Health Professions Advisory Office

General Information

Nance Prize

In 1985, the family and friends of Dr. Dana W. Nance (B.A., 1925, M.D., 1929) endowed the Nance Prize, which is awarded annually to that graduating pre-med student(s), “…who has demonstrated the perseverance to succeed in the pre-medical curriculum and who embodies the attributes of a caring physician.”
The Deans of the four undergraduate colleges join with the Health Professions Advisory Office in calling for essays (no more than 1,000 words long) from graduating Vanderbilt pre-med seniors who feel they represent the humanistic qualities of Dr. Nance.  An interdisciplinary faculty committee will review each applicant’s essay, CV, an informal transcript, and a statement that she/he has applied to medical school during the current cycle.  Up to three awards, each in the amount of $1500.00, will be given.  Applications are due to the Health Professions Advisory Office no later than February 1, 2012 at 4:00pm and must be given to either Karen Laws or Dr. Baum.  Electronic submissions (nance.essay@vanderbilt.edu) must meet the same deadline.  Essay finalists may be asked to come before the committee to interview.
The application for the Nance Prize must contain the following:

  • Essay (typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, no more than 1000 words, with applicant’s first and last name on every page of essay, CV and other documents.  Paper submissions should not be stapled but paper clipped).  The essay can be submitted in person, as above, or electronically to the email address:  nance.essay@vanderbilt.edu
  • Applicant CV (to include e-mail address and personal phone number)
  • A photocopy of a recent transcript (no older than the second semester of the applicant’s junior year)
  • Statement that she/he has applied to medical school during the current cycle
  • All documents listed for the application must have the applicants surname printed in the upper right corner.  The application may be e-mailed to nance.essay@vanderbilt.edu or hand delivered to the HPAO office by the posted deadline.  If hand delivered, application must not be stapled, but paper clipped.

 

AnnouncementS

The HPAO office is here to assist Vanderbilt undergraduate students interested in the health care professions. The HPAO office meets with students interested in medicine (both allopathic and osteopathic), dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatric, etc. Students interested in an advanced career in nursing are encouraged to contact the School of Nursing for advice and counseling. We are here to answer questions that you might have during the coming year. Please call the HPAO office and Karen Laws will be happy to schedule you a meeting to discuss your questions.

 

 

FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS:

 

 

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HELPFUL AID FOR YOUR MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW PROCESS

Ever wonder how you come across during an interview? Are you afraid to schedule that medical school application interview for fear of saying the wrong thing? Below you will find a web address for a new system you can use. Just log onto the system, create your own password, listen to the demo and you're on your way. There is one piece of important equipment that you will need in addition to your computer. You must have a camera of some sort hooked up to your computer. The system will allow you to customize our interview questions. An interactive interviewer will ask you the question and you will be be given enough time to answer the question. You will be filmed during your response. You will then be given an opportunity to watch your portion of the interview...owww...don't be scared. It will be a great learning tool to guide you to be a great interviewee. If you do not have a camera for you to use, don't worry. Just down the hall from our office is the Vanderbilt Career Center. They have an office with a computer and camera dedicated for students to use. You just need to contact them at least a day in advance to schedule time for "your interview." You can contact Joy Nobles at 322-2750 at the Career Center.

To access this information, please go to the below listed web address:

https://vanderbilt.optimalresume.com/

 

 

Junior Honors Medical Program - University of Florida College of Medicine (UFCOM) (7 year BS/MD porgram - does not accept high school students) This program is intended for current undergraduate university students who have demonstrated superior scholastic ability and personal development during their first two academic years of college enrolement. Applications are taken during the second full-time year of college enrollment at a major university. If accepted, they spend their Junior year of undergraduate studies on a research thesis. Once completed, they are guaranteed direct admission into the College of Medicine; essentially skipping their senior year of undergraduate studies. Typically, sutdents accepted in the past have had an average college GPA of 3.94, and an average SAT of 1469. There are usually only 12 students accepted each year. For more information, please visit http://jhmp.sites.medinfo.ufl.edu/ U.S. Citizens and Residents only

 

University of Cincinati ROSE Program - for Sophomore Ohio residents with an anticipated college graduation date of May 2012 and planned entry into medical school in Fall 2013.

 

Vanderbilt Medical School Early Admissions processes

Federal Work Study positions: CASTLES program.

 

Link to the Vanderbilt University Pre-Veterniary Society: http://studentorgs.vanderbilt.edu/vvms/links.html

Specialized Volunteer/Clinical Opportunity

Shade Tree Clinic, a free medical clinic run by Vanderbilt medical students, in East Nashville (www.shadetreeclinic.org) is seeking volunteer interpreters proficient in Spanish to work with physicians and medical students while they interview and examine patients. Those interested in interpreting will need to attend a brief training and orientation session at the clinic prior to their first time volunteering. Clinic sessions run from 6-9 pm on Tuesdays and 12-4 pm on Saturdays throughout the year, and interested Vanderbilt undergraduate students should contact Michelle Shepard at her e-mail address michelle.e.shepard@vanderbilt.edu .

To All Students Applying to Medical, DENTAL, PHARMACY, VET, AND ETC. AL, SchoolS in 2012 for 2013 admission:

The Advisor's Student Applicant Portfolio (ASAP) is a document the Health Professions Advisor in creating meaningful recommendations highlighting information important to the students. Completing the ASAP is required if you wish to receive a composite letter (earlier is better). Students are also advised to start thinking about which faculty members to approach for letters of recommendation.

 

 

 

MCAT INFORMATION

Since the begining of 2007, the MCAT has been administered by computer. There are fewer seats per testing date and site than under the previous system, but there are also more testing dates. It is still not clear how many seats are actually available at each testing site. In order to help insure that you get your desired site and date you will need to sign up as soon as registration opens. See the MCAT information in the Testing Services section of the Applications page for details.

 

US Medical school Contact Points

Caribbean Medical School Contact Points

 

HPAO Documents

 

Suggested Reading for Premedical Students

Medical School Admission Requirements. By the AAMC
-A must have! Tells you exactly what courses are required for each medical school.

Suggested Reading for PRE-DENTAL Students

Dental School Admission Requirements. By the ADEA

-The must have for Dental applicants! Tells you the exact course requirements for each dental school.