Resources & FAQ's

1. What does “pre-health” mean?

"Pre-health" refers to students preparing for graduate-level health professions (e.g., medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, etc.). It’s not a major, but a track of prerequisites and experiences.

2. What should I major in?

You can major in any subject, as long as you complete the required prerequisite courses for your chosen health field (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, etc.). Many students choose biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, psychology, or health sciences.

3. What courses are required for medical or dental school?

Typically:

• General Biology (1 year)

• General Chemistry (1 year)

• Organic Chemistry (1 year)

• Physics (1 year)

• Biochemistry

• Math (Calculus and/or Statistics)

• English or writing courses

• Social sciences (Psychology/Sociology recommended for MCAT)

Each program has specific requirements—always check individual schools.

4. What GPA is competitive for health professions schools?

• Competitive GPA for MD programs: 3.6–4.0 overall and in science

• DO, dental, and PA programs: Often consider 3.3+ competitive

• Some schools consider upward trends or holistic factors

5. What entrance exams are required?

• MCAT – for medicine

• DAT – for dentistry

• PA-CAT or GRE – for physician assistant (some)

• PCAT – for pharmacy (less common now)

• OAT – for optometry

• GRE – for PT, OT, some public health GRE

6. When should I take the MCAT or other entrance exams?

• After completing the core pre-reqs (especially biochem and physics)

• Ideally, 3–6 months before applying, usually spring of junior year if applying senior year

7. How much clinical experience do I need?

Most programs recommend:

• 50–150 hours or more of clinical experience

• Shadowing multiple providers in different specialties is highly recommended

8. How do I find clinical or shadowing opportunities?

• Contact hospitals, clinics, and private practices

• Use your school’s pre-health office

• Consider volunteering, scribing, becoming a CNA, or EMT

• Use virtual shadowing if needed (e.g., Pre-Health Shadowing)

9. Is research experience required?

• Not required for all health professions

• Medicine and dentistry value it, especially MD-PhD or top-tier schools

• A summer or semester in a lab shows curiosity and critical thinking

10. How important is community service or volunteering?

• Very important!

• Schools look for compassion, commitment, and a desire to serve

• Tutoring, mentoring, working with underserved populations, and long-term service projects are great

11. When should I apply to health professions schools?

• Most application cycles open in May–June of the year before you plan to start

• Example: Apply June 2026 to start Fall 2027

• Apply early (within the first 1–2 months of the cycle)

12. What is a “gap year” and should I take one?

A gap year is a break between undergrad and grad school. It’s common and useful for:

• Strengthening GPA

• Gaining more clinical experience

• Working or doing research

• Taking care of personal or financial needs

13. How many letters of recommendation do I need?

• Usually 3–5 letters:

  • 1–2 from the science faculty

  • 1 from a physician, dentist, or healthcare provider

  • Optional: community service or research mentors

14. What is the personal statement, and how do I write it?

• A 4,500–5,300-character essay about why you want to pursue this profession

• Should include personal experiences, motivations, and qualities

• Start early and revise often

15. Where can I get help and advice?

• Your school’s pre-health advisor

• Health professions clubs (e.g., AMSA, Pre-Dental Society, Pre-PA Club)

• Career services

Online forums: r/premed, Student Doctor Network, AAMC

16. Where can I get good advise for interview preparation? 

Making the most of your interview

Big interview

Understanding the Human Side of Healthcare

• “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande
  A powerful look at aging, end-of-life care, and what matters most to patients.

• “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi
  A neurosurgeon faces terminal cancer and reflects on life, purpose, and medicine.

• “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman
  A story about cross-cultural healthcare and the importance of cultural competence.

• “This Is Going to Hurt” by Adam Kay
  A humorous yet heartbreaking account of life as a junior doctor in the UK (great for understanding the emotional toll of healthcare).

• “Do No Harm” by Henry Marsh
  A neurosurgeon’s candid reflections on his successes and failures in the operating room.

• "Kill as Few Patients as Possible" by Oscar London
  A collection of very short, humorous essays about an internist's experience in private practice in the 1980s.

Preparing for Health Professions

• “The Premed Playbook” series by Dr. Ryan Gray
  Offers practical guidance on personal statements, interviews, and application strategy (many parts apply to dental, PA, etc.).

• “How Doctors Think” by Jerome Groopman
  Explores medical decision-making and the role of intuition and error in clinical practice.

• “Complications” by Atul Gawande
  Essays about the imperfections and complexity of modern medicine—great for aspiring dentists, doctors, and nurses.

• Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab by Christine Montross
  Deals first hand with the emotions and feelings of a medical student during a semester in the anatomy lab, while dissecting.

Career Insight & Application Prep

• The PreMed Years (Dr. Ryan Gray)
  Excellent for all pre-health students, not just pre-med. Covers applications, interviews, and real student stories.

• The Short Coat Podcast
  Hosted by medical students; it covers candid discussions about school, stress, learning, and healthcare issues.

• Admissions Straight Talk (Accepted.com)
  Focuses on interviews and application advice for all health professions.

Health, Ethics, and Patient Perspectives

• TED Health
  Short, engaging talks on medical innovation, public health, and personal health journeys.

• Docs Outside the Box
  Highlights healthcare professionals who challenge the norm—entrepreneurship, leadership, and diverse career paths.

• The Curbsiders
  Internal medicine-based, but great for learning clinical reasoning and how doctors think.

• The Nocturnists
  Honest, creative storytelling from healthcare workers about the emotional side of their work.

• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)

• American Dental Education Association (ADEA)

• National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP)

• American Medical Student Association (AMSA)

• Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) – National Pre-Health Honor Society

• Phi Delta Epsilon – International Medical Fraternity

• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)

• Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

• Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)

• American Student Dental Association (ASDA)

• Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)

• American Academy of PAs (AAPA)

• National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

• American Public Health Association (APHA)

• Health Professions Week (HPW)

• Black Men in Medicine

• Black Premed Network

• National Society for Black Health Professionals

• Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)

• OutCare Health

• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

• International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners

• MUSC College of Dental Medicine

• Schools ranking

• US Dental Schools

I. Introduction

• Financial planning is a critical part of preparing for a career in health. Start early, stay informed, and seek out support when needed. Do not underestimate the importance of early financial planning for long-term success. Some of the unique financial challenges of pre-health paths are: application fees, test prep, gap years, and school debt.

II. Budgeting Basics as an Undergraduate

• Track Income and Expenses: Scholarships, part-time work, parental support. Fixed vs. variable expenses (rent, food, transportation, books)

• Build a Monthly Budget: Tools: Excel, Google Sheets, apps like Mint, YNAB. Include savings and unexpected costs (e.g., MCAT prep, travel)

• Reduce Unnecessary Spending: Meal prepping, second-hand books, student discounts

III. Academic and Application Expenses

• Testing Costs: MCAT/DAT: $325–$500+. Test prep: $0–$3,000 (consider free or lower-cost options)

• Application Costs: Primary applications: ~$170–$250 (first school) + ~$40–$100/additional school. Secondary applications: $50–$150 per school. Interview travel (flights, hotels, clothes) or virtual setup

• Fee Assistance Programs: AAMC Fee Assistance Program (for MCAT/AMCAS). ADA/DAT Fee Assistance Program. CASPA, AACOMAS, and others offer similar aid

IV. Student Loans & Debt Awareness

• Understand Undergraduate Loans: Federal vs. private. Interest rates and repayment options

• Future Graduate Debt: Med school debt average: ~$200,000+. Consider ROI for each health profession (starting salary vs. debt)

• Loan Forgiveness Options: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Military scholarships or service-based programs

V. Savings Strategies

• Start an Emergency Fund (even a few hundred dollars helps)

• Save for Application Year (gap year jobs can help fund interviews/tests)

• Open a Roth IRA or High-Yield Savings Account (for long-term financial health)

VI. Scholarships, Grants, and Work Options

• Apply for Scholarships Annually: School-specific, national pre-health, diversity-based

• Campus Jobs or Work-Study: Clinical jobs (scribe, CNA, research assistant) can provide experience + income

• Summer Research or Enrichment Programs: Some offer stipends (e.g., SMDEP, NIH SIP)

VII. Planning for Gap Years (if applicable)

• Use for Saving & Strengthening Application: Work full-time in a healthcare setting. Pay down undergrad debt. Save for test prep and application fees

VIII. Financial Literacy Resources

• The school’s financial aid office

• Free resources: AAMC’s Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools (FIRST). SALTmoney.org. Books: The White Coat Investor (for long-term planning)

Job searching can feel like navigating a complex landscape, with concerns about stability and workplace culture at the forefront. Layoffs, toxic environments, unclear expectations, or lack of respect for your time can make any job seeker cautious. However, there are clear indicators during the hiring process that reveal whether a company is stable, well-managed, and values its employees. These signs appear in the job description, recruiter interactions, interviews, and even the offer or rejection process. How a company hires often mirrors how it operates daily.

• The job description is precise and clear
  Clear job duties, realistic salary ranges, and mentions of mentorship or growth opportunities signal a thoughtful employer. The rest of the hiring process should align with the job ad’s promises.

• The recruiter respects your time and keeps you updated
  A professional, communicative recruiter is a strong indicator of a positive company culture. They should be punctual, introduce themselves clearly, be approachable, and outline next steps. Regular updates, even simple ones like “We’re still reviewing applications, thank you for your patience,” show respect for your time and effort, reflecting a culture of organization and clear communication.

• They aren’t mass-hiring in a panic
  Be cautious if a company is hiring dozens of people rapidly, especially after a large funding round. Unplanned growth can lead to future cuts. A stable company will clearly explain how your role fits into their long-term goals.

• Every interview matches the previous one
  Consistency across interviews indicates a well-aligned team. If interviewers describe the role, expectations, and team dynamics similarly, it suggests clarity and organization. Conflicting or vague descriptions may point to disorganization or unclear expectations.

• The interview questions are fair and appropriate
  Interviews should allow you to showcase your strengths, not unsettle you. Watch for:

  • No illegal questions about age, marital status, religion, citizenship, disability, or family plans, which are irrelevant and suggest poor hiring practices or bias.
  • No “gotcha” questions or irrelevant puzzles (e.g., “How many golf balls fit in a school bus?”), which don’t reflect job-relevant skills.
  • Skills tests, if included, should be reasonable, clearly explained, and relevant to the job. Overly long or unpaid assignments resembling real company work are red flags.

  A thoughtful employer creates space for you to perform at your best, not prove yourself under undue pressure.

• The panel interview isn’t awkward chaos
  In a group interview, a cohesive panel that listens, takes turns, and engages respectfully suggests a collaborative team environment. Disjointed, tense, or disorganized panels may reflect deeper workplace issues. Pay attention to the group’s energy and dynamics.

• They’ve been through tough times and handled them well
  Research the company’s history. Have they had layoffs? If so, how were they communicated? Check LinkedIn or Glassdoor for employee feedback. During interviews, ask, “How has the company adapted to recent economic changes?” A confident, detailed response is a strong positive signal.

• The offer isn’t rushed or confusing
  A clear, transparent offer with reasonable time to review, ask questions, and discuss details reflects a company that values clarity. The offer should align with prior discussions about pay, benefits, start date, and onboarding.

• Even rejection is handled with care
  A personalized rejection note acknowledging your effort shows respect for the job search process. It may also open doors for feedback or future opportunities, as good companies often keep strong candidates in their talent pool.