Timetable

To prepare oneself for admission into a health professional program, a "timetable" might include the following activities:

Freshman Year

Enroll in and attend pre-professional Survey course
Gather information on all health-care professions
Select major program
Begin pre-professional core science courses
Begin professional observations and job-shadowing experiences
Consider health-related volunteer opportunities.
Establish good study skills. Academics come first!
Become familiar with the university and all of the resources available to you.
Read extensively in science and non-science areas.
Get to know faculty - they are a great resource for major/career information and for future references and letters of recommendation.

Open letters-of-reference file through Interfolio (stop by Career Services for information) and begin acquiring letters from faculty members.
Take the time to develop relationships with faculty members – they are a great resource for major/career information and for future references and letters of recommendation.
Research health professional schools you want to apply to and learn about specific requirements.
Work on study habits and time-management skills that will allow you to improve your grades, or keep your grades at a high level in increasingly rigorous courses.
Start preparing for standardized exams by reviewing material covered in your introductory science courses.
Continue co- and extra-curricular activities that develop desirable personality traits and provide relevant experience.
Begin to explore research opportunities.
Continue to read extensively.

Request application materials from the health professional schools to which you plan to apply. Visit or talk with admissions representatives at these schools.
Register for pre-professional exams (i.e. MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, PCAT, etc.)
Complete pre-professional exam.
Early summer: Complete primary application (provided through standardized service where application information is dispersed to schools of choice.
Late summer: Complete “secondary” applications, send letters of reference.
Continue and/or expand your involvement with student clubs/organizations and community activities/volunteer programs.
Begin to write your personal statement and refine interviewing skills.