- Biology: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- General chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Organic chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Biochemistry: one semester or two quarters, no lab
- General physics: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- English: two semesters or three quarters
- Microbiology: one semester or two quarters, usually no lab
- Anatomy: one semester or two quarters, lab requirements vary
- College math: one to two semesters or two to three quarters
Medicinekeyboard_arrow_down
- Most common requirements:
- Biology: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- General chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Organic chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Biochemistry: one semester or two quarters, no lab
- General physics: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- College math: two semesters or three quarters
- English: two semesters or three quarters
- Introduction to Psychology: Because 16 percent of questions on the MCAT are on psychology topics, we recommend strong preparation in introductory psychology. While MCAT preparation does not have to come from a graded, for-credit course, more than 20 U.S. medical schools do require at least one course in the behavioral sciences.
- Other valuable courses include sociology and ethics, as well as courses with strong writing and speaking components.
Nursingkeyboard_arrow_down
- Most common requirements:
- General chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Anatomy and physiology: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Microbiology: one semester or two quarters with lab
- Nutrition: one semester or two quarters
- Statistics: one semester or two quarters
- Human growth and development across the lifespan
- Organic chemistry I
- Introductory psychology
- Ethics
- Courses in the humanities and social sciences
Nutrition & Dieteticskeyboard_arrow_down
- Most common requirements:
- Human nutrition
- General chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Human physiology
- Psychology
- Microbiology
- Social science course
Optometrykeyboard_arrow_down
- Most common requirements:
- Biology: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Microbiology: one semester or two quarters with lab
- General chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Organic chemistry: one semester or two quarters with lab
- Biochemistry: one semester or two quarters, no lab
- General physics: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Statistics: one semester or two quarters
- Calculus: one semester or two quarters
- English: two semesters or two quarters
- Psychology: one semester or two quarters
- Anatomy and physiology: two semesters or three quarters, may or may not require lab
Physical Therapykeyboard_arrow_down
- Most common requirements:
- Biology: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Anatomy and physiology: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- General chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- General physics: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Psychology: one semester or two quarters
- Statistics: one semester or two quarters
- College math: one semester or two quarters
- Exercise physiology: one semester or two quarters
- Medical terminology: one semester or two quarters
- English composition/writing: one to two semesters or two to three quarters
Public Healthkeyboard_arrow_down
- Behavioral science/health education
- Biostatistics
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Health services administration
Podiatrykeyboard_arrow_down
- Most common requirements:
- Biology: two semesters or three quarters with lab (one school requires a third course)
- General chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Organic chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- General physics: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- English: two semesters or three quarters
- Biochemistry: one semester or two quarters, no lab
- Anatomy and/or physiology: one semester or two quarters
- Introductory psychology: one semester or two quarters
- Also useful may be sociology, statistics and ethics.
Pharmacykeyboard_arrow_down
- Most common requirements:
- Biology: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Microbiology: one semester or two quarter with lab
- Anatomy and physiology: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- General chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Organic chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- General physics: one semester or two quarters with lab (a few schools require two semesters)
- Statistics: one semester or two quarters
- Calculus: one semester or two quarters
- English: two semesters or three quarters
- Economics: one semester or two quarters
- Public speaking: one semester or two quarters
- Humanities: one to four semesters or two to six quarters
- General education/elective courses: one to four semesters or two to six quarters
- Biochemistry: one semester or two quarters
Social Work & Social Welfarekeyboard_arrow_down
- Most common requirements:
- Statistics Course
- Undergraduate coursework in liberal arts/humanities which may include (but are not limited to) courses in psychology, sociology, political science, human development, history, anthropology, ethnic studies or geography
Veterinary Medicinekeyboard_arrow_down
- Most common requirements:
- Biology: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Genetics: one semester or two quarters with lab
- General chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Organic chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- Biochemistry: one semester or two quarters, no lab
- General physics: two semesters or three quarters with lab
- College math: two semesters
- English: two semesters
- Humanities and/or social sciences: specific requirements vary
- Microbiology: one semester or two quarters with lab
- Public speaking: one semester or two quarters
Unsure where to start?
You can always start with your academic adviser. Your adviser can help you with:
- Which courses you need for your chosen health professional school and when to take them
- How to choose the major that is the best fit for you
- How to combine major requirements with pre-health requirements
What Health Professional Schools Look For
What Health Professional Schools Look For
Professional schools are looking for more than strong grades
These 4 key categories can help you stand out as a well rounded applicant.
1. Academic Preparednesskeyboard_arrow_down
- Critical Thinking: Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Applies quantitative reasoning and appropriate mathematics to describe or explain phenomena in the natural world.
- Scientific Inquiry: Applies knowledge of the scientific process to integrate and synthesize information, solve problems, and formulate research questions and hypotheses. Is facile in the language of the sciences and uses it to participate in the discourse of science and explain how scientific knowledge is discovered and validated.
- Written Communication: Effectively conveys information to others using written words and sentences.
- Medical school require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- Dental school require the Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
- Veterminary medicine and Public Health require the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
2. Clinical Exposurekeyboard_arrow_down
- Find out whether career is a good fit with skills and interests
- Help identify strengths and areas for improvement
Professional-Facing
Shadowing: following doctors/pharmacists/dentists during their day
Medicial Scribing: work with a doctor or team of doctors to take notes for them
Family: if family member is a healthcare professional, spending time with family member
Patient-Facing
Volunteering: in a hospital, dentist office, pharmacy, PT clinic or nursing home
Paid Employment: common jobs include CNA, EMT, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, Pharm Tech, PT Aid
3. Leadership and Social Competencieskeyboard_arrow_down
- 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 their responsibilities to society locally, nationally, and globally.
- Social Skills: Demonstrates awareness of others’ needs, goals, feelings, and the ways 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 social and 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.
- Involvement in an student organization
- Fraternity or Sorority
- Sports team
- Volunteer program
- Research
- Job
4. Researchkeyboard_arrow_down
Research experience is not a requirement for many health professions, but participating in research can enrich your understanding of what you learn in your college coursework and enhance your practice as a health professional.
Research experience also can lead to excellent alternatives to health professional school for students who may be interested in pursuing careers in the health care innovation and development.
Learn more and find a research opportuniy at Undergraduate Research Program website.
What professional schools are looking for (2 minute video)
More Resources
- Core Competencies for Entering.
- Medical Students
- Optometry Students
- Physican Assistant Students
- Pharmacy Students
- Physical Therapy Students
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get clinical experience?keyboard_arrow_down
Students are encouraged to complement their coursework with clinical exposure every quarter. We encourage students to think about clinical experience in two categories of professional-facing (shadowing) and patient-facing. It is recommended to get a good balance of both and this can be done in many different ways. Here is a link to volunteer programs around the region. The UW School of Medicine also provides some helpful guidelines for shadowing on their website here. Students are also encouraged to view our short video on “Getting Great Clinical Exposure”.
When should I get involved in volunteering and community service?keyboard_arrow_down
Students are encouraged to build a schedule each quarter that includes coursework for their major, general education requirements, and health professional school, as well as co-curricular activities including clubs, clinical exposure, and research. Community service is a great opportunity to get involved on campus/greater community, practice leadership skills, and complement coursework. We encourage students to get started as soon as they can and to be mindful of what their schedule allows them to do.
To start, students can get involved with The Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity, Undergraduate Community Based Internships (UCBI), Service Learning, and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).
Here is a list of pre-health related RSOs (under ‘Health-related organizations and opportunities’ tab) that students can explore.
Other opportunities can also include volunteering in your local community in causes students are interested/passionate about or working part-time to build soft and professional skills.
Is there a database or job board that lists clinical experience opportunities that I can go to easily?keyboard_arrow_down
Students are encouraged to explore this list of clinical volunteer opportunities as a great way to get started. Students should also reach out to their networks to identify other opportunities for clinical exposure. The Career & Internship Center website has a host of helpful resources, including job and internship postings on Handshake as well as templates for conducting a career conversation with a health professional.
Students can also check Northwest Health Career Path (a site and map search tool) to find other opportunities in the area.
Simply volunteering in a hospital doesn’t seem that valuable or exciting. What other ways can I get hands-on experience in health as an undergraduate?keyboard_arrow_down
We encourage students to think creatively and take initiative in all of their volunteering work. Volunteering in a hospital can be a valuable and exciting experience when a student embraces the opportunity as so. In addition to hospitals, there are many other places that students can volunteer at and we encourage them to explore them here.
If their schedule allows, students can take balance working part-time to gain clinical experience. Some of these jobs include Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Scribe and Phlebotomist.
Students can also get experience through Health related Registered Student Organizations such as UW Healthcare Alternative Spring Break where students spend their spring break in rural or underserved areas of Washington State shadowing healthcare professionals. We also encourage students to subscribe to the ‘News & Events’ section of the UW Pre-Health website to stay updated on various opportunities.
For more information, please visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) webpage on Getting Experience.
What are jobs/experiences I can do to get more patient/professional exposure?keyboard_arrow_down
Common jobs that students get while in school or after graduating during gap years include (and are not limited to): 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.
Scribing Opportunities: Handshake & Indeed
Bellevue College Allied Health Certificate Options
Certified Nursing Assistant Classes and Training Programs in Seattle
Emergency Medical Technician Courses offered in King County
Dental Hygiene Schools in Washington State
Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Washington State
Pharmacy Technician Schools and Programs in Washington StateIs research a requirement or necessary to get into health professional school?keyboard_arrow_down
While research experience is not a requirement for most health professional schools, they provide students the opportunity to explore the intersection of research and medicine, to confirm which career is the best fit with their skills and interests. Research experience may add an extra layer to a student’s application if the institutions where they are applying have a research focus, or if the student is particularly interested in research. While many students think that lab research is most important, experience with social science research is just as fascinating and valuable.
Visit the UW Undergraduate Research Program and attend an Undergraduate Research Info Session to learn more about research opportunities at UW.
How important is my GPA?keyboard_arrow_down
Even though an applicant’s GPA is important to health professional schools, admissions committees consider many factors in their selection processes.
Admissions committees look for upward trends in applicants’ grades during their college career, as it is expected that a student’s performance improve as they build their skills and knowledge in the classroom. Inconsistent academic performance (variable grades, frequent withdrawals) may indicate to admissions officials that an applicant may not be able to handle the rigors of health professional school.
Students should be sure to prioritize self-care along with their studies and co-curricular activities – their academic success should not determine their self-worth.
The importance of GPA varies from school to school so we encourage students to do their research by attending information sessions and getting to know a school’s admission process. GPA is one of many factors in the admission process. We encourage students to research schools they are interested in and take note of not only the average GPA, but the range (10th -- 90th percentiles) in which students are accepted.
How will health professional schools view my Running Start/AP/IB credits?keyboard_arrow_down
Students should review the course planning guidelines here and meet with an academic adviser to identify next steps in terms of coursework for their intended major(s) and general education requirements. Students are encouraged to contact the admissions office at their target schools to learn more about their specific expectations regarding prerequisite coursework.
Should I retake __________ class?keyboard_arrow_down
If you are considering retaking a class, we encourage you to first consider:
1). What will change (study habits, time management) if you do retake the course again?
2). Do you understand that you will be expected to do better the second time around?
3). What are the opportunity cost(s) of retaking the class? (ie. student cannot take other classes or does not have time for gaining clinical experience).
4). How much will your grade go up by? And, will this make a significant impact on your GPA?
This is a case-by-case situation and we advise students to discuss this with their adviser and career coach to assess if it will be beneficial for a student to retake a class.
Can I take some prerequisite classes here at the UW and other at Community College?keyboard_arrow_down
Regardless of where a student takes their prerequisite classes, we encourage students to complete the entire series at one institution. Starting and finishing a series (chemistry, biology, physics) at different institutions can present many problems as these courses are taught differently.
For example, a common course that students take at community college is the combined anatomy & physiology Course.
How do I finish everything before I graduate?keyboard_arrow_down
There is no need for students to rush complete all of their prerequisite coursework before graduation. Whereas in the past it was common for students to apply to health professional school before their senior year, it is increasingly common for applicants to take multiple “gap years” after graduation to gain more clinical experience, prepare for exams, travel and prepare for application.
Health professional schools are looking for evidence of maturity in a strong application, and older applicants have more life experience which usually translates into more maturity. Taking extra time to finish college will not negatively affect an application, and may even strengthen it.
Students who want to complete all of their prerequisite coursework before they graduate are encouraged to work closely with general and departmental advisers to ensure that they are completing all of their graduation requirements along the way. Finishing all requirements before graduating will require a relentless focus on time management to ensure balance in completing coursework, gaining clinical/research/leadership experience and prioritizing self-care.
How can I avoid falling “behind” in preparing for health professional school?keyboard_arrow_down
There is no need to rush and try to get all requirements completed in the first two years. Students have four years to complete them and can even take some or all of the requirements after graduating college. Although traditionally students begin applying to health graduate schools during junior year, many applicants in recent years have waited until senior year and beyond.
I’m feeling overwhelmed and not sure what to do. Where can I seek advice/help?keyboard_arrow_down
We understand that it is hard to balance academics, co-curricular, gaining clinical experience, and self-care all at once. We are here to help! Whether students are struggling with classes, time management, pressure, finding community, their mental health, or balancing their academic and personal lives, there are many resources available on campus to help.
Besides seeing an advisor (UAA/departmental/OMA&D) or a career coach at the C&IC, students can also:
Visit the Husky Health & Well-Being Website
Make an appointment with an Academic Success Coach with UW Academic Support Programs
Access CLUE drop-in tutoring and writing center
Come in for a drop-in counseling session with Let’s Talk
Visit the UW Counseling Center and explore their services
Visit the UW Hall Health Center and explore their services
Enroll in EDUC 215: Wellness & Resilience for College & Beyond (5 credit class)