What Happens
in Advising
Stays with
Students
Developing a “Plan A”
For the Mid-Range GPA
Pre-Health Student
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)
Pre-Health Students
GPA
2.5-3.0
456*
3.0-3.3
441*
Total # of UNL pre-health students: 2,538*
UNL Information
AVG GPA Applied
AVG GPA Accepted
UNL
3.6
3.84
National
3.45
3.69
UNMC
3.82
Univ. of South
Dakota
3.71
Ohio State University
3.70
Tulane University
3.61
Baylor University
3.88
Medical School
AVG GPA Applied
National
3.37
AVG GPA Accepted
3.57
UNMC
3.77
Creighton
3.53
Univ. of Iowa
3.74
Univ. of Delaware
3.75
Duke University
3.70
Physical Therapy School
AVG GPA Applied
National
3.36
AVG GPA Accepted
3.54
UNMC
3.75
Univ. of Minn.
3.59
Harvard University
3.87
Creighton University
3.61
University of Nevada
Las Vegas
3.40
Dental School
Sydney is in the fall of her sophomore year and holds a 2.5
cumulative gpa. She comes in for advising and reports that
classes are going “very well.” When asked for details, she
reveals that her semester gpa will again be in the 2.5 range.
She reports that she enjoys chemistry, but hates biology and
math courses. She has come for advising because she can’t
decide whether to apply for medical, physical therapy or
physician assistant programs after she completes her
undergraduate work.
Discuss how you would handle this advising appointment.
What questions would you ask? What advice would you
give? What resources would you attempt to connect the
student with?
Advising Scenario 1
Jeremy is in the fall of his junior year. He has been pursuing his
Biochemistry degree along with the requirements for pharmacy school.
Jeremy has completed most of his pharmacy pre-requisite courses. He
earned As and Bs in general biology. He earned a C- in anatomy. He
got Bs in general chemistry, but struggled in both semesters of organic
chemistry, earning a C- and a C. He is currently taking biochemistry.
His overall GPA is a 3.0 and his science GPA is a 2.85. His top choice
pharmacy school has an average accepted GPA of 3.54. He will start his
application to pharmacy school in the summer. He says he knows his
science and overall GPAs are lower than the average for the schools he
wants to apply to, but he holds several leadership positions on campus,
he volunteers, works as a pharmacy tech, and has done several medical
service trips abroad. He knows well roundedness, involvement, and
service are important for pharmacy school applicants and he is sure his
resume will help him get accepted into pharmacy school. He comes in
to see you to start planning his application.
What questions would you ask him? What advice would you give him?
What resources would you connect him with?
Advising Scenario 2
John is in the fall semester of his senior year and holds a 2.9
cumulative gpa. His science gpa is a bit lower than that.
John took the DAT this summer and scored slightly below
average. He is currently applying to only one dental school
– the one where his father graduated. He understands that
his gpa and test scores are low, but he feels confident he
will be accepted because he has a strong resume and his
father is a well respected dentist in his local community.
Discuss how you would handle this advising appointment.
What questions would you ask? What advice would you
give? What resources would you attempt to connect the
student with?
Advising Scenario 3
Planning for a “Plan B” is NOT a sign of
weakness and does not mean you are less
serious about going to a health professions
program!
*It indicates that you are mature, forward thinking, and
adaptable.
*It could save time and money
*It will almost certainly make a favorable impression
on those evaluating application materials.
*In fact, students may be asked about their “Plan B” in
professional school interviews for just these reasons.
Questions for All
Pre-Health Students
*What is it specifically that you like about health care?
*How thoroughly have you explored your chosen field?
Have you looked at other professions as well?
*What is your motivation to become a doctor, dentist,
PT…?
*What other careers involve those same goals/desires?
Questions for mid-range GPA students
in the first or second year…
*Do you know what the average gpa is for
admitted students into your program of choice?
*Tell me about your plan to raise your gpa.
*What changes are you making in your life that
will enable you to become a successful
applicant?
Questions for mid-range gpa students
in the third or fourth year…
*Do you know what the average gpa is for admitted
students into your program of choice?
*What are your plans if you are not admitted the first
time you apply?
*Have you looked at alternate health professions or
graduate study options?
*Have you met with Career Services about developing a
resume and starting a professional job search?
Departmental/major advisors
Exploratory and/or Pre-Professional Advisors
Career Services
Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing/htm
US Bureau of Labor Statistics Healthcare Occupations
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/print/home.htm
Top 20 Allied Healthcare Jobs and Salaries
http://healthecareers.com/article/salary/top-20-allied-healthcare-jobs-and-salaries
Exploring Health Careers website:
http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/home
Campus Resources for
Pre-Health Students!
Presenters:
Vicki Fisher
UNL College of Education & Human Sciences
402-472-8104
vfisher1@unl.edu
Tony Fucci
UNL Exploratory & Pre-Professional Advising Center
402-472-3605
afucci2@unl.edu