Pre-Health Resources

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A physician completes four years of medical school after graduating with their bachelor’s degree, followed by three-four years of further training after graduating from medical school. There are two main types of medical school: an allopathic medical school grants the MD and an osteopathic medical school grants the DO. Either type of physician is fully licensed to practice medicine in the United States. The medical specialties of optometry and podiatry have their own separate training programs and schools.

In addition to maintaining strong academics, pre-medical students should seek clinical opportunities such as shadowing, scribing, or working or volunteering in healthcare settings. Many pre-medical students also participate in research while they are undergraduates.

• Inside Health Education
• American Association of Medical Colleges
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
• Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
• American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine

A physician assistant/physician associate completes a master’s degree in PA studies. A PA works in a healthcare setting in partnership with a physician. While a PA can work in many different specialties, a main focus is primary care.

In addition to strong academics, students intending to apply to PA school typically need 1000 or more hours of patient care experience. Many PA schools require or recommend that an applicant shadow or work with a PA before applying to gain a better understanding of the profession.

• Physician Assistant Education Association
• American Academy of Physician Associates

A dentist cares for people’s teeth and general oral health. Dentists complete four years of dental school; after graduation, some dentists go directly into practice, while others pursue additional training in a specialty. Because dentistry requires excellent fine motor skills, hobbies and extracurricular activities that improve hand-eye coordination are good choices for pre-dental students. Many dental schools also require an applicant to shadow or work with a dentist before applying.

• Inside Health Education
• American Dental Education Association

A pharmacist is an expert in medications. Pharmacists manage pharmacies, prepare prescriptions and advise patients about their prescription and over-the-counter medications. Pharmacists can also administer vaccines. A pharmacist completes four years of pharmacy school to earn the PharmD. Working as a pharmacy technician as an undergraduate is an excellent way to prepare for pharmacy school.

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

A veterinarian is a medical professional who specializes in caring for animals. Veterinarians complete four years of veterinary school to earn their DVM, and some veterinarians pursue further training in a specialty after graduation. In addition to strong academics, a student planning a career as a veterinarian should work or volunteer for a minimum of 100 hours in a veterinary clinic and have a recommendation from a veterinarian.

• Inside Health Education
• American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges