Caitlin Bannon Pre-Professional Health Programs Advising University Advising and Career Center Hood House 102

 Students interested in pursuing: ◦ Medicine ◦ Dentistry ◦ Optometry ◦ Podiatry ◦ Chiropractic medicine ◦ Physicians Assistant ◦ Physical Therapy ◦ Pharmacy ◦ Naturopathic medicine

 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 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

 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

 The Health Professions (HP) Advisor:  Assists in identifying professional school prerequisites and choosing appropriate UNH courses  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

 Sign up for our list  Review the New Student PowerPoint and spend time on the advising/advising advising/advising  Learn more about health professions options using the Health Professions Fact Sheets and  Monitor the PH website for upcoming events.

 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

 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 – s, phone calls, appointments and chance meetings are all moments for you to make a good impression

 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

 Why have you chosen to prepare for a career in health?  How familiar are you with healthcare environments?  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?  If you have worked in a health related environment, what did you find most enjoyable and most challenging about this work?

 Health Professions Fact Sheets: overview of the professions and the prerequisite courses, which vary by profession  Pre-Professional Health Advising ◦ At this stage, check out the links for:  Advising  Explore the Health Professions  Experiential Opportunities

 Check out the resources on the HP web page: See Experiential Opportunities Experiential Opportunities  Student Orgs and Leadership Opportunities: Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Office of Student Involvement and Leadership  Community Service and Volunteering: service service

 The Health Professions (HP) Office is located in Hood House  For general inquires,  Schedule an appointment at