Caitlin Bannon
Pre-Professional Health Programs Advising
University Advising and Career Center
Hood House 102
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Students interested in pursuing:
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Medicine
Dentistry
Optometry
Podiatry
Chiropractic medicine
Physicians Assistant
Physical Therapy
Pharmacy
Naturopathic medicine
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The Pre-Professional Health Program is an
intention and a commitment
Students of any major may be “pre-health” by
 A) Completing the pre-requisite coursework
 B) Registering with our office by signing up for our
email list
 C) Gaining the volunteer and healthcare experience
necessary for admission
 D) Preparing to take the required entrance exam
(MCAT, DAT, PCAT, OAT, etc.)
Professional schools do not evaluate
applicants on a specific major.
Evaluation for admission is based on:
Grades: Prerequisites, major courses, & all other classes, for all four
years
Experiences & Personal Attributes: Demonstrate sustained
interest/knowledge in healthcare
Letters of Recommendation: Faculty and Committee
Entrance Exams: Taken only after pre-reqs are complete
Interviews: Committee and Medical Schools
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Your major advisor – your first stop:
◦ Meet at least once each semester to review
academic progress and approve course selection
for the upcoming semester
◦ Discuss fitting pre-req courses around major
curriculum
◦ Get advice on program planning, preregistration,
understanding and meeting major and University
requirements, and general academic and career
decision-making
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The Health Professions (HP) Advisor:
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Assists in identifying professional school prerequisites
and choosing appropriate UNH courses
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Provides information about volunteer and community
service opportunities and national health profession
organizations
Refers to campus support resources
Guides through the application process of specific
professional programs in which the applicant is
interested
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Sign up for our email list
Review the New Student PowerPoint and
spend time on the website @
http://www.unh.edu/uacc/premedadvising/advising
Learn more about health professions options
using the Health Professions Fact Sheets and
www.explorehealthcareers.org
Monitor the PH website for upcoming events.
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Meet with your major advisor to discuss your
academic plan and your intention to pursue
your pre-professional health track of choice
Take action toward obtaining healthcare
experience
◦ Volunteer – winter and summer breaks; academic
year
◦ Job shadow professionals in your field of interest
◦ EMT, CNA, LNA certification
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Focus on Academics – get excellent grades, seek help when
you need it, get to know your professors (even in large
lectures), and work with your advisor
Get Engaged – take advantage of opportunities to learn new
things, attend events, join clubs, and be passionate about
your learning; college is no place for passivity
Stay Out of Trouble – a judicial or academic conduct issue (or
a criminal record) can seriously hamper your future
possibilities; make good choices starting now
Practice Professionalism – emails, phone calls, appointments
and chance meetings are all moments for you to make a good
impression
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Monitor Your Social Media Presence – who are you on
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, etc.? Others will
see, and they will judge
Be of Service – demonstrate compassion, caring for
others, and commitment (crucial characteristics for
healthcare providers)
Healthcare in Context – consider, learn, and think about
the social, economic, and cultural implication of health
and healthcare access
Break Out of Your Comfort Zone – learn about others
who are different than you; learn about cultures, races,
religions, sexual orientations, ethnicities
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Why have you chosen to prepare for a career in health?
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How familiar are you with healthcare environments?
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Have you volunteered or worked in a medical or health
related environment?
◦ What do you know about what it’s like to be a patient?
◦ What do you know about what it’s like to be a
physician/dentist/other?
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If you have worked in a health related environment,
what did you find most enjoyable and most challenging
about this work?
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Health Professions Fact Sheets: overview of
the professions and the prerequisite courses,
which vary by profession
Pre-Professional Health Advising website @
http://www.unh.edu/uacc/premed-advising/advising
◦ At this stage, check out the links for:
 Advising
 Explore the Health Professions
 Experiential Opportunities
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Check out the resources on the HP web
page: See Experiential Opportunities
Student Orgs and Leadership Opportunities:
Office of Student Involvement and
Leadership
Community Service and Volunteering:
http://www.unh.edu/uacc/communityservice
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The Health Professions (HP) Office is located
in Hood House
For general inquires, email
premed.advising@unh.edu
Schedule an appointment at 862-7740