Pre-Health Advising

Although this may seem like a very basic question, it is one that you will come back to repeatedly. Through application materials, admissions interviews, informal discussions, and personal reflections you will ask yourself this question. Put some thought into your response and try to go beyond "I want to help people." Helping people is an excellent reason but may not provide you with sustained focus and motivation to reach your ultimate goal.

Whether you are deciding on a major or career, self-reflection and self-assessment are big parts of the discernment process. You are highly encouraged to keep a journal to document these reflections. Over time you may see trends in your strengths, weaknesses, motivations and challenges. Start journaling early! Freshman year is not too early to start.

Most health professions require training and certification beyond a baccalaureate (undergraduate) degree. For example, beyond a baccalaureate degree, medicine (allopathic, osteopathic, or podiatric) generally requires four years in medical school plus one to eight more years of internship/residency depending on what area of medicine you choose. Likewise, training for dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine generally takes four years beyond your baccalaureate degree. Some people choose to take specialty training beyond professional school.

Training for careers such as pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and nursing varies significantly. For example, you might earn an associate's degree in nursing in a community college program in 2 years, or earn a Bachelor's Degree in four years, and then a Master's in another two or three years in order to become a nurse practitioner. Physician assistant programs generally have prerequisite college courses for entry and take about 1-1/2 to 2 years to complete for a certificate or a bachelor's degree. Programs vary from school to school in physical therapy and in pharmacy. In both areas, programs have been changing away from Bachelor's or Master's to Ph.D. or Pharm.D. levels which is essential for licensing of people entering the profession.

You are encouraged to utilize the resources and links provided for additional information on expected timelines related to professional programs, trainings, and education.

Like undergraduate tuition at public and private schools, professional and graduate school tuition varies significantly. The Association of American Medical Colleges maintains information on the average cost and debt load for borth public and private medical school education (Association of American Medical Colleges). 

Very little scholarship money is available for medical school, so most people attending medical school take out loans. Financial aid officers at the medical schools encourage prospective students to keep their debt loads down as much as they can before coming to medical school and to restrain their use of credit cards for optional spending so that their credit record is good when it comes time to borrow money for medical schools. Students will need a good credit score to secure private loans.

If you are a resident of a western state, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, or WICHE, may be helpful. In this program, residents of thirteen western states, including Alaska and Hawaii, can obtain professional training which is not available to them in their home states, usually paying reduced or resident tuition with their home states paying a support fee to the admitting schools. For example, there are no schools of optometry in the state of Washington and Washington state residents may qualify for reduced tuition to attend optometry schools in Oregon and California.

Each state determines the fields and number of students they will support. You need to consult with your state's certifying officer to find out what your opportunities may be. Since there are limits on the number of students each state will support, it is to your advantage to consult EARLY! Plan to talk with the certifying officer no later than early summer of the year preceding the one you want to be enrolled in professional school.

A few other scholarship and loan payback options are available for consideration:

• Military scholarships through the U.S. Army, Navy, or Air Force pay directly for your training after which you owe them at least equal time in military service in your new profession.
• The National Health Service Corps provides some scholarships for those who agree to provide health care for an underserved community identified by the NHSC.
• After your training, the US Public Health Service Commission Corps may agree to pay off your loans in exchange for your service with the agency.

All of these services have health professions recruiters in the Seattle area who can talk with you about such programs.

Certainly, being strong in the area of math and science are critical to being successful as a pre-health student. Having a strong GPA and solid test scores are important as well. However, academic achievements alone will not lead you to your desired health profession. Admissions officers and employers are looking for a well-rounded applicant. Some areas to consider:

• Academic performance: Beyond GPA and standardized test scores, consider specific subjects. How are your math skills? MATH 1021 is a minimum to start most of the necessary science sequences for pre-health students.
• Leadership experience: Have you taken a leadership role in your student organization or at your place of employment?
• Field experience: How much first hand experience do you have in your area of interest? Consider shadowing, internships, volunteering, and part-time or summer jobs.
• Communication skills: Written and verbal communication skills are critical for patient care. Could you benefit from an additional course to help develop these skills? Interpersonal communication skills are underscored by many admissions officers and employers as essential to success as a professional.
• Applied learning experiences: Aside from fieldwork experience, have you worked in a lab or participated in research? Consider this when choosing your senior research or senior project topic.
• Diversity: Have you considered a language minor? Going abroad? Working or volunteering in a community with disadvantaged youth or families?
• Knowledge of contemporary issues in health care: How aware are you of current laws and legislation, social issues, and research related to health care?

Look at each of these areas and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Continue to build on your stronger areas and create a plan to address deficiencies. Don't forget to use your journal!

• Career Engagement Office
  • Mock interviews, statement reviews, events
• Lemieux Library & McGoldrick Learning Commons
  • Tutoring, math and writing skills, research
• Four Year Success Plan for Pre-Health Students
  • A timeline with suggested activities and achievements for students who are considering professional and graduate programs
• Pre Health Club
  
  • Network with other pre-health students around campus! The club hosts socials, speakers and other professional development opportunities
• Health Professions Evaluation process
  
  • An evaluation process that results in a packet of material sent on the applicant’s behalf and helps the student gain an admissions interview

General Health Professions Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
  • Published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, provides information on training, earnings, and responsibilities for a number of industries in the United States
• Explore Health Careers 
  • Information about different health careers, enrichment programs, and funding for education
• Healthy People 
  • Progress reports and other information about Healthy People 2020, an evaluation of the state of public health in the US, along with a set of goals and plans for improvement
• Student Doctor Network 
  • Provides free advising resources, tools, and peer-support forums to those who would otherwise not have access to such services. The Student Doctor Network also hosts blogs where students share their experiences in professional schools. 

Resources for Other Health Professions

• Association of American Veterinary Colleges is the starting point for students interested in veterinary medicine. You can apply to some of the veterinary schools by using the VMCAS application available on the website. 
• The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry site should help you more clearly visualize a career in optometry. Links to the US schools and colleges of optometry are provided, as well as information on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT).
• The American Physical Therapy Association page has information about careers and educational programs.
• The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is a good starting point for students interested in forensics.

Resources for Pre-Med Students

• The Association of American Medical Colleges site has an enormous amount of useful information making it the ideal starting point for students interested in medical school. You can also find information on the MCAT exam as well as AMCAS, the centralized application service for some medical schools. 
• American Medical Student Association welcomes premedical students as members. 
• Summer Medical Education Program is a summer enrichment program for underrepresented or disadvantaged students interested in admission to medical school. You can apply online. 
• The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine home page is an excellent source of information for those considering osteopathic medicine as a career. This site also hosts AACOMAS, the centralized application for osteopathic medical schools. 
• The Podiatric Medical Educational Network is the website for the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine. Check out the Career Center page in particular. You can apply online to podiatric medical schools using the AACPMAS form available at this website. 
• The AMA Journal of Ethics is the American Medical Association's online ethics journal. It is a great resource for analyzing and exploring ethical and professional issues in medicine. 
• Mom MD provides a number of resources for women in medicine. 
• US News and World Report list of best medical schools

Resources for Pre-Dental Students

• Dental School Guide summarizing pre-dental requirements.
• The American Dental Association - The Dental Career Information page has some useful information for pre-dental students, including information about the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Lots of information about the process of applying to dental school can be found at the American Dental Education Association. Applications for dental school can be completed online through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) website.
• Summer Medical Education Program is a summer enrichment program for underrepresented or disadvantaged students interested in admission to medical or dental school. You can apply online.

If you are interested in volunteering at a local hospital or clinic, the best way to get involved is to contact the agency directly for instructions on how to get started. Most hospitals have a step-by-step process on how to get involved.