Frequently Asked Questions
Application Process for the Pre-Med and Accelerated Health Scholar Programs
Required Scores / Academic Profile (High School)
Program Track Record - Acceptance to Medical / Health Professional School
Required Academic Profile/Scores for Presentation to Health Professional School
Application Process for the Health Scholar Programs
Pre-Med Health Scholar Program
Q- What is the application deadline?
A- Review of completed applications, which includes a review of the required supporting documentation, will begin in December. Candidates should plan to have their application and all supporting documents in by the January 16, 2012 deadline.
Q- Are Common Applications accepted?
A- No, Common Applications are not accepted. Applicants must submit the Pre-Med Health Scholar Application available on this web site.
Q- By when will I be informed if I am accepted?
A- Candidates will begin to be informed of their acceptance by April 1st.
Q- My guidance counselor sent my recommendation letters to the Temple University Office of Admissions; can these letters also be used for my application to the Health Scholars Program?
A- It is recommended that letters in support of the Prte-Med Health Scholar application be forwarded directly to the Office of Pre-Professional Health Studies. If you wish recommendation letters sent to the Office of Admissions to also be reviewed as a part of your Health Scholars application, you must inform this office or note this on the Health Scholar application.
Letters can be emailed (preferably as an attachment) to: healthadvising@temple.edu or hard copies can be mailed to:
Temple Health Scholars Program
c/o Pre-Professional Health Studies
1810 Liacouras Walk, Suite 100 (066-05)
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Q- I applied to Temple University; does this mean I am automatically being considered for the Health Scholars program?
A- No, candidates for the Health Scholars program must complete a separate Health Scholar application available on this web site.
Q- I applied to the Health Scholars Program; does this mean I am automatically being considered for Temple University?
A- No, candidates for the Health Scholars program must complete a separate application to Temple University available on the admissions website, www.temple.edu/admissions
Consideration for acceptance to the Health Scholars Program is contingent upon acceptance to Temple University as well as to the Temple Honors Program.
Q- By when should I request letters of recommendation to be sent?
A- Letters of recommendation should be requested slightly before or at the time an application is submitted. Confirming that letters are received is the responsibility of the applicant.
Accelerated Health Scholar Programs
Q- What is the application deadline?
A- Accelerated Health Scholar candidates apply after they have been accepted to Temple University, during their first semester. Review of a completed application, which includes a review of the academic profile from high schoool, will be made at that time. Candidates must apply before the end of their first semester at Temple. The accelerated options are not available for transfer students.
Q- By when will I be informed if I am accepted?
A- Candidates will be informed of their acceptance before the end of their first semester in consideration of registration requirements for the Spring semester under the accelerated time line.
Required Scores / Academic Profile (High School)
Q- The SAT score requirement notes 1320 for Math and Verbal combined (1350 for Pre-Med Health Scholars), is there a minimum score for each section?
A- The minimum score required for all applicants in each section is 650.
Q- If I submit my application but take my SAT exam after the application deadline date will these scores be considered?
A- No, applicants must adhere to the application deadline date for submission of all application requirements. Scores for exams taken after the deadline date will therefore not be considered.
Q- If I take the SAT more that once, will both exam test scores be considered?
A- Yes, the higher scores from each exam section will be considered.
Q- What ACT scores are required?
A- A minimum ACT score of 30 (32 for Pre-Med Health Scholars) is required.
Q- I have a 3.9 GPA, but in my school, I only rank in the top 15th or 20th percentile. Am I still a competitive applicant?
A- Yes, the program requirement is a high school GPA of 3.8 or higher. The class rank is not the determining factor.
The Scholars Program invites applications from candidates with strong high school academic records and demonstrated interest in their professional field. Typically, candidates have four (4) years of high school math and science; a HSGPA of 3.8 or higher; and an SAT score of 1320 (1350 for Pre-Med) or higher or an ACT of 30 (32 for Pre-Med) or higher; and have a demonstrated commitment to volunteer or service activities (with at least one being a health-care related experience).
Q- Do I have to be a US citizen in order to apply?
A- With the exception of applicants who are pursuing entrance to Medical School, US citizenship is not required.
Q- Is preference given to PA residents?
A- No, there is no preference in terms of residency.
Q- Do I have to maintain a 3.2 GPA (3.5 for Pre-Med) each semester? Are exceptions made or am I automatically dropped from the program?
A- Scholars are expected to maintain good standing and complete the appropriate foundation science courses with a 3.2 Science GPA (3.5 for Pre-Med) and an overall GPA of 3.2 (3.5 for Pre-Med), with no Cs, no Ws (withdrawals), no repeats, and no leaves of absence from the university. Students not meeting these requirements will be reviewed by the Director of the Office of Pre-Professional Health Studies and determinations will be made on an individual basis.
Q- What will I major in as a Health Scholar?
A-Depending on the career path, Health Scholars will have options for selecting a major. Majors should be selected based on academic ability and interest. Participation in one of the accelerated programs, however, will limit these options.
Accelerated Programs
Q- Are Health Scholars automatically eligible for an accelerated program?
A- No, Health Scholars must request consideration for the Accelerated Program option during their first semester at Temple.
Scholars interested in pursuing the Pre-Pharmacy Accelerated Program option must request consideration prior to beginning their sophomore year of study.
Q- Are the accelerated program agreements with Temple Health Professional Schools only?
A- Yes, all accelerated programs offer provissional acceptance into that particular Temple graduate or professional school.
Program Track Record - Acceptance to Medical / Health Professional School
Q- How many slots are available for the Health Scholars program?
A- There are no limitations on the number of qualified Health Scholars selected.
Q- How many Health Scholars apply each year?
A- The Health Scholars Program has between 80 and 100 applicants each year.
Q- Is there a guarantee for acceptance to Medical / Health Professional School?
A- No, there is no guarantee. Candidates who earn the required GPA in their undergraduate course work, engage in significant professional development activities, earn the required scores on the standardized test, and have a successful interview with the admissions committee can expect a seat in professional school.
Required Academic Profile/Scores For Presentation to Health Professional School
Q- What GPA and Entrance Exam Scores are required to be presented to the Temple Health Professional School of interest in consideration of acceptance as a Health Scholar?
A- Scholars must maintain a grade point average (overall and science GPA) of 3.2 (3.5 for Pre-Med). MCAT exam scores for Pre-Med must be a minimum of thirty (30) with no section less than nine (9). Exam scores for the other Health Professions are reviewed on an individual basis.
Financial Aid
Q- How much in scholarship or grant money will I receive?
A- Determinations for scholarships, grants and financial aid in general are made through the Temple University Office of Student Financial Services.
Housing
Q- Who do I ask about housing for the program?
A- Information on housing will be made available through the admissions process.
Contact Person
Q- Whom should I contact with additional questions?
A- Additional questions should be directed to:
The Office of Pre-Professional Health Studies
215-204-2513 or healthadvising@temple.edu
