Application Timeline

The following is a generic timeline for students planning an application to the health professions. You should plan to meet with an advisor once a semester to help plan your course loads and your individual application timeline. The best time to meet with your advisor is generally after the midterm. Please make an appointment with a health professions advisor.

First Year through Sophomore Year

• Develop relationships with professors
• Volunteer: both in a clinical setting and a community setting
• Shadow physicians
• Research prospective schools and professions
• Meet with your advisor regularly
• Plan for Summer Research/Enrichment Program

Fall of Junior Year

• Begin Test Prep (MCAT, GRE, PCAT, etc.)
• Narrow list of prospective schools

Spring of Junior Year
Applicants for All Health Professions

• Complete required courses for admission
• Attend a Health Professions Advising Workshop (if available)
• Request letters of recommendation
• Review USF and other college transcripts for errors
• Register for required test (MCAT, GRE, PCAT, etc.)
• Meet with your advisor to assess your application credentials
• Finalize school selections
• Begin applications

Other points to Remember:

• Not all students will follow this timeline exactly. Depending on your major and your course load each semester, you may end up slightly ahead or slightly behind of this schedule. Prospective Pharmacy students who plan to transfer to pharmacy school after completing their requirements should meet with an advisor to plan their individual timeline.
• Besides GPA and your test scores, all programs require letters of recommendation from at least two professors. Start establishing relationships with your faculty now so you can ask for letters of recommendation later.