Penn State Erie can provide the prospective health professions student with the courses and advising necessary for admission into
Medical School,
Dental School,
Optometry School,
Podiatry School,
Pharmacy School,
Chiropractic School,
Veterinary School,
Medical Technology, and others.
Most professional schools require two semesters of biology, four semesters of chemistry (inorganic and organic), two semesters of physics, two semesters of math, one to two semesters of behavioral or social sciences, and one to two semester of humanities. Many schools also require a college degree, although this requirement varies somewhat among schools. There is no requirement for a "pre-health professions" (i.e. pre-med) major.
Throughout their college career, the prospective health professions students should seek the advise of their academic advisor (any major can be chosen, as long as the required courses are taken; however, biology and chemistry are most common) as well as the health professions advisor. The health professions advisor will help the student determine when certain courses should be taken to assure adequate preparation for professional school and adequate performance on the various professional school entrance exams (MCAT, OAT, DAT, PCAT, VCAT, GRE, etc.).
The health professions advisor is also available to assist the prospective health profession student in the application process. The student will coordinate with the health professions advisor in obtaining the necessary letters of recommendation from faculty. The health professions advisor then prepares a evaluation packet, that includes the letters of recommendation from each faculty member as well as a summary letter written by the health professions advisor, that will be sent to the schools the student is applying.
To help students with the career explorations process a Pre-Medical Seminar is offered, taken during the fourth semester, which focuses on the application process and professional school expectations.
See a wide variety of Health Professions links at the Health Science Seminar Links page and the Pre-Med Seminar Links page.
James T. Warren, Jr.
Health Professions Advisor
161 Nick
814-898-6986
jtw4@psu.edu
This page was last updated 14 Nov 2003.