Resources for Premeds on XU’s Campus and Beyond
(Updated 6/22/15)
The following document lists some common offices/departments/resources utilized by Premeds on XU’s campus and
their respective functions. It also lists resources “beyond” Xavier that premeds may find useful to their pursuit of
gaining admission into medical, dental, etc. school. Use this document to complete the corresponding worksheet.
Resources for Premeds on XU’s Campus…
1. Academic Adviser (Office located in YOUR Academic Department)
o Helps student to schedule courses
o Monitors student progress
o Provides some advice for applying to graduate programs in student’s academic discipline
o Signs completed Adviser’s Cards
2. Bannerweb (www.xula.edu)
o Secure online access to academic records, financial records, and personal information
o Complete surveys and update your personal information
o Register for classes; add or drop classes
o Print unofficial copy of academic transcript
3. Campus Ministry (see location at http://www.xula.edu/campus-ministry/)
o Provides students with spiritual direction
o Conducts Masses in the University Chapel
o Supervises Gospel Choir, Liturgical Dance Group, and other programs
4. Career Services (see location at http://www.xula.edu/career-services/index.php)
o Hosts Career Fairs and Career-related Workshops (e.g. resume writing, mock interviews, etc.)
o Assists students in exploring career options based upon interests and abilities (career counseling)
o Provides info on summer employment, internships, etc.
o Mock-Interviews for jobs and graduate or professional school
5. Center for Intercultural and International Programs (see location at http://xula.abroadoffice.net/mission.html)
o Advises students on study abroad
o Advises multicultural student organizations on-campus
o Serves as clearinghouse for all Xavier International Activities
6. Center for Undergraduate Research (see location at http://www.xula.edu/cur/)
o Assists Xavier students with exploring undergraduate research opportunities at the University
o Hosts the “Festival of Scholars,” a campus-wide exhibition of the research conducted by Xavier
students throughout the academic year
7. Counseling Center (see location at http://www.xula.edu/counseling/index.php)
o Provides academic, social, psychological and career counseling to students
o Services students with disabilities
o Administers interest testing
o Provides individual personal counseling and referrals as needed
o Conducts campus-wide wellness initiatives
8. Dean, College of Arts and Sciences (Administration Bldg., 1st floor, http://www.xula.edu/cas/)
o Addresses academic matters concerning all majors in the College of Arts and Sciences (i.e. those
matters that cannot be handled by your Academic Adviser or Department Chairperson)
o Divisions within Arts & Sciences:
! Biological & Public Health Sciences (Biology and Public Health Sciences Departments)
! Mathematical & Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Computer Science, Math, and Physics
Departments)
! Social & Behavioral Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Speech Pathology,
Mass Communications, and Communication Studies Departments)
9. Financial Aid (XU South, 3rd floor, http://www.xula.edu/financial-aid/)
o Evaluates financial aid packages (including Federal Work-Study Program)
o Provides information regarding college financing options and responsibilities
o Assistance in completing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
10. Office of Fiscal Services (XU South, 3rd floor, http://www.xula.edu/fiscal/index.php)
o Student Accounts (e.g. payments, refund checks, etc.)
o Cashier’s Office
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11. Office of Graduate Placement (see location at http://www.xula.edu/gradstar/)
o Advises students interested in graduate, business, or law school (also MD/PhD)
o Provides systematic assistance with the graduate/professional school application process, including
school visitation/
o Standardized Test preparation (GRE, GMAT, and LSAT)
o Sponsors Graduate and Professional School Recruitment Fair
o McNair Scholars
12. Information Technology Center (NCF, 2nd floor, http://www.xula.edu/itc/index.php)
o Provides assistance with resetting your XULA webmail and Banner account passwords
o Provides assistance with internet or wireless configuration issues
13. Premed Office (NCF 108, http://www.xula.edu/premed/)
NOTE: ALL Premeds should
o Provides systematic guidance and structured advising to students who have
remain actively involved in
express an interest in the health professions, usu. as new freshmen
Premed Office Advising activities
o Conducts structured group and individual workshops for premeds
throughout enrollment UNLESS
o Maintains extensive website with important information for premeds
they are no longer interested in
applying to a health professions
o Hosts recruiters from health professions programs
school!! If you are proactive and
o Updates students usu. daily via email regarding premed application advice,
utilize your premedical advising
summer programs, recruitment visits, scholarships, etc.
resources at Xavier by attending
o Provides application advice to students on an individual basis as needed
all planned meetings and
submitting items when instructed
o Reviews essays, post-secondary experiences forms, and summer program
to do so, you will be poised to
or health professions school applications
prepare a competitive application
o Advises students via scheduled meetings and walk-ins
to medical, dental, etc. school.
14. Registrar (see location at http://www.xula.edu/registrar/index.php)
o Issues OFFICIAL academic transcript
o Processes “Request for Readmission” forms
o Obtain “Request to Pursue Courses at Another Institution” form
o Obtain “Change of Major” form (also available in academic divisions)
15. Student Academic Success Office (see location at http://www.xula.edu/saso/index.php)
o Offers FREE Tutoring from Resource Centers (Biology, Chemistry, Math, Reading, Speech, and
Writing); check SASO website for details on the Resource Center locations and hours
o Advises “Deciding” majors
o Provides academic support to new freshman & all academically at-risk students
o Advises Alpha Lambda Delta First Year Honor Society
16. Student Health Services (see location at http://www.xula.edu/student-health/)
o Provides medical assistance to students
o Processes Health Assessment Forms and Insurance Waivers
o Provides copies of immunization record (for a fee)
17. Student Services (UC, 3rd floor, http://www.xula.edu/student- life/services.php)
o Supervises various student-servicing offices on campus
o Cultivates the co-curricular and extra-curricular wellness of students
o Office of Volunteer Services and Campus Activities
o Obtain “Letter of Good Standing” from VP of Student Services
18. University Catalog (available online at http://www.xula.edu/catalog/index.php)
o Listing of available majors and semester-by-semester course scheduling
o Course descriptions
o Academic information
o Admission requirements and procedures
o Financial information
19. Vice-President for Academic Affairs (Administration Bldg., 2nd floor,
http://www.xula.edu/academics/index.php)
o Provides information on scholarships for CURRENT XU students
Resources for Premeds BEYOND XU’s Campus…
1. Overview of Different Types of Health Careers
o Career Explorer at http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/
2. Application Process for Health Professions Schools (e.g. application instructions, admission requirements,
entrance test info, application fee assistance, etc.)
o Allopathic Medicine (MD): Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC),
https://www.aamc.org/
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Osteopathic Medicine (DO): American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM),
http://www.aacom.org/Pages/default.aspx
o Dentistry: American Dental Education Association (ADEA), http://www.adea.org/; American Dental
Association (ADA)—for DAT Info—http://www.ada.org/
o Veterinary: Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), http://www.aavmc.org/
o Optometry: Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), http://www.opted.org
o Podiatry: American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM), http://www.aacpm.org/
o Public Health: Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), http://www.aspph.org/
o Chiropractic: Association of Chiropractic Colleges http://www.chirocolleges.org
o Physician Assistant: Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), http://www.paeaonline.org/
o The Student Doctor Network at http://studentdoctor.net/ (maintained by health professions students)
3. Medical/Clinical Volunteer Experience (See web links for local N.O. hospitals on next page)
o Search “volunteer” on websites for hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies, etc.
o Visit facilities that deliver patient care and ask about volunteer opportunities
o Know someone who works in a medical facility? Ask them about volunteer opportunities!
o Visit Aspiring Docs at https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/experience/
4. Medical/Clinical Shadowing Experience (See list of XU Alumni Working in the Health Professions---for XU
students ONLY; also, web links for professional associations with mentoring programs on next page)
o Ask your personal physician, dentist, etc. about shadowing opportunities
o Ask a relative if he/she knows a doctor, dentist, etc. that you could possibly shadow
o If volunteering at a hospital, clinic, or similar facility, inquire about possible shadowing opportunities
o Visit Aspiring Docs at https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/experience/
o NOTE: Short-term shadowing experiences are not a substitute for patient-contact volunteer (or paid)
experiences that usually take place over a longer period of time.
5. Summer Programs for Premeds
o Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP), http://www.smdep.org/
o Aspiring Docs, https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/experience/
o Search “premed summer programs” or related keywords using an internet search engine and/or while
visiting the websites of medical, dental, etc. schools that you are interested in
o Review & retain summer program information sent via email by the Premed Office (make sure you
have a working email address on file in the PM Office)
6. MCAT, DAT, OAT, etc. Preparation Courses
o Examkrackers, http://www.examkrackers.com/ (discounted MCAT review may be offered at XU)
o Kaplan Review, http://www.kaptest.com/ (discounted MCAT review may be offered at XU)
o Princeton Review, http://www.princetonreview.com/ (discounted MCAT review may be offered at
XU)
o Summer programs may offer MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, etc. test prep as a component
o Search internet for other MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, etc. test preparation options; CAUTION: Before
enrolling in ANY review course, be sure to research exactly what you’re paying for and get
feedback from students who actually enrolled in the review courses
7. Paying for Medical, Dental, etc. School
o Financial Aid representatives from the health professions schools to which you’ve been accepted
o Aspiring Docs, https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/paying/
o AAMC, https://www.aamc.org/services/first/
o National Health Service Corps (NHSC), http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/
o Military scholarships (search online; meet with recruiters who visit XU)
o State-sponsored and school-specific scholarships (if available)
o Special Rural Practice/Primary Care programs (available at some schools)
o Search internet for scholarships for health professions students
8. Post-Baccalaureate Programs (i.e. programs designed to help students who are NOT accepted into medical,
dental, etc. school enhance their credentials for re-application)
o Aspiring Docs, https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/experience/357926/consideringpostbacc.html
o Search “premed” or “predental post-baccalaureate programs” using an internet search engine
o Visit the websites of the medical or dental schools to which you have applied to see if there are
programs available for applicants who need to enhance their applications
9. Official ACT/SAT Score report (may be required to apply to summer programs, scholarship programs, etc.)
o ACT, http://www.actstudent.org/scores/send/
o SAT, http://sat.collegeboard.org/scores/send-sat-scores
o
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Volunteer Opportunities @ Metro New Orleans Hospitals
Tulane Medical Center
http://tulanehealthcare.com/career-center/volunteer-opportunities.dot
Touro Infirmary
http://www.touro.com/content/volunteeropportunities.htm
Ochsner Health System
http://www.ochsner.org/donate_volunteer/volunteering/
Interim LSU Hospital
http://www.umcno.org/volunteering
Children’s Hospital New Orleans
http://www.chnola.org/pagedisplay.asp?p1=4288
New Orleans East Hospital
http://noehospital.org/main/layout.php?page=volunteer_opportunities
West Jefferson Medical Center
Call Volunteer Services http://www.wjmc.org/WJMC-Telephone-Directory.aspx
East Jefferson General Hospital
http://www.ejgh.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=71
Go to http://www.volunteermatch.org to search a variety of volunteer opportunities across the
United States.
Other Opportunities for Patient Contact (volunteer or paid)
-Community Clinics
-Long Term Acute Care Facilities
-Nursing Homes
-Hospice Agencies
-Home Health Agencies
-Medical Scribe positions (e.g. Scribe America, ProScribe, etc.)
Mentorship Opportunities through Professional Organizations
(List not inclusive; search national/local professional organizations for possible mentorship opportunities)
American Osteopathic Association
http://cf.osteopathic.org/iLearn/index.cfm?pageid=ment_exchange&page=Exchange
American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/careers-in-dentistry/be-a-dentist/career-mentoring
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