Prehealth

Newsletter

April 28, 2020

Welcome!

Dear Readers,

COVID-19 has thrown a fair amount of uncertainty into the current and upcoming application seasons. We will endeavor to keep you updated on changes/updates that might affect your application.

DAT Updates from ADEA

The ADA has informed ADEA of the following;

Prometric is planning to open their test centers on May 1 unless local or state directives prohibit them from doing so. During May they will limit testing to testing programs which they consider essential. The good news for us is that the ADA testing programs are considered essential.

Prometric is also taking measures to better protect their staff and test takers. Students will have to wear masks during testing, stations will be extensively cleaned between each appointment, and they are reducing capacity so that test takers are not seated next to each other.

At this time, the DAT will not be offered online. Here is a link with more information: https://www.ada.org/~/media/JCNDE/pdfs/DTS_JCNDE_COVID19_Update.pdf?la=en

As with many institutions, the situation is evolving. The DAT is considered an essential test and will be administered starting on May 1 in states where laws allow it. For May and June, testing capacity will be at 50% to allow for proper distance between test takers. Half of all administrations these two months were canceled for this purpose.

The dental schools continue to discuss how to best support applicants this cycle, including reviewing applications without DAT scores. Applicants should know that they can submit and complete their ADEA AADSAS application without DAT scores. While all schools ultimately require the score at this time, ADEA AADSAS can be completed without one. When the score is available, it will be matched to the applicants application and schools are notified of the update.

As ADEA receives information about DAT testing, I will share it in the community. Applicants are also welcome to check with individual schools or ADEA AADSAS customer service regarding application questions. Applicants and advisors are also encouraged to attend the 2020 ADEA GoDental Virtual Fair on May 19 to live chats with dental school admissions officers. Registration is open at https://adeagodental.vfairs.com/.

Please continue reading below for some more lighthearted news—many schools and associations are taking their activities online and there are still opportunities to engage with fellow students, admissions representatives, and current med/dent/PA students!

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Alternative Grading During Academic Disruption

TODAY AT 2:00PM

In the wake of COVID-19 colleges and universities have abruptly shifted to distance education while still being required to meet accreditation standards. Students have had to recalibrate their studies while navigating campus closures, obtaining accommodations, reallocating resources, and managing increased stress. In response, many colleges and universities are offering alternative grading policies for students. These changes to grading policies, as well as to the curricula, have implications for the upcoming admissions cycle.

In this webinar, participants will:

consider the rationale behind alternative grading
explore possible adjustments to admission policies in support of disrupted learning
understand the effects of alternative grading on medical school applications

Register today!

Stay Connected!

We have set up 2 new Canvas modules for current students and alumni to be able to stay connected with one another during the application process, and to allow you to watch our pre-recorded group advising sessions.

Join our Health Professions School Applicants Networking Space to ask & answer questions about any part of the application process. We want this to be a safe place for our Penn State applicants to have open and honest discussions about their candidacy.

Join our PreHealth Group Advising module to learn about preparing for a career in your chosen health profession, and gain access to the pre-health advising team.

How is COVID affecting your journey to a health profession?

Your Pre-health Advisers want to hear from you about your journey during this time. Please complete this survey to share how COVID is affecting you and sign up for additional resources to help you progress through your journey to your chosen health profession. This should take just a couple minutes to complete.

Volunteer at Centre Helps

Still within the State College area and looking to help?

Apply to volunteer with Centre Helps

Share your talents!

Help virtually entertain our most vulnerable neighbors in nursing homes.

Email for more info by April 30

offcampus@psu.edu

Penn State TLT wants to heart from you

The Faculty Programs Team at Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) Innovation is requesting that your students participate in the following survey about remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participation in this confidential survey is completely voluntary and should take roughly 10 minutes. Students’ answers will help TLT and the international community of educational technologists refine and develop resources for supporting students during periods of remote teaching and beyond. Survey results will be immediately utilized to impact summer programming, so we ask that students complete the survey by May 1, 2020.

The survey can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/2zhBztb

News from the Office of Science Engagement

Great new jobs, internships, co-ops, virtual sessions and more!

See what opportunities await you!

Ways to get involved from afar

Looking for ways to continue developing your candidacy for health professional school? We have suggestions for you to keep busy when you can't leave your house!

Build your candidacy from home!

Wondering how COVID-19 may be affecting your application?

Follow our blog for updates regarding COVID19 policies and responses.

UPDATED TODAY

This page is updated regularly and allows you to see individual school decisions that can help you migrate through these challenging times.

Virtual Fairs & Open Houses

-MANY NEW EVENTS!-

Feel like you are missing out by staying at home? Want to learn more about osteopathic medicine, medical school in the Caribbean, or postbacc opportunities? Visit and connect with these and other programs virtually at these live events!

Visit today!