Recommended Timeline for Pre-Health Professions Students

College Year 1

Meet and maintain contact with Providence College Health Professions Advisor

• Carol B. Crafts, Ph.D.
  Associate Professor of Biology & Advisor for the Health Professions
  Sowa 235, x 1989

Plan and begin academic preparation

• Learn about specific professional school admission requirements (vary by profession and often by school – review Facts about the Professions
• Select a major that will allow completion of requirements (i.e. the major may include all requirements or allow sufficient space for electives to complete requirements)

Investigate available resources

• www.providence.edu/premed
• Premedical Sciences and Health Professions (PSHP) Office
• PSHP announcements, calendar, email, and This Week’s Mail
• Professional school organizations and web sites

Explore professional options

• http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/ is an EXCELLENT place to start!
• Seminars & Workshops (posted on PSHP Calendar)
• Shadowing opportunities (contact Office of Career Services)

Identify and apply for summer volunteer positions/employment

Summer 1

• Participate in some health related experiences (volunteer positions/employment) if possible
• Attend summer school ONLY if necessary – Professional school prerequisites should be completed during the academic year

College Year 2

Continue academic preparation

• Continue prehealth and major requirements

Participate in service, leadership and health care activities

• Service organizations – on and off campus
• Service activities, e.g. lab assisting, resident assistant, tutoring
• Volunteer in health related activities (see Volunteer & Internship Opportunities at www.providence.edu/premed)
• Identify and apply for summer volunteer/employment opportunities related to your professional interests
• Investigate clinical and/or research opportunities available during your 3rd and 4th years

Summer 2

• Complete paid/volunteer health related experience
• Attend summer school ONLY if necessary (see above)

College Year 3

MANDATORY December meeting for potential applicants (students planning to enter professional school the fall immediately following graduation.  If not, these steps should be completed in Year 4 instead) provides information about professional school application services (AMCAS, AACOMAS, AADSAS, VMCAS, CASPA, PHARMCAS), admission test information (MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, GRE), Health Professions Advisory Committee application support, Procedures & Deadlines

Plan and prepare for professional school application – For detail, see APPLICATION YEAR PLANNING GUIDE section

Continue academic preparation

• Continue prehealth and major requirements
• Participate in research or internship

Continue service,leadership & health care activities

• Build on earlier involvements

Summer 3

• Participate in research, internship, health related program if possible or continue volunteer/paid health related experience
• Begin/complete professional school application (AMCAS, AACOMAS, AADSAS, VMCAS have early June initiation dates)
• Meet all applicant responsibilities
• Attend summer school ONLY if necessary (see above)

College Year 4

Begin/Complete applications (if applicable)

• Consider post-baccalaureate academic programs for prehealth students if applicable
• Consider post-baccalaureate non-academic health related programs
• Meet or precede deadlines
• Prepare for and complete interviews

Complete academic preparation

• Complete College, major and prehealth requirements
• Continue research and/or internships

Continue service, leadership & health care activities

• Build on earlier involvements

Make interim and final decisions about professional school choices

• Investigate financial aid with professional school aid offices
• Always notify schools you will not be attending

GRADUATION!

Summer 4

• Relax & prepare for professional school enrollment
• Attend professional school orientation programs