Chiropractic, Dental, Medical, Masters in Nursing, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Veterinary Medicine
Health profession programs typically assess five areas of a student’s undergraduate resume in selecting candidates for admission: successful completion of pre-requisite courses; grade-point average (GPA); score on entrance examinations; experience in the profession; and evidence of effective communication abilities, interpersonal skills, and breadth of interest and knowledge. An array of Saint Mary’s University majors or major / minor combinations may be selected to fulfill professional school pre-requisite course requirements. Majors in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics typically include these courses or the curriculum may be enhanced to include the necessary classes. Students should work closely with a science faculty advisor to monitor the specific requirements of their chosen professional program to ensure that they are prepared to apply for admission. Advisors and students collaborate, in part, to plan course sequences with the goals of graduation and preparation to successfully complete the specific entrance examinations (MCAT, GRE, etc.). Professional school admission boards place considerable value on students’ experience within the profession and on exposure to research. Science faculty advisors encourage and facilitate, as possible, students “shadowing” practitioners in the field. Student summer employment, internships, and experiences in the area of interest are strongly promoted. Student undergraduate research is a requirement for the biology, chemistry, and physics majors. The departments also strongly encourage student participation in summer research internships / fellowships competitively available across the nation. Clinical observation, research exposure, and professional certificate training (CNA, EMT, etc.) are viewed favorably by program admission boards as evidence of a student’s commitment and motivation to become a health professional. The general education requirements at Saint Mary’s University emphasize the development of verbal and written communication and provide exposure to the humanities, the social sciences, and the arts; these are valuable assets in gaining admission to professional programs. Students are encouraged to participate in any of a wide variety of extra-curricular (campus organizations, athletics) and volunteer activities on or off campus. Letters of recommendation highlighting the student’s interest, abilities, and accomplishments outside of the sciences are extremely helpful to professional admission boards in understanding the personal qualities of the student applicant. Students interested in a pre-health degree path should contact their academic advisor for full details.
