Pre-Health Professions at Mount Union College
The pre-health professions program exists to help you prepare yourself
for entrance into, and success in, health professions schools. Notice
that it is not the program that prepares you for entrance into
professional schools; rather, the program will help you prepare yourself. Your success
is up to you. The program will be useful in guiding you through the
intricacies of the application and preparation process, but you are the one who has to do
it!
As you start into the program, you may have a number of
frequently asked questions. Below is a
concise list of the major points you need to consider as you start the
program and as you continue in your sophomore and junior years. Be
sure to read this carefully, but also look into the specific health fields
of interest with links to the left. Also, please talk to Dr.
Burlingham, the Pre-Health Professions Advisor, as soon as possible.
Important Information for First-Year and Entering Students
- Introduce yourself to Dr. Burlingham, the
Pre-Health
Professions Advisor, as soon as you think you might be interested in a
career in the health professions. The earlier you do so, the
sooner you get on the most productive track.
- Prepare academically. Get started in the right
curriculum that will pave the way for success in the health fields.
We have a general first year curriculum that will allow you the freedom
to move into any specific area of interest. You don't need to
declare a major right away, but look at the compatible majors and
detailed curriculum tracks for each health profession through the links
to the left.
- Prepare in other areas. It is never too early to
investigate potential careers by reading through details of the health
professions. Think about shadowing a professional in fields of
interest over breaks. Look into internships. Develop
relationships with faculty by starting into research.
- Find resources and use them. Contact Dr. Burlingham (Bracy
339) for information about individual schools as well as resources to
help you prepare the best application possible. You should also talk to other students and get
the insights they have collected.
- Plan ahead! It is good to have a
general four year plan
in mind even as you start the program.
Important Information for Sophomore/Junior Students
- Narrow your goals. Use experiences you have gained to
start to focus on one specific field of study. Look into specific
schools of interest. Be sure you are meeting all of their
individual requirements.
- Do a Self-Assessment. Every person has strengths and
weaknesses. It is important that you have a realistic measure of
yours. When you see a weak area, plan specific ways to strengthen
that part of your application. Ask for candid advice from Dr.
Burlingham and other professors.
- Pull together committee and application material. You
need to start collecting the letters of recommendation, transcripts, and
writing samples you need for the application process. Part of the
process for some health professions is an interview with the
Pre-Health Professions Committee
during your Junior year. Your letter of evaluation will be based on
this interview and the materials you provide.
- Stay on the plan. Keep working through the
general four
year plan. Make changes to the general plan to meet the needs of
your specific curriculum and goals.
