Prepare

How will you prepare for your healthcare career?

Preparing for a career in health can (and in some cases should) start as early as your first year in college. Programs want to see that you have been thoughtful in your decision to pursue your health career of choice and that you have taken the appropriate steps to get there. In order to be a competitive applicant, prepare yourself in three areas:

Academics

Professional health programs require courses that are foundational for what you’ll study next. Your performance in these classes are an indication of your readiness for the programs. Doing well and learning the content is key. You will also be able to demonstrate content proficiency on exams. Your grades and exam scores are used to predict your ability to succeed in the programs you’re applying to.

Experiences

Clinical exposure and time spent interacting with patients and health professionals is important to demonstrate that you understand the career you are aspiring to, and that you will be good at it. Visit our Getting Experience page for resources to help you navigate your journey to a career in healthcare. The experiences you gain will allow you to develop and articulate skills that demonstrate your readiness for the career and graduate programs you apply to.

Professional health programs like to see well-rounded individuals and compassionate citizens. This doesn’t mean signing up for every club and/or leadership opportunity on campus or in your community. Choose to be involved in things that are meaningful to you. Are you passionate about music? Or maybe you care about children and want to get involved in a community youth program? Or perhaps there is a club on campus that promotes social justice awareness that interests you? Whatever it is that you decide to be involved in, make sure there is a meaningful connection and engage with it in depth.

Research may or may not be a requirement for professional health programs. You’ll have to research the individual programs to know for sure. Ultimately, it is up to you and your professional interests. If research is a passion of yours, then it will only help your application if you get some research experience. Connect with your advisors and faculty members to see what research opportunities may be available to you.

Relationships

Relationships with mentors is key to learning as much as you can about a profession before diving deeper.

• Faculty will help guide your academic journey. Go to office hours and let them know your goals. Ask questions about their professional and research interests. Ask for referrals. Letting your faculty get to know you will help them put opportunities in your path. It will also help them write you good letters of recommendation when the time comes.
• Health professionals will provide the best perspective on the career you’re considering. Start with conversations where you ask your questions, hear their advice, and learn about their professional journeys. When conversations go well and you find alignment, asking for an opportunity to shadow and/or work alongside these individuals will open doors.
• Supervisors and mentors in non-health spaces can help guide your personal and professional development. These individuals are an invaluable resource and shouldn’t be discounted. While professional health programs will require STEM-based academic recommendations along with a recommendation from a health professional, a recommendation from a supervisor or mentor who knows you well and can speak to your character and readiness can support your application well.

The most important thing to keep in mind when approaching people for letters of recommendation, shadowing opportunities, or even the admissions staff at the school you are applying to, is to always be professional, respectful, and grateful. People tend to be more responsive to this approach, and it speaks to your character as a future health professional.

Self-Assessment

Before you move on to the Apply phase…use this Self-Assessment Tool to determine your next steps. Apply when you are really ready for the process – it’s a lengthy one!