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Biology Department
Pre-Professional Programs and Student Handbook | Pre-Professional Resources
Pre-Professional ProgramsMargaret L. Hudson, Ph.D., Advisor If you are interested in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, or biomedical research, please meet with Dr. Hudson early during your first year at Seattle University, and after that on a regular basis, so that we can work together toward your professional goals. It is important to meet regularly with your academic adviser in your major department. You will probably want to get involved in the PreHealth Club, which sponsors speakers, outings, and projects of interest to students preparing for careers in the health professions. Most of Seattle University's premedical, predental, preveterinary and preoptometry students major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, or psychology, but you may choose any academic major at Seattle University as long as you complete at least the minimum science course work listed below. Within the framework of any one of these undergraduate degree programs, students obtain strong backgrounds in the liberal arts through the core curriculum. Most medical, dental, and veterinary schools require the following undergraduate science sequences: CHEM 121, 122, 123, 131, 132, 133, 335, 336, 337, 345, 346, 347; BIOL 165, 166, 167; PHYS 105, 106, 107. Schools of optometry generally require less organic chemistry. Professional schools also recommend calculus, cell physiology, and biochemistry. Check the bulletins of the professional schools of interest to you to learn about specific requirements. Most professional schools require, as a part of the application process, nationally standardized exams which draw on your college science background. These exams are taken a year to a year and a half in advance of the time you expect to enroll in the professional school, so planning the timing of required science courses is important. Competition for entrance into medical, dental, veterinary, and optometry schools is strong. The schools look for evidence of intellectual ability, understanding of the profession based on your own direct experience, a sense of service, and personal qualities appropriate to the profession. Since academic coursework and professional demands are high, it is important that you regularly assess whether your original goal is still right for you. The application process for entering graduate school or professional school should start at least a year in advance of enrollment and your adviser is available to assist you. The standardized tests such as the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and Optometry Admission Test (OAT) are administered locally twice a year. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is administered more frequently. You will be asked to provide transcripts and individual letters of recommendation from people who are able to speak directly about your strengths. The Premedical/Predental Advisory Committee is available to conduct an interview with each applicant and is able to write a supportive letter of evaluation.
Pre-Health Majors Student HandbookThe Pre-Health
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Please direct questions and comments to mhudson@seattleu.edu