What’s Pre-Health Advising—and How Can it Help You?
At MMC, pre-health advising offers support and guidance to students of any major who are exploring or embarking on pathways toward health-related professions. Both students who wish to follow a science-intensive pathway and students whose interests are transdisciplinary will find a home—and helpful resources—here. We also provide opportunities to discover new and creative ways to combine your interests in the arts, humanities, social sciences, or science and mathematics with health care and to plan a rewarding career that will help you promote health and well-being throughout the human life cycle.
At the center, you’ll have access to:
Eugene Rubin, the center’s full-time pre-health advisor, will guide and support you in planning your healthcare career path. Email him to make an appointment.
The center maintains a comprehensive list of internship leads and volunteer opportunities that focus on direct client and patient interaction to help you gain the experience required for admission to grad school.
Each month, the center features informative and inspiring speakers who will update you on career opportunities and offer insights into applying to professional or medical school and entering the job market.
Questions? Read our FAQ!
A:No college or university has a “pre-health” major. To be pre-health means you’ve expressed an interest in pursuing a career in health care and you’ll be taking courses required for admission to professional school, regardless of your major. (In addition to participating in extracurricular activities and taking the courses you need to meet your degree requirements, that is.)
A:It’s very important to begin preparing for professional school admission as soon as you enter college. When you meet with Pre-Health Advisor Eugene Rubin, he’ll provide information about required courses you’ll need for admission alongside the courses you’ll need to meet your degree requirements. We’ll also explore the many different career opportunities that exist in health care. By starting early, we’ll ensure that you are well prepared to apply for admission during your junior year when applications are generally submitted.
A:No. You can choose to major in any subject. It’s more important that you choose a major that interests you rather than choosing one to impress professional schools. In addition to your grades, professional schools will be looking at the scope and rigor of your courses when reviewing your academic record.
A:Yes. It’s important to become involved with extracurricular activities throughout your time at MMC. Professional schools look favorably upon students who have shown they developed intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies through activities outside the classroom. Joining clubs and participating in activities that interest you are a great way to develop those competencies. MMC has a Pre-Med Club, a Psychology Club, and a Science Society. When considering participation in extracurricular activities, keep in mind that professional schools like to see a breadth of experiences.
A:Yes. The center has a speaker series—monthly meetings held on campus with speakers who have knowledge about specific health care professions and the professional school application process. The center also maintains an in-depth website that contains detailed information on preparing for the admissions process and provides individualized advisement by a dedicated, full-time pre-health advisor.
A:The center’s pre-health advisor maintains an up-to-date list of organizations and institutions that provide volunteer and internship opportunities for our students. We can help you seek out and apply for opportunities involving direct client or patient interaction in a variety of healthcare settings. These experiences will help you hone in on the particular field of health care that would be most enjoyable and fulfilling for you.
A:No, not at all. On the contrary, there is a growing trend among pre-health students to delay their applications to medical school for one or more years following graduation. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, over 60 percent of entering MD students in 2017 reported taking at least one gap year. Many students are choosing to take one or more gap years to seek clinical and research experiences, travel, enroll in test preparation courses, and do other activities that would enhance their application and increase their chances of being accepted when they are ready to apply.
