• Students working in a lab
Pre-Health Professions Office

Competitive School Applicants

» Competitive School Applicants

Being a successful professional school applicant is about so much more than academics (though that's important, too).

On this page, you can learn about what reviewers will look for and how to excel in every area while a student at Chapman.

 

Academic performance

General academic expectations include the following:

  • High grades in science pre-requisite courses, as well as overall.
  • As a general rule, a 3.5 or above cumulative grade point average is desirable, although each institution has different expectations.
  • Score highly on health professions admissions tests (MCAT, DAT, PCAT, GRE, etc.). This not only demonstrates command of the subject material, but also indicates ability to succeed on tests "down the road," including professional licensing examinations.
    • Various test preparation strategies are available, including self-study guides and preparation courses through Kaplan, Princeton Review, or other companies. 

Clinical experience

In general, clinical experiences should:

  • Show that you have learned about the profession through clinical experience with patient contact, shadowing, informational interviews, etc.
  • Show that you are motivated and dedicated to the profession.
  • Demonstrate that you understand your “why” for going into the profession and be able to articulate that reason.

Research

Conducting research is a valuable academic experience, as it develops your:

  • Critical thinking
  • Analytic skills
  • Capacity for teamwork
  • Ability to provide and receive feedback
  • Tenacity

In general, the research exposure you receive at Chapman can be sufficient, however, you may also explore internships and external program to gain these skills.

Community service

Participating in community service demonstrates your care for those in your community. It shows your altruism, compassion, and can teach you about communities and cultures very different than your own.

Many health professions programs expect applicants to demonstrate their service to others. In general, things you can consider are:

  • Shelters
  • Food banks
  • After school programs
The most important aspect is that you demonstrate your passion for something you care about. It does not need to be clinical, in fact, it should be something outside of a clinical realm.

Experiences and activitiesmedical-extra_310x207.jpg

Experiences can include:

  • Medical student clubs and organizations
  • Research in faculty labs
  • Shadowing / patient care
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Healthcare-related internships
  • Participating in student-run clinics
  • Tutoring positions

Letters of reference

It is important early on to get to know your professors so you can use them as a resource for your letters of reference. When applying to professional schools, they usually require:

  • Two letters from science faculty (if you were involved in research, your research advisor should be one of these).
  • One or two letters from non-science faculty, and someone who has observed you doing volunteer work in the profession of your choice.

While two science letters and one or two non-science letters are common, it is advised that you also seek letters from research mentors, clinical mentors, and specialized programs in which you were involved. You want to provide a well-rounded picture of yourself to the committees.

Remember to always check with the schools where you apply to ensure you have the letters they require.

Interviewschristine-meeting-1.jpeg

It is important to be well-prepared for interviews, as it is your chance to talk with actual representatives of the admissions committee of your desired professional school.

  • Explain your motivations for entering the profession.
  • Explain to them why you will make a good practitioner.
  • Remember: You can't just say it - you must have lived it!

To help prepare for your interview, schedule a mock interview with Dr. Christine Crispen, our Pre-Health Advisor.

erin nolte headshot
Erin Nolte '20
Health Sciences major
“I have seen myself come full circle in four years thanks to the Chapman community and all of the support I’ve seen from the Pre-Health Professions Office. I started out wondering if medical school would be attainable for me, but I now have higher hopes that I can get in and mentors by my side to help me along the way.”

Where our students are going

Below is a list of institutions where Chapman Pre-Med/Pre-Health students have been accepted during the 2023-2024 application cycle:

  • Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
  • Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in California and Nevada
  • Medical College of Wisconsin (MD)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (MD)
  • Texas Christian University School of Medicine (MD)
  • Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (MD)
  • Rush College of Medicine (MD)
  • Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • UC Riverside
  • Columbia Dental School
  • University of Hawaii Jabsom School of Medicine
  • Loma Linda University School of Medicine