Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 FAQ
Responses to COVID-19 by Professional Schools
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES FOR LAW SCHOOLS
Since law schools do not require specific prerequisites, it makes less of a difference if you take a class or two CR/NC. You are still better served with higher letter grades, especially at more competitive schools. However, as long as your previous and subsequent grades are good, in this extraordinary situation, one semester of CR grades will likely not affect your application too much. If you have particular law schools in mind, you should reach out to them and ask how they will review these grades. IMPORTANT WARNING: When you apply to law school, a NC will turn into an E grade, so make sure that you are earning at least a C- in the class that is graded CR/NC.
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES ACROSS THE US MED SCHOOLS
Please check the google sheet Case Western Reserve School of Medicine created. It lists pass or fail policies at US medical schools.
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES ACROSS THE CALIFORNIA MED SCHOOLS
Medical schools in California (excluding DO schools) “will accept pass/fail grades, without prejudice, for courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has always been our practice to consider grades in the context of numerous other aspects of the application, and an international crisis certainly provides a unique and compelling context. In making this statement, we are cognizant of the fact that some undergraduate schools are providing an option for students to take courses either for grades or on a Pass/Fail basis. We therefore want to be explicit that applicants should not feel pressured by us to choose the graded option. Students and their families are facing many challenges at the moment – maybe even life and death challenges. The pressure for grades need not be one of them.”
MCAT POLICIES ACROSS THE CALIFORNIA MED SCHOOLS
Medical schools in California (excluding DO schools) “will accept applications from individuals who were unable to take the MCAT due to COVID-related test cancellations. For these candidates, we will base secondary application decisions on the information that is available to us at the time of the application. Assuming that MCAT testing resumes prior to October, we will require applicants to have taken the MCAT before we make admissions decisions for the Class of 2025. Accordingly, applicants should not delay applying simply because an MCAT score is not yet available.”
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES FOR THE U OF U SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Anyone enrolled in Spring 2020 for a prerequisite to their program is not required to earn a letter grade. Applicants will not be penalized for Pass/Fail or Credit/No-Credit marks on their transcripts in any classes taken Spring 2020.
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES ACROSS THE US DENTAL SCHOOLS
Please check the google sheet dental schools around the nation created. It lists pass or fail policies at US dental schools.
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES FOR THE U OF U SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
The U of U School of Dentistry will accept "pass" or "credit" marked on transcripts to meet prerequisites. However, students are encouraged to have letter grades for prerequisite courses.Please visit their website for more information.
DENTAL SCHOOL VIRTUAL FAIR – 5/19
#GDVF20 virtually connects you with 50+ U.S. and Canadian dental school representatives so you can learn about school missions and values to determine the best fit for you—no travel or registration fees required! Register for the event here.
OTHER RESOURCES
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES ACROSS THE US VETERINARY SCHOOLS
GRE:
ETS (company that runs the GRE) offers GRE testing remotely. The cost is the same as the regular GRE. Once a student signs up for an account and pays for the test, they will create an account on ProctorU and sign up. For more information, visit
ETS/GRE Website: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/
Reminder about Fee Reduction for the GRE: https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_fee_reduction_request_form.pdf, and https://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/fees/reduction/
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY (WIMU) VET PROGRAM COVID-19 PAGE
Visit their COVID-19 page for the latest information for applicants.
AAVMC COVID-19
Visit the AAVMC COVID-19 page for the latest information
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES FOR THE U OF U PA PROGRAM
The U of U PA program website says “For applicants whose institutions have adopted a pass/fail grading system for the spring 2020, we will accept "pass" or "credit" marked on transcripts to meet prerequisites.” However, students are encouraged to have letter grades for prerequisite courses.
PAEA COVID-19 WEB PAGE
Visit the PAEA COVID-19 page for the latest information
GRE:
ETS (the company that runs the GRE) offers GRE testing remotely. The cost is the same as the regular GRE. Once a student signs up for an account and pays for the test, they will create an account on ProctorU and sign up. For more information, visit
ETS/GRE Website: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/
Reminder about Fee Reduction for the GRE: https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_fee_reduction_request_form.pdf, and https://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/fees/reduction/
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES FOR THE U OF U COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
U of U PharmD program accepts Pass/Fail or Credit/No-Credit on students’ transcripts in classes taken Spring 2020. This policy includes labs offered online.
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES FOR THE U OF U PT PROGRAM
Anyone enrolled in Spring 2020 for a prerequisite to our DPT program is not required to earn a letter grade. Applicants will not be penalized for Pass/Fail or Credit/No-Credit marks on their transcripts in any classes taken Spring 2020.
GRE:
ETS (the company that runs the GRE) offers GRE testing remotely. The cost is the same as the regular GRE. Once a student signs up for an account and pays for the test, they will create an account on ProctorU and sign up. For more information, visit
ETS/GRE Website: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/
Reminder about Fee Reduction for the GRE: https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_fee_reduction_request_form.pdf, and https://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/fees/reduction/
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES FOR THE UofU OT PROGRAM
Anyone enrolled in Spring 2020 for a prerequisite to our MOT program is not required to earn a letter grade. Applicants will not be penalized for Pass/Fail or Credit/No-Credit marks on their transcripts in any classes taken Spring 2020.
GRE:
ETS (the company that runs the GRE) offers GRE testing remotely. The cost is the same as the regular GRE. Once a student signs up for an account and pays for the test, they will create an account on ProctorU and sign up. For more information, visit
ETS/GRE Website: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/
Reminder about Fee Reduction for the GRE: https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_fee_reduction_request_form.pdf, and https://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/fees/reduction/
PASS/FAIL GRADE POLICIES ACROSS THE US PODIATRY SCHOOLS
All schools and colleges will accept Spring 2020 prerequisites that are graded Pass/No Pass
ONLINE COURSE CREDITS
All schools and colleges will accept Spring 2020 prerequisites that are delivered via online or distance learning.
Pass or Fail courses vary across Chiropractic Schools. Please contact schools of your interest individually. You can find the list of Chiropractic schools in the US here.
General FAQ
Our office exists to help guide students during their time at the U towards professional schools, specifically related to health and law.
Our advisors help students choose appropriate classes, plan schedules, prepare professional school applications, and become more aware of events and involvement opportunities.
Our advisors are located in Building 44.
You can book an appointment by going to our website, calling our office, or visiting the office in person.
Our advisors may only see certain types of students (only first years, pre-health students, etc.), so double check that you are meeting with the correct advisor. Once you meet with an advisor, you can continue to meet with them if you would like.
Our office also offers phone appointments in the case you cannot come to campus.
To cancel an appointment, you can contact our office or use the cancellation link in your confirmation e-mail.
Our office meets with students by appointment only. We will always do drop-in advising on the first day of the fall semester. Those dates/times will be posted to our website.
Most professional schools will only require that you take certain courses in order to apply for their program, not a specific major, so study what you love!
Depending on the professional school, community college credit may or may not be accepted.
You must check with their admissions requirements to verify whether or not they will count. If you do take courses at a community college, it is normally recommended to take upper level science courses at a 4 year institution.
You will also need to check with your major advisor to see which courses you would be allowed to take at a community college, as some majors may dictate which ones can transfer to their specific department.
AP/IB/Concurrent Enrollment credits will transfer to the University of Utah if you have passed the exam with a certain score, or course with a passing grade.
However, professional schools normally do not accept specifically AP/IB credit. You must check the admissions requirements of your desired program or visit our office to speak with an advisor to get more information.
Concurrent Enrollment credits will always be accepted as long as they are taken at a higher education institution.
Extracurricular activities are a way to become a well-rounded applicant and show your vision, passion, and commitment to helping others in a health or law related profession.
Professional programs and schools normally recommend/require a combination of community service, leadership experience, research, patient care, and/or shadowing. There are many different ways that you can get involved.
As each professional school may have different requirements, it is very important that you check their admissions requirements and keep track of them.
Your desired professional school may require that you take an admissions test in order to apply for their program.
Each type of professional school can have a different admissions test. For example, medical schools require that students take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test).
Check to find out what test could be required for your program or make an appointment with one of our advisors to get more information.
As you get closer to finishing your program requirements, we highly recommend that you come see an advisor as we can guide you through the application process and answer any questions you may have.