Some medical schools require or highly value a holistic committee letter of evaluation from the undergraduate institution. The University of Virginia does not offer a committee letter. In early 2016, the Health Professions Advising Task Force at UVA proposed the creation of a document which would help contextualize UVA applications from the pre-health advisors' point of view. The Pre-Health Advising Credential came out of this recommendation as a pilot project for 2017.
After the initial pilot in 2017, pre-health advisors assessed the project and committed to a second year of the pilot project for 2018. For the 2018 pilot, participants will be required to engage in a minimal number of pre-health advising activities, as outlined below. The advising credential will be sent alongside regular letters of recommendation and serve as a lens by which medical schools will review UVA participants.
How will it help UVA applicants?
While there are minimal requirements to participate in the Pre-Health Advising Credential pilot, participants and non-participants will be encouraged to engage with pre-health advising prior to their application. We hope the Advising Credential will provide additional incentive for students to engage with advisors and attend events/workshops. The more students engage with Pre-Health Advising,
the more likely they are to have gained the right tools and information for a successful medical school application.
What are the requirements for participation?
Participants must be UVA students or alumni applying to medical school in the 2018-'19 application cycle. You must have met with a Pre-Health advisor:
- at least once prior to Fall 2017 semester
- at least once during Fall 2017
- at least once during Spring 2018
https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6rpHFCEEtSTl11r
A random number generator will be used to select thirty (30) participants from those who express interest. Participants and non-participants will be notified of their status mid-February 2018. Those selected to participate must complete an online Advising Credential Self-Reflection where participants rate and reflect on seven Leadership Competencies identified by the UVA Division of Student Affairs.
What is the timeline for the Pre-Health Advising Credential?
Events in blue are required for participation. All other events are optional and highly encouraged for all 2018 applicants. Workshops and events are open to all students, all years.
- Prior to Fall 2017: Meet with a Pre-Health Advisor (previous Office Hours or Appointment)
- Fall 2017: Meet with a Pre-Health Advisor (Appointment)
- October 30 or November 7: Pre-Health Application Jumpstart
- January 24 or 29: Medical School Application Workshops
- Spring 2018: Meet with a Pre-Health Advisor (Appointment)
- February 7: Deadline for applicants to indicate interest through link above
- February 12: Participants and non-participants will be informed of their status
- February - April: Application Series Workshops
- March 14: Bridge Year and Your Career Event
- March 21: Deadline to complete Advising Credential Self-Reflection
- June: Pre-Health Advising Credential upload to AdviseStream
The proposed Pre-Health Advising Credential requires significant resources to support applicants to medical school. Our three advisors currently allocate their time to other applicant needs. If this pilot project is beneficial to students, we will advocate for more resources to expand this option to more applicants.
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For more information, visit Pre-Health Advising Office Hours in 2nd Floor Clemons Library,
Monday - Thursday, 1:30 - 4:30pm or make a half hour appointment to speak with a pre-health advisor at www.virginia.joinhandhshake.com.
