Pre-Health Advising

What’s Pre-Health Advising—and How Can it Help You?

At MMC, pre-health advising offers support and guidance to students of any major who are exploring or embarking on pathways toward health-related professions. Both students who wish to follow a science-intensive track and students whose interests are transdisciplinary will find a home—and valuable resources—here. We’ll help you uncover new and creative ways to combine your interests in the arts, humanities, social sciences, or science and mathematics with health care and plan a rewarding career.

At the center, you’ll have access to:

Questions? Read our FAQ!

A: No college or university has a “pre-health” major. To be pre-health means you’ve expressed an interest in pursuing a career in health care and you’ll be taking courses required for admission to professional school, regardless of your major. (In addition to participating in extracurricular activities and taking the courses you need to meet your degree requirements, that is.)

A: It’s very important to begin preparing for professional school admission as soon as you enter college. When you meet with Pre-Health Advisor Eugene Rubin, he’ll provide information about required courses you’ll need for admission alongside the courses you’ll need to meet your degree requirements. We’ll also explore the many different career opportunities that exist in health care. By starting early, we’ll ensure that you are well prepared to apply for admission during your junior year when applications are generally submitted.

A: Yes. MMC has a Pre-Health Club, Psychology Club, Science Society, and many other registered student organizations that would enable you to explore and expand your interests in a variety of areas related to pre-health studies.

Moreover, it’s important to become involved with extracurricular activities throughout your time at MMC. Professional schools look favorably upon students who have shown they developed intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies through activities outside the classroom. Joining clubs and participating in activities that interest you are a great way to develop those competencies. When considering participation in extracurricular activities, keep in mind that professional schools like to see a breadth of experiences.

A: Yes. The center has a speaker series—monthly meetings held on campus with speakers who have knowledge about specific health care professions and the professional school application process. The center also maintains an in-depth website that contains detailed information on preparing for the admissions process and provides individualized advisement by a dedicated, full-time pre-health advisor.

A: The center’s pre-health advisor maintains an up-to-date list of organizations and institutions that provide volunteer and internship opportunities for our students. We can help you seek out and apply for opportunities involving direct client or patient interaction in a variety of healthcare settings. These experiences will help you hone in on the particular field of health care that would be most enjoyable and fulfilling for you.

A: No, not at all. On the contrary, there is a growing trend among pre-health students to delay their applications to medical school for one or more years following graduation. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, over 60 percent of entering MD students in 2017 reported taking at least one gap year. Many students are choosing to take one or more gap years to seek clinical and research experiences, travel, enroll in test preparation courses, and do other activities that would enhance their application and increase their chances of being accepted when they are ready to apply.

Pre-Health Advising

What’s Pre-Health Advising—and How Can it Help You?

At the center, you’ll have access to:

A dedicated pre-health advisor

Internship leads

Monthly meetings with health and human development experts

Questions? Read our FAQ!

Q: Can I major in pre-health at MMC?

Q: I’m a first-year student. How can the center help me prepare for entry to professional school at this early stage?

Q: Is it better to major in science if I plan to apply to a professional school?

Q: Does MMC have any pre-health student clubs that I can join?

Q: Does the Center for Health, Human Development, and Creativity offer activities that would help me learn more about the health-care professions and professional school admissions?

Q: I would like to pursue a career in healthcare, but I don’t want to become a physician. How can I explore the variety of healthcare possibilities?

Q: I am about to enter my junior year, and I am not ready to apply to medical school. Do medical schools look unfavorably upon students who delay their application until after graduation?

Q: I am applying to professional school, and I would like to have an MMC Pre-Health Committee letter submitted in support of my application. What is the process for obtaining a committee letter?

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