HPO Portfolio Review

THE HPO PORTFOLIO REVIEW FOR THE 2023 CYCLE!

(IMPORTANT TIME-SENSITIVE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS APPLYING TO MEDICAL OR DENTAL SCHOOL IN 2023)

Due to the pandemic, we pivoted away from our old committee letter and interview process. The committee has been exploring this option for several years.  Based on best practices from other comparable institutions, we moved to an in-depth portfolio review with qualified candidates and provided them with a generic, non-individualized letter of endorsement. This new process provides the opportunity for us to act as our students' coaches rather than as evaluators. It also helped ensure they understand the application process, as well as to address the best ways to highlight the strengths and work through any weaknesses in an applicant's portfolio. The student reviews have been very positive and so we are permanently discontinuing the writing of committee statements in favor of the portfolio review process. Please rest assured that medical schools will not penalize students whose institutions do not provide committee letters.

To participate in the process, students must have an overall and HPOdrome science GPA of 3.4 or higher, have opened an HPO file by November 30, 2022, attend ONE of the portfolio review workshops (listed below), and meet all deadlines for submission of required materials which will be discussed at the portfolio review workshops. Again, attendance at ONE of these portfolio review workshops is mandatory to participate in this process. (Attendance will be taken at the workshop.  Registration is not required. Students that arrive more than 15 minutes late will not be admitted.)

Of course, regardless of whether you participate in the portfolio review process or not, the HPO will review the letters you have on file with us and create a packet of letters and upload them to the appropriate application services when you submit your release forms to us, as well as providing advising by appointment or walk-in.