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Consider your timeline activity: Professional school
Further Education
Consider your timeline activity: Professional school
Consider your timeline activity: professional school
About this Activity
Early planning is important for a successful application to professional school. Before arranging the tasks, please read the relevant pages in the What you need to know and Program information (e.g., Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy or Rehabilitation, etc.) subsections to answer many of your questions.
Professional School:
Focus on your grades early - all grades, including first year, can impact admission to professional programs
Cultivating relationships for references with professors (speak up in class, attend office hours, and/or volunteer to help with research), employers, and volunteer supervisors takes time. Do this well in advance of your application year
Balance work, volunteer, research, and extracurricular activities with maintaining high grades. Don’t delay getting experience until your last year as joining clubs early can allow you to obtain leadership positions. Also, displaying a consistent commitment to your profession (particularly healthcare), along with the initiative to learn about the realities of the profession will help you solidify a strong application – start early
Preparing for an admission test requires months of preparation and focus; don’t waste time/money writing if you are not ready. Definitely do not write just for the practice as typically your scores can be viewed by Admissions. Also, do not write the test on the last possible date as you may need time to re-write if your scores are low
A Career Development appointment will help you determine your values, skills, interests, and personality in order to make decisions about your career direction and program choice – the earlier you start learning about yourself, the earlier you will feel prepared to make decisions or determine back-up plans
Individual applications, co-op streams, and circumstances can differ, so adjust your timeline accordingly and/or meet with a Further Education Career Advisor to discuss alterations to your timeline
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Year 1
Maintain High Grades
Access transcript through Quest to ensure accuracy and be aware that all grades, including first year, can impact admission to professional programs.
Book Planning Appointment
Book Professional/Graduate School Planning appointment through Centre for Career Action website, after reviewing relevant Career Action materials, if process of applying for further education is unclear.
Year 2
Maintain High Grades
Access transcript through Quest to ensure accuracy and be aware that all grades, including first year, can impact admission to professional programs.
Research Schools/Programs
Research programs to check admission requirements, determine prerequisites, admission test requirements, and deadline dates. Visit schools (i.e., go on organized campus tour, attend classes) and develop school list. Talk to professors, current students, and alumni for program advice.
Book Planning Appointment
Book Professional/Graduate School Planning appointment through Centre for Career Action website, after reviewing relevant Career Action materials, if process of applying for further education is unclear.
Research Test Prep
Research admission test prep courses to determine value of completing one. Take practice admission test (some campus clubs offer practice tests).
Year 3
Fall
Maintain High Grades
Access transcript through Quest to ensure accuracy and be aware that all grades, including first year, can impact admission to professional programs.
Research Test Prep
Research admission test prep courses to determine value of completing one. Take practice admission test (some campus clubs offer practice tests).
Winter
Maintain High Grades
Access transcript through Quest to ensure accuracy and be aware that all grades, including first year, can impact admission to professional programs.
Spring
Maintain High Grades
Access transcript through Quest to ensure accuracy and be aware that all grades, including first year, can impact admission to professional programs.
Contact Potential Referees
Contact academic and non-academic referees to ask for reference letters and set up times to meet individually.
Year 4
Fall
Maintain High Grades
Access transcript through Quest to ensure accuracy and be aware that all grades, including first year, can impact admission to professional programs.
Contact Potential Referees
Contact academic and non-academic referees to ask for reference letters and set up times to meet individually.
Meet with Referees
Meet with referees to provide detailed information to assist in writing reference letters.
Winter
Maintain High Grades
Access transcript through Quest to ensure accuracy and be aware that all grades, including first year, can impact admission to professional programs.
Book Professional School Mock Interview
Book Professional School Mock Interview appointment through Centre for Career Action website.
Tasks
Take Admission Test
Take admission test if required (allow time to re-take if scores are low)
Join Organizations/Clubs
Join campus or professional organizations and clubs related to profession to build application.
Get Involved/Get Experience
Look for volunteer (check out UWaterloo’s Volunteer Fair), research, extracurricular, or work opportunities to learn about field, determine fit, and gain experience. All experiences will help with career decisions and applications.
Create Application
Create personal statement/letter of intent, CV/résumé, sketch, and/or essay questions for application. Order transcripts if necessary.
Book Career Development Appointment
Book Career Development/Decision Making appointment through Centre for Career Action website if uncertain about pursuing further education.
Attend PPD Day
Attend Professional & Post-degree Day (PPD Day) to talk to admissions staff from 100+ programs (October).
Cultivate Referee Relationships
Cultivate and maintain relationships with future potential referees.
Book Application Review Appointment
Book Professional/Graduate School Application/Personal Statement Review appointment through Centre for Career Action website to finalize application.
Submit Application
Submit completed application package by deadline (no exceptions).
Further Education