Pre-Health Resources

Students in scrubs looking at a model of a brain

The Road to Professional School

Admission to the health professions can be a rigorous and complex process. The College of Arts and Sciences is here to assist you in navigating your path to professional school with the following helpful tips and resources. For additional information or to schedule an advising appointment, email prehealth@twu.edu. 

The Competition

Admission to professional programs is highly competitive. Many factors are taken into account, including college GPA, test scores (MCAT, DAT, etc.) and clinical experience. Acceptance rate statistics for medical and dental schools based on GPA and MCAT/DAT scores can be found below. Other professional programs hold similar outcomes.

Applicant Statistics

GPA Distribution of TMDSAS Matriculants

Bar graph showing highest GPA distribution for TMDSAS Matriculants at 3.75 and above.

MCAT Distribution of TMDSAS Matriculants

Bar graph showing highest MCAT distribution for TMDSAS Matriculants above 503.

Data drawn from the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service website at tmdsas.com.

Steps for Success

The following are just a few of the actions you can take to strengthen your prospects:

  • Maintain a strong GPA of 3.7 or above.
  • Take advantage of opportunities that offer hands-on patient care.
  • Gain job shadowing experience that pertains to your desired field.
  • Be active in community service organizations that allow you to interact with diverse communities.
  • For medical and dental school applicants, participate in research.
  • Seek out leadership roles in your extra-curricular activities.
  • Take full length, timed practice tests at least four months ahead of the actual admission test date. Plan to take the test twice in order to achieve the best score possible.
  • Compose a thoughtful and persuasive personal statement. Request that an advisor or faculty member review the statement and offer feedback.

Texas Medical Schools

Common Pre-Requisites

While it’s important to research and find out exactly what your specific school is looking for, many schools have a common set of courses that are required for entry. Despite what you may have been told, a science degree is not required for entry into many medical schools. In fact, choosing a major that will allow you to excel and maintain a great GPA is what is commonly recommended.

  • Biology: Minimum 14 semester hours (minimum 12 hours lecture, 2 hours lab); Includes all Biological Science courses applied toward Baccalaureate degree in traditional science fields, such as General Biology (BIOL 1113, 1123), Microbiology (BACT 3113), Molecular/Cell Biology (4813/4823), Ecology (BIOL 4223), Immunology (BACT 4113), Anatomy & Physiology (ZOOL 2013/2023)
  • General Chemistry: 8 semester hours (6 lecture plus 2 lab); CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1123
  • Organic Chemistry: 8 semester hours (6 lecture plus 2 lab); CHEM 2213 & CHEM 3223
  • Biochemistry: 3 semester hours; CHEM 3633
  • English: 6 semester hours; ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302
  • Mathematics: Statistics MATH 1703 or Calculus MATH 2014
  • Physics: 8 semester hours (6 lecture plus 2 lab); PHYS 1133 and 1143, or PHYS 2153 and 2163
  • Psychology and Sociology: PSY 1013 and SOCI 1013 are considered good courses for MCAT preparation.

To be considered for admission to medical school, a total of 90 semester hours of undergraduate work in a fully-accredited college in the United States must be completed prior to enrollment. It is your responsibility to check each medical school’s website to ensure that your coursework will fulfill the required pre-requisites. Science courses for non-science majors may not be accepted. View the TMDSAS prescribed course listing for Texas Woman’s University>>

Consult Your Advisor

3 hanging anatomy skeleton models

Your advisor is an invaluable resource when it comes to organizing your thoughts and executing your plans in preparation for the next step in your education. 

Find your advisor’s contact information>>

Department Faculty Advisors

Ann  Davis, Ph.D.
Biology
Email: adavis21@twu.edu 

Richard Sheardy, Ph.D.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Email: rsheardy@twu.edu 

Pre-Health Committee Contacts

Student Organizations

Kappa Epsilon Mu (KEM Club)

KEM club is TWU's chemistry student organization and the local student section of the American Chemical Society. KEM Club members are actively involved in promoting chemistry in the community through chemical “magic shows," which encourage young students’ interests in science and higher education.

Pioneer Pre-PA Club

The Pioneer Pre-PA Club is a student organization for undergraduates who are planning to pursue a career as a physician assistant.

TWU American Medical Women’s Association

AMWA is a student organization that supports female pre-medical students. We are a welcoming community of like-minded students providing admissions advice, mentoring, tutoring and community service opportunities. TWU is home to the undergraduate branch of AMWA, offering membership that will serve you throughout the rest of your medical career. 

TWU Curatio Club

Curatio Club is a student-led organization that assists students with preparation for pre-health programs. 

TWU Dental Club

The Dental Club offers students resources and opportunities while educating them on the hurdles they must pass to get into dental school. The club also brings dental professionals to campus who provide helpful insights to students pursuing careers in dentistry.

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

SACNAS is a student organization that promotes the involvement of under-represented minorities in STEM careers, including the health professions.

Women in Healthcare

The vision of Women in Healthcare Organization is to encourage, empower, and inspire women to maximize their potential in every field in healthcare. WHC will promote forums to develop professionalism, service projects that benefit the community while instilling leadership, awareness, and fostering valuable alliances. We are the Empowered Woman's Movement!

Medical and Dental School Application Services

Obtaining a Committee Packet for the Letters Section of Your Application

For Current Applicants: Entry Year 2020

Schedule an appointment with Mehgann Mallory to start a Pre-Health file.

You will need to submit the following:

  • Unofficial TWU transcript
  • Recommendations from at least three college professors, two of whom must be science instructors. Recommendations must be submitted on the TWU Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Evaluation Form. The TWU evaluation forms must be signed by the student.*
  • A complete list of schools you will be applying to
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • A brief autobiographical sketch which includes information about your background, your activities, significant people and events which have influenced your interest in a health career, unique life experiences, and your motivational characteristics.

 

*You will be given copies of our Health Professions Evaluation Form to submit to your evaluators. They will fill out the form, attach their LOR on letterhead, and return to Mehgann Mallory. On-campus evaluators may place the form and LOR in the Chemistry/Biochemistry box in intercampus mail located in ACT. Off-campus evaluators will mail the evaluation form and LOR to the P.O. Box listed on the evaluation form. 

Your committee packet can be uploaded to multiple application services. For example, if you are applying to UT Southwestern and Yale University School of Medicine, you will use TMDSAS and AMCAS and the packet may be used for both.

What is JAMP?

The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) is a special program created by the Texas Legislature to support and encourage highly qualified, economically disadvantaged students pursuing a medical education. Visit our JAMP page to learn more>>

Page last updated 3:38 PM, January 6, 2020 

College of Arts & Sciences

P.O. Box 425437
Denton, TX, 76204-4254
940-898-3326 
cas@twu.edu
CFO 1210

Pre-Health Programs 
prehealth@twu.edu