Advice from a guy who had to organize all this year’s applicants at our school:

Be sure to check the list of schools now using the PTCAS here.
If you don’t know what the PTCAS is click here.

Undergraduate studies are coming to a close. You’ve decided it’s time to apply to professional school. What can you do to be the Popeye of applicants? (i.e. wicked strong.) Crack open a can of spinach and read on.

1. Make sure you study hard. I know I sound like your mother, but your GPA is the first thing the admissions board looks at when they open your application. Pre-requisite GPA often is calculated separately from the overall, so make sure you give extra effort in those classes. Don’t worry too much if you messed up your freshman year, as long as you pulled it together and showed constant improvement and academic maturity.




2. Right after the board looks at your GPA, they examine your GRE score. Although we hear (and sometimes tend to agree) that the GRE doesn’t really hold any weight, schools like to use it as a predictor of problem solving skills, and of how well you might do on the national board exam. So, if you want to get noticed, prepare for the GRE and take it well before the application deadline. This will make your application Schwarzenegger-esque.




3. When you receive your application packet, read it carefully, and FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. As one speaking from experience, there is nothing worse than getting an application that is incorrectly filled out. What’s worse is that you automatically decrease your chances of being admitted by making a silly mistake.




4. Leave your recommendation form with your recommender early! If you chose the right person to recommend you, chances are they are busy. Also, because of their busy nature, FOLLOW UP WITH THEM to make sure it was sent to the appropriate location in a timely manner. It is borderline tragic when an applicant’s application is complete…except for the letters of recommendation. Boom. Roasted.




5. Get your application in well before the dead line. If the program you are applying to has rolling admissions, get your application in YESTERDAY. They interview and admit as they receive, so don’t delay, apply today…or tomorrow if its getting late.

All that being said, don’t feel compelled to print your downloaded application on neon pink paper to get noticed. Apply early, have a great GPA and GRE, and don’t forget to call the department to inquire about the status of your application. You won’t be bothering anyone.

If you really opened a can of spinach when instructed to earlier, kudos to you. Tell your friends that you got some great advice last night about applying to schools from rehabstudents.com, all while enjoying some leafy greens. Good luck and happy applying.