Graduate School Guides

The below is a sample timeline:

January – April (Application Year)

• Take the DAT (earlier = better; latest advisable: June)
• Order official transcripts from the registrar
• Update resume/CV with shadowing and volunteering
• Draft and revise personal statement
• Finalize recommenders for letters of evaluation

May (Application Opens)

• Create an ADEA AADSAS account
• Enter all coursework & upload transcripts
• Upload personal statement, letters of recommendation, and resume

June-July (Submit primary application early)

• AADSAS verifies coursework (can take 2–4 weeks)
• Submit secondary applications as they arrive (don’t wait)

August – October (Prep for interviews)

• Attend interviews (rolling admissions = earlier interviews = higher acceptance odds)
• Send thank-you emails after interviews

December (First Acceptance Day)

• Accept or decline offers
• Pay seat deposit(s) (varies by school)
• Complete background check

January – May (Year of Enrollment)

• Submit final transcripts

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Biochemistry. Although some schools may accept students from all backgrounds, it is important to have a related degree in science.

1. The core science courses typically considered pre requisites including;
   • Biology: 2 semesters (with lab)
   • General Chemistry: 2 semesters (with lab)
   • Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters (with lab)
   • Physics: 2 semesters (with lab)
   • Biochemistry: 1 semester (increasingly required, sometimes recommended)
2. Maintain a competitive GPA (overall average GPA 3.55)
3. Letter of recommendation
4. Resume including clinical/volunteer experience
5. Personal Statment
6. The Dental Admissions Exam (DAT)
7. Transcript
8. ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service account
9. Potential Materials:
   • School specific, supplemental eesays, interviews, and application fees

Dentistry Schools Near By

• Tufts
• Boston University
• Harvard
• Merrimack

Local Sites

• Tufts Dental Society
• Mass General- Dentistry
• The National Institute of Health- Dentistry research in Framingham
• Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Places Our Students Have Interned

• The Center for Pediatric Dental Care and Orthodontics
• Harvard University – School of Dental Medicine
• Camberville Dental
• Great Hill Dental Partners
• Greater Boston Orthodontics
• Seacoast Oral Surgery & Dental Implants
• Prudential Dental Associates
• Acro Dental

The Dental Admissions Exam (DAT)

• All dental schools require applicants to take the DAT as part of the comprehensive admission process.

Licensure Requirement

• After graduating from dental school, you will need to pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE)

Professional Organizations

• American Dental Association (ADA)

How to Apply

• Many schools use the online application system, National Matching Services (NMS) in cooperation with the Genetic Counselor Educators Associations.
• For the following year’s application cycle, match registration opens for applicants in early September and the list of programs participating in the Match becomes available.
• Full application timeline and checklist

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as Biology, Genetics, Psychology, or another related health science. Some programs accept students from other undergraduate degrees, but having a related degree is advantageous.
  • Prerequisite courses: Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Genetics, Statistics, and more.
• Must pass the Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE) then apply to specific schools Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) -accredited genetic counseling program that includes education in genetics, humanistic counseling theory, and clinical experience
  • Programs typically require between 400-600 hours of hands-on, supervised clinical experience
• GPA Requirement
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA (on 4.0 scale) is a common prerequisite for genetic counseling Master’s programs.
  • A 3.5 GPA (on 4.0 scale) is closer to the average for accepted students.

• Boston University – MS in Genetic Counseling or MS/MPH dual degree (Genetic Counseling + Public Health)
• MGH Institute of Health Professions – MS in Genetic Counseling
• Brandeis University – MS in Genetic Counseling
• University of Connecticut – Genetic Counseling Professional Science Master’s (MS)

• Specific requirements will vary by program but it is recommended to gain experience in healthcare-related settings, ideally relevant to the field of genetic counseling
• Where to gain relevant experience
  • Hospitals or Clinics Diagnostic Labs
  • Government or Public Health Agencies

• Certifications
  • Other certifications from the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics are not required but can be helpful for specific applications.
  • After receiving the Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC), genetic counselors can pursue additional specialty certifications in areas like oncology, pediatric genetics, and cardiology.
• Boston University – AID-GC Undergraduate Internship
  • Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
• Boston Children’s Hospital – Arnett Lab
• Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Genetics & Genomics / Cancer Genetics
  • Scharf Lab (Center for Genomic Medicine)
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Genetics & Genomic Medicine Service
• Tufts Medical Center – Perinatal Diagnosis + Genetic Counseling
• Dana Farber Cancer Institute
• Harvard University Research Programs

Must pass the Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE) then apply to specific schools Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) -accredited genetic counseling program that includes education in genetics, humanistic counseling theory, and clinical experience

Certification

• After graduation, students must take a certification exam from the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) to become a Certified Genetic Counselor.
• Many states require genetic counselors to hold a license in addition to certification to practice legally.

Applying to law school takes time so you will want to get started as soon as possible!

Most students begin their application process during the beginning of their Junior year to give themselves time to research, apply to multiple schools and test.

Many law schools open applications in September with early decision deadlines as early as November.

Submitting by early decision can increase your chances of your application being accepted vs. regular rolling admissions.

Application decisions are usually sent between Dec-Apr depending on when you applied.

If you have not done so already you will want to:

• Do your research on costs of testing
• Look at application deadlines and programs
• Determine a start date
• Put together a list of target schools
• Find a law school that supports your interests!

There are numerous specialties in law, find a school that will support your interests through their program and coursework.

If you are unsure of which law you want to study you should do your research, connect with EC alumni, take relevant legal/law courses, and gain experience working in a law firm, government agency, public interest organizations or in a related role. This can be an internship, part time, or volunteer work.

You will also be able to gain more experience through your program coursework in law school and usually you will be required to do a practicum or internship.

Types of law: Family, Labor, Tax, Real Estate, Immigration, Corporate, Personal Injury, Environmental, Property, Constitutional, Divorce, Entertainment, Business, Civil Rights, Patent, Aviation, Financial, Insurance and so on.

Most law schools will require the following:

• Make a Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Account
• Begin securing recommendation letters from advisors, professors or supervisors who will speak highly of you
  • This could take a month or several weeks so ask in advance
• You will also want to request your transcripts and keep your GPA high
• Meet with your Career Advisor to update your resume
• Begin writing your personal statement and look at any prompts required (Complete by October)
  • Meet with Joe Linitz, Lead Writing Specialist in ARC who is an expert in personal statement writing

It can take anywhere from six weeks to two months to hear back after you submit your applications. The more competitive the law school, the longer it will take. You should apply to a dozen schools, including those which may seem like a reach and a few “safety” schools. Don’t underestimate your worth, but don’t be left without a backup plan.

• Choose The Best Law School for You!
• Step by Step Application Guide
• Law School Application Timeline
• Yale Law Application Resources

Local:

• Boston College
• Boston University
• Harvard University
• Massachusetts School of Law
• Northeastern University
• UMass Dartmouth
• Western New England University
• Vermont Law School
• UConn
• University of New Hampshire
• UMass Law
• Yale Law
• Cornell School of Law
• University of Southern Maine

Alumni have attended:

• New England School of Law: New England Law Admissions
• Roger Williams University School of Law:  RWU Law
• Quinnipiac University School of Law: Quinnipiac Law
• Suffolk University Law School: SU Law
• Villanova University School of Law: Charles Widger School of Law

• Baez Law Group 
• Callahan Law Office 
• Law Offices of Houlihan, Kraft & Cardinal 
• Giselle Rodriquez Immigration Law
• Law Offices of Mooney & Andrew P.A.
• David Baker Law
• Bonsignore Trial Lawyers
• DeMore Law
• CyberTrafficking BU Law
• The Law Offices of Saher Joseph Macarius
• Law Offices of Sherry Geller Cain & Vachereau
• Anthony N. Tomasiello, Jr Attorney and Counselor at Law
• Ropes & Gray
• Barrales Law
• Johanna Herrero Law
• The Boston Immigration Lawyer

The LSAT is a law aptitude test that is required to gain acceptance into most law schools. To pass you need a score of at least 120.

Preparing can take months so it is usually best to begin studying in the Spring.

You may need to take the test multiple times, consider taking the test in the summer with some fall back up dates and register early to save your spot since sites fill up fast.

If you plan to go to law school upon graduation you should take the LSAT the summer of your Junior year or Fall of Senior Year.

The test is normally offered June – November. Look for a list of dates and locations online.

LSAT Study Resources

• LSAT Questions Breakdown
• LSAT Flashcards
• Free LSAT Practice Exams Princeton Review
• Free LSAT Demon
• Manhattan Review Practice Questions
• LSAT Costs

How do I prepare for the LSAT ?

The purpose of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is to assess necessary skills for success in law school such as reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and writing.

There are many ways to prepare yourself for this exam. LSAT prep books are a great place to start’ these will give insight on testing strategies, content of the exam, practice activities, and more.

There are also LSAT prep courses you can take with an instructor that will teach you all the books have to offer in a class-like environment.

There are also numerous free, online resources that will create preparatory curriculums based on your starting skill levels to guide you in your studying.

Lastly, it is recommended to take practice tests throughout your journey to track progress as testing day approaches – these can be found online through various trusted websites.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to figure out what methods work best for you to sufficiently develop the skills that the LSAT will test you on. 

What if I have a low GPA or test score?

Most law schools take a holistic approach to admissions. So, if you are worried about your test scores or GPA not being high enough, you should aim to excel in other areas such as campus involvement, work experience, writing abilities, etc. to stand out amongst other applicants.

Keep in mind, you can take the LSAT multiple times until you’re happy with your score.

What courses, area of study or extracurricular activities should I pursue to strengthen my law school application?

While law schools will accept any major, those studying Political Science, History, Philosophy, or English will learn strong foundational skills of critical thinking and writing skills.

Similarly, those majoring in Sociology, Criminology & Criminal Justice, or even Psychology will have understandings of the social aspects of public service.

Additionally, you may want to look into courses that touch on topics pertaining to the kind of law you’d like to practice or general law and court procedures.

Relevant internships and volunteer experience as well as involvement in student organizations can also enhance your law school applications. 

What is the CAS?

The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) simplifies the application process by acting as a portal to hold all application materials such as your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any other required documents. This way, these materials only need to be submitted once to the LSAC; all schools approved by the American Bar Association are available electronically through a CAS account.

Which Law Schools Accept GRE scores?

Your Law School Application Strategy

5 Tips for LSAT Reading Comprehension

• Begin prep between January and April of your application year
• Your MCAT and application should be completed early May of Junior year if you plan to attend school the fall following graduation
• Many students take the MCAT more than once
  • If you plan to take the test multiple times, you should factor this into your application timeline and consider an earlier date
  • Consider wait times in receiving MCAT scores

Admission requirements vary from school to school,so it is important to confirm the following details for a school of interest:

• MCAT
• Volunteer Service
• Campus Involvement
• Hands-On Patient Care Experience
• Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement/Essay
• Interviews

For more information visit The Association of American Medical Colleges.

• Boston University School of Medicine (Boston)
• Harvard Medical School (Boston)
• Tufts University School of Medicine (Medford)
• University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (Worcester)

Campus Involvement

Here are some clubs and organizations that may be interesting to students on the Pre-Med Track:

Biology Club, Chemistry Club, DiverseAbilities, EC Community Outreach, Emmanuel Minorities in Stem, EmmanuWELL, Math Club, Neuroscience Club, Psychology Club, Saints Giving Back, Science Living Learning Community, STEM Roots, The Urban Food Project.

Learn more about these clubs and other opportunities on campus on Engage.

Volunteer Opportunities 

Emmanuel College Community Outreach– On campus organization dedicated to social justice and service throughout the Greater Boston Community. Volunteer opportunities at homeless shelters, food pantries, and many different events throughout the semester such as Bone Marrow Donation Swabbing, blood donations, feminine hygiene drives, etc.

Saints Giving Back– community service organization on campus. They partner with many different organizations (Beth Israel, The Boston House, etc.) Primarily focuses on creating self-care kits for children and families in the Boston area.

The Urban Food Project– advocates for a diverse, equitable, and sustainable food system. Brings food justice and sustainability education and engagement to Emmanuel, Boston, and beyond. Hosts many different speaker events as well as food drives and other food and environment-based initiatives.

Get Involved in Research

There are many research assistant positions available each year at Emmanuel. There are even summer positions to take advantage of while not having the course load of the standard academic year Fall-Spring. Learn more about research opportunities here, or visit HireSaints to see current job postings.

Research Internships

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Boston Medical Center
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Franciscan Children’s Hospital
• Johnson & Johnson
• Joslin Diabetes Center
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Moderna
• Takeda Pharmaceuticals

What is the MCAT?

• Medical College Admissions Test
• MCAT FAQ
• Required for admission to (most) medical schools
• Learn about current scoring here.
• There may be financial assistance opportunities for students who need support in paying for the cost of the exam. Click here to learn more about Fee Assistance Programs

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is the centralized medical school application processing service for the AAMC. This is what most U.S. medical schools use to process their applications.

• The application opens during the first week of May each year for the following year’s class. Submission opens the first week of June which leaves a month to work on application before submission.
• For example, you would apply in the Spring to attend medical school not that fall, but the following fall.
• AMCAS requires approximately 4–6 weeks to verify your application before it is transmitted to medical schools. The first batch of verified applications is usually scheduled to be sent at the end of June, so it is encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible to be included in the first batch.

How to Apply

• When applying, most schools use the online application system called OCTAS, or Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service.
• Once you have submitted all the required information, you will be able to apply to your chosen schools.

Application Timeline

• Typically, applications start in fall or early winter for the following academic year

Duration of Programs

• Master programs (not as common anymore) last 4 semesters with 6 months of nonpaid clinical work.
• Doctorate programs take up to three years, with two years of on-campus work and the rest through practicum work

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as Biology, Psychology, Sociology, Kinesiology. Some programs accept students from other undergraduate degrees. Although, having a related degree is advantageous.

• Example of prerequisite courses
  • Development Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Biology
  • Anatomy
  • Introductory statistics
  • Sociology

• Boston University
• MCPHS
• Tufts University
• Salem State University
• Regis College

Many schools require at least 40 hours and from at least two different locations. Although, many candidates should aim to receive 100 hours at multiple locations

• Where to gain relevant experience
  • Therapy Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Rehabilitation Centers
• Certifications
  • Having different certifications can make you a more attractive candidate when applying to OT school. For example, becoming CPR/First Aid certified.

• GPA requirement
  • Requirements may vary between programs, as a general rule most require to have a 3.0 GPA. Although, some programs require a 3.5 GPA.
• The GRE Exam
  • The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools
  • The (GRE) is required for some graduate programs but not all.

Certification

• Once you are finished with Occupational Therapy school you will need to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

The below timeline reflects a typical CASPA application cycle. Individual PA programs may have different requirements and deadlines.

January – April (Application Year)

• Take the GRE (if required by your target programs; earlier is better)
• Complete any remaining prerequisite courses (if possible)
• Order official transcripts
• Update your resume/CV with patient care experience, shadowing, volunteering, and leadership activities
• Draft and revise your personal statement
• Request letters of recommendation from PAs, professors, and/or supervisors
• Research PA programs and confirm prerequisite requirements

Late April (CASPA Opens)

• Create a CASPA account
• Enter all coursework and experiences
• Request transcripts be sent to CASPA
• Upload your personal statement and resume
• Assign and monitor letters of recommendation

May – July (Submit Primary Application Early)

• Submit your CASPA application as early as possible
• CASPA verifies coursework (typically takes 2–4 weeks)

July – November (Interview Preparation & Interviews)

• Prepare for interviews by reviewing common PA school questions and practicing responses
• Attend interviews (many schools have rolling admissions, so earlier interviews can improve your chances)
• Send thank-you emails to interviewers after each interview

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Nursing, and Health Science to name a few.
  • Some programs accept students from other undergraduate degrees. Although, having a related degree in the sciences or healthcare is advantageous.
• GPA requirement
  • Requirements may vary between programs, on average PA schools require a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. However, PA school is competitive and having a GPA of 3.5 or higher can be extremely beneficial. 
• Master’s degree
  • PAs need to receive a master’s degree from an accredited PA program.
• Doctorate degree
  • A doctorate degree for a PA will be a Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies (DPAS).
  • The GRE Exam
    • The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools
    • The GRE is required for few graduate programs now, but some still require this.
  • Letters of recommendation
    • Request for recommendations well in advance to ensure that the people you have chosen to have enough time.
    • It is highly recommended to have a letter of recommendation from a healthcare professional as well as a professor who can attest for your academics as well.
  • Maintain a competitive GPA (3.5+ overall and science GPA is typical)
  • Gain direct patient care experience (500–2,000 hours, e.g., CNA, EMT, MA, phlebotomist, nurse tech)
    • Gain healthcare/shadowing experience with a PA (20–100+ hours recommended)
    • Keep a record of clinical and shadowing hours (date, role, supervisor, setting)
  • Professional resume/CV
  • Complete supplemental essays or questionnaires (not all schools have them)
  • Create a CASPA account (application typically opens late April)
  • Order and send official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • Upload personal statement, coursework, resume/CV, patient hours, and recommendation
  • Interviews (if applicable)

• Northeastern
• Tufts
• MCPHS
• Bay Path
• Boston University
• Bryant

Gain Experience

• Most PA schools expect 2,000 hours of patient care experience (one year of full-time work). Although not all schools require this.
  • The best way to obtain hours can be through jobs such as EMT/paramedic work, nursing, family practice, and much more.
  • Below we have a list of positions that will help students meet the experience requirements for admission to PA school.

Different programs may have different requirements for healthcare experience. Be sure to research the requirements for programs you may be looking to apply to.

Places to get certified:

·  EMT Training

·  CNA Training – Catholic Charities

·  CNA Training – Red Cross

·  CNA Training Location List

·  Medical Assistant Programs

Potential Job Sites:

Brigham & Women’s, Mass General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts Dermatology Associates, South Shore Health, Boston Emergency Medical Services, Boston Ballet (PT), Cambridge Hospital

While the GRE can be required, it typically is not. Please research the schools you are planning to apply for and see if they require this. If you are unsure, reach out to the admissions department.

After candidates successfully complete a PA program, candidates need to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)