student Association (AMSA) provides Holy Cross students with opportunities to get involved in, and better understand, the field of medicine.
Pre-Dental Society gives students exposure to the vast field of dentistry and helps promote and support their exploration of this career path.
Pre-Nurse Practitioners Club offers students interested in a nurse practitioner track an opportunity in which to find and provide support, information, service and learning opportunities, camaraderie and friendship. Leslie Holland, MS, FNP-BC, nurse practitioner in Health Services, is the contact. The club meets on the third Thursday of every month from 6-7 p.m. in Health Services. Meetings normally consist of a discussion with a professional nurse practitioner and skills clinics. All are welcome. Please contact Leslie Holland for details.
Physician Assistants Club aims to educate students interested in a physician assistant career as well as assist students with preparing for the application process. The club helps students with networking opportunities for shadowing or volunteering in order to better understand the profession and what it entails. It guides students on undergraduate class requirements and useful study techniques for the GRE. The goal is to help any interested student build their resumes in preparation for a career as a physician assistant.
The overwhelming majority of students from Holy Cross and nationally take a year or more off between college and medical school. There are many good reasons for doing this.
First, remember that to attend medical school directly after college, the student must apply in the summer after the junior year. Because such applicants still have 25% of their college career ahead of them and often do not have as many other experiences, it is usually harder for them to get into medical school. They usually must have higher GPAs and MCAT scores than those who have completed the full four years of college (or more).
Second, a student may need to strengthen her or his credentials by taking additional courses or engaging in clinical, research or other meaningful experiences. Such a person would need to take at least two years off between college and medical school as the application process itself takes at least a full year.
Finally, given the time and financial expense of medical school, and the lifetime commitment to serving others it requires, many people are simply not ready to make the decision begin medical school directly after college.
As a result, most people are best served by doing something else after graduation. The question is, what? The answer is complex — it depends on what the person needs.
There are several entry-level careers for students looking for clinical experience.
Jobs such as certified nurse's aide (CNA), personal care attendant (PCA), medical assistant (MA), phlebotomist, and medical technologists usually require a short course or training program. The Red Cross and many community colleges offer training programs for such positions. Some employers are willing to train on the job. Watch Handshake from the Center for Career Development for such opportunities. Work as an emergency medical technician (EMT) may also be helpful; however, ambulance jobs do not always offer the extended time with patients that many medical schools value. Sometimes EMT training may help secure a position as ER technician.
In addition, some clinical research coordinator (CRC) positions offer the chance to work with patients.
Distinguished awards such as Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall, Mellon, and Rhodes fellowships can provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and enhance applications to medical school.
The Holy Cross Office of Distinguished Fellowships and Graduate Studies can help students identify and apply for such programs.
Many graduates decide to obtain a position as a research assistant (RA), research technician, clinical research coordinator (CRC) or other roles conducting research in hospitals, biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions.
A common path is a CRC in an academic medical center. Such jobs have advantages: they offer research experience but also the opportunity to work directly with patients and shadow physicians. Some offer discounts on courses taken at affiliated universities. The clinical research coordinator job market is very fluid: major teaching hospitals post positions on their website and fill them quickly. The market is most active between March and October, when clinical research coordinators announce they are leaving jobs for medical or graduate school. The title for a bachelor's degree level of training position is usually a "CRC2", and the commitment is usually for about two years. The Holy Cross Center for Career Development can help guide you to find a research position. Many research groups recruit graduating Holy Cross students and alumni directly; such positions are posted on Handshake.
Some graduating students do not have the academic foundation to be competitive for medical school curriculum. In such a case, it is a good idea to take additional courses in person at a high-quality, four-year institution. Some medical schools do not accept courses taken at community colleges or on-line.
Courses should be taken in areas of concern. It is usually not helpful to retake classes unless the grade is C- or below. It is much more helpful to take advanced electives in areas of weakness. The key is to demonstrate that the applicant can successfully apply scientific knowledge in applied coursework with medical applications.
Some students even choose to pursue a master's degree or other post-baccalaureate program. Some master's programs are specifically designed to prepare applicants for medical school; they are called "academic record enhancers." Others called "career changers" provide the basic science coursework for students with no previous exposure. There are also programs for groups underrepresented in medicine and economically or educationally disadvantaged. The Association of American Medical Colleges provides a database to find such programs. Some master's programs are only useful for helping applicants gain acceptance to medical school. They are expensive and competitive and do not offer a guarantee of admission, but many students have successfully applied to medical school after such programs. Others offer degrees that may be used in professional settings, for example master's in anatomy, immunology, etc.
Deep engagement with the community through programs like Teach for America, City Year, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, and Jesuit Volunteer Corps provide valuable experiences.
The Holy Cross Chaplains’ Office has information on many programs.
Physicians and other healthcare providers are professionals, and must be able to work with a broad array of other professionals. As a result, work in any professional setting is valuable for a career in medicine.
If a student is considering a vocation other than medicine, spending time working in an alternative career will also help him or her discern the best fit. Medical school admissions committees do not consider this wasted time, as they appreciate applicants with broad experiences who have carefully thought about their choices. However, it is a good idea to continue to volunteer in some sort of support capacity, ideally working directly with diverse populations.
The Holy Cross Center for Career Development can assist students in finding a career that meets their talents, experience and passions.
Early in fall semester two years before matriculation: Information meeting held to outline the application process. Request to open a file and be assigned an advisor due in the first week of October. Advisors are assigned approximately two weeks later (you will receive an email from HPA). If you are applying to an allied health program, you likely do not need a committee review, but can make an appointment to receive support. Alumni and those off campus need to contact the health professions office to (re)activate credentials file, obtain materials, and get added to email list.
Mid-to-late fall: Students should set up a meeting with their advisor and start soliciting recommendation letters (see below).
Late fall-early February: Students should work on and finish personal statements and other materials. Committee materials are due Feb. 15 (including those who have been reviewed previously). Exception: If you currently have applications pending at schools (but are concerned you will not be admitted this cycle), the deadline is extended to May 1 for a new committee review for reapplication. Otherwise, if you reapply we will send the same letter as the previous cycle.
Late fall through mid-spring: Study for and take MCAT. (The MCAT is offered online several times a year or are self-paced.) The DAT can be taken early June.
Mid-to-late spring: Students are given preliminary evaluations by the committee on a rolling basis. Letters containing the evaluation level are emailed after each evaluation meeting.
Late May: The committee assigns final evaluations after spring grades are recorded. The MCAT should be taken by late April/early May.
June: The Health Professions Office begins mailing recommendation letters to medical schools on a rolling basis. You must decide which schools to apply and send in AMCAS application as close to June 1 as possible. Apply as early as possible; most medical schools have "rolling admissions". Notify your advisor of your application decision so that they can write your letter, and submit a formal request to the office. Letters are written on a rolling basis and take considerable time.
July - August: Complete secondary application materials from schools. Some schools begin interviewing in July/August, so make sure to practice your interview skills.
Early Fall-Following Spring: Interview at medical schools; hear results; accept one school. If you are certain you will not go to a school in which you are accepted, let school know so your place can go to another student.
Following Fall: Enter medical school.
The Health Professions Advising Committee seeks to provide applicants with the best possible feedback on their readiness to apply to graduate programs as well as the best possible letters of recommendation. As a result, we require you to submit the following items in the formats described below.
Note that in order to be recommended by the committee for any cycle, applicants must have materials submitted by February 15 so they can be evaluated by the committee in the spring of the year they will apply. This includes applicants who were recommended by the committee in previous years. If you were evaluated by the committee in the past, please scroll down to "Seeking a Second or Subsequent Review" for instructions.
You must submit the following materials to healthprofessions@holycross.edu. Make sure to have your advisor review your materials well before the due date.
Items 1-9 must be combined in one PDF document in that order. If the steps above are not completed prior to February 15, your file will be delayed.
In addition, you are required to solicit at least one new letter of recommendation (sent to the Health Professions Advising Office) that speaks to your experiences since your last review. This letter may be an updated letter from someone who reviewed you in the past. If for some reason you cannot obtain a new letter, please speak to our office. You should solicit such letters of recommendation using the same instructions as your original letters. Update your letters spreadsheet accordingly.
If you have been previously reviewed by the committee and want to be reviewed again, in the first week of October in the academic year when you want to be reviewed by the committee, fill out the Health Professions Advisor Request Form. You must do this in any year you plan to apply, even if you have been reviewed previously. Your updated materials are due on Feb. 15 (for first-time applicants).
Exception: If you currently have applications pending at schools (but are concerned you will not be admitted this cycle), the deadline is extended to May 1 for a new committee review for reapplication. Otherwise, if you reapply we will send the same letter as the previous cycle.
If you currently have applications pending at schools (but are concerned you will not be admitted this cycle), the deadline is extended to May 1 for a new committee review for reapplication. Otherwise, if you reapply we will send the same letter as the previous cycle.
In addition, you are required to solicit at least one new letter of recommendation (sent to the Health Professions Advising Office) that speaks to your experiences since your last review. This letter may be an updated letter from someone who reviewed you in the past. If for some reason you cannot obtain a new letter, please speak to our office. You should solicit such letters of recommendation using the same instructions as your original letters. Update your letters spreadsheet accordingly.
For the HP Advising office to hold your letters, you must submit a signed Health Professions File Waiver Form to healthprofessions@holycross.edu and submit an excel spreadsheet with your list of requested letters. Below are detailed instructions, as well as a template to request letters.
We require a minimum of three letters of the following types for a preliminary committee review, but almost always need more to craft a compelling committee letter. If you are unable to obtain any of these letters contact our office to discuss the situation. Please ask that at least three letters be submitted by February 15. If letters come in late, it may delay your review.
However, more letters are almost always necessary for both a comprehensive review and to write a strong composite committee letter to your health professions school. We need evaluations from people who have known you in a variety of classroom, laboratory, clinical, and professional settings. Additional letters from a professor, coach, advisor, mentor, or supervisor who can review your academic, volunteer or professional activities are helpful. Letters from instructors in humanities classes are especially valuable. More than one letter from your major and laboratory sciences are usually needed. In general, it is helpful to ask letters from all those with whom you have worked closely, and from a range of activities. Note that if you are applying to osteopathic medical school (DO) you need a letter from an osteopathic physician, and if you are applying to dental school you need a letter from a dentist before you apply to your graduate program. We continue to accept letters until your letter is submitted to the application service in summer. We will securely hold submitted letters until you apply, so you do not need to re-request letters if you delay your application for a year or more.
Apply early: Medical schools have rolling admissions policies. Submit your AMCAS (MD) and AACOMAS (D.O.) materials as close to early June as possible. (Note: Texas and offshore schools have their own application processes.) There is no reason to apply in May. August is likely too late. You must have your AMCAS application processed by July 31st to obtain a committee letter.
Consider applying to about 20-25 schools: Use the online MSAR (allopathic) and Choose DO (osteopathic) to help guide your choices. These resources provide acceptance rates for in and out of state applicants, special requirements, test score and GPA ranges, etc. Also consider a ranking guide (e.g., U.S. News or Princeton Review) but remember these are imperfect and incomplete.
If you plan to apply to any schools with situational judgement tests (CASPer or PREview), schedule those as soon as possible.
Wait for MCAT: It is generally a good idea to wait until you have your MCAT scores in hand to apply. Applying with a poor score can result in an unsuccessful application. However, if you are confident you will score well, you can apply to a few schools on June 1 to start processing your application with AMCAS/AACOMAS.
Request official transcripts from Holy Cross Registrar's office and any other places you took classes to AMCAS/ACCOMAS. Do this as soon as possible. The request form is available in the AMCAS/AACOMAS application and should be sent to the Registrar's office. Do this very early, before anything else.
Complete the AMCAS (M.D./allopathic)/AACOMAS (D.O./osteopathic) application.
Start this early, ideally in early May. This is tedious and time consuming but it is important to do a good job. You should be able to use parts of your committee personal statement in crafting your personal statement but these essays are much shorter. You must accept the advisor release for AMCAS/AACOMAS.
If the instructions say to enter your credit hours directly as they appear on your transcript, use course units - this is most typical. If you need to use a conversion: 1 Holy Cross course = 4 credits and scale up as necessary (1.25 courses = 5 credits, etc.). AMCAS asks you to report course units as they appear on your transcript.
Indicate that your letter will be in the form of a "committee letter" (whether you were recommended or not). For osteopathic (AACOMAS) schools, set a very late "deadline" for letters — we will get the letter in as soon as we can and this deadline is not helpful.
Enter Professor Gaby Avila-Bront as the primary contact. Enter the email address healthprofessions@holycross.edu. If additional letters will be sent by us, do not list them as "additional authors." We will send them from our office in one electronic packet.
After you have submitted your applications, complete the Google Form to request your committee letter be written (or letter packet sent). This form asks for your final list of schools as well as your AMCAS and/or AACOMAS ID, and MCAT scores. This form also allows you to provide special instructions for certain school requirements. Submit once. Do not submit this form until you have submitted all your graduate applications AND have accepted the advisor release.
If you have requested additional letters of recommendation to be sent with your committee letter or packet, the deadline for our office to receive them is July 1. Please make sure your letter spreadsheet list is updated and keep in touch with the office and committee advisor about the status of any such letters.
Fill out secondary applications in a timely manner.
Regularly inform the Health Professions Advising Office of every interview invitation you receive as well as every school that accepts or rejects you by emailing healthprofessions@holycross.edu. (Feel free to do this in batches, every few weeks.)
Periodically review the list of schools where you have open applications or acceptances. After you are accepted at a school, if there are other schools you will definitely not go to, please withdraw your application to open up a spot for another student.
Observe the traffic rules, deposit rules, etc., carefully.
Apply early: Dental schools have rolling admissions policies. Submit your AADSAS materials as close to early June as possible.
If you plan to apply to any schools with situational judgement tests (CASPer or PREview), schedule those as soon as possible.
Wait for Dental Admission Test (DAT): It is generally a good idea to wait until you have taken your Dental Admission Test to apply. You will receive a preliminary DAT score the day you take the test; you may apply with this preliminary score.
Complete the AADSAS application. You must accept the advisor release for AADSAS.
Start this early. This is tedious and time consuming but it is important to do a good job. You should be able to use parts of your autobiography in crafting your personal statement but these essays are much shorter.
If the instructions say to enter your credit hours directly, use course units. If you need to use a conversion, apply the ratio of 1 Holy Cross course to 4 credits, and scale as needed (1.25 courses = 5 credits, etc.).
Enter Gaby Avila-Bront as the primary contact with the email healthprofessions@holycross.edu.
If you have requested additional letters of recommendation to be sent with your committee letter or packet, the deadline for our office to receive them is July 1. Please make sure your letter spreadsheet list is updated and keep in touch with the office and committee advisor about the status of any such letters.
Request official transcripts from Holy Cross Registrar’s Office and any other places you took classes to AADSAS. Do this as soon as possible, before anything else.
After you submit your applications, complete the Google Form to request a committee letter (or packet). This form asks for your list of schools as well as your AADSAS ID, and DAT scores. Submit once. Do not submit this form until you have submitted your graduate applications AND have accepted the advisor release.
Periodically review the list of schools where you have open applications or acceptances. After you are accepted at a school, if there are other schools you will definitely not go to, please withdraw your application to open up a spot for another student.
Inform the Health Professions Advising Office of every interview invitation you receive as well as every school that accepts or rejects you by emailing the office (healthprofessions@holycross.edu).
Apply early:
Optometry schools have rolling admissions policies. Submit your OptomCAS materials as close to early June as possible.
If you plan to apply to any schools with situational judgement tests (CASPer or PREview), schedule those as soon as possible.
Wait for Optometry Admission Test (OAT): It is generally a good idea to wait until you have taken your Optometry Admission Test to apply. You will receive a preliminary OAT score the day you take the test; you may apply with this preliminary score.
Complete the OptomCAS application. You must accept the advisor release for OptomCAS.
Start this early. This is tedious and time consuming but it is important to do a good job. You should be able to use parts of your autobiography in crafting your personal statement but these essays are much shorter.
If the instructions say to enter your credit hours directly, use course units. If you need to use a conversion, apply the ratio of 1 Holy Cross course to 4 credits, and scale as needed (1.25 courses = 5 credits, etc.).
Enter Professor Gaby Avila-Bront as the primary contact with the email healthprofessions@holycross.edu.
If you have requested additional letters of recommendation to be sent with your committee letter or packet, the deadline for our office to receive them is July 1. Please make sure your letter spreadsheet list is updated and keep in touch with the office and committee advisor about the status of any such letters.
Request official transcripts from Holy Cross Registrar’s Office and any other places you took classes to OPTOMCAS. Do this as soon as possible, before anything else.
After you submit your applications, complete the Google Form to request a committee letter (or packet). This form asks for your list of schools as well as your OPTOMCAS ID, and OAT scores. Submit once. Do not submit this form until you have submitted your graduate applications AND have accepted the advisor release.
Periodically review the list of schools where you have open applications or acceptances. After you are accepted at a school, if there are other schools you will definitely not go to, please withdraw your application to open up a spot for another student.>
Inform the Health Professions Advising Office of every interview invitation you receive as well as every school that accepts or rejects you by emailing the office (healthprofessions@holycross.edu).
Veterinary schools generally do not have rolling admissions policies which gives you more time. Submit your VMCAS materials well ahead of the deadline. Request your committee letter in the summer if at all possible.
Complete the VMCAS application.
Complete the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and Tufts University application separately from VMCAS.
If you plan to apply to any schools with situational judgement tests (CASPer or PREview), schedule those as soon as possible.
If you have requested additional letters of recommendation to be sent with your committee letter or packet, the deadline for our office to receive them is July 1. Please make sure your letter spreadsheet list is updated and keep in touch with the office and committee advisor about the status of any such letters.
Send official transcripts from Holy Cross Registrar’s Office and any other places you took classes to VMCAS. Do this as soon as possible.
Complete the Google Form to request your committee letter/packet. This asks for your list of schools as well as your GRE scores. Submit once. Do not submit this form until you have submitted your graduate applications AND have accepted the advisor release.
Periodically review the list of schools where you have open applications or acceptances. After you are accepted at a school, if there are other schools you will definitely not go to, please withdraw your application to open up a spot for another student.
Inform the Health Professions Advising Office of every interview invitation you receive as well as every school that accepts or rejects you by emailing the office healthprofessions@holycross.edu.
Apply early
Nurse practitioner schools often have rolling admissions policies. Submit your materials to individual schools as early as possible. However, as nursing programs have different start dates (August, January, June, etc.), program deadlines vary considerably.
There is a new centralized application service for nursing programs (NursingCAS) but not all nursing schools use it. You may need to apply to each school individually.
If you plan to apply to any schools with situational judgement tests (CASPer or PREview), schedule those as soon as possible.
Consult with your Holy Cross health professions advisor about which letters you should solicit.
Send individual school or NursingCAS letter of reference request links to your references (one may be your Holy Cross health professions advisor if you ask in advance).
Send official transcripts from Holy Cross Registrar’s Office and any other places you took classes to the nursing schools. Do this as soon as possible.
Periodically review the list of schools where you have open applications or acceptances. After you are accepted at a school, if there are other schools you will definitely not go to, please withdraw your application to open up a spot for another student. After the application cycle is over, please send us a list of the schools you applied to and the result (matriculated, accepted, interviewed, rejected) at each.
Apply early:
Pharmacy schools have rolling admissions policies. Submit your PharmCAS materials as early as possible.
Complete the PharmCAS application.
If you plan to apply to any schools with situational judgement tests (CASPer or PREview), schedule those as soon as possible.
Consult with your Holy Cross health professions advisor about which letters you should solicit.
Send PharmCAS letter of reference request links to your references (one may be your Holy Cross HP advisor if you arrange it ahead of time). Schools vary in letter requirements. Some will accept a committee letter, some will accept letters from PharmCAS and others require letters to be sent directly to schools. Consult individual school websites and follow instructions carefully.
Request official transcripts from Holy Cross Registrar’s Office and any other places you took classes to PharmCAS. Do this as soon as possible.
Periodically review the list of schools where you have open applications or acceptances. After you are accepted at a school, if there are other schools you will definitely not go to, please withdraw your application to open up a spot for another student. After the application cycle is over, please send us a list of the schools you applied to and the result (matriculated, accepted, interviewed, rejected) at each.
Apply early:
Physical therapy schools have rolling admissions policies. Submit your PTCAS materials as close to early July as possible.
Complete the PTCAS application.
If you plan to apply to any schools with situational judgement tests (CASPer or PREview), schedule those as soon as possible.
Consult with your Holy Cross health professions advisor about which letters you should solicit.
Send PTCAS letter of reference request links to your references (one may be your Holy Cross health professions advisor).
Complete the P.T. hours section of PTCAS so your observation hours can be verified.
Request official transcripts from Holy Cross Registrar’s Office and any other places you took classes to PTCAS. Do this as soon as possible.
Periodically review the list of schools where you have open applications or acceptances. After you are accepted at a school, if there are other schools you will definitely not go to, please withdraw your application to open up a spot for another student. After the application cycle is over, please send us a list of the schools you applied to and the result (matriculated, accepted, interviewed, rejected) at each.
• Apply early:
Physician associate schools (formerly "physician assistant") have rolling admissions policies. Submit your CASPA materials as early as possible. However, as P.A. programs have different start dates (August, January, June, etc.), program deadlines vary considerably. CASPA provides a guideline for application dates.
• Complete the CASPA application.
• Complete the CASPA application.
• If you plan to apply to any schools with situational judgement tests (CASPer or PREview), schedule those as soon as possible.
• Consult with your Holy Cross health professions advisor about which letters you should solicit.
• Send CASPA letter of reference request links to your references (one may be your Holy Cross health professions advisor and the other references).
• Request official transcripts from Holy Cross Registrar’s Office and any other places you took classes to CASPA. Do this as soon as possible.
• Periodically review the list of schools where you have open applications or acceptances. After you are accepted at a school, if there are other schools you will definitely not go to, please withdraw your application to open up a spot for another student. After the application cycle is over, please send us a list of the schools you applied to and the result (matriculated, accepted, interviewed, rejected) at each.
The following are useful and important websites for health professions school applicants.
Holy Cross boasts many distinguished alumni who lead the healthcare field.
