Name: Rachel Hall
Major: HHP: Exercise Science and Wellness
HSPP Plan: Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: Jackson, TN
High school: Trinity Christian Academy
UTM graduate: May 2013

Why did you choose HHP as a major?
Initially I was a Nursing major at UTM.  I found a job in my hometown that would hire me to work on my summer and Christmas breaks.  I quickly realized that this profession was not for me.  I began to interview family friends who are in multiple vocations and decided to shadow some Physical Therapists to find out more about what they do daily.  From there, the decision was simple.  I needed to change my major from Nursing to HHP, which is the recommended major for pursuing a career in Physical Therapy by most graduate programs.

What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy doing anything outdoors. I love being with my friends and just sitting around and relaxing.

Were you a member of any organizations at UTM? If yes, which organizations? Did you hold any important roles? If yes, what were they?
I was a member in Mu Epsilon Delta, Gamma Beta Phi, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, and S.H.A.P.E. Club in which I was the Door Prize Chair for two years during the Brian Brown Memorial 5K.

Where will you be going this fall?
I will be attending the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN.

What was the hardest part of the application process?
In my opinion the most difficult part of the application process was filling out the PTCAS application.  It was much more extensive than I had anticipated.  I did not think that it would take as much time as it did and I was almost late submitting the form.

How many schools did you apply to?
I applied to five schools.

How did you choose the schools you applied to?
I chose schools based on their graduation rates, job placement rates and location. 

What advice would you give to pre-physical therapy students?
The best piece of advice that I could give a pre-physical therapy student is to be involved in your undergraduate campus.  Graduate schools really like to see leadership positions as well as general involvement.  They also like to see high GPAs, so do not waste your first two years of undergraduate studies thinking they won't matter in the long run, because they will.

The 2013-2014 application cycle for physical therapy programs will begin in July. What advice do you have for students who will be applying?
I would highly recommend everyone trying to apply for the physical therapy programs to start early.  Do not underestimate the magnitude of the application.  It takes quite a bit of time and effort to get all of the materials required organized and sent in.  After that, there is a processing period of about 2-3 weeks for all of the information to be sorted through.

How did you prepare for the GRE?
In order to prepare for the GRE I took some practice tests online and bought a Kaplan GRE book.  I did not use the book much, but I took some of the practice tests and read the advice in the book about how to progress through the test in the most beneficial way.

What advice do you have for students who are preparing for the GRE?
I would say the best way to prepare for the GRE is to start with plenty of time in advance and actually work through one of the prep books.  They are actually really helpful if you take the time to use them appropriately.

What other information do you think pre-physical therapy students should know?
I think it is very important for students considering the pre-physical therapy path to do plenty of observation hours before committing to this time-consuming journey to graduate school.  It is challenging but has been incredibly rewarding. 

Name: Elizabeth Stokes
Major: Biology, with a concentration in Cell and Molecular
HSPP Plan: Pre-Medical
Hometown: Clarksburg, TN in Carroll County
High school: Clarksburg High School
UTM graduate: 2012

Why did you choose Biology as a major?
I chose to become a Biology major because I had always had a passion for science, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. Cell and molecular biology was the perfect fit for both what I enjoyed and what I wanted to do with my life.

What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy reading, jogging with my dog, Isabel, spending time with my friends and extended family, going out, and shopping with my sisters.

Were you a member of any organizations at UTM? If yes, which organizations? Did you hold any important roles? If yes, what were they?
I tried to be very involved in campus life throughout my four years at UTM. I was a member of Chi Omega and served as chapter correspondent in 2010 and chapter vice-president in 2011. I was also a member of University Scholars and served as senior representative for 2011-2012. I was a PEP Leader, Student Ambassador, member of the Undergraduate Alumni Council, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and Mu Epsilon Delta. Lastly, I was a research student with Dr. James Smart from 2010-2012. 

Where will you be going this fall?
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in Memphis.

What was the hardest part of the application process?
The hardest part of the application process for me was the waiting and persevering through all of it. I did not get in the first time that I applied. I was waitlisted, and this momentarily devastated me. However, I had to realize that it was ultimately out of my hands. I regrouped and did some more shadowing and volunteering over the summer. Last fall I started teaching Zoology 251 and 352 labs and continued working at the clinic. It was very hard for me to go through the whole application process again, but I did. The second time around, I got a very early interview and was accepted to UTHSC by Thanksgiving. So while my ego was bruised for a bit and it didn’t happen just the way I had planned it out, I ultimately got to where I wanted to be.  

How many schools did you apply to?
Five.

How did you choose the schools you applied to?
I applied to all of the medical schools in Tennessee that I felt I would be competitive for and then selected a few others in the surrounding region that were ranked around the same.

What advice would you give to pre-medical students?
Do as much job shadowing/ volunteering as possible and/or get a job in a medical facility.  I worked as a phlebotomist at a clinic throughout college and had the opportunity to shadow several physicians on top of that. Doing things like this gives you the opportunity to see firsthand what it’s like to be a physician. Also, it’s a really good way to figure out if becoming a doctor is really for you. For me, my experiences only deepened my desire to go to medical school. However, I know others who came to realize that it wasn’t for them. Lastly, experiences like these are an excellent source of topics for essays and interviews that will come later in your application process.

The 2013-2014 application cycle for medical school will begin in May. What advice do you have for students who will be applying?
Get your application in as soon as possible. Earlier is always better. Just buckle down and get it done and out of the way. Once it is submitted, it will be a huge weight off of your shoulders, and you can just relax and wait for your interview invitations.

How did you prepare for the MCAT?
I studied independently from a Kaplan study book.

What advice do you have for students who are preparing for the MCAT?
Take a Kaplan study course if at all possible. That is the best and most effective way to study.  Also, since it is a class that you have to attend, it keeps you on task and helps you manage your study time wisely.

What other information do you think pre-med students should know?
There’s no perfect formula for getting into medical school. Everybody is different. Work hard in class, get involved, shadow, volunteer, work. Do things that you enjoy and the rest will fall into place. Also, I know it sounds cliché, but try not to stress too much.

Name: Lauren Ballard
Major: Biology, concentration in Organismal Biology
HSPP Plan: Pre-Optometry
Hometown: Paris, TN                                
UTM graduate: December 2012

Why did you choose Biology as a major?
Highly recommended for Optometry, and harder courses which prepare for graduate/professional school.

What do you like to do in your free time?
Travel internationally

Were you a member of any organizations at UTM? If yes, which organizations? Did you hold any important roles? If yes, what were they?
AOII, MED, and Pep-Leader

Where will you be going this fall?
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

What was the hardest part of the application process?
Waiting to hear from the schools.

How many schools did you apply to?
5 - invited to all interviews, went to 3 declined 2

How did you choose the schools you applied to?
Board passage rates and great reputations. Also, close to home.

What advice would you give to pre-optometry students?
Get lots of experience. See all possibilities-- retail, private practice and surgical.

The 2013-2014 application cycle for optometry school will begin in June. What advice do you have for students who will be applying?
Apply early!!! Also start working on personal essay early.

How did you prepare for the OAT?
Kaplan and OAT Destroyer

What advice do you have for students who are preparing for the OAT?
Don't just study, study, study- review. Also the weekend and day before do something fun, get your mind off of the OAT. Key note: don't be nervous!!

What other information do you think pre-optometry students should know?
Take OAT early in case you need to take it again, waiting between tests is 90 days. Make sure Optometry is what you want to do, it takes a lot of time and hard work, but so worth it when you receive acceptance letters! Choose a school that best fits you, you will be there 4 years.