Preparation
Preparing for a career in the health professions is not just about learning facts. It is about learning and mastering skills, abilities and values that help you throughout your life. Some are included below. However, while there are a plethora of resources to learn about the process for preparing and applying to health professions programs, it's CRITICAL that you consult with members of our staff that have much experience in this area. An important responsibility for students is to initiate relationships with mentors that are faculty, staff, and peers. In order to capitalize on these resources, the relationships need to be established early in your undergraduate career.
LISTEN to a UCR Career Center podcast interview with Albert T. Chevez, the Director of the Medical and Health Careers Program, titled: "Preparing for Your Medical or Health Profession."
History of Success
Historically, nearly all UCR students with at least a 3.6 GPA, a composite MCAT score of 30, strong letters of recommendation, a solid track record in scholarly work/research outside the classroom, sustained service and leadership along with a record of commitment to medicine as a career are accepted to medical school. Applicants to dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine and other health professions with strong academic records and strong applications have been equally successful. MHCP can you help you reach your career goals, too.
There is no "pre-med" major and no "best" major for the health professions, although a solid foundation in the sciences is required. Health professions schools are looking for students from all majors who have performed at a high level in all course work, particularly the sciences.
- Although biology majors make up about 55% of the students who apply to medical school, they do not matriculate at a higher rate than students who come from other majors.
- Applicants to other health professions come from a variety of academic backgrounds as well, including humanities, math and statistics, physical sciences, social sciences and specialized health studies.
What successful applicants have in common is a strong foundation in the sciences and academic excellence. Regardless of your major, schools and programs look for applicants who consistently show academic excellence or trends of improvement throughout their undergraduate career. The mean science, non-science and overall GPAs of medical school students are at or above 3.5. The average composite MCAT score is about 30. Other health professions may have lower GPA requirements but are competitive with average GPAs and test scores far above the minimum requirements.
Regardless of your major and of the order in which you take the classes, you should meet with your department's academic advisor and the MHCP staff to develop a plan that makes sense for you. Below are some of the general requirements.
Regardless of major, students must have a solid foundation in the sciences and must complete pre-requisite courses in preparation for admission tests and applying for admission to graduate or health professions programs. Below are some general guidelines for pre-health course work. Be sure to check each program and each school you plan to apply to for their additional and/or different requirements. (Note: Most health professions programs will NOT accept grades of C- and below.)
View UCR courses that fulfill many health career pre-requisites
- 1 year of General biology with labs
- 1 year of General chemistry with labs
- 1 year of Organic chemistry with labs
- 1 year of Physics with labs
- Mathematics (usually calculus or beyond)
- English
Other possible required courses include: biochemistry, genetics, statistics, behavioral sciences, social sciences, psychology or humanities.
Requirements vary by school. Be sure to check the specific requirements of each school to which you will apply.
California Medical Schools' Course Requirements
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physical sciences
- English or speech communication
- Social sciences
- Behavioral sciences
- Humanities
Other recommended courses may include: political science, accounting and finance.
Requirements vary by school. Be sure to check the specific requirements of each school to which you'd like to apply.
Other Health Professions School Requirements
Other health professions have similar requirements but you should meet with an MHCP staff member to review specific requirements.
California Optometry School Requirements
Medical and other health professions schools are looking for more than just strong GPA's. In addition, they are looking at the whole person, for a well-balanced individual who has pursued growth as much outside the classroom as inside and who has demonstrated a commitment to a health career through campus and community activities that demonstrate commitment, leadership, service, responsibility and other such characteristics that health professions seek. Being able to handle both a full academic load and extracurricular activities also indicates to admissions committees that you are able to do both successfully. Below are general examples of ways to gain this valuable experience. Also, view upcoming deadlines for local and international health opportunities available to you today.
Student Organizations
UCR provides many opportunities for students to join clubs and organizations. There is no "one perfect" organization for a student planning a career in the health professions, just the one you feel is right for you. Join organizations that you feel will best widen your perspective and exposure to the fields of medicine and health. MHCP works with several student-organizations on and off-campus, and we encourage you to pursue interests about which you are passionate.
Medically Related Experiences
Medically related experiences add to the service component of an application, but also time spent in a clinic or hospital is important in confirming your interest and suitability for a health career. There are many ways of getting out in the field and learning about issues in health care, including shadowing a health care provider, training as an emergency medical technician (EMT), or volunteering at a local hospital, hospice or other healthcare setting.
Community Service
Demonstrate your interest and dedication to helping others through community service. This provides an opportunity for pre-health students to learn about the communities in which they will provide health care and to give back to these communities. Our student organizations often have opportunities, as does the UCR Career Center.
Research/Scholarly Work
Research experience will assist in evaluating your career decision. You can learn if you would prefer to pursue basic science research, clinical research, or research in any other field such as public health, public policy, anthropology, economics, etc. This experience is vital to developing problem solving skills and your ability to be innovative in addressing any issue/ problem in the health care field. UCR is proud to offer a remarkable number of research opportunities to students both during and after their undergraduate careers through the UCR Office of Research.
Study Abroad
Spending time abroad during your undergraduate career can provide you with diverse experiences that can help you on your path towards a career in medicine. Benefits include learning a foreign language, working with other cultures, doing humanitarian work.
While a rewarding experience, studying abroad requires careful planning and preparation. UCR's International Education Center and MHCP can help you avoid the pitfalls that could slow your progress.
National trends show more and more medical school applicants add one or two years beyond four years of college to their preparation in order to improve their applications and enhance their chances of admission, including spending additional time completing training in graduate programs, engaging in other scholarly projects, and gaining relevant work and life experience.
There are many diverse pathways that students take on the road to a career in medicine. Which one is right for you?
A Four-Year Plan
Attending Medical School Immediately After College
- Freshman, sophomore, junior years: Complete required courses
- Spring of junior year: MCAT
- June at the end of junior year: submit primary application
- Summer/Fall of senior year complete secondary applications and begin interview process; complete medical school specific course requirements and elective courses
- Spring/Summer before matriculating to medical school: complete any remaining courses. Some medical schools may not require that you complete all pre-requisite requirements before initiating the 14-month application process, but most do. Be sure to check with the schools to which you are applying.
A Five-Year Plan
Attending Medical School One Year After College
- Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior years: Complete required courses
- Spring of senior year: MCAT
- June at the end of senior year: submit primary application
- After graduation begin a 1-year work or relevant health experience
- Summer/Fall of first year post-graduation, start the secondary application and interview process
- Spring/Summer before matriculating: complete any remaining courses. Some medical schools may not require that you complete all requirements before initiating the 14-month application process, but most do. Be sure to check with the schools to which you are applying.
A Six-Year Plan
Attending Medical School Two Years After College
- Freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year: Complete required courses
- After graduation begin a two-year work or health related experience
- Spring of first-year post-graduation: MCAT
- June at the end of first-year after graduation: Submit primary application
- Summer/Fall of second year post-graduation, start the secondary application and interview process
- Spring/Summer before matriculating: complete any remaining courses. Some medical schools do not require that you complete all pre-requisite requirements before initiating the 14-month application process, but most do. Be sure to check with the schools to which you are applying.
Applying to a health professions program-medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or any of the other professional programs-- can be challenging, and it is much easier to go through the process with a guide. MHCP can help you prepare and avoid the pitfalls. We can aid you in making the tough choices about careers and schools, and can help you navigate the sometimes complicated application and admissions process.