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View MonthContinuity of Services during COVID-19
Given Loyola University Chicago's recently announced policy in response to COVID-19, all in-person programming will be indefinitely suspended and replaced by online appointments. This includes in-person appointments, drop-in advising, and workshops.
Resources from Health Professions Organizations:
For pre-medical students:
- MCAT Coronavirus FAQ page
- AAMC Services (for MD) Coronavirus page
- AACOMAS (for DO): click on the Coronavirus updates link on this page
- TMDSAS (Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service) - no updates as of 3/20/2020, but check back here
For pre-dental students:
- DAT- see 'Important Updates...' section
- AADSAS: click on the Coronavirus updates link on this page
- TMDSAS (Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service) - no updates as of 3/20/2020, but check back here
For pre-veterinary students: AAVMC COVID-19 Student and Applicant Information (Links to an external site.)
For pre-physician assistant students: PAEA Coronavirus Resources
Frequently Asked Questions:
In light of Loyola’s response to COVID-19 and decision to move classes online, the Pre-Health Professions Program would like to provide you with guidance on questions regarding medical requirements/admissions or otherwise. Please know that we are working diligently to bring you updates on this process and encourage you to check our webpage and other resources cited below regularly.
Q) Since Loyola is moving to online instruction, will Pre-Health advisors still be available for appointments during the spring semester?
A) Absolutely! Most Pre-Health appointments will remain as scheduled. Simultaneously, we completely understand if circumstances require you to reschedule an appointment. The pre-health staff is currently making the transition to working remotely. A member of the Pre-Health Professions Program will be in contact for those with scheduled appointments with details on how the appointment will be transitioned to a Zoom format. Similarly, you may schedule an appointment with a Pre-Health Advisor by calling 773-508-7716 or through Handshake. If you would prefer to connect with a Pre-Health Advisor by phone rather than Zoom, we are also happy to connect with you through this medium upon request. Pre-Health staff will continue to work full-time, checking emails, conducting appointments, etc. If you need more information on connecting with Zoom please see the Loyola ITS Zoom site.
Q) Are your drop-in hours still available?
A) Drop-in hours have been discontinued for the rest of the 2020 spring semester. However, the times previously reserved from drop in advising are now open for appointments. Additionally, for a quick question feel free to email phadvisng@luc.edu and one of the advisors will respond typically within 2 working days. For more complex questions, please schedule an appointment with a Pre-Health Advisor through Handshake (https://luc.joinhandshake.com/login) or by calling 773-508-7716.
Q) How will the Personal Statement and How to Apply workshops be delivered?
A) The Pre-Health Office will deliver the Personal Statement Workshop as a pre-recorded workshop (similar to a podcast) that will be posted and accessible from the Pre-Health Website: https://www.luc.edu/prehealth. We anticipate that this workshop will become available on or around the end of March. We hope to deliver the How to Apply Workshop via Zoom and make it subsequently available by recording the live presentation. The How to Apply Workshop is typically offered in late April, but the exact date will remain TBA as more information from AAMC, AACOM, ADEA, becomes available over the next weeks and month. We will update our website with more information as relevant details become clear.
Q) If I am not on campus or in the Chicago-area, I may not be able to continue usual volunteering, research, extra-curricular activities, etc. Will health professional schools be concerned about a lapse in activities?
A) We believe that medical school and dental school admission committees will be very understanding of the circumstances we all currently face and want all to act in the best interest of their safety, health, and wellbeing. For updates on how the Coronavirus is impacting AAMC, AACOM, and ADEA services, please see the following websites: https://www.aamc.org/services/coronavirus ; https://www.aacom.org/ ; and https://www.adea.org/
Q) I have heard that Medical Schools don't like online courses. How will they respond to the fact that our instruction is being done virtually?
A) Directly citing our colleagues from the University of Chicago Pre-Health Professions Program on this topic: “You didn't ‘choose’ to take a class online this spring to dodge a tougher curriculum--nationwide most universities are moving to remote instruction for the spring. Medical schools have stated that they will be quite flexible on this, even if the course is a stated pre-requisite, given that we are in a very unusual time. So proceed with your classes as scheduled this spring and have confidence that the classes will ‘count.’"
Q) I am scheduled to take the MCAT or DAT this spring. Will it be cancelled or delayed? What happens if it is?
A) UPDATE (3/17/2020): March 27 and April 4 MCAT exam administrations have been canceled globally. Flexible rescheduling has been extended for exams taking place through the end of May. For more details regarding impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on 2020 testing, please visit the MCAT Coronavirus Page.
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/
ORIGNAL TEXT: As of this date (March 16, 2020) the AAMC MCAT website indicates all exams will continue unless you have received an email stating otherwise. MCAT support personnel have shared, “we're doing our best to stay open for all our examinees, as long as it's safe.” Finally, the AAMC has provided the following updates on rescheduling a March or April MCAT exam:
Effective March 11, 2020, all rescheduling fees will be waived for examinees who wish to reschedule existing March or April MCAT exam appointments due to concerns related to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
March 12, 2020 Update: For examinees testing in March who have concerns related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and would like to reschedule your exam at no cost, you must call Pearson VUE at 866-281-7532 to process the rescheduling. Be advised Pearson VUE is currently experiencing long wait times.
For examinees testing in April who have concerns related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and would like to reschedule your exam at no cost, please reschedule your exam online rather than by phone as a courtesy to those testing earlier. You will be charged a rescheduling fee online, which will be automatically refunded. Please allow two weeks for your refund to process. This policy will be updated as the situation changes; however your opportunity to reschedule will remain at least until the end of March.
To keep up to date on issues regarding MACT, please see: https://home.pearsonvue.com/coronavirus-update and https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/
For updates on the DAT, please see: https://www.adea.org/GoDental/Application_Prep/The_Admissions_Process/DAT_(Dental_Admission_Test).aspx
Q) I am currently in the Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) process to apply this spring/summer. Will anything change about PHPAC Advising Meetings, Letter timeline or process?
A) Based on the information available to use at this time, we anticipate that nothing should change other than the medium through which PHPAC Advising appointments will occur. Faculty, staff, and students alike are all working hard to deal with this rapidly evolving situation. Once you are settled, please reach out to your PHPAC Advisor to establish a mutually preferable means for interaction such as Zoom or phone. The Pre-Health Office is also contacting PHPAC Advisors and sharing guidance and resources for continuing the PHPAC Advising process remotely. Health, wellbeing and safety are highest priorities. With these priorities established, similar to the importance of academic continuity for all Loyola students, we hope that PHPAC Advisors and Advisees will continue to make the most of the PHPAC process.
If you have any questions about any aspect of our response to the COVID-19 situation, please write to us at COVID-19support@LUC.edu.
Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee
Workshops will not be presented in-person, and instead are being recorded and will be available online. The Personal Statement Workshop target availability is the end of March. The How to Apply (both Medical and Dental) workshops are typically held towards the end of April/early May, as we hear details from AAMC, AACOM, and AADSAS about their application processes.
In the meanwhile, for guidance on personal statement writing, please see the online resources below. Students and alumni can schedule a Pre-Health Advising Appointment via Handshake to have a Pre-Health Advisor give feedback on your personal statement. If you do so, we encourage you to email your draft a couple days prior to the meeting.
Personal Statement and Application Resources
https://www.luc.edu/writing/ - Loyola University Chicago's Writing Center has been working with Pre-Health students for many years to help draft and review personal statements. Beginning March 23, they will be available remotely for "online synchronous" and "written feedback" appointments, so we strongly encourage you to utilize their assistance, whether you are just starting to draft your statement or want feedback on a complete draft.
https://students-residents.aamc.org/advisors/help-your-advisees-apply-medical-school/ - in particular, watch the webinar "Ask Admissions Webinar: How to Present Yourself as a Strong Applicant"
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/faq/what-parts-your-application-tell-medical-schools-2/ - to learn about how the personal statement/essay is one part of your application, but also to know that how you describe your "work/activities" on AMCAS/AACOMAS are important
https://www.adea.org/GoDental/Dental_Blogs/Advice_from_admissions_officers/Boost_Your_ADEA_AADSAS_Application_With_A_Resume.aspx - recommendations from a dental school reviewer about how to best prepare your "experiences and achievements" portion of the AADSAS application
Need to reference the agenda from this year's PHPAC Match Day meetings? Download it here: Match Day Agenda_2021 Entry
Appointments (Virtual appointments via Handshake through end of Spring Semester)
DROP-INS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Students/Alumni can also schedule an advising appointment through Handshake or by calling our office at 773.508.3636.
Drop-in advising is offered during the academic year from Monday through Friday from 2 PM - 4 PM, unless noted otherwise.
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