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Pre-Professional Studies
ABOUT THE PRE-HEALTH ADVISEMENT
SITE
This web site is an introduction to the pre-health component
of pre-professional advising. The intent of this site is to point students
interested in health-related careers in the right direction while they study at
NEIU and, it is not intended to function as a comprehensive repository of
information.
The assortment of career
options and what is involved in the process of successfully applying to
professional programs often confuse students. On the pages that follow, a
detailed procedural description is avoided in the hope that a general
perspective will better orient the prospective and current pre-health students.
Accordingly, the information on this web site attempts to summarize and give an
overall glimpse of what is involved in the decision to become a pre-health
student at NEIU. Further information should be acquired from the advisement
offices on campus and staff familiar with pre-health advising. It is also
highly recommended that students study the web sites of professional programs to
fill in the gaps in their knowledge. A partial list of such sites will be
mentioned subsequently.
The presentation of pre-health
advisement at NEIU is organized around a series of questions designed to aid
students as they enter into pre-health studies at NEIU. This web site only
serves as a starting point for students who intend to apply to professional
programs of various types.
WHAT IS PRE-HEALTH?
Health care and health
maintenance is a burgeoning industry with multiple career opportunities.
Pre-health studies at NEIU consist of advisement and coursework that directs and
prepares the undergraduate student to further their education at professional
programs related to specific career options in the health care field. Although
there are exceptions, many career options in the health-related fields require
completion of a baccalaureate degree prior to admission into the applicable
professional program. Consequently, the majority of pre-health students at NEIU
are pursuing a baccalaureate degree.
Regardless of their major, NEIU
students that declare an intention to pursue academic studies on a path toward a
health-related career are designated as pre-health students. Upon declaration,
the pre-health students are then afforded the following benefits:
1.
They will be assigned a pre-professional advisor familiar with the
professional
programs. The advisor will help map out a plan of
studies for the student and will offer guidance as to the requirements and
nature of the various professional programs. Usually, this advisor is a faculty
member in the department of the student�s chosen academic major (e.g.
Biology).
2.
The undergraduate coursework that the pre-health student takes will
include the
completion of the pre-requisite courses required for
admission into the various professional programs. This objective will be met in
consultation with the pre-professional advisor.
3.
The undergraduate coursework will provide a strong academic background to
prepare the pre-health student to meet the rigors of professional
programs.
4.
The pre-professional advisement and coursework will prepare the student
to maximize their potential on standardized tests. Most professional programs
require some type of entry exam as part of the application process.
Professional programs are
selective and highly competitive. Therefore, students that cannot maintain a
cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 after 30 hours of academic study
will be counseled to reconsider their career directions. General advisement
should then be sought in the department of their chosen academic major.
WHAT ARE THE CAREER OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO
ME?
Many students with limited
exposure to health-related careers equate health professions with the
traditional image portrayed by a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Dental
Medicine. Although pre-medical and pre-dental students make up a significant
portion of the pre-health students at NEIU, they by no means represent the
totality of pre-professional students at the university. There are numerous
career options that are available to students. What option is appropriate for a
given student should be determined through their ongoing studies at NEIU and in
consultation with their pre-professional advisor.
The following list of career
options is restricted to post-baccalaureate programs. Again, it should be
mentioned that all of these programs are highly competitive. If you are
interested in a health profession that offers the baccalaureate degree, it is
recommended that you consult directly with the appropriate school to determine
the proper course of action.
ALLOPATHIC MEDICINE: The individual who is trained
as an allopathic physician is the standard bearer of what is generally thought
of as a doctor in our society. Completion of medical school results in a Doctor
of Medicine (M.D.) degree. Medical school is followed by an internship and then
a residency of variable length depending on the chosen specialty of the
individual. Continuing education is integral to the successful practice of
medicine.
OSTEOPATHIC
MEDICINE: Completion of four years of
study in an osteopathic college results in a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
(D.O.) degree. In many ways, osteopathic physicians function like an allopathic
physician. However, the dimension of manipulative therapy plays a significant
role in the repertoire of treatments. The training includes an internship and
residency training of variable length. Many D.O.s focus on general family
practice.
CHIROPRACTIC
MEDICINE: The chiropractic
professional programs lead to the Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. D.C.s
focus treatment on the integration of the nervous system with the
skeletal-muscular system. They employ a number of techniques including
manipulation and spinal adjustments. The practice of chiropractic medicine has
become a significant component of the rehabilitative aspects of sports medicine.
PODIATRY: The practice of podiatric medicine is concerned with
the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the human foot, ankle, and
other parts of the lower extremity below the knee. A Doctor of Podiatric
Medicine (D.P.M.) completes a four-year curriculum, which is often followed by a
two to three year surgical residency. There are a variety of specialized career
areas that a D.P.M. can pursue, including podiatric sports medicine,
orthopedics, and podiatric surgery.
PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANT: The physician assistant
provides basic medical care that includes performing examinations, treating
patients, prescribing medication and many other duties under the supervision of
a physician. Physician assistants are often part of the healthcare team that
works in hospitals or group practices with physicians; however, in medically
underserved areas, they can serve as the primary healthcare provider in the
community. A Physician Assistant (P.A.) generally completes an 18 to 24-month
program, usually earning a master�s degree in a medical related
science.
DENTISTRY: Dental programs offer two equivalent degrees: Doctor
of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.). Most dentists
enter general practice and are involved in maintaining the health of the teeth,
gums and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. The dentist completes
a four-year dental program and can then begin practicing dentistry. Many in the
field of dentistry also pursue post-graduate study.
OPTOMETRY: The Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) provides primary
vision care. Optometrists examine people�s eyes to diagnose and treat eye
diseases and vision problems. They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.
The Doctor of Optometry degree requires completing a four-year program at an
accredited optometry school.
PHARMACY: Pharmacists are an integral part of the healthcare
system. They educate patients about medications and dispense drugs prescribed
by physicians and other health practitioners. They advise practitioners on the
dosages, interactions and side effects of medications. A Doctor of Pharmacy
(Pharm.D.) completes a four-year program. Many pharmacists work in community
settings such as drugstores, or in healthcare facilities such as
hospitals.
PHYSICAL
THERAPY: Physical therapists (PTs)
provide services to help restore function, relieve pain and limit physical
disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Many physical
therapists work in hospitals, health practitioner offices and home healthcare
services. Physical therapist programs offer degrees at the master�s degree
(M.P.T.) or doctoral (D.P.T.) level and usually require two or three years to
complete the respective programs.
VETERINARY MEDICINE: Veterinarians diagnose, treat
and help prevent disease and disabilities in animals. Veterinarians
predominantly work in private practice. Many practices exclusively treat small
animals, while other practices are limited to large animals, farm and ranch
animals, or care for zoo, aquarium and laboratory animals. A Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) completes a four-year medical education.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the
U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics is a useful source for
further information concerning these and other career options. The associated
website provides extensive information on many health-related careers. It
includes current information about the educational requirements, job outlook,
salary ranges and working conditions of most career positions. Web site: www.bls.gov/oco
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
As soon as a student decides to enter into pre-health
studies at NEIU, they should declare such intent to the proper academic staff so
they can be assigned a pre-professional advisor. It is strongly recommended
that students seek advisement early in their studies at NEIU. This will
facilitate the development of a timely and well-crafted academic strategy.
Who is the academic staff that students should speak to?
It depends on the student�s status. If the student has a declared major in the
sciences, particularly biology or chemistry, they will be assigned a
pre-professional advisor in the department. If a student is in a department
without pre-professional advisors, they can be assigned a pre-professional
advisor from another department to advise them on the pre-requisites necessary
for admission to professional schools. They can inquire at the College of Arts
& Sciences or at an appropriate departmental office. If a student is
undeclared but wants to investigate pre-health studies, they can simply make an
appointment with one of the pre-professional advisors on campus to discuss the
nature of pre-health studies.
There are no majors labeled �pre-med�, �pre-dent�, etc. at
NEIU. Pre-health students of various majors are taking a group of courses that
will fulfill the requirements for admission to specific professional programs.
Professional programs are receptive to any major in the liberal arts and
sciences areas as long as the admission requirements have been met. The
decision of what major to declare is contingent on the student�s interests.
Since health professions are closely aligned with the undergraduate science
curriculum, students usually choose an academic major in one of the scientific
disciplines. This tends to be a natural fit with the student�s interests and
career objectives. Most of the pre-health students at NEIU are biology majors.
However, it should be emphasized that professional schools are interested in a
broad background.
As students begin to think seriously about their future in
a health profession, they should examine why they have chosen to embark on this
path. How strong is the interest in the career that the student thinks they
want? Are there other factors that are driving the decision? Do they realize
the degree of dedication and lifelong learning that is entailed in most health
professions? These are only a few of the questions that a student should
routinely ask himself or herself as they travel through their undergraduate
studies. Students should not hesitate to discuss any reservations they have
with their advisor. Advisors are a valuable resource that can point students in
a direction that may not be readily apparent to them.
WHAT ARE THE PRE-REQUISITES
FOR PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS?
The requirements for admission
to professional schools are variable. It is always recommended that students
investigate each school by studying the catalogue and respective web site of the
school of interest. Pre-professional advisors should also be consulted, as they
will be instrumental in charting out a course of action during the student�s
undergraduate studies. For those students interested in pre-medical studies,
the association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) publishes the Medical School
Admissions Requirements (MSAR) booklet. This booklet lists the specific
requirements for admission to medical schools.
Is there a core curriculum that
the student can begin to orient around? Yes, there is a sequence of course work
that is relatively uniform for many of the professional programs. However, what
is designated as the core curriculum on this web site is a minimal approach to
pre-health studies. Most programs will have additions to the core courses, and
it is recommended that students do not limit themselves to the core courses.
The basic requirements listed below contend with the biological and physical
science requirements for admission to many professional programs. Generally
speaking, completion of the general education requirements for the baccalaureate
degree at NEIU will cover the English and behavioral and social science
requirements. The core curriculum consists of the following course
work:
Basic
Requirement:
NEIU Equivalent:
One year of General
Biology BIOL 102 and 103
One year of
Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 211 and 212
One year of Organic
Chemistry CHEM 231 and 232
One year of
Physics PHYS 201 and 203; PHYS
202 and 204
Since most pre-health students
major in one of the sciences, particularly biology, these requirements are
usually exceeded. Regardless of the student�s major, it is important that
students perform well in the science component of their undergraduate
curriculum. Success in pursuing a career in the health professions is
contingent on a strong science background. Therefore, it is beneficial for
students to exceed the core curriculum in order to maximize their potential for
success in professional programs.
Again, it is important to
recognize that the basic requirements mentioned above only serve to frame the
discussion of what the student should take during their undergraduate studies at
NEIU. The course work will need to be adjusted to meet the specific
requirements of certain professional schools. This is done in collaboration
with the student�s pre-professional advisor. Examples of adjustments that NEIU
students frequently encounter are:
1.
Pharmacy schools will often require 3 semester hours of calculus, 3 or 4
semester hours of human or vertebrate anatomy, 3 semester hours of economics,
and 2 or 3 hours of speech in addition to the aforementioned required
courses.
2.
Optometry schools will often require 3 semester hours of calculus, 3
semester hours of statistics, and 3 semester hours of microbiology with
laboratory. However, they only require 3 semester hours of organic chemistry
(without laboratory).
3.
Dental schools do not necessarily require more than 4 semester hours of
organic chemistry, although the total chemistry requirement may be such that the
second semester of organic chemistry will be needed. They tend to give
strongest consideration to applicants that take at least 3 upper division
courses from the following list:
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Histology
Microbiology
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
4. The same often applies to
medical schools. Applicants are expected to take upper division biology courses
to fill out their requirements for admission. Examine the web sites of the
individual medical schools and the aforementioned booklet to get specific
requirements.
5. Veterinary medicine programs
may require only 8 semester hours of biology, but it is strongly encouraged that
students take additional course work in anatomy, physiology, microbiology,
immunology, advanced biology, and genetics. The chemistry requirement will
include biochemistry.
How heavy should the
student�s course load be? If a student is just beginning their undergraduate
experience, it might be prudent to start with a relatively light load of science
and math courses. However, as they progress in their studies they should
eventually be able to take 2 to 3 courses per semester in the sciences and math
and be able to attain good grades. The curriculum in professional schools is
rigorous and this will demonstrate a level of academic competence that is
necessary for success in these programs.
In addition to course work
requirements, most professional schools require applicants to take some type of
standardized examination. There are specific tests for medical school, dental
school, pharmacy school, and optometry school. Colleges of veterinary medicine
usually accept the Graduate Record Exam. Generally speaking, it is recommended
that students take these exams in the spring of their junior
year. This will allow early completion of the student�s application
portfolio and will give some breathing space if the student finds it necessary
to repeat the exam. Specific times that exams are offered and further
information about the exams can be accessed at the following web sites:
Medical
College Admission Test (MCAT)
www.aamc.org/mcat
Dental Admissions Test
(DAT)
www.ada.org
Pharmacy
College Admission Test (PCAT)
www.pcatweb.info
Optometry
Admission Test (OAT)
www.opted.org
Graduate
Record Exam (GRE)
www.gre.org
WHAT MAKES UP A COMPLETE APPLICATON TO PROFESSIONAL
SCHOOL?
Although details may vary, there are several key
components of most application portfolios. The following checklist enumerates
some of these features.
1. Academic course work will be
complete at the time of matriculation. This includes the successful completion
of all pre-requisites. Usually, this includes the completion of the
baccalaureate degree at NEIU.
2. The appropriate admissions
test should be taken prior to the transmittal of application material.
3. Application materials should
be completed before the deadline, preferably early. Applications are usually
available in early May. Many professional schools participate in centralized
application services. There are application services for medical (AMCAS),
dental (AADSAS), osteopathic (AACOMAS), podiatric (AACPMAS), physician assistant
(CASPA), pharmacy (PharmCAS) and veterinary (VMCAS) schools.
4. A personal statement usually
accompanies the application. The personal statement is an opportunity for the
student to express the thinking behind their motivations to pursue a career in
the health professions. The personal statement functions as an outlet to
elaborate on experiences that helped form personal characteristics that would be
of interest to the admissions committee. For example, experiences that
highlight critical thinking and problem-solving skills would be appropriate for
discussion in the personal statement.
5. Letters of recommendation.
Common practice is to require 3 letters of recommendation or a committee
letter. In the future, NEIU will likely establish a committee that will
interview and provide a committee recommendation for those students who plan to
apply to medical school.
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