Applicant Support
Using Applicant Support in the year before you apply can up to double your chances of admission!
HPAC Applicant Support Instructions.
REGISTER HERE to participate! Applicant Support is free to UT Dallas students and alumni.
After registration–usually within a few days–you’ll receive a welcome email from your Application Support advisor, and access to the self-service portal on eLearning.
Want to get started now? Complete this brainstorm, which you will use on every step of the coming Application Support process. You can also plan now to attend a Personal Statement Workshop and receive an Applicaiton Portrait.
Application Workshop
- IN PERSON Tuesday March 19 2:30-4:00pm (Full session)
- IN PERSON Friday April 12 10:00am – noon (Full session)
- ONLINE Tuesday April 23 – 2:30-4:00pm (No registration required, sign into meeting here)
- ONLINE Friday May 10 – 10:00-11:30am (No registration required, sign into meeting here)
Personal Statement Workshop
- LIVE Wednesday Oct 4 – 3:00pm-5:00pm – SCI 2.215
- LIVE Tuesday Oct 10 – 10:00am-12:00pm – SOM 12.210
- LIVE Friday Oct 27 – 3:00pm-5:00pm – FO 2.702
- ONLINE available 24/7 through eLearning after Oct 1.
Application Portraits– these professional sessions will be held 1-5pm in Founders Atrium. CLICK HERE to register.
- Thursday October 26
- Wednesday November 29
- Wednesday January 31
- Friday May 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Will completing the steps help me get into professional school?
Generally, yes. There is a strong correlation between completing steps and gaining acceptance. The more steps you complete and the earlier you complete them, the better.
When do I apply to professional school?
In summer before the year you hope to enter. Applicants for EY 2025 will apply in summer 2024 — usually late May or early June. Over the following two semesters, professional schools conduct interviews and offer acceptances.
When do I take admissions tests?
After you’ve prepared for it, and not before. Director Rainey’s Recommended MCAT Prep offers some tips. HPAC recommends that you prepare to take admissions tests by May-June of the year you apply.
When should I ask for recommendation letters?
Usually in spring. However, prehealth@utdallas.edu can accept letters year-round and store them until you need them.
Letters should be dated within 1 year of your application.
Letters don’t have a “due date” exactly, but your application to professional schools isn’t fully complete without them. HPAC recommends that you request letters no later than April of your application year, because writers may take several weeks to write and submit your letter.
Who should I ask for recommendation letters?
Most medical and dental schools ask for 3 rec letters. Ask writers who have seen you use pre-health competencies. HPAC’s clearinghouse service can accept up to 5 letters, but a 4th or 5th letter is only useful if it highlights competencies not addressed by the first 3 letters.
Whether you use HPAC’s clearinghouse service or not, note these rec letter requirements…
- All applicants should include at least one healthcare provider. Dental applicants MUST include a dentist.
- Some schools still require letters from two science professors. Most no longer do. HPAC recommends that you include at least one letter from a science professor.
- If much of your experience comes from one research, work, or volunteer setting, HPAC recommends that you request a letter from that setting.
- The Letter of Evaluation Form tells writers what info makes a strong recommendation letter, and how to submit their letter to HPAC.
Medical and dental applicants may have HPAC collect their letters into a packet via our clearinghouse services.
Using HPAC to collect letters is required for medical and dental applicants to complete Applicant Support Step 5: HPAC Evaluation.
To have HPAC collect your letters, give each writer this Letter of Evaluation Form in spring. It includes your confidentiality waiver and instructions for the writer to create a strong recommendation and send it to HPAC.
Can I reuse old recommendation letters?
Usually no. Letters should be dated within 1 year of your professional school application. If you have letters written before May 2023, HPAC recommends that you contact the writer to request an updated letter.
How helpful is an HPAC Evaluation (“committee letter “or “advisor letter”)?
Most professional schools prefer for you to receive an evaluation if your school provides one.
For most students, the main value of Applicant Support isn’t the evaluation at its end, but the the steps leading up to evaluation, because those steps help you address weak areas, perfect your application and essays, practice interviewing, and apply early. Priceless!
Finishing the Application Support process to receive an evaluation can be additionally helpful: an evaluation helps readers understand your accomplishments at UT Dallas and includes commentary from veteran evaluators. However, you can still apply to professional schools if you don’t receive an evaluation letter.
How do I receive an HPAC Evaluation?
HPAC Applicant Support Instructions details the 5 steps and their deadlines.