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Pre-Medical Advising

About the Program

UHart student in the Health Center Hydration lab

The Pre-Medical Professions Advising Program (PMAP) is not a degree or major. Students can select any major as long as they take the courses required for their career path. PMAP provides personalized pre-med advising from your first year through application.

Popular majors include: Biochemistry | Biology | Chemistry | Exercise Science | Health Sciences | Neuroscience

Through the program, students can explore health professions, gain experience, and prepare for the application process with support from advisors and PMAP resources.

How PMAP Supports You

  • Three Pre-professional Advising Seminars (PPS) over the course of your time at UHart to give you the tools you need to become a successful applicant.
  • Committee letter support and mock interviews for medical school applicants
  • Discounted Kaplan MCAT preparation with University funding
  • Connections to clinical, research, shadowing, and enrichment opportunities

Your PMAP Roadmap

Preparation for a health profession develops throughout the undergraduate experience. The PMAP roadmap outlines steps students can take each year to build their academic foundation, explore career options, gain experience, and prepare for the application process.

Year One: Explore & Build a Strong Foundation

Follow your curriculum plan, earn high grades, and explore careers in health professions through PPS 100. Connect with PMAP resources, join the Pre-Health Professions Club, and meet with advisors to review your progress and plan next steps. During the summer, gain experience through volunteering, shadowing professionals, work, or a summer enrichment program.

Year Two: Develop & Deepen Your Experiences

Continue prerequisite coursework, maintain a strong GPA, and develop a plan to meet the academic requirements for your intended profession. Take PPS 200 to write a résumé, explore programs for your intended career, and learn about entrance exams. Consider coursework in Phlebotomy or Emergency Medical Technician. During the summer, expand your experience and consider earning certification as a Certified Nurse's Assistant or Medical Assistant.

Year Three: Prepare & Assess Your Readiness

Continue following your curriculum plan and earn strong grades. Take PPS 300 to complete a mock interview, develop a list of schools, create an application timeline, draft an application essay, and develop an application budget. Meet with your advisor to determine your application timeline: apply after junior year for direct entry after graduation, or take a growth year or two before applying. During the summer, prepare for your entrance exam and gain more experience.

Year Four: Finish Strong & Decide Next Steps

Complete your remaining requirements, finish with a strong academic record, and wrap up research projects. Finalize your application timeline and apply to the Pre-Professional Advising Committee when preparing to enter the application cycle. During the summer after Year Four, work, study for and/or take your entrance exam, and possibly apply.

Growth Year (or More): Strengthen Your Application

Gain more clinical experience, conduct research, or take extra classes to strengthen your GPA.

Explore the Courses

Learn more about the PPS courses that support you throughout the pre-professional advising program.

PPS 100 PPS 200 PPS 300

Professions We Support

UHart PMAP student in the Hursey Center with patient

Pre-professional advising supports students on their journey toward a range of health professions, including:

  • Allopathic Medicine (MD)
  • Chiropractic
  • Dentistry
  • Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
  • Optometry
  • Pharmacy
  • Physician Assistant (PA)
  • Podiatry

The journey toward medical school is difficult to navigate and the Pre-Medical Professions Advising Program has made it easier for me to visualize the goals I want to achieve and my progress to get there.

Rhiannon Lara ’26, Student in the Pre-Medical Professions Advising Program

When You're Ready, Apply With Confidence

As you prepare to apply to medical or other health-professional schools, the Pre-Professional Advising Committee can help you through the application process. PMAP offers committee letter support and mock interviews for medical school applicants.

Application steps: Take entrance exam | Request references | Interview with Pre-Professional Advising Committee | Submit applications

Contact Us

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Claudia Oakes, Associate Professor of Health Sciences, or Lisa Rastede, Assistant Professor of Chemistry.