Creating a school list is an ongoing process that involves approaching it from two different angles: exploring a broad range of programs early to inform and understand opportunities and requirements, and later refining the list based on your personal experiences, preferences, and goals.
For Early Undergrads:
Creating a draft school list early in your pre-health undergraduate journey is a strategic step that can shape your academic and professional path. At this stage, the goal is not to finalize where you’ll apply, but to start exploring programs that align with your career interests. Students should not approach this process as if they are shaping themselves to fit a certain image for admissions. Instead, this should be approached with the intention to inform oneself.
Identifying schools early helps you understand general prerequisites, program expectations, and opportunities for research, volunteering, and clinical experience. This exploration allows you to plan coursework and extracurriculars thoughtfully, laying a foundation for a competitive application later. Essentially, a preliminary school list transforms a vague career aspiration into a more concrete, actionable plan, giving you direction as you gain experience and clarity about your goals.
For Later Undergraduate:
As you progress through your undergraduate years, your experiences and self-awareness grow. You begin to better understand what you want for yourself, in a program and what kind of healthcare professional you aim to become. At this stage, your school list can be refined and narrowed. Many students start with a broader list then trim it to the programs they feel best align with their goals when they are ready to apply. This process should take into account your completed coursework, experiences, personal preferences, and insights gained from shadowing, volunteering, or research. Students truly begin to solidify their school list once they begin applying and finalize the list when they are ready to submit. By the time you finalize your school list, you’re informed and strategic, not simply following trends or assumptions.
Use HPA’s School List Template
Students are encouraged to make a copy of HPA’s My School List Template to track and compare programs. Feel free to personalize the template based on your own preferences and priorities.
Solidifying a School List: What HPA Recommends
As students are preparing to solidify their school list, HPA encourages students to reflect on the following. Doing this work upfront will make your research more meaningful and help you identify programs that are a strong match for your goals.
1. Reflect on Your Experiences
Make a comprehensive list of all your experiences during college—clinical, non-clinical, extracurricular, academic, work, leadership, and personal experiences. Nothing is too small or insignificant to include. As you compile this list, think about how each experience has shaped your interests, values, and long-term career goals. Students are strongly encouraged to track and journal these activities over time, as doing so not only supports thoughtful school selection but also strengthens future application materials.
2. Review Prerequisite Coursework
Prerequisite coursework is a crucial component of your application and plays a major role in determining your eligibility for admission. Review the required courses for your intended profession and confirm that you have completed—or have a clear plan to complete—most or all of them. Keep in mind that each health field may have different requirements, so be sure to double-check the guidelines specific to your chosen discipline.
3. Calculate Your Academic Metrics
Accurately calculate your:
- Overall GPA
- Science GPA (what courses count towards a science GPA varies by application system)
Remember that many health professional schools factor in repeat courses when calculating GPA, even if your university does not. To ensure accuracy, use HPA’s GPA calculator to verify your numbers. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a HPA Staff Advisor to review their calculations.
4. Have an Official Test Score or a Reliable Practice Score
You should either:
- Have an official exam score (MCAT, DAT, OAT, PA-CAT, GRE, etc.), OR
- Have a strong estimate based on at least five full-length practice exams
To learn more about the standardized exam and preparing for it, please visit HPA’s Application Preparation tab on Standardized Exams and HPA’s Test Prep Events & Resources.
After Completing These Steps: Begin Researching Schools
There are many databases that can help you get started, but remember that the most accurate and up-to-date information will always come directly from each school’s official website and webinars.
Helpful Databases by Field:
- MD: AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)
- DO: AACOM’s ChooseDO Explorer
- PA: PAEA’s CASPA Program Directory
- DDS/DMD: ADEA’s Dental School Explorer, ADEA’s PASS Programs, CODA’s List of Accredited Programs
- OD: ASCO’s Schools and Colleges of Optometry
- DVM: Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements (VMSAR)
- PharmD: PharmCAS School Directory
Important Factors to Consider When Selecting Schools
When evaluating programs, consider how well each school aligns with your needs, goals, and learning style. Metrics alone rarely determine whether a school is a good fit.
Key Parameters
- Location (urban, suburban, rural)
- GPA and test score expectations
Tip: Focus on the bottom of the ranges, not the median. Medians do not indicate competitiveness—minimums do. - Curriculum model (PBL, CBL, traditional, systems-based, etc.)
- Tracks or special concentrations
- Community service opportunities
- Research availability
- Class size and learning environment
- Clinical training sites and early clinical exposure
- Student organizations and campus community
- Inclusive and supportive environment
- First-time board/licensing exam pass rates
Fit Matters
Ultimately, your school list should reflect programs where you will:
- Thrive academically and personally
- Feel supported
- Gain the experiences you need to reach your career goals
A school that simply accepts you is not necessarily the school where you will succeed. A good fit enhances your ability to learn, grow, and complete your training.
A Note for California Residents Applying to MD Programs
California MD applicants experience regional admission trends that may affect success rates. Based on UC Davis data, California residents have fewer acceptances in the:
- Pacific Northwest
- South
- Northeast
It is not impossible to gain admission in these regions, but these trends should inform your strategy.
ALT TEXT: The image above depicts where UC Davis MD applicants have been accepted to in the United States in red and where applicants have not yet been accepted to in grey. States where UC Davis MD applicants have been accepted to are: California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Virginia, and Florida.