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

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.

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.

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.

ProgramBiologyChemistryPhysicsBiochemistryMathEnglish MDIntro Bio plus ≥ 1 UL Bio L/L Chem 130/125/126 Chem 210/211 Chem215/216 Chem 230 or 260 Physics I & Physics II 1 termVaries2 terms DOIntro Bio plus ≥ 1 UL Bio L/L Chem 130/125/126 Chem 210/211 Chem215/216 Chem 230 or 260 Physics I & Physics II 1 termVaries2 terms DentalIntro Bio plus ≥ 1 UL Bio L/L UM requires: Microbio Chem 130/125/126 Chem 210/211 Chem215/216 Chem 230 or 260 Physics I & Physics II 1 termVaries but Stats is common 2 terms PharmIntro Bio plus ≥ 1 UL Bio L/L Anatomy plus UM requires: Microbio, Genetics. Chem 130/125/126 Chem 210/211 Chem215/216 Chem 230 or 260 Physics I & Physics II 1 term UM requires Biolchem 415 Varies but Calc is common UM requires Stats 350 (2009) 1 or 2 terms VetIntro Bio plus ≥ 1 UL Bio L/L Chem 130/125/126 Chem 210/211 Chem215/216 Chem 230 or 260 Physics I & Physics II 1 termVaries2 terms Commonly Required Courses

Common Courses, cont’d. ProgramBiologyChemistryPhysicsBiochemMathEnglish OptometryIntro Bio plus ≥ 1 UL Bio L/L plus Anatomy Chem 130/125/126 Chem 210/211 Chem215/216 Chem 230 or 260 Physics I & Physics II 1 termVaries but Calc is common 1 or 2 terms PT Intro Bio plus ≥ 1 UL Bio L/L Plus Anatomy & physiology Varies, but some Chem is common. Varies. Statistics is common. Varies. Public Health Requirements vary depending on sub-field of Public Health. PA Check target programs: requirements vary. Nursing* Anatomy &Physiology plus Pathophysiology PharmacologyBiolchem 212 (UM) * The requirements listed for Nursing are based upon UM’s accelerated RN program.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

Questions?