PRE-HEALTH 101: Basic Information for New Pre-health Students

1. PRE-HEALTH 101:Basic Information for New Pre-health Students An overview and discussion of preparation for common health and medicine related programs.

2. This is for: Students who want fundamental information about preparing for MD, DO, Dental, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Optometry, Veterinary Medicine and Nursing programs.

3. Educational Choices • Choosing courses. • Getting the most out of courses. • Choosing concentrations/majors. • Timing and strategies for the long and short term. • Exploration • Letters of Recommendation • Taking responsibility.

4. Choosing Courses • Many, but not all health-related professions programs have established common requirements. • In many cases these are chosen to prepare you for required standardized tests: MCAT, DAT, PCAT, OAT, etc. • Even when common requirements have been established, make sure to check your target schools for variations. • Programs such as med and dental schools have preferences/requirements as to where the courses are taken. • Regardless of whether the course is required, you should know why you are choosing to take it.

5. Commonly Required Courses

6. Common Courses, cont’d. * The requirements listed for Nursing are based upon UM’s accelerated RN program.

7. Getting the Most Out of Your Courses • Go to class. • Do the readings ahead of time (and afterwards, if possible). • Go to office hours to talk about more than problems and tests. • Use resources, such as the Science Learning Center, PAAO, Physics Help Room, Math Lab.

8. Choosing Concentrations/Majors • Are some majors preferred by med schools and other programs? • Science vs. Non-Science. • Find something that allows you to explore ideas that matter to you.

9. Timing and Strategies • Starting early on science classes. • When to double up on science classes. • Looking down the road: when do you have to apply? • Learn the application cycle early in order to prepare for it. • Apply when you are ready—you do not need to put arbitrary time pressure on yourself.

10. Exploration • Patient Contact is essential for most of these programs. • Community Service: what does this mean? • Exploring the world you do not yet know: the challenges of cultural, economic, and social differences. • Shadowing: what should you get out of it? • Research: Is it required? What constitutes research and how do I get it?

11. Letters of Recommendation • You will very likely need letters from faculty who have taught you in a class. • Good LOR come from people who know more about you than the grade you made in their class. • Take responsibility for getting to know your instructors and allowing them to know you, thereby. • Resources: Your advisor, the Career Center Reference Letter Service, On-line Services.

12. Taking Responsibility • Make choices you understand and respect—if you don’t then admissions committees won’t understand or respect them either. • Academic and non-academic choices can have long-term implications • Facebook and other permanent public records. • Alcohol, drugs, and criminal background checks • Finances

13. Questions?