Why does Denison use Interfolio?

Why Law?

Before launching into the law school application process, spend some time examining your motivation to develop a career in law. Self-assessment is an important first step. Ask yourself questions like:

What is it about the practice of law that attracts me?

What skills do I have that would make me a good attorney?

What are my values and ideals and how will they relate to a legal career?

What, in fact, do lawyers do?

Is that really what I want to spend my life doing?

Are there other careers which would be more appropriate for my skills, interests, attitudes, and values?

Talk with Denison alumni or attorneys in your community who are practicing law. Ask them what it is about the legal profession that they find satisfying and unsatisfying. Get in touch with J.D.'s who are using their legal degree outside the more traditional law firm environment. Talk with those who have left the practice of law for other career fields, and ask them why they have taken another direction. Read books and articles about careers in law. Find out about the job market and salary ranges of attorneys. Consider how you will finance your legal education.

Explore the field of law by completing a Denison Internship or spending a full summer working in a law firm or another legal environment. See if you like thinking and writing as a lawyer. Find out if you feel comfortable in a legal setting.

Law school--and the legal profession-- is for people who like debating, assembling and developing facts, expressing ideas clearly, probing issues and problems to basic premises or solutions, conducting interviews to obtain information, and the art of negotiating. If you enjoy reading and studying, analyzing logically and precisely, disputing and arguing, and both speaking and writing, then you will probably enjoy the rigorous study of law as well as a career in the practice of law.

Preparation for Law School

While the American Bar Association does not recommend nor do law schools require certain majors, graduates of liberal arts institutions are well prepared for the study of law. A recent statement by the ABA identifies important skills and values as well as significant bodies of knowledge that are thought to provide a solid pre-legal education. It is significant that these skills and values are the hallmark of a liberal education.

Denison graduates who have chosen the legal profession represent a broad array of majors: chemistry, English, philosophy, religion, political science, history, psychology, sociology/anthropology, economics, Black Studies, and Women's Studies.

Among the core skills and values considered by the ABA to be essential for competent lawyering are the following:

• analytic and problem-solving skills
• critical reading abilities
• writing skills
• oral communication and listening abilities
• general research skills
• task organization and management skills
• the value of serving others and promoting justice

Denison's general education requirements and academic majors, minors, and concentrations all help the pre-law student to develop these skills as well as some of the following basic areas of knowledge deemed important as preparation for law school:

• a broad understanding of history, particularly American history, and the various factors (social political, economic and cultural) that have influenced the development of the pluralistic society that presently exists in the United States;

• a fundamental understanding of political thought and theory, and of the contemporary American political system;

• a basic understanding of ethical theory and theories of justice;

• a grounding in economics, particularly elementary micro-economic theory, and an understanding of the interaction between economic theory and public policy;

• some basic mathematical and financial skills, such as an understanding of basic pre-calculus mathematics and an ability to analyze financial data;

• a basic understanding of human behavior and social interaction; and

• an understanding of diverse cultures within and beyond the United States, on international institutions and issues, and of the increasing interdependence of the nations and communities within our world.

If you are interested in the complete statement on Preparation for Legal Education approved by the ABA secton of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, visit the link[aba].

In addition to academic course work, it is recommended that the pre-law student explore the legal profession by completing an internship in a law firm or a legally-related environment. Denison's link[internship] provides opportunities for students to apply for legal internships or to design their own. A three-week or summer-long internship may help to confirm your career direction and even to define your focus on a particular application of the law.

The Application Process

Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) will be administered in October, December, February and June. Registration booklets for the LSAT are available in Career Exploration & Development. While it is highly recommended to take the June test prior to the senior year, you may sit for the September test, with scores being released in late October. December test takers receive their scores in early January and need to be particularly aware of early application deadlines. Details regarding the LSAT are available through the Law School Admission Council Law School Admissions Counselor.

Preparation for the LSAT

Denison has a new resource through the Ohio link library and the new website has three free, timed practice exams for the LSAT, GRE, GMAT and MCAT. The website is www.learningexpresslibrary.com/ and you need to create a free account and be logged in at Denison's webpage. With LearnATest.com's practice tests, you'll get:

• An online practice test in the various categories, just like the official exams
• Instant online score and detailed answer explanations
• A personalized analysis that identifies your strengths and weaknesses so you'll know how to prepare.

Preparation for the LSAT is an individual matter. The Triple Prep Test Plus publication of the Law School Admisions Council is an excellent resource for self-study. You may secure this book and other practice tests with your LSAT registration or borrow copies from the Career Resource Library.

An additional option is to enroll in the Kaplan Test Preparation course or the Princeton Review course offered at centers across the country throughout the year. Both also offer courses during the Fall semester at Denison. Call 1-800-KAP-TEST for details. Information for the Princeton Review courses is at http://www.princetonreview.com/.

Subscribe to the LAW SCHOOL DATA ASSEMBLY SERVICE (LSDAS) a service which forwards your LSAT scores and your transcript analysis to the schools to which you are applying. Details on the LSDAS subscription are available through the Law Schools Admission Council.

Arrange an individual appointment with Career Services to discuss the entire application process including the decision regarding where to file applications.

For selection of law schools appropriate for you, use resources in the career resource library.

Financial Aid Information for Pre-Law Students

Several institutions and private loan companies have developed websites to address the concerns and questions students have about securing financial aid. The following is a list of financial aid resources:

• Law School Admissions Counsel
• The SmartStudentTM Guide to Financial Aid
• The Access Group
• LawLoans/SallieMae
• Scholarship Research Network
• Fast Web for Student Services, Inc
• Cost of Living Site

Selecting a Law School

The official guide to US law schools provides a fairly comprehensive two-page narrative profile of all 199 ABA-approved U.S. law schools, usually including a grid reporting previous year's acceptance profiles. Searchable links of over 199 ABA approved U.S. Law Schools and applications for all law schools is available through the Law School Admissions council website at www.lsac.org.

Home pages of ABA-Approved law schools, Law School Admissions Council, providing current information on curriculum, admissions, financial aid, placement and other details of importance to you in selecting law schools for your application process.

The Ohio State University Union on High Street will host a number of law school representatives. Take time to visit tables of those schools to which you are most interested in applying. Pick-up application materials and other law school publications.

Complete applications and personal statements well ahead of the stated deadlines. Most schools consider applications as they are completed, so it is advantageous to get yours in earlier than the stated deadline. See Career Exploration & Development for selected resources on writing the Personal Statement.

Websites for Prospective Law Students

• Pre-Law page of the National Association for Law Placement (NALP)

  NALP is a nonprofit educational association established in 1971 to meet the needs of the participants in the legal employment process which includes legal employers, law schools, law students, and graduates for information, coordination, and standards. NALP's membership includes virtually every ABA-accredited law school and more than 800 of the nation's largest legal employers. NALP is committed to providing leadership in the areas of legal career planning, recruitment and hiring, and research related to the employment market for law graduates. Education Resource page of the American Bar Association (ABA).

  ABA approved law schools; frequently asked questions about law school accreditation; preparation for a legal education; admission to the bar; careers in the legal profession.

• Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)

  The Council on Legal Education Opportunity ("CLEO") was founded in 1968 as a non-profit project of the American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education to expand opportunities for minorities and low-income students to attend law school and become members of the legal profession by providing pre-law recruitment, counseling, placement assistance and training.

• Pre-Law page of the Internet Legal Resource Guide

  The Internet Legal Resource Guide (ILRG) purports to be a comprehensive resource to the information available on the Internet concerning law and the legal profession. The link above will take you its prelaw page, where you will find numerous links to information on law schools, LSAT preparation, application strategies, rankings, and pre-law guides from various colleges.

• Pre-Law page of Hieros Gamos

  Hieros Gamos is an even more comprehensive legal research web site than the ILRG, with links to sites for law schools, law firms, bar associations, legal journals and much, much more. The link above will take you to their pre-law page, where you will find links similar to those on the Internet Legal Resource Guide.

• Admissions page of Jurist

  JURIST is the Internet's legal education portal, the university-based academic gateway to authoritative legal instruction, information and scholarship online. JURIST is edited by a team of Net-literate law professors from law schools across the United States and around the world. It's designed for people learning, teaching or researching law - legal scholars, law students, law librarians, lawyers and judges, journalists, and interested citizens.

• Welcome to the Legal Division (LGD) of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)

  Comprised of 25 attorneys and 3 administrative support personnel, the LGD is responsible for delivering professional, comprehensive legal training to over 70 federal law enforcement agencies, including the United States Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Internal Revenue Service, among others.

Paralegal Opportunities

The American Bar Association (ABA) defines paralegals as:

"persons who, although not members of the legal profession, are qualified through education, training or work experience, are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity in a capacity or function which involves the performance, under the direction and supervision of an attorney, of specifically delegated substantive legal work, which work, for the most part, requires a sufficient knowledge of legal concepts, such that, absent that legal assistant, the attorney would perform the task."

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) in 1987 defined the paralegal as:

"a person qualified through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer."

No matter what the definition, paralegal or legal assistant career opportunities continue to be popular. If you are interested in learning more about paralegal opportunities, come to the Career Resources Library where you will find two extremely helpful books:

• Paralegal: An Insider's Guide to One of the Fastest-Growing Occupations of the 1990s (Second Edition), Barbara Bernardo, Peterson's Guides, Princeton, NJ, 1993

• How to Land Your First Paralegal Job, Andrea Wagner, Estrin Publishing, Santa Monica, CA, 1992

Students with an undergraduate degree can apply directly to law firms and other agencies and organizations seeking paralegals, in which case in-house training is offered. A second option is to complete a formal Paralegal Training Program. For an extensive listing of paralegal training programs, visit the web-site noted in the index, National Federation of Paralegal Associates.

Pre-Professional Advising at Denison University

Denison University, like many other colleges, does not offer a single pre-med or pre-health professions major, as there are many possible paths to embarking on careers in these areas. For many students, majors in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or Athletic Training provide the background needed for medical, dental, veterinary, optometry and other professional schools. Other students pursue alternative majors being careful to complete the prerequisite science courses required by the professional schools they would like to attend. However, requirements for such schools differ greatly, and for this reason the University offers students access to faculty members who assist students to prepare for success in these fields. Additionally, the University’s Career Exploration and Development staff provides individual career advising so that students have the necessary support and resources as they plan their pre-med and pre-health occupation paths.

Schools of the health professions are seeking students who have solid undergraduate backgrounds in the sciences as well as the communication skills and well-rounded experiences in the humanities and social sciences that are hallmarks of a liberal arts education. This is why Denison University graduates have been so successful in establishing careers as physicians, dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, physician assistants, and other medical professionals. Our graduates have attended medical school in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and many other schools throughout the nation. The information that follows provides guidance to some of the questions and issues many undergraduates have when seeking careers in the health professions.

Undergraduate Course Requirements

Schools of the health professions do not specify a preference for any particular undergraduate major. We always advise students to major in a discipline that they find intellectually stimulating and which will prepare them for a desirable alternative career in the event that they decide not to become a health professional. Most of our pre-professional students major in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or athletic training. However, other majors are acceptable as long as the student has completed the necessary undergraduate course requirements.

Health professions schools do have specific undergraduate course requirements. These vary considerably for different professions, and to a lesser degree between different schools for the same profession. It is essential that you learn this information early in your college career to ensure that you take all of the courses you need. Nearly all medical schools require the course listed below. (Denison University courses are indicated.)

1. Introductory Chemistry (CHEM 131) - 4 semester hours
2. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 132-251) - 8 semester hours
3. Biochemistry (CHEM 258) - 4 semester hours
4. Introduction to Biology (BIOL 150) – 4 semester hours
5. Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOL 201) – 4 semester hours
6. General  Physics I & II (PHYS 121, 122) – 8 semester hours
7. Mathematics: two semesters including some calculus (not required of some schools)Calculus (Math 121, 123, or 124) or Statistics (Math 102) 8 semester hours
8. English (two semesters including First Year Seminar (FYS 102) or English 201 or higher and a literature course English 200 or higher) – 8semester hours

You are strongly advised to complete these courses by the end of your junior year before you take the health professions admissions tests. This means that the General Chemistry and Biology courses should be taken during the freshman and sophomore years, and that the Organic Chemistry and Physics courses should be completed during the sophomore and junior years.

Some dental schools require additional course work in biology (e.g., microbiology, anatomy) and in disciplines that enhance the development of manual dexterity (e.g., musical instruments, sculpture, ceramics). Many dental schools do not have a mathematics requirement.

Most veterinary schools require additional courses in biology.

Admissions Tests

Your performance on the admission test is a critical factor that will determine your chances of a successful application. Even if you have an excellent GPA, do not assume that you will know the material well enough to achieve adequate test scores without a comprehensive study program. Our students have taken various study approaches.

These include the following:

1. Detailed review of the material covered in the required biology, chemistry, and physics courses
2. Study manuals available at bookstores
3. Commercial preparation courses

• MCAT - The Medical College Admission Test is a requirement for admission to medical school. Interested student must also complete the American Medical College Applications Service, AMCAS.
  
• DAT - The Dental Admission Test is a requirement for admission to dental school.
  
• PCAT - The Pharmacy College Admission Test is a requirement for admission to pharmacy school.
  
• VCAT - The Veterinary College Admission Test is a requirement for admission to a few veterinary schools. Most veterinary schools now require the GRE or MCAT instead.
  
• OAT - The OAT is sponsored by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) for applicants seeking admission to an optometry program.
  

Test Preparation

Courses

• Kaplan
  
• Princeton Review
  
• MCAT Preparation

Getting Experience in the Health Professions

Your application to schools of the health professions will be strengthened by the experiences you have had in health care. (In fact, most veterinary schools specify the number of hours you must have logged in animal care clinics.) Schools want to be certain that you understand your career choice and that you are highly motivated to complete the rigorous educational requirements you will face in medical, dental or veterinary school. We strongly encourage our students to find part-time positions or volunteer their time in hospitals, nursing homes, etc. This can be done during summer breaks in your home town or worked into your class schedule during the school year.

Choosing a Graduate or Professional School & Specialization

It takes a lot of research to identify the program that best meets your needs. Establish your own criteria with which to compare graduate schools.

Suggested Criteria

Admissions

• What are the requirements?
• Do you meet the program requirements?
• What type of students does the program attract?

Programs

• What specializations are available?
• Is the program focused on theory and original research, or the practical application of knowledge and skills?
• Do the research facilities suit your needs?
• How long does it take to complete the program?

National Graduate School Rankings

• Take a look at which institutions offer the “best” programs of study. Pay attention to the criteria used to rank the school to find out if those criteria coincide with your personal criteria. Rankings are available online from U.S. News & World Report.

Geographic Location

• Climate
• Political and social temper
• Setting (Urban or Rural)

Size

• How large is the institution and the department?
• How many students are enrolled?
• What is the student to faculty ratio?

Faculty

• Who are they?
• Are there specific people doing the type of research in which you are interested?
• What have they published?

State Regulations

• In-state preference of applicants?
• Issues related to state licensure, boards, etc.?

Outcomes

• Are there opportunities for teaching or research assistantships?
• Will you receive assistance in your job search?
• What companies express interest in graduates from your department?
• How helpful are the departmental faculty in your search? 

Financial Aid

• Any application may receive larger awards at some institutions depending on university budgets. Graduate aid is based largely on merit, not need.
  

You may get more information by talking to faculty in your chosen field. Discuss your interests and which institutions would be most appropriate for meeting your goals. Admission officials and faculty members can help you with this information. Do not hesitate to contact them by phone, letter, email, or even a personal visit.

General Graduate School Online Resources

• Peterson’s Education Center Guide - http://www.petersons.com/graduate
• GradSchool.com - http://www.gradschool.com
• Graduate School Guide On-line - http://www.schoolguides.com
• Association of American Medical Colleges - http://www.aamc.org/
•  Allied health care career information - http://library.thinkquest.org/15569/car1a.html
•  Medical careers, their roles and responsibilities, average salaries, educational requirements, and associated affiliations with your career option - http://healthprofessions.com/
• Medical student resource guide -  www.studentdoc.com/ 
• StudentDoctor.net - www.studentdoctor.net/
  
• AMA finance- resources to help pay for medical school - www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/5010.html
• AMCASS - www.aamc.org/students/start.htm
  
• Overview for anyone considering med school - http://www.gomedicalschool.com/

• Medical School Admission Requirements, US & Canada (Association of American Medical Colleges) - http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/msar.htm
• Admission Requirements, US and Canadian Dental Schools (American Association of Dental Schools) - http://www.irandental.org/dental_schools.htm
• Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the United States and Canada (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges) - http://www.aavmc.org/
• Health & Medical Jobs- www.health-medical-jobs.com/
• Central Application Service for Physician Assistants - https://portal.caspaonline.org/
• GraduateNursingEDU.org - www.graduatenursingedu.org/

The Application Process

Primary Application

American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

Ninety percent of American medical schools subscribe to the Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). This service provides them with your grades and your MCAT scores. It provides you with a single (albeit lengthy) application form which may be used for multiple applications, saving you from having to write out a new form for each school. The online application may be accessed around May 1st of your senior year.

You must supply AMCAS with an official transcript, fees, and the completed application form. Do not neglect the essay.

Transcript

Get a copy from the Registrar's Office. Check it for accuracy. Use it to complete the AR (Academic Record) portion of the AMCAS form. Have the Registrar send an official transcript to AMCAS soon after you file your application with them. Each college or university at which you have taken courses must submit an official transcript accompanied by a Transcript Matching Form which you are to supply to them when you request your transcript to be sent. It is a page which comes from AMCAS and aids them in identifying your file. Do Not Send recommendations to AMCAS. If you are currently in school, your transcript may not be ready until June. After you have seen it and verified that it is correct, request that one be sent to AMCAS.

Fees & Forms

Follow the directions carefully. The correct completion of the AMCAS procedure is worth two college credits in intermediate bureaucracy. Allow time.

Essay

Write one under "personal comments." Remember that this may be going to many different schools; don't address it to a specific one.

Print out a copy of your AMCAS form so that you will be able to refer to it in any negotiations you may have with AMCAS or with the medical school. Interviewers may question you on parts of your application. You should know what they are referring to, so read your copy again shortly before your interview.

Chronology of Procedure for AMCAS

1. Complete AMCAS forms on line beginning in May. Try to send them back to AMCAS by July 4.
2. Send off completed forms with fees.
3. Have official transcripts sent to AMCAS.
4. Expect notification that AMCAS has your materials (two or three weeks after number 2).
5. Expect notification from the medical schools you named on the designation form that they have received your application from AMCAS. (Allow two or three weeks after number 4). They may want application fees now. Pay up if you want further consideration. Send your recommendations. Select individual letters and provide your references with your AAMC ID# and AMCAS Letter ID.
6. Mid-year grades can be sent directly to the schools from which you are waiting to hear, not to AMCAS.
7. If you receive financial aid and qualify for fee reduction, see the AAMC web site early in the spring semester for information about registering for fee reduction.

Correspondence

Include your appropriate identification number on all correspondence with AMCAS, MCAT, or DAT.

Secondaries

After medical schools receive your application, they will send you what's called a "secondary." Some schools send all of their applicants a secondary, while others go through an initial cut (usually based totally on GPA and MCAT score). Secondaries usually include a variety of essays that are slightly more directed than the "personal comments" in the primaries part of the application.

Application Essay or Personal Statement

Most institutions will ask that you submit a statement of purpose or personal statement. Personal statements provide you the opportunity to supplement standard application material with your goals and objectives with respect to the program. Typically, the institutions will offer suggestions to consider including. Good grammar and writing styles are extremely important.

Evaluation

• Motivation and commitment to your field of study
• Expectations with regard to the program and career opportunities
• Education background
• Reasons for deciding to pursue graduate education in a particular field and at a particular institution
• Writing ability
• Major areas of interest
• Research or work experience
• Immediate and long term goals
• Personal uniqueness – what you would add to the diversity of the entering class
• Maturity

How will your application be processed?

When the medical school’s admissions office has received all of your materials, it is usually referred to an admission committee for your particular program or school. This faculty committee reviews your application, reaches a decision, and makes a recommendation to the dean. The candidates that show strength in a combination of the admissions requirements, including academic preparation, test scores, and recommendations, have the best chance for selection.

Interview

Be proud if you're invited to an interview. You’ve made it through two initial screenings, one before and one after the supplemental application. Usually, this means that the Admissions Committee thinks you're qualified to attend their school.

Different schools have different policies about who conducts the actual interview. In general, schools have a Medical Selection Committee made up of professional admissions or student affairs people and faculty members. Often, especially in more progressive schools, upper-level med students also participate. At some schools, you'll have a couple of separate, one-on-one interviews; at others, you'll be interview by a panel. You may be the only applicant in front of a panel (this really seems like an inquisition), or you may be joined by other candidates.

Stress Interviews

Stress interviews can take a lot of different forms, but their main characteristic is that the interviewer puts you in a position where he or she can observe how you act — and how you speak — under pressure. Proponents of stress interviews argue that they get you to drop your carefully studied "med school interview facade" and reveal what you're really like. Typical tactics include asking questions about sensitive or controversial topics, delving into extremely personal matters, rattling off a series of game show – like trivia questions, or showing disapproval — through challenging remarks or negative body language — at almost everything you say. Remember to contact the Career Exploration and Development to schedule a Mock Interview to practice before the real thing!

Statistics from top U.S. medical schools show that schools are demanding higher MCAT scores and undergrad GPAs. In 2011, there were a total of 41,017 applicants for medical school and about 42% matriculated. (AAMC). For Denison graduates (Class of 2011) 22 applied and 8 matriculated or 36% In 2011, the National GPA for applicants was 3.43, for Denison applicants, 3.35. For those accepted, the national GPA was 3.61, for Denison, 3.56. The national GPA for matriculated applicants was 3.61 and for Denison applicants 3.56.

Medical Schools Attended by Denison Graduates (2007-2011)

• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Indiana University School of Medicine
• Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
• LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans
• Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
• Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
• Medical University of South Carolina
• Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
• Rush Medical College
• SUNY at Buffalo Medical School
• Saint Louis University School of Medicine
• The Ohio State University College of Medicine
• The University of Miami School of Medicine
• The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
• The University of Oklahoma
• The University of Toledo College of Medicine
• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• University of California San Diego
• University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
• University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medicine
• University of Kansas
• University of Kentucky College of Medicine
• University of Louisville School of Medicine
• University of Michigan Medical School
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
• University of Texas Medical School at Houston
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
• Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• West Virginia University School of Medicine
• Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
• Yale University School of Medicine

Medical Schools Accepting International Students (2007-2011)

• Baylor College of Medicine
• Boston University School of Medicine
• Brown Medical School
• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• Dartmouth Medical School
• Emory University School of Medicine
• Harvard Medical School
• Indiana University School of Medicine
• Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
• Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Mayo Medical School
• Medical College of Wisconsin
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University
• New York Medical College
• Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health
• Penn State University College of Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• State University of New York Upstate Medical University College of Medicine
• University of Chicago Division of Biological Sciences, Pritzker School of Medicine
• University of Minnesota Medical School - Twin Cities
• University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Southwestern
• University of Washington School of Medicine
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Yale University School of Medicine

Liberal Arts & Business Management

As a liberal arts graduate you may find that you lack the administrative skills for immediate on-the-job application. Earning an MBA (or MM, MPA, etc.) may help you to acquire these skills. A liberal arts degree provides an excellent background for most graduate study, including that leading to an MBA.

As a manager of people, money, natural resources, non-profit institutions or businesses, you will find that the skills you have acquired in a liberal arts curriculum will serve as an excellent foundation for future professional training. Most professional business schools will provide the training necessary to develop a career in accounting, finance, human-resource management, management consulting, management information systems, manufacturing, marketing, operations management, entrepreneurial ventures, small business, and even careers outside business: government, education, health care, arts management, and not-for-profit agencies.

Pre-Requisites for Business School

People from all fields earn the MBA degree. In 1999-05 nearly half of those taking the Graduate Management Admissions Test across the country were majors in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

While no major is specified for business school admissions, an ability to deal effectively with Mathematics is essential in most MBA programs. Most professional schools of business or management offer quantitative courses, which often require a background in calculus. In addition, statistics and operations research courses may be offered or required.

When to go to Business School

Most business schools advise the graduating senior to enter the work force immediately to gain experience before going to business school. The advantages are that you will have had at least one entry-level experience in a business/management environment which will give you more clear focus on your goals within the broad range of special management fields. As well, you will both contribute more to and gain more from the Case-Study Method which is widely used in B-schools.

Employer Funding of the Part-Time MBA

Many employers will provide tuition remission (80-100%) if you are willing to continue working for them while you work part-time on an MBA. Most MBA programs can be completed 1-2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time. The advantage for part-timers is that you gain valuable work experience with no interruption in income and will incur little debt if you are supported by your employer. Obviously, working full-time while you are simultaneously working toward a degree requires excellent time-management and commitment.

Graduate Management Admission Test

The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is required for admission to business school. Test dates (and regular registration deadlines) are offered year-round in hundreds of locations by appointment. Call a test center to schedule a test date.

Call 1-800-GMAT-NOW for the nearest computer-based testing site, or 1-609-771-7780 if you need testing for an accomodation.

The four-hour test measures general cognitive skills and abilities, not content areas. The various sections are:

• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Reasoning
• Data Sufficiency
• Problem Solving
• Sentence Correction
• Analytical Writing

Preparation for the GMAT

Denison has a new resource through the Ohio link library that has three free, timed practice exams for the LSAT, GRE, GMAT and MCAT— Learning Express Library.

• An online practice test in the various categories, just like the offical exams
• Instant online score and detailed answer explanations
• A personalized analysis that identifies your strengths and weaknesses so you'll know how to prepare.

Self-Study guides published by the Graduate Management Admission Council as well as by commercial groups are available for you to use in preparing for the GMAT. In addition, commercial test preparation groups such as KAPLAN and The Princeton Review offer GMAT Prep Courses. Click here for a free online GMAT practice test. For information about KAPLAN call 1-800-KAP-TEST for details.

Visit KAPLANand The Princeton Review websites for more information about GMAT preparation cources.

The Application Process

To apply to business school, you will need to complete on-line applications or send away for applications for individual schools, since there is not a general application service for business schools. Applications ask for demographic information, academic transcripts, GMAT scores, and statement of intent. Additionally, applications request confidential letters of recommendation from faculty and previous employers. Career Services offers a Credential Service to assist you in gathering and keeping such letters on file for 5 years and will distribute them to business schools at your request.

MBA Catalogues & Other Resources

To learn more about MBA programs across the country, come to Career Services Resource Library and peruse The Official Guide to MBA Programs published by the Graduate Management Admission Council. You might find a booklet called "MBA: Q & A" to be particularly helpful.

Alumni are also wonderful resources of information. Use the Mentoring Directory in DenisonEverywhere to network with alumni who are willing to share information about various business schools and advice about their careers in business and management.

Business Schools Matriculating Denison Graduates

Classes of 1980-2007

• American Graduate School of International Management, Thunderbird
• American University, Kogod College of Business Administration
• Babson College, Graduate School of Business
• Baruch College, School of Business and Public Administration
• Bradley University, College of Business Administration
• Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management
• Central American Institute of Business
• Columbia University, Columbia Business School
• Cornell University, Johnson Graduate School of Management
• Dartmouth College, Amos Tuck School of Business Administration
• Duke University, The Fuqua School of Business
• Fordham University, Graduate School of Business Administration
• George Washington University, School of Business and Public Management
• Harvard University, Graduate School of Business Administration
• Loyola University Chicago, School of Business
• New York University, Stern School of Business
• Northeastern University, Graduate School of Business Administration
• Northwestern University, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management
• Ohio State University, Max M. Fisher College of Business
• Rollins College, Crummer Graduate School of Business
• University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business
• University of Dayton, School of Business Administration
• University of Denver, Graduate School of Business
• University of Florida, Graduate School of Business
• University of Illinois, College of Commerce and Business Administration
• University of Leuven (Belgium)
• University of Maryland, College of Business and Management
• University of Miami, School of Business Administration
• University of New Hampshire, Whittemore School of Business and Economics
• University of Notre Dame, College of Business Administration
• University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School (Graduate Division)
• University of Pittsburgh , Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
• University of San Francisco, McLaren College of Business
• University of South Carolina, College of Business Administration
• University of Virginia, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration
• University of Washington, Graduate School of Business Administration
• Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management
• Wake Forest University, Babcock Graduate School of Management
• Xavier University, College of Business Administration

Source: Alumni Survey of Classes of 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, and individual class surveys 1996 - 2007