Pre-health advising is essential to providing guidance and support to students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Navigating specific program requirements, prerequisites, and experiences can be complex and overwhelming. Having an experienced pre-professional advisor can make an enormous difference in preparation for a career in healthcare during your undergraduate studies.
The importance of pre-health advising cannot be overstated. The healthcare industry is highly competitive, and students who are interested in pursuing a career in this field must be well-prepared to succeed. We offer a wide range of services to students, including:
- Pre-health advising: Working to help students select the right courses and majors to prepare for a career in healthcare. The goal is to develop a long-term plan for students to follow and understand not just what courses are required, but the proper sequences for taking them and providing the content for potential admission exams such as the MCAT.
- Career counseling: While most students may have their hearts set on a specific career in healthcare, students should explore different healthcare careers and identify the one that is best suited to their interests, skills and abilities. There are many options out there for successful and rewarding careers in areas of healthcare that people may not have on their immediate radar.
- Application support: Navigating the application process for healthcare programs can be daunting if you're not familiar with the process. Centralized application services used by medical schools, dental schools, nursing schools and other health professions programs are similar, but new territory for many students.
- Test preparation: Finding resources for exam preparation to complement the learning styles of different students is also an important part of the pre-health advising process.
- Research opportunities: Research can be hard to find if you don't know where to start. Your pre-health advising can help connect you with services and offices on campus that provide opportunities to gain experience and build your resume.
Pre-health advising guides
We offer detailed advising guidelines for most pre-health pathways. Students should still meet with their preprofessional advisor to develop an individualized long-term plan rather than attempting to self-advise.
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Nursing
- Pre-Nutrition
- Pre-Occupational Therapy
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- Pre-Podiatry
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Alternative Health Careers
- Post-Baccalaureate Pathways
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS, PROCESS AND PREPARATION
Admission requirements, process, and preparation for professional healthcare programs can vary depending on the specific program and institution. However, here are some general guidelines and tips to help you prepare for your healthcare education journey. Consult with your pre-health advisor for a more detailed, individualized plan.
- Research the program and institution: Start by researching the healthcare program you are interested in and the institution offering the program. Look into the program's accreditation, reputation, and admission requirements. Make sure the institution is reputable and the program meets your goals and needs.
- Meet the minimum admission requirements: Most healthcare programs have minimum requirements for admission, such as completing certain prerequisite courses, having a minimum GPA, and completing specific entrance exams such as the MCAT, GRE or other relevant tests. these programs tend to be highly competitive. Be sure that you not only meet these requirements but exceed them before applying.
- Gain relevant experience: Gaining relevant experience in the healthcare field can be a significant factor in the admission decision process. Consider volunteering or working in a healthcare-related field to gain practical experience and show your dedication to the profession.
- Prepare for the entrance exam: Many healthcare programs require applicants to take an entrance exam such as the MCAT, GRE or other relevant tests. Plan to take the exam well in advance of the application deadline and invest time in studying and preparing for the test.
- Prepare a strong application: Once you have met the admission requirements, prepare a strong application package. This package may include a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a resume/CV. Make sure to highlight your relevant experiences and achievements, as well as any unique skills or characteristics that make you stand out as a candidate.
- Consider interview preparation: Some healthcare programs may require an interview as part of the admission process. Research commonly asked interview questions and practice your responses to prepare for this step.
- Stay organized and follow deadlines: Keep track of important deadlines for applications, entrance exams and other admission-related requirements. Create a timeline for yourself to ensure that you have enough time to complete all steps and submit your application on time.
Overall, the process of gaining admission to a healthcare program can be competitive and challenging. However, with careful planning, preparation and hard work, you can increase your chances of success and start your journey toward a rewarding healthcare career.
