This informational session will focus on the application processes and admission practices for professional healthcare programs such as, pharmacy, nursing, dental, and medical school. Suggestions on what high school courses and prep classes students should take to prepare for undergraduate pre-health programs. Recommendations for classes that undergraduates should be taking will also be provided.This session will be useful for high school counselors who are advising students with an interest in healthcare and for admission counselors looking to direct students in pre-health majors to options after graduation.

1. Connecting
with
Healthcare Admissions
PRESENTERS:
Kerry Mortenson
Midwestern University
Michelle Adams
Elmhurst College
Shaun Keating
Roosevelt University
Jean Shelton
Rosalind Franklin University

2. Midwestern University
College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
Study in suburban comfort and safety as you create a great life at
Midwestern University's Downers Grove campus, only 25 miles
west of Chicago's metropolitan center. Our beautiful, wooded,
105-acre location feels just like home, with several housing
options, clubs, activities, and organizations that provide a great
environment for your success.

3. College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
Fast Facts
Degree: Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
Length: 4 years
Class Size: 125
Application Service: Associated American
Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)

4. College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
Admissions
To be eligible for enrollment:
•An applicant must earn a bachelor's degree from a
regionally accredited college or university
•Possess a science and cumulative GPA over 2.75*
(although 3.20 will generally be competitively
necessary) on a 4.00 scale.
•A bachelor's degree must be completed before
starting the program.

5. CDMI
Admissions cont.
Completion of the prerequisite coursework
Biology with lab 8 Semester 12 Quarter
General Chemistry with lab 8 Semester 12 Quarter
Organic Chemistry with lab 4 Semester 6 Quarter
Anatomy with lab* 4 Semester 6 Quarter
Microbiology with lab 4 Semester 6 Quarter
Physics with lab 8 Semester 12 Quarter
Physiology* 4 Semester 6 Quarter
Biochemistry 3 Semester 4 Quarter
English Composition 6 Semester 9 Quarter
All science prerequisites must be courses designed for science majors. No survey courses will
count to fulfill science requirements.

6. CDMI
Admissions cont.
Competitive exam scores on
the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT)
• Scores in the area of 18 or higher will be expected for
the Academic Average, Reading Comprehension, and
Perceptual Ability sections
• Only DAT exam scores earned from tests taken no
more than 3 years prior to matriculation are
acceptable
Three letters of
recommendation
•One must be from either a pre-dental/pre-medical
advisory committee or a science professor
•CDMI prefers other letters from either someone with
a D.O./M.D. or D.D.S./D.M.D. degree and/or
professionals who can testify to the integrity and
ethical standards of the applicant

7. CDMI
Curriculum
•Integrated basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences
•Preclinical simulation
•Lecture, small-group and case-based education
•Practical clinical dentistry
•Community clinical rotations
In the first two years:
CDMI’s professional education will consist of dental medicine classroom instruction and
laboratory work emphasizes anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, clinical
sciences, and laboratory techniques.
During the last two years:
Students will treat patients under the supervision of licensed dentists. Licensure is required
for professional dental practice.

8. CDMI
Career Opportunities
General dental practice
Graduate education in any of the dental
specialties
Armed services (military)
Public Health Service or Indian Health Service
Dental industry
Dental education
Administration
2010 Median Pay $146,920 per year /$70.64
per hour
Job Outlook
Employment of dentists is expected to grow by 21
percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for
all occupations. Dentists will continue to see an increase
in public demand for their services as studies continue
to link oral health to overall health.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

9. Who is CDMI looking for?:
If you have students that have good visual memory; excellent
judgment regarding space, shape, and color; a high degree of
manual dexterity; scientific aptitude; good business sense; self-
discipline; good communication skills; and they enjoy knowing a
diverse range of people from different backgrounds, a career in
dental medicine may be just right for them.

10. Elmhurst College
Nursing
Preparation, Admission
and
Career Opportunities

11. Preparation
High School Level
– Solid in math and science
courses
• Anatomy/Physiology and
Chemistry
– Statistics show correlation
between ACT score of 22 and
passing the NCLEX-RN
– AP exams in Statistics,
Psychology, Calculus and
Chemistry fulfill nursing
prerequisites
– If interested in BSN, CNA classes
are not required, but can
provide practical training

12. Preparation
College Level
– Knowing your major before entering college is key
– Exact advising, especially if transferring
– A and B grades in all prerequisite courses
– C or better in all nursing courses
• C- or below can mean dismissal from the program
– Time management, working under pressure
– Do not count on admission to a program
– Treat your studies like a full time job – 40 hrs/week
– Plan to work less – Over 20 hours a week can negatively
impact coursework

13. Students should
think about…
• Do I want this for reasons other
than just helping people?
• Am I prepared for the challenging
road ahead?
• Am I ready to focus on my career
even during my college years in
terms of determination?
• Do I understand the commitment
that the nurse makes to the
profession?
– Long days
– Working weekends
– Working holidays
– Physically and emotionally
demanding

14. Characteristics of a Nursing Program
Candidate
• Academically strong
• Good with math, science, thinking analytically
• Problem solving and ability to troubleshoot
• Observation and assessment capabilities
• Quick on one’s feet
• Physically healthy
– Must be able to have weight bearing on limbs
– Must be able to execute certain movements for
patient care
• Leadership skills
• Communication and collaboration

15. Admission
• Two types of admission
– Direct admit
– Separate application required
• All are competitive in nature
• Strict GPA requirements
– Cumulative
– Within the science prerequisites
• Entrance exams
• Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
– Nursing is a scientific profession, not just helping people

16. Career Outlook
BSN vs RN
– BSNs are hired at a greater level
than RNs
– Many upper tier hospitals have
received magnet status meaning
they must hire BSNs due to the
level of care required
– BSN in Ten – proposed law for IL
in which RNs will have 10 years to
complete the BSN or will no
longer be allowed to practice
– Statistics show lower mortality
rates within hospitals where most
nurses possess BSN degrees

17. Career Outlook
• Anywhere from community
settings to private corporations
– Hospitals
– Rehabilitation centers
– Nursing homes
– Clinics
– Schools
– Physician offices
• Masters/Doctoral Opportunities
– Nurse Practitioner
– Expert in Health Care Informatics
– Nurse Researcher
– Nurse Educator

18. Roosevelt University
College of Pharmacy
Commitment
Competence
Compassion

19. Pharmacy Preparation
Students can begin preparation for pharmacy
doctoral programs in high school.
• AP classes that count towards undergraduate requirements:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Stats, Economics, English
• Healthcare related work or volunteer experience.
• Job shadowing.
• Pharm Tech License when a student turns 18.
• High School Explorers at Midwestern and UIC.
• Roosevelt Pharmacy Lab Days and Pharmacy Camp.
• HS Students should look for dual admission or articulation
agreements.

20. Pharmacy
Preparation for
Under-Grads
Most Pharmacy Programs do not
require a student to have earned a
BS/BA for entrance into a doctoral
program.
However, the typical applicant to
Pharmacy Doctoral programs will
follow a Biology or Chemistry
degree tract prior to applying to a
PharmD.
Under-Grads face a competitive
application process:
22,000 applications for under
9,000 seats (aacp.com 2011)

21. Pre-Pharmacy Course Work
Classes listed below are the “typical” classes an undergrad needs to complete
before entering into a PharmD program.
Natural Science – 37 semester hours minimum
General Biology I with Laboratory
General Biology II with Laboratory
Anatomy and Physiology I with Laboratory
Anatomy and Physiology II with Laboratory
***Microbiology***
General Chemistry I with Laboratory
General Chemistry II with Laboratory
Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory
Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory
Physics with Laboratory
Math and Economics – 9 semester hours minimum
Calculus
***Economics (micro or macro)***
Statistics (general or biostatistics)
Written and Oral Communication – 9 semester hours minimum
English Composition I
English Composition II
Speech Communication
General Education Electives – 12 semester hours minimum
***Humanities Courses (no studio or performance)***
***Social and Behavioral Science Courses***
Other recommended classes: Medical Terminology, BioChemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Microscopy,
Medical Ethics,

22. Pharmacy
Admission
Applicants are reviewed for an interview
on the following criteria (in no
particular order):
Competition of PharmCAS Application
**Completion of Supplemental
Application
Cumulative grade point average
Science and math grade point average
Completion of the pre-pharmacy
curriculum
Pharmacy College Admissions Test
(PCAT) score (required)
Letters of recommendation (required)
Candidate essays
Health related work experience
(preferred, not required)
Community service (preferred, not
required)
Completion of a baccalaureate degree
or higher (not required)

23. Roosevelt University
College of Pharmacy
• Unique 3 year PharmD curriculum
- Students learn on 10 week quarters.
- New class starts each summer in a cohort.
- Students assigned study groups for 2 years.
• Small class size 68
• Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1
• Student-centered education
• Philosophy of Teaching  Learning  Assessment
• Modular approach to courses
• Integration of academic disciplines

24. Roosevelt University
College of Pharmacy
• Pharmacy “Mentor” & Faculty Advisor
• Integration of experiential education in all years
- Experiential education begins during the fall of a
students first year.
- Includes Inter-Professional Experience with doctors,
nurses, and other healthcare providers.
- Students graduate with 1,920 rotation hours.
• Use of instructional technologies (e.g. laptops)
• Include Service Learning
• Applied research conducted in both departments.

25. Pharmacy Career Outlook
Pharmacy is more then just Retail or Hospital…
Academic Pharmacy…
Teaching, research, public service, and patient care.
Ambulatory Care…
Treating patients on site along side doctors and nurses in an urgent care setting.
Consultant…
Working in nursing homes or long term care facilities.
Federal-Armed Services & Public Health…
Work in federal and state medical facilities, serve during national emergencies.
Informatics…
Information technology, managing data for the safe delivery of optimal medication outcomes.
Managed Care…
Working with insurance and benefits management companies.
Pharmaceutical Sciences/Industry…
Development, research, clinical trials.

26. Pharmacy Career
Outlook
4.1 BILLION prescriptions filled in
2010.
Second largest healthcare profession…
A Growing and Aging population will
require more consistent and readily
available access to healthcare
providers…
17% expected growth in the need for
Pharmacist by 2018 (faster then the
average for all other occupations)
$106,410 average median pay of US
Pharmacist

27. Rosalind Franklin University
of Medicine and Science

28. Quick Look at RFUMS
• The Chicago Medical • The College of Health
School Professions
– Allopathic Medicine – Physical Therapy
• The Dr. William M. Scholl – Physician Assistant
College of Podiatric – Nurse Anesthesia
Medicine – Nutrition
– Podiatric Medicine – Pathologists’ Assistant
• The College of Pharmacy – Biomedical Sciences
– Psychology
– Doctor of Pharmacy
– Healthcare Administration
• The School of Graduate and Management
and Postdoctoral Studies – Women’s Health
– PhD Programs

29. Unique Feature of RFUMS
• Leader in Interprofessional Education
• Great location – North Chicago, Illinois
• Core Values
– Civility
– Diversity
– Excellence
– Integrity
– Scholarship
– Teamwork

30. Preparing for a
Career
in the Health Field
• Explore
– Shadowing, volunteering
or working in the field
• Academic preparation
– Pre-requisite coursework
& standardized tests
• Extracurricular and
volunteer activities
– Health related & non-
health related
• Network

31. Professional Outlook
• Bureau of Labor • PT +39% from 2010 to
Statistics – “Wage and 2020 (BLS)
salary employment in • DPM +20% from 2010
the healthcare industry to 2020 (BLS)
is projected to grow • PharmD +25% (BLS)
22% between 2006 –
2016.” • PA +30% from 2010 –
2020 (BLS)
• MD +24% (BLS)

32. Admission
• Do your research – General Application
every program is Requirements
different • Primary application
• Visit schools if possible • Supplemental
• Start early application
• RFUMS is looking for • Letters of
the whole package – a recommendation
student with grades • Transcripts
AND experiences • Test scores
• All are competitive! • Interview

33. Connecting with Healthcare Admissions
Questions and Answers
Kerry Mortenson Shaun Keating
Assistant Director of Admission Assistant Director of Enrollment
Midwestern University Roosevelt University College of Pharmacy
kmorte@midwestern.edu skeating@roosevelt.edu
Michelle Adams Jean Shelton
Associate Director of Admission Assistant Director of Recruitment
Elmhurst College Rosalind Franklin University of
madams@elmhurst.edu Medicine and Science
jean.shelton@rosalindfranklin.edu