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Pre-Professional Advising

Fitzgerald House, Room 100 (lobby)
614 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(248) 370-4936
[email protected]

Pre-Professional Advising

Fitzgerald House, Room 100 (lobby)
614 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(248) 370-4936
[email protected]

A student seated at a table with an open laptop in the Oakland Center.

Getting Started

Health programs are competitive programs, so it is important to make sure you know what it means to be a Competitive Applicant.

Suggested Resources

Step 1 - Explore Health Careers/Majors Options

Exploring Health Careers

Healthcare is a great industry to have a career. Are you aware of your different options? Start exploring at

 Exploring Majors

***Choice a major based on what you are interested in will mean higher GPA and greater success in your courses...

College of Arts and Sciences

  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Science
  • Medical Physics
  • Other 
    • with Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, Pre-Opt, Pre-Vet, etc. concentration 

School of Health Sciences

  • Health Sciences 
    • with Holistic Health concentration
    • with Pre-Health Professional Studies concentration
    • with Pre-Pharmacy concentration
  • Nutrition
  • Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences
    • Medical Laboratory Science
    • Histotechnology
    • Radiologic Technology
    • Nuclear Medicine Technology
    • Pre-Clinical Professions
    • Pre-Pharmacy Sciences 
    • Pre-Physician Assistant
  • Exercise Science
    • Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant Studies
    • Pre-Physical Therapy
  • Wellness and Health Promotion
  • Environmental Health and Safety
  • Applied Health Sciences
    • Health Care Leadership
    • Health Care Promotion

School of Engineering and Computer Sciences

  • Bio-engineering

Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies (Build unique major based on pre-reqs)

Exploring Post Baccalaureate/2nd Degree/Masters Decision Tree

If you are considering additional schooling after your undergrad degree please explore this Decision Tree.

Step 2 - Pre-Health Newsletter

Sign-up for our Pre-Health Newsletter:

  • STEP 1: Search for GrizzOrgs on OU's home page
  • STEP 2: Click on Explore - GrizzOrgs
  • STEP 3: Click Sign-In, then log-in with your NetID and Password
  • STEP 4: Search and click on OU Pre-Professional Advising
  • STEP 5: Click Join

You are now signed up for the Pre-Professional Newsletter.  Look for the newsletter weekly in your OU email.

Step 3 - Understand What You Need to be a "Competitive Applicant"

To be a COMPETITIVE APPLICANT graduate programs expect to see the following:

Academically

  • Required Pre-Req Courses
  • Competitive GPA
  • Strong Testing Scores (MCAT, PCAT, GRE, etc)

Experiences

  • Shadowing in Field
  • Community Service in Urban/Rural Settings
  • Volunteering in Field
  • Active Engagement in Student Organizations (Suggested)
  • Research (Highly Recommended)
  • Direct Patient Contact Hours (Some Programs Require)
    • Tip:

      • Journal
        • Date/s
        • Length of experience
        • Supervisor
        • Supervisor contact info
        • What you did?
        • What you learned?

Letters of Recommendation

  • From Faculty
  • From Supervisors
  • From Healthcare Professions
Step 4 - Review Sample Timeline and Fact Sheets

Timeline
The Sample Timeline will give you an idea of how to spread out the experiences you need to apply.

Fact Sheets
The Fact Sheets will give you what you need to know about applying to a professional program at a glance.

Other Fact Sheets

Step 5 - Sign-Up for Pre-Health - Getting Started Workshop

Click here to sign-up for the Pre-Health - Getting Started Workshop or email [email protected] to schedule an individual appointment.