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
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•
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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.
Commonly Required Courses
Program
Biology
MD
Intro Bio plus
≥ 1 UL Bio L/L
DO
Intro Bio plus
≥ 1 UL Bio L/L
Dental
Intro Bio plus
≥ 1 UL Bio L/L
UM requires:
Microbio
Intro Bio plus
≥ 1 UL Bio L/L
Anatomy plus
UM requires:
Microbio,
Genetics.
Pharm
Vet
Intro Bio plus
≥ 1 UL Bio L/L
Chemistry
Physics
Biochemistry
Math
English
Chem 130/125/126
Chem 210/211
Chem215/216
Chem 230 or 260
Chem 130/125/126
Chem 210/211
Chem215/216
Chem 230 or 260
Chem 130/125/126
Chem 210/211
Chem215/216
Chem 230 or 260
Chem 130/125/126
Chem 210/211
Chem215/216
Chem 230 or 260
Physics I &
Physics II
1 term
Varies
2 terms
Physics I &
Physics II
1 term
Varies
2 terms
Physics I &
Physics II
1 term
Varies but
Stats is
common
2 terms
Physics I &
Physics II
1 term
UM requires
Biolchem 415
Varies but
Calc is
common
UM requires
Stats 350
(2009)
1 or 2 terms
Chem 130/125/126
Chem 210/211
Chem215/216
Chem 230 or 260
Physics I &
Physics II
1 term
Varies
2 terms
Common Courses, cont’d.
Program
Biology
Optometry Intro Bio plus
≥ 1 UL Bio L/L
plus Anatomy
PT
Public
Health
PA
Nursing*
Intro Bio plus
≥ 1 UL Bio L/L
Plus Anatomy &
physiology
Chemistry
Physics
Biochem
Math
English
Chem 130/125/126
Chem 210/211
Chem215/216
Chem 230 or 260
Varies, but some
Chem is common.
Physics I &
Physics II
1 term
Varies but Calc is 1 or 2 terms
common
Varies.
Varies.
Statistics is
common.
Varies.
Requirements vary depending on sub-field of Public Health.
Check target programs: requirements vary.
Anatomy
&Physiology plus
Pathophysiology
Pharmacology
Biolchem 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
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•
•
•
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 longterm implications
• Facebook and other permanent public records.
• Alcohol, drugs, and criminal background checks
• Finances
Questions?