Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC)

• Chair: Joseph D. Malaer, PhD
• • Assistant Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics
  • School of Biomedical Sciences
• Vice Chair: Amber J. Heck, PhD
  • Associate Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics
  • School of Biomedical Sciences
• Cassie Jo Ardry
  • Assistant Director, Career Readiness Center
• Eric Y. Cheng, PhD
  • Professor, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Director of Drug Discovery & Development Programs, HSC College of Pharmacy
• Mike Kennedy, EdD
  • Assistant Professor, Dept. of Medical Education & Health Systems Science
  • Assistant Dean for Admissions, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Students must meet all eligibility criteria, no exceptions.

• Current HSC BS BMSC undergraduate student or alumni
• Complete 21 credit hours at HSC by the end of the Spring 1 term
• Minimum overall 3.3 GPA and minimum 3.0 math/science GPA; or minimum 3.5 GPA at HSC
  • Minimum GPA must be maintained through the end of the Spring semester, and if not, participant will be dropped from the HPAC process at that time.
  • All attempts at a course will be factored into your GPA, including originals and repeats. First attempted grades will NOT be reflected in the GPA listed in your transcript; first attempts or repeats must be calculated back into the GPA by hand.
  • Use the GPA Calculator.
• Complete BMSC 4125 Career Readiness with a C or better; or enroll in BMSC 4125 in the upcoming summer semester.
  • HPAC letters will not be sent until after enrollment or completion of BMSC 4125 is confirmed.
• Complete a minimum of 10 in-person clinical hours (shadowing) within the student’s field of pre-health interest.
• Applying to the upcoming program application cycle.
  • Current eligible application services: TMDSAS, AMCAS, AACOMAS, CASPA, ADEA AADSAS, PharmCAS

• If previously given an HPAC letter:
  • Students can request a previous HPAC letter for the next cycle (one cycle after their initial HPAC application), however, the date and content of the letter will not be changed.  
  • Students will need to reapply to HPAC if they want an HPAC letter sent after one additional cycle. For example, if you applied to HPAC in the 2023 cycle, you could request your previous letter for the 2024 cycle but will need to reapply to HPAC for the 2025 cycle. 
  • If a student would like an updated HPAC letter with a new date and cycle year, they will need to reapply to HPAC. 
• If previously denied an HPAC letter, students must include a cover letter detailing improvement since previous application.
• Students can only reapply once (total of 2 applications).

• The deadline to participate in the cycle for entry year (EY) 2026 is Feb. 16, 2025.
• Required application documents:
  • Biographical Form
  • GPA Calculator form
  • Unofficial transcript from all colleges and universities
  • Previous MCAT, DAT, GRE, or PCAT scores
    • Required if scores obtained prior to the HPAC letter deadline.
  • Minimum of 2 recommendation letters, at least 1 from a science faculty.
    • For each recommendation letter, you must fill out the top portion of the HPAC Letter of Recommendation Waive/Retain Form and indicate waiver selection, and send to your evaluator to complete the bottofm portion. Your evaluator must submit this form to the HPAC along with the letter of recommendation itself.

All questions related to the HPAC should be directed to HPAC@unthsc.edu and include the following information:

• Name
• 8-digit ID number (NOT your EUID)
• Health Profession Interest (medicine, dentistry, physician assistant or pharmacy)
• Yes or No: Will you be enrolled in a graduate program in 2025?
• Yes or No: Are you planning to apply to a graduate program during a gap year?

1. “Is HPAC required for admission to professional schools? How important is the committee letter?”
   If a professional school requires or strongly prefers a committee letter of recommendation, and your undergraduate institution offers an HPAC service, it is very important and will greatly support your application. Professional programs are aware of which institutions offers an HPAC letter. The committee letter provides a thorough and objective evaluation of your candidacy for admission to professional programs.

2. “Can I still participate in HPAC after I have graduated and/or decide to take a gap year?”
   Yes! If you meet the minimum requirements, you can participate in HPAC.

3. “Is there a fee associated with HPAC?”
   No, there is no fee required to participate in HPAC.

4. “When is the deadline to submit the Packet Mailing Request form to have my HPAC letter sent?”
   Due to the competitive nature of professional programs, the latest the HPAC will accept a PMR form is September 1.