Advisory Committee

Before Premedical/Predental Advisory Committees were established many years ago at undergraduate colleges and universities, faculty were requested by the student to write a letter on their behalf to the professional school(s) to which the student was applying. Oftentimes this meant a faculty member would write letters to many schools. At that time we did not have the conveniences of reproduction of materials as we do now. Each letter had to be typed for every school in original format. This process was time-consuming; and as the applicant pool increased, the faculty spent more time writing letters.

Administration from medical/dental schools and undergraduate colleges/universities approached the idea of a committee, where students could have their evaluation (recommendation) ratings and comments sent to the Advisory Committee Office. The Office would then, after collecting all the materials, compile the evaluation to be sent to professional schools the student requested. Many undergraduate institutions have a PM/PD Advisory Committee that will interview the student; each faculty member present will make comments and ratings. These comments are included in the evaluation that is sent to professional school(s). Students have faculty who have taught them in classes send ratings and comments to the Advisory Committee Office for inclusion in the evaluation. Medical Schools refer to this evaluation as the Health Professions Evaluation.

We have included below the general way evaluation reports are produced at Baylor University.
The evaluation of prospective prehealth care students by our committee consists of five major components:

1) A "Summary of Evaluations By Applicant's Professors" (The student is invited to choose up to eight professors.);

2) A "Scholastic Development Chart", showing the student's GPA (with and without pluses) chronologically;

3) A "Report of the Interview Committee", including the degree of familiarity with the applicant, a brief assessment of the disciplinary record, individual ratings on both academic and personal characteristics as well as a summary rating based on the interview and overall record;

4) A composite statement by the interviewing committee chair including comments from the entire committee and the chair's personal elaboration and;

5) "Teacher Comments" from professors chosen by the applicant, generally--though not always--reflecting a more parochial view of the applicant. Occasionally, outside letters solicited by the student are attached to the report.

The Committee Ratings and Comments--based as they are on the total record--generally tend to be lower and more objective, respectively, than the Teacher Ratings (1) and Comments (5). The Committee makes every effort to be fair, honest, and objective--not withholding negative information. Thus, any negative comments are intended to be informative, reflecting areas of needed improvement, rather than demeaning. As the Committee Chair my comments are always listed last and begin with the phrase, "In her/his interview with our committee, [Name]..."; and they generally touch on the academic record, social and personal development, service involvement, experience with the health care profession and end with a summary paragraph.

The ‘Official" Committee Evaluations which are mailed do require the Baylor University Premedical Seal imprint on the signature. Most schools do participate in an electronic form of receiving the Committee Evaluation.

Members of the Premedical/Predental Committee are:
Dr. Richard Sanker, Director of the Prehealth Programs
Dr. Troy Abell, Department of Health Education
Dr. Joseph Achor, Professor of Psychology
Dr. Robert Baldridge, Professor of Biology
Mrs. Pearlie Beverly, Coordinator of Multicultural Activities
Dr. David Eldridge, Professor of Biology
Lisa Baker, MD, Department of Health Education & Biology
Ron Bradshaw, MD, Baylor University Health Center
Mrs. Kathy Hutchison, Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Jesse Jones, Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Brad Keele, Professor of Psychology
Dr. Paul LaBounty, Department of Health Education
Dr. Marcie Moehnke, Department of Biology
Dr. David Pennington, Professor and Master Teacher of Chemistry
Dr. Hugh Riley, Professor of Psychology
Dr. Mark Taylor, Professor of Biology
Dr. David Young, Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Daniel McGee, Emeritus Professor of Religion

In remembrance of the late distinguished, Dr. Tweedie for his years of service Dr. Virgil Tweedie, Chair, PM/PD Committee, Professor of Chemistry and Co-Sponsor of Alpha Epsilon Delta