PAC Application FAQs
- How do I remove myself from the PAC course on Canvas?
- The PAC application is hosted on Canvas, and you can remove yourself from the course.
- Open the PAC Process course in Canvas, and look to the upper right of the screen for a "Drop this Course" button, typically found under the "View Course Stream" button. You will be dropped from the course and it will no longer appear on your Canvas dashboard.
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Is it mandatory to attend the information session, workshop, or a mock interview?
- No. You are only required to meet the minimum eligibility requirements and submit your application and supplemental materials on time.
- However, participating in all these activities, and especially attending the info session is strongly recommended to successfully prepare your application and strengthen your interview.
- The info session includes an overview of PAC process and a detailed explanation on how to fill out the PAC application. Students are encouraged to review the application prior to attending the session live on Zoom.
- Check the PAC homepage for the timing of these opportunities.
- What resources are available to aid me in writing my personal statement?
- We strongly encourage all applicants to use both our guide to pre-writing and our 5-step writing guide found in the Apply section of the toolbox for each field (direct links: pre-med and pre-dental).
- Each year, we partner with the OSU Writing Center to offer a PAC personal statement workshop. Check the PAC homepage for details, typically added after the application opens for the year. The workshop is typically held in early November.
- Do I need official or unofficial transcripts from every college/university that I’ve
attended for my application?
- Yes. We require unofficial transcripts from each individual college/university you’ve ever attended are required.
- We prefer unofficial transcripts that include your legal name, course information, credit hours, and final grades. Official transcripts are acceptable but not preferred for several reasons, including their cost to the PAC applicant.
- To access your OSU-Stillwater/Tulsa transcripts: Unofficial Transcripts | Oklahoma State University (okstate.edu)
- If you've attended other institutions other than OSU-Stillwater/Tulsa, you are required to attach all college/university transcripts in addition to your OSU-Stillwater/Tulsa transcript.
- Within the application's "Authorization for Release of Confidential Information"
section, what does waiving your right versus retaining your right really mean?
- This is a choice that every applicant has for every individual letter of recommendation written on your behalf (PAC committee letter or other individuals writing letters).
- If you chose to retain your right (which means you wish to review or have access to the committee letter), then the PAC committee would also have to notate this on your official committee letter submission we later upload to your official professional medical or dental school application.
- This is seen by all professional schools you apply to when admissions begins to holistically review your official medical or dental school application.
- This typically indicates to a professional school admissions committee that the letter was written from a place in which the committee could not be fully honest in their entire holistic assessment of the applicant.
- Professional school admissions application reviewers often perceive retaining your right as a "red flag."
- It is not a positive sign if elect you retain your right versus waiving your right for any letter of recommendation, including your PAC committee letter.
- How will I know if I have been "accepted" to PAC?
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Everyone who meets the minimum qualifications, completes the application, provides all required materials, and meets all deadlines will be offered an interview with the committee.
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Being offered an interview is not a statement of a candidate's readiness to apply to dental or medical school. We do not have a limited number of seats to fill. Every applicant who meets the minimum qualifications will be offered an interview.
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Details regarding how and the timing of when we reach out vary by year and are included in the application materials and the info session.
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- Is the PAC letter an endorsement of my candidacy for professional school?
- From the perspective of professional schools, a high quality committee letter aims to be a balanced and fair evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of a candidate for professional school.
- The PAC letter is a comprehensive letter of evaluation, based on your interview and application materials.
- What if I feel my interview went terribly or I decide not to apply to professional
school this cycle?
- Even after completing the PAC interview, you are under no obligation to apply to medical or dental school, and you are under no obligation to request we upload the letter to the application portal(s) of your choice.
- Neither our office nor PAC will submit your PAC letter to a professional school without a request from you.