Students interested in pursuing a healthcare career must demonstrate outstanding Pre-Health academic achievement, and demonstrate engagement outside of the classroom. Ideally, students take reasonably heavy loads each fall and spring semester.
Engage Extracurricularly
Students interested in pursuing a healthcare career must demonstrate engagement outside of the classroom. For extracurriculars, be sure to record hours, dates, supervisors of extracurriculars on a spreadsheet or other document for future use.Student Organizations
Becoming a member of student organizations is a fantastic way to get involved around campus. Student organizations also provide the opportunity for valuable leadership roles. Check out UNO's Pre-Health Professionals Club.
Volunteer Opportunities
Ongoing volunteer experience demonstrates a willingness and desire to help others. Volunteering shows an investment in your community and the people who live in it.
Research Opportunities
Being involved in undergraduate research displays that you can excel while committing time to projects outside the classroom. Most importantly, research develops critical thinking skills vital to health careers.
Entrance into healthcare training programs is a competitive process. Therefore, students should aim for the highest level of academic achievement. We encourage pre-health students to meet with an HCRC pre-health advisor at least once a semester to ensure they are on the right track.
Achieve Academically
Students interested in pursuing a healthcare career must demonstrate outstanding Pre-Health academic achievement Ideally, students take reasonably heavy loads each fall and spring semester.
Students should consider the following:
- Take required Biology and Chemistry courses immediately (one of each every semester).
- Achieve a high GPA to remain a competitive student.
- Take a sufficient course load each semester (usually 13-16 credit hours).
- Avoid obtaining any more than two "Withdrawn" grades on your academic record.
Average GPA entrance requirements vary for each profession: always aim to be above the average acceptance GPA.
There is no formal requirement to graduate within four years, but many science classes fill early and some are only offered once per year.
Community college level science classes are generally not viewed favorably.
Standardized Testing
Many health career training programs require students to take a standardized test as part of your application. These include the MCAT, DAT, or PCAT for medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy respectively.
These exams are offered multiple times each year, and there is often a limit on how many times a student can sit for a test each year.
Students are encouraged to prepare early for these exams. Exams are typically taken at least one year before matriculation.