Academic Advisors Network Meeting
April 14, 2011
Dr. James O’Neal: Pre-Health Professions Advisor
· 2 categories: 4 year and 2+2
o 4 year: Medical, Dental, Physical Therapy, Optometry, and Veterinary
o 2+2: Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Radiological Science, Occupational Therapy, Health Informatics Information Management (Master’s only), Medical Technology, and Clinical Laboratory Sciences
· 4 year programs
o “Premed” is not a major; it is a program/track
o No specific major is needed for the premed program
§ 2 most popular majors: 1. BA in Biology; 2. BA in Biochemistry
o Science GPA is very important: BCMP (biology, chemistry, math, physics)
o UMMC acceptance GPA averages: 3.64 (medical) and 3.6 (dental)
o UMMC MCAT (med school exam) average: 28.4 (out of 45 possible points)
o UMMC DAT (dental school exam) average: 19 (out of 30 possible points)
o GPA and test scores lead to interview; interview leads to acceptance
o Schools also look at shadowing experience, community service, and leadership activities
o Take MCAT or DAT as soon as possible
o If a student’s ACT is 23-25 with a 3.5 GPA, they have a chance of being successful in the premed program
o Taking the MCAT in May-June following sophomore year usually results in higher scores
o DAT does not test on physics
o Past 3 years – 73% of Ole Miss students have been accepted to medical school
o Be cautious about math prerequisites for biology and chemistry
§ 23 on ACT or B in Math 125 for Chem 105
§ 22 on ACT or B in Math 121 for BISC 160
o Forensic chemistry majors need to take Math 261 instead of Math 121
o AMCAS has a “normalizing” process that accounts for different grading scales
o Most medical schools require Math 121 and 123
o Physical Therapy à PhD program; receive BA/BS first
§ Exercise Science and BA in Biology are two most popular majors
§ Professional school in Jackson for 3 years
§ PT requires BISC 160/162
· 2+2 programs
o 2 years prerequisites at Ole Miss, 2 years in a professional program (usually at Jackson)
o 2+2 programs have different requirements based on where you’re looking to attend
o Cytotechnology at UMMC has been suspended
o Health Information Informatics Management is now only at Master’s program
o Approximately 3.5 GPA requirement for 2+2 programs; very competitive
o All students apply one year before they enter (the summer before their sophomore year)
o Programs are heavy on prerequisites; very important to start sciences early
o 4 year Nursing program ON OXFORD CAMPUS is no longer taking students; only Master’s program left
o Master’s in nursing is becoming very popular
§ Receive BSN in Nursing, work a year or two, then return for Master’s
· Pre-health students need to see Dr. O’Neal at least once every semester
· The Academic Support Center is hiring a new pre-professional advisor
Donna Gurley – Associate University Attorney
Thelma Curry – Campus Security Authority Coordinator
· Cleary Act
o Requires institution to provide crime stats
o Report crimes reported by UPD and CSAs (Campus Security Authorities)
§ CSA – someone with significant contact outside of the classrooms
· If it sounds like a crime, just report it
o Just give a location à you don’t have to give names or real specific details
o Is it a hate crime?
Charan Gurley – Regional Admissions Counselor (Law School)
· 3.5 GPA to get in; 2.0 to graduate
· There is no preset major that will lead to Law school
· 1600 applications à 400 accepted
· Good academic record and good study habits à Law school requires a lot of reading
· LSAT 120-180; average for last was a 156 and a 3.5 GPA
· For admission, students need to take the LSAT, send GPA/transcripts, personal statement, and recommendations (especially from previous teachers)
· Pattern of arrests (DUI, MIP, etc) keep you out of law school à you have to submit your arrests, even after you’ve been accepted
· Anytime anything happens, you have to report it
· Acceptance preference for MS residents, but still have to do well on LSAT and GPA
· Ole Miss alum status does not make it easier for you to get accepted
· GPA is more important than major
· No interviews because there are too many applications
o Personal statement is very important
· Rarely have drop-outs; maybe one or two a year
· Program takes 3 years, but can be done in 2 ½ years
· LSAT offered 4 times a year; take applications from Aug 1 to March 1
· The earlier you apply the better
· You can take the LSAT 3 times in 2 years à the law school takes the highest score
· There is no part-time program and you shouldn’t have a job your first year
· Ole Miss has a good Environmental Law program
· Criminal Justice is Ole Miss’ specialty
· In MS, you get a blanket JD
o First year, general ed courses
o Second year, specialize
· The Law school has a career center; it helps set up internships
· The next AAN meeting will be held in September