The Application Process: General Outline
Below is the general timetable for the application process that all UNH applicants--undergrads, grad students, alums, continuing education students--need to follow if they plan to request the Health Professions Advisory Committee Composite Letter of Evaluation when applying schools. Medical, Dental, Podiatric, and Optometry admissions committees expect a Committee Letter of Evaluation from the applicant’s undergraduate (or graduate institution). Optometry applicants will follow the first two steps, and then follow the application requirements of each individual school. Current Application Timetable
The Committee Letter of Evaluation is not a standard requirement for applicants to Naturopathic, Chiropractic, Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy programs. These programs often follow a different application process/timeline. Applicants should consult with the respective schools and/or application services for information on specific procedures and timelines. Any applicant planning to request a UNH Committee Letter of Evaluation must abide by UNH timelines and procedures for completing files and Committee interviews. For specific information on Application Services, click here.
Timetable:
- Step 1 . Begin assembling an applicant file at the Health Professions (HP) Advising Office during the fall semester two years prior to when you plan to matriculate; during a student's junior year if they plan to go directly into medical/dental school after graduation or during the senior year if the student plans on taking a year off after graduation. The file consists of a personal essay, at least three letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Step 2 . Interview (required for MD, DO, DPM, DDS, and OD) on campus with three members of the Health Professions Advisory Committee during the following spring semester.
- Step 3 . Take the MCAT (medical), DAT (dental) or OAT (optometry) exam no later than the end of June of the year you interview with the HP committee.
- Step 4 . In June, submit a completed preliminary application to the appropriate application service: AMCAS for M.D. programs, AACOMAS for D.O. programs or AADSAS for dental programs. The preliminary applications are available on the web a month or two beforehand. AACPMAS (podiatry) application is available immediately after Labor Day. Optometry does not have a centralized application service. Applicants must request information from individual schools.
- Step 5 . Several weeks after submitting your preliminary application, you will receive individual, secondary applications from the schools that you specified an interest in on your preliminary application. (Podiatry does not have a secondary application process) When you return the completed secondary applications, you will let the Health Professions Advising Office know which schools you have applied to and we will send your Composite Committee Letter of Evaluation. The letter is written by a member of the Committee (usually the Chair) and draws upon the contents of your application file (see Step 1) and your interviews with Committee members. (spring) Your Composite Letter will not be finalized until MCAT/DAT/OAT scores are received. If you can not take the entrance exam by the end of June you must consult with the Health Professions Office.
- Step 6 . Once your secondary applications are received, schools will decide whether or not they wish to invite you to campus for an interview. (fall-spring)
- Step 7 . Students will hear from schools throughout the fall, winter, and spring with rejections, wait-list offers, or offers of admission.
- Step 8 . Once you hear from schools on their decision, begin financial planning if admitted, or consider reapplication if not admitted. (spring-summer) refer to: Possible Application Outcomes.
- Step 9 . If admitted, begin school in August or September.
