Gain Experience

Many health-related professional schools will require students to gain experience by volunteering, shadowing, and at times working directly with patients.  Please read through the health professional pamphlets for more information about the experience required. 

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) explains, “…admission committees look at the length of time invested, the depth of experience, and lessons learned…”

• For example:  Medical schools will ask students to identify up to three experiences that they consider to be the most meaningful, as well as give an explanation about the experience, the impact the student made while engaging in the activity, and the personal growth the student experienced as a result of their participation. 

Explore health-related opportunities on the following handout  

Volunteer

Health-related volunteer experience allow students to assess their aptitude and interest for a health profession.  It is also strongly recommended/required by many professional health programs.  There is no one “right” volunteer experience to have.  Students should volunteer for programs that they are genuinely interested in.

Explore volunteer opportunities on our volunteer handout.

Pre-Med and Asklepiad Preceptorship Information (click here)

Shadowing

How do you know that you would like to be a physician or a veterinarian?  It is important to shadow different professionals representing a specialty within your area of interest in order to get a sense of what the job will entail.  Admission representatives will look for applicants that have done their research and are passionate about the career field that they will be spending multiple years preparing for.

Undergraduate Research

Get connected with a faculty member on campus!

• Read through the different faculty member's research area(s):
  • Biology
  • Human Physiology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
• Reach out to faculty member(s) in-person to express your interest in getting involved. They may or may not have a need for undergraduate support, so be prepared to contact multiple people!

Why get involved in undergraduate research?  To gain real-life application of the material you are learning in class, explore the idea of graduate school, help you get connected with a faculty member on campus, earn credit, and add to your application for a health professional program.

New program! SMART-Biology Program: Scientific Mentorship and Research Training (SMART) in Biology is launching a program to match undergraduate students with research faculty members.

Earning Credit for Practical Experience

Contact your major department or the Career Center to see if you can earn credit for your practicum/internship experience.

Make sure to plan ahead! You may not be able to earn credit after you have completed your internship/practicum.