Getting Started: An Introduction to Pre-Professional Health Programs Advising

1. Getting Started: An Introduction to Pre-Professional Health Programs Advising Caitlin Bannon Pre-Professional Health Programs Advising University Advising and Career Center Hood House 102

2. Who Do We Advise? • Students interested in pursuing: • Medicine • Dentistry • Optometry • Podiatry • Chiropractic medicine • Physicians Assistant • Physical Therapy • Pharmacy • Naturopathic medicine

3. Health Professions Advising UNH: An Overview • The Pre-Professional Health Program is an intention and a commitment • Students of any major may be “pre-health” by • A) Completing the pre-requisite coursework • B) Registering with our office by signing up for our email list • C) Gaining the volunteer and healthcare experience necessary for admission • D) Preparing to take the required entrance exam (MCAT, DAT, PCAT, OAT, etc.)

4. Does my major matter? Professional schools do not evaluate applicants on a specific major. Evaluation for admission is based on: Grades: Prerequisites, major courses, & all other classes, for all four years Experiences & Personal Attributes: Demonstrate sustained interest/knowledge in healthcare Letters of Recommendation: Faculty and Committee Entrance Exams: Taken only after pre-reqs are complete Interviews: Committee and Medical Schools

5. Working with Your Advisors • Your major advisor – your first stop: • Meet at least once each semester to review academic progress and approve course selection for the upcoming semester • Discuss fitting pre-req courses around major curriculum • Get advice on program planning, preregistration, understanding and meeting major and University requirements, and general academic and career decision-making

6. Working with Your Advisors • The Health Professions (HP) Advisor: • Assists inidentifying professional school prerequisites and choosing appropriate UNH courses • Provides information about volunteer and community service opportunities and national health profession organizations • Refers to campus support resources • Guides through theapplication process of specific professional programsin which the applicant is interested

7. Getting Started • Sign up for our email list • Review the New Student PowerPoint and spend time on the website @ http://www.unh.edu/uacc/premed-advising/advising • Learn more about health professions options using the Health Professions Fact Sheets and www.explorehealthcareers.org • Monitor the PH website for upcoming events.

8. Getting Started • Meet with your major advisor to discuss your academic plan and your intention to pursue your pre-professional health track of choice • Take action toward obtaining healthcare experience • Volunteer – winter and summer breaks; academic year • Job shadow professionals in your field of interest • EMT, CNA, LNA certification

9. What to Do Now • Focus on Academics – get excellent grades, seek help when you need it, get to know your professors (even in large lectures), and work with your advisor • Get Engaged – take advantage of opportunities to learn new things, attend events, join clubs, and be passionate about your learning; college is no place for passivity • Stay Out of Trouble – a judicial or academic conduct issue (or a criminal record) can seriously hamper your future possibilities; make good choices starting now • Practice Professionalism – emails, phone calls, appointments and chance meetings are all moments for you to make a good impression

10. What to Do Now • Monitor Your Social Media Presence – who are you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, etc.? Others will see, and they will judge • Be of Service – demonstrate compassion, caring for others, and commitment (crucial characteristics for healthcare providers) • Healthcare in Context – consider, learn, and think about the social, economic, and cultural implication of health and healthcare access • Break Out of Your Comfort Zone – learn about others who are different than you; learn about cultures, races, religions, sexual orientations, ethnicities

11. The Big Question(s): • Why have you chosen to prepare for a career in health? • How familiar are you with healthcare environments? • Have you volunteered or worked in a medical or health related environment? • What do you know about what it’s like to be a patient? • What do you know about what it’s like to be a physician/dentist/other? • If you have worked in a health related environment, what did you find most enjoyable and most challenging about this work?

12. Resources: The Professions, Requirements, and Advising • Health Professions Fact Sheets: overview of the professions and the prerequisite courses, which vary by profession • Pre-Professional Health Advising website • http://www.unh.edu/uacc/premed-advising/advising • At this stage, check out the links for: • Advising • Explore the Health Professions • Experiential Opportunities

13. Resources: Getting Involved • Check out the resources on the HP web page: SeeExperiential Opportunities • Student Orgs and Leadership Opportunities: Office of Student Involvement and Leadership • Community Service and Volunteering: http://www.unh.edu/uacc/community-service

14. Location and Contact Info • The Health Professions (HP) Office is located in Hood House • For general inquires, email premed.advising@unh.edu • Schedule an appointment via Wildcat Advising • Directions are posted on our website: http://www.unh.edu/uacc/premed-advising/schedule-appointment