Pre-Health Planning

Course planning can often be overwhelming and confusing, added to the idea that you are planning for what happens four years from now can add fuel to that fire. Below are a few commonly asked questions from students who are interested in pre-health. Use this as a guideline and not law! For actual scheduling of courses, work with your assigned academic advisor.

What should my major be?

You can select any major you would like! That's the beauty of this whole college thing. Now, many students will select majors which align well with the prerequisites needed for your professional school of choice (most commonly biology, biomedical science, exercise science, chemistry), but the best recommendation that can be provided is to choose a major which you feel you can excel within! If you LOVE art, then take on an art major as it is more likely to allow you to be successful (often means a better GPA), while you can still have the flexibility in your minors or specializations to pick up your prerequisites.

​Should I choose a pre-health specialization to add to my major(s) and minors?​

Yes! Our pre-health specializations are a great way to keep you on track with the majority of the prerequisites you need for entry to a professional school. The beauty of specializations is they are not binding (you do not have to complete the specialization to graduate), but provide a great roadmap. Keep in mind these specializations were built to catch the majority of course prerequisites, but are not perfect. You should always track prerequisites based on the schools you are interested in eventually applying to.

​It seems like there are a lot of labs, how many should I plan to take?

There certainly are a lot of lab science courses on your docket! When possible, you should plan to take two lab science courses (i.e. biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, etc.) each semester. Depending on what pathway you choose, this process may end after the sophomore or junior year, but for more rigorous preparatory programs (going pre-med) you can expect to have two labs each semester for four years.

​Which chemistry should I take?

Most health programs ask for you to complete a full year of general chemistry. At The College of Idaho, this would match with CHE 141/142 and the Labs which correspond with it. Beyond this full year, chemistry requirements vary depending on the desired program.

​What math or statistics should I take?

We recommend students research their intended major(s) and health professional programs to determine how much math and/or statistics is needed. Some programs will accept statistics (such as MAT-125 or MAT-212), while some will require calculus, and some will even require a combination! Carefully consider which courses you will need to plan.

​What biology should I take?

The majority of students will at minimum need one year of general biology and the corresponding labs (BIO-201 and BIO-202). Depending on what program you intend to enter, the branching from this general biology sequence will vary.

Review the following planning suggestions for your considerations when preparing your academic schedules and prerequisite courses. Click on your profession of interest to see specific suggestions related to that professional school.

Please note: The recommendations provided are the most general listing of course suggestions that are most applicable to the majority of the selected professional school. Specific requirements will certainly vary by school.

Please note: The recommendations provided are the most general listing of course suggestions that are most applicable to the majority of the selected professional school. Specific requirements will certainly vary by school.

Chiropractic

According to the Council on Chiropractic Education, the accrediting body for chiropractic schools, efforts have been made to increase the flexibility of entry into accredited schools. The following are the recommended entry requirements, though each school will have specific requirements:

PREREQUISITES

Candidates for admission must meet the following:

• A minimum of 90 credit hours (three academic years) though completion of an undergraduate degree is required in most states.
• A minimum GPA of 2.50 overall, and within prerequisite courses
• 24 credits of the 90 total must be from physical/life sciences.
  • This should include the lecture and laboratory components of biology, physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry
  • Additional coursework including anatomy + physiology and biochemistry are often recommended.
• Additional recommendations include roughly 15 credits of social sciences/humanities courses, 6 credits of English communication and/or English language skills, and at least 3 credits of psychology.

For school-specific information you can use this chartas a guide.

Dentistry

Traditionally, dental schools have selected candidates for admission who have completed:

• 1 year of biology with lab,
• 1 year of general chemistry with lab,
• 1 year of organic chemistry with lab, and
• 1 year of physics with lab.

Other common courses suggested or required by dental schools include genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and cell biology, English, math, and social sciences.

For school-specific information on requirements for entry and prerequisite courses, you can use this chart from the American Dental Education Association (from 2017) and this ADEA website.

Medicine

Those seeking a pathway to medical school will want to consider the following general course requirements:

• Chemistry—1 year general Chem141-142; 1 year Organic Chemistry 301-302; Biochemistry
• Physics—1 year
• Biology—1-2 years (recommended courses include Molecules to Cells, Organismal Biology, Cell Biology, Animal or Human Physiology, Molecular biology, Human Anatomy, Microbiology, Genetics, Developmental Biology)
• Math—varies, but a safe bet is one year of college math, including one semester of Calculus Some schools may require stats.
• English—most schools want evidence of proficiency in writing and/or 1 year college English.
• Other—some schools require psychology (University of Nevada requires both a lower and upper division Psychology course) as well as a well-rounded assortment of humanities courses that you will satisfy by taking the PEAK curriculum. University of Washington recommends a course in ethics, so consider taking either Bioethics or Ethics in the Philosophy Dept.

Other Helpful information: You'll want to complete these prior to taking the MCAT: biology, general chemistry, biochemistry, physical, psychology, and sociology.

Nursing

Course planning for nursing can vary widely depending on the program. Students interested in pursuing nursing can search for individual program requirements through the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The most common requirements are listed below:

• 1 year of general chemistry with lab
• 1 year of anatomy and physiology with lab
• 1 semester of microbiology
• 1 semester of nutrition
• 1 semester of statistics

Additional requirements will vary by institution, but may include one or more of:

• Human growth and development across the lifespan
• Organic chemistry
• Introductory psychology
• Ethics
• Courses in the humanities and social sciences

Occupational Therapy

To become an occupational therapist, you will first need to complete a bachelor’s degree; you can major in anything that interests you.

Typical prerequisites include (but aren’t limited to):

• Anatomy & physiology: 1 year with lab
• Statistics
• 2-3 psychology courses (intro/ abnormal/ lifespan development)
• Sociology or anthropology
• Medical terminology
• Additional coursework could include physics, human development, English, among others

Prerequisites can vary widely in this field. Use the American Occupational Therapy Association program directory to look at schools of interest, and their prerequisites.

Optometry

For school-specific prerequisites, please refer to this chart compiled by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.

Most commonly, the following are requirements for optometry school:

• Biology: 1 year with lab
• Microbiology: 1 semester with lab
• Chemistry: 1 year of general chemistry with labs; 1 semester of organic chemistry with lab; 1 semester of biochemistry (no lab required)
• Physics: 1 year of general physics
• Statistics: 1 semester
• Calculus: 1 semester
• English: 1 year
• Psychology: 1 semester

Other frequent requirements include: Anatomy and Physiology

Prior to taking the OAT exam: complete biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, and statistics.

Pharmacy

For school-specific prerequisite information, please refer to this chart published by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Most commonly, the requirements for entry into pharmacy include:

• Biology: 1 year with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Anatomy and physiology: two semesters with lab
• General chemistry: 1 year with lab
• Organic chemistry: 1 year with lab
• General physics: 1 semester with lab (a few schools require two semesters)
• Statistics: 1 semester
• Calculus: 1 semester
• English: 1 year

Additional frequent requirements include:

Economics, public speaking, humanities, and biochemistry, among others.

Complete these prerequisites prior to taking the PCAT: biology, anatomy and physiology, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, calculus.

Physical Therapy

For a list of school-specific course prerequisites, please refer to the linkprovided by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Those wishing to pursue physical therapy will most often face the requirements of:

• Biology: 1 year with lab
• Anatomy and physiology: 1 year with lab
• General chemistry: 1 year with lab
• General physics: 1 year with lab
• Psychology: 1 semester
• Statistics: 1 semester

Additionally, frequent requirements include:

• College math: 1 semester (such as calculus)
• Exercise physiology: 1 semester
• Medical terminology: 1 semester
• English composition/writing: 1 to 2 semesters

Physician Assistant

To explore specific program requirements, visit this websitemanaged by the Physician Assistant Education Association

The following list of courses are those required by most, but not all PA schools, as listed by the American Academy of PAs:

• Biology: 1 year with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Anatomy and Physiology: 1 year with lab
• Chemistry: 1 year with lab

Other often required courses include

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• English
• Statistics
• Social Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology

Public Health

The primary examples of graduate work in public health is in pursuing either a Masters of Public Health (M.P.H.) or Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.).

Programs in public health typically do not have specific prerequisite courses. More information about public health programs and their requirements is available on the Schools of Public Health Application Service Program Finder. However, because public health is a far-reaching area of study and work, student programs can be aligned with interest in the field. For example, a student who wishes to pursue epidemiology would benefit from being a math major, or beefing up on mathematics and statistics courses. Another student interested in behavioral sciences or health education might consider backgrounds in psychology or exercise science. For studying health services administration, a background in political economy may be useful, while those wanting to pursue environmental health might take one a heavier dose of biology or chemistry.

Veterinary

For the most recent school-specific prerequisite requirements, please use this chart provided by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, or check individual schools as needed.

For those considering a career as a veterinarian, the most common course prerequisites include:

• Biology: 1 year with lab
• Genetics: 1 semester with lab
• Chemistry: 1 year of general chemistry with lab; 1 year of organic chemistry with lab; and 1 semester of biochemistry (no lab required)
• General physics: 1 year with lab
• College math: 1 year
• English: 1 year
• Humanities and/or social sciences: specific requirements vary

Other frequently required courses include microbiology and public speaking

Take a look through common questions asked of students preparing for their careers in health.

Do I need clinical experience? If so, how do I get it?

Many professional programs require or request that you have clinical experience prior to applying to their schools. Students are encouraged to look early, and consistently acquire clinical exposure each year you are at the College of Idaho. This will allow for the accrual of substantial meaningful experience which will not only help on your application, but will prepare you in knowing if healthcare is the environment you truly want to pursue. There are two types of clinical experience (professional-facing and patient-facing, and depending on which are required for program entry, you'll want to focus your efforts in that direction. Look to the next section (what professions are looking for) for more details on types of experience. Speak with the department of High Impact Practices by email, their website, or chat with Dr. Densley.

When should I get involved in volunteering and community service?

There is never an early enough time. You should look for volunteer and service opportunities that embed yourself within your school and greater community early and often! Just be mindful of what your busy schedule will allow you to do. Consider what you are passionate about, and that which brings you energy, and go for it!

What are jobs/experiences I can do to get more patient/professional exposure?

Common jobs that students get while in school or following graduation during a gap year(s) include: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Scribe, Phlebotomist, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Physical Therapy Assistant/Aide, and Pharmacy Technician, to name a few!

Should I conduct research to get into a professional school?

Research experience is typically not a requirement for entry into health professional schools, though if you are interested in academic-focused graduate schools (masters or PhD in physiology, for example) research is very beneficial. However, research is a wonderful opportunity to provide students with the opportunity to explore, develop useful skills, hone writing and presentation skills, collaborate, and so on.

How important is my GPA?

The importance of GPA varies greatly based on program type and school. Many schools set a minimum standard for GPA, and even set a higher value to have your application end up on a committee's table. However, there are many factors an admission committee focuses on beyond the GPA, which have equal or greater importance.

Admissions committees look at upward trends in an applicant's grades through their undergraduate progress. Have a rough first year? Showing commitment to your academics in raising your academic standards will be seen as favorable. Inconsistency, or bouncing around in grades throughout your undergraduate tenure may indicate to a committee that you are not prepared for the rigors of a health professional program.

Overall, the importance of GPA varies from school to school, so the student's work in researching well-fitting schools is important.

How do I finish everything before I graduate?

You might not! That's completely okay too. Though many students can successfully navigate the complexity and time-consuming process of applying and gaining entry to health professional schools while completing their undergraduate degree, many others are taking a gap year or years to allow for more preparation time. Both of these options are respectable, and we are happy to help you whether on track to apply during your College of Idaho tenure, or as an alumni!

Consider the areas below, Academic Preparations, Clinical Exposure, Leadership and Social Competencies, and Research, when preparing for your application and entry into a professional health school.

Academic Preparation

Not only will a professional school require you to meet an academic standard or GPA, but they will expect you to demonstrate competencies relevant to your academic exposure.

• Critical Thinking: Can you use logic and reasoning to identify strengths, weakness, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information which can be applied to problem solving or improvement? Can you reflect, reason, and communicate?
• Quantitative Reasoning: Can you apply basic scientific and mathematics skills to analyze and interpret real-world quantitative information? Can you take that information and draw conclusions and context?
• Scientific Inquiry: Can you apply knowledge of the scientific process to integrate and synthesize information, solve problems, and formulate research questions and hypotheses? Are you comfortable with scientific language, and in using scientific knowledge as a fundamental skill to apply to answer seeking?
• Written Communication: Can you effectively convey information to others using written word? Is your communication organized, informative, and concise?

Beyond these competencies, professional schools will often have entrance exams to prepare for.

• Medical schools require the MCAT
• Dental schools require the DAT
• Veterinary, public health, physician assistant, SLP, occupational and physical therapy schools often require the GRE
• Nursing schools may require the TEAS
• Pharmacy students likely will take the PCAT
• Optometry students will take the OAT

Clinical Exposure

Being exposed to the clinical environment allows you to begin understanding the profession(s) you'd like to enter, and the patients you will have the opportunity to treat. It is very important to admissions committees that you can demonstrate your understanding of both of these aspects. Clinical exposure can be broken into professional-facing and patient-facing.

Professional-Facing

These are experiences in which you spend time observing and understanding the profession itself.

The most common form is in clinical shadowing of providers. If, say, you wish to become a physician, it is important that you observe multiple clinical settings. Perhaps you work with a pediatrician, a general surgeon, and a pathologist, for example.

Patient-Facing

Patient-facing experiences are those that help you understand what it's like to physically work in the healthcare environment, and to build knowledge on the ground for working directly with patients.

The most common forms of patient-facing experiences include volunteering, such as in a hospital, dentist office, pharmacy, PT clinic, or nursing home, and paid employment working as a CNA, EMT, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, Pharmacy Technician, or PT Aid.

Leadership and Social Competencies

The health professions require a substantial level of leadership and social skills. Many professional skills will focus on your demonstration of the following competencies, as listed by the American Association of Medical Colleges, but applicable to all.

• Service Orientation: Demonstrates a desire to help others and sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to alleviate others’ distress; recognizes and acts on his/her responsibilities to society; locally, nationally, and globally.
• Social Skills: Demonstrates an awareness of others’ needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples’ interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues; treats others with respect.
• Cultural Competence: Demonstrates knowledge of socio-cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; shows an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; recognizes and acts on the obligation to inform one’s own judgment; engages diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, citizenship, and work; recognizes and appropriately addresses bias in themselves and others; interacts effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals; shares information and knowledge with others and provides feedback; puts team goals ahead of individual goals.
• Oral Communication: Effectively conveys information to others using spoken words and sentences; listens effectively; recognizes potential communication barriers and adjusts approach or clarifies information as needed.
• Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others: Behaves in an honest and ethical manner; cultivates personal and academic integrity; adheres to ethical principles and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to behave in honest and ethical ways; develops and demonstrates ethical and moral reasoning.
• Reliability and Dependability: Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and performance.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is persistent, even under difficult situations; recovers from setbacks.
• Capacity for Improvement: Sets goals for continuous improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; engages in reflective practice for improvement; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback.

There are tons of ways to demonstrate and practice these skills, not limited to but including:

• Student organization or club involvement
• Joining Greek Life
• Participate in athletics
• Volunteering
• Research
• Holding a job

Research

Though not required by most health professions and schools, participating in research as previously mentioned can serve as a huge boost in your understanding your college coursework, and enhance your skills and competencies as a future health professional. Research experience can also lead to amazing alternatives to health professional schools if a student is interested in changing pathways! Speak with faculty you might be interested in working with regarding potential research opportunities. Be proactive!