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  • Attend Health Professions meeting during Orientation.
  • Meet with your academic advisor to discuss a tentative four-year academic plan.  This is especially important if you are considering study abroad.
  • Get to know your professors—and let them know you. On-going meetings with your professors can assist you in refining your study habits and improving your academic record. Be open and make these people your allies in reaching your goals!
  • Make use of Hamilton's academic resources: the Writing Center, Quantitative & Symbolic Reasoning (QSR) Center, departmental tutoring services, class review sessions.
  • Participate in service-related extra-curricular activities (HAVOC volunteer activities, COOP, tutoring, etc.)
  • Speak to your science professors by January to explore the possibility of a summer research grant.
  • Discuss spring course choices with your academic advisor before pre-registration in November.
  • Investigate "Alternative Break."It's both fun and a great service opportunity!
  • Consider shadowing a healthcare professional or volunteering during winter break. Check out the Career Center's shadowing program

  • Meet with your career advisor between November and February to explore opportunities for research or health-care-related experience over summer break. 
  • Utilize Career Center resources for writing or updating your resume (ask your career advisor for guidance).
  • Consider adding or subtracting campus activities. Investigate new opportunities.
  • Discuss schedule with your academic advisor before pre-registration in April.
  • If considering a semester or year abroad, schedule a meeting with the Global Learning Office in CJ.
  • Attend relevant programs on health-related topics.
  • Honestly evaluate your academic performance. How are you doing? How can you improve? Can you challenge yourself more? See your academic advisor to discuss making adjustments.

  • Engage in a health-care-related experience or research position, if possible. If these are unavailable, plan some volunteer work in a healthcare setting in addition to a paid job.

  • Evaluate campus involvement. Health professions schools are interested in the extracurricular experiences that are meaningful to you. Are you spending your time on activities that reflect your values?
  • Think of how to use upcoming breaks to take steps to further your understanding or preparation for your intended health career (e.g. conduct an informational interview, shadow a healthcare professional, research potential internships, etc.)
  • Investigate a wide range of health professions. Attend advertised meetings with professional school representatives who visit campus.
  • Investigate opportunities listed on Handshake.

  • Declare major.
  • Discuss your plans with the health professions advisor.
  • Continue to evaluate your extracurricular commitments and finalize summer plans for pertinent research, service, or clinical position.
  • Finalize study abroad plans.

  • Make plans to take MCAT/DAT/GRE. Decide whether to apply to professional school after your junior year, your senior year, or at some point further on. Discuss plan with health professions advisor.
  • Consider accepting leadership positions in campus or service activities.
  • Make plans for in-depth summer experience. Consult Career Center and discuss research opportunities with faculty and health professions advisor.
  • Use winter break for MCAT/DAT/GRE study or spend a few days on appropriate volunteer work or shadowing.
  • Begin research of potential professional schools.
  • Continue to attend health professions programs.
  • Consider applying for the "Day in the Life of a Resident" shadowing program in January with St. Elizabeth's Family Medicine Residency Program.

If making application to medical or dental school after junior year:

  • Attend campus meetings on the application process for professional school. 
  • Finalize plans for responsible health-related summer position.
  • Continue test preparation.
  • Consider the benefits of applying for a postgraduate fellowship (Fulbright, Watson, Bristol Fellowship) and visit with the Student Fellowship Coordinator to discuss your candidacy. In recent years, Hamilton students have deferred entry to medical school to accept a Fulbright, Bristol, or other post-baccalaureate fellowship.

  • Complete AMCAS/AACOMAS/AADSAS/VMCAS etc. applications. Medical and dental school admission is "rolling."
    Those who apply early will have an advantage in the process. After you submit your online application, it can take 4-6 weeks before your application is "verified" and sent to the schools. Aim to complete the primary application and submit in June.
  • Complete supplemental applications for individual schools. 
  • Obtain appropirate clothing for fall/winter interviews

 

  • If you plan to work for a year or two before applying to professional school, update resume and begin process of looking at potential jobs.
  • Prepare for interviews by practicing with your assigned career advisor. 

  • File FAFSA.
  • Stay in contact with the health professions advisor throughout the application process.
  • Develop a strong "Plan B" and consider the benefit of additional work and/or academic experience while waiting to hear from professional schools.
  • Make time for "Second Look" days at schools where you have been admitted.

Contact

Contact Name

Courtney Hance

Director of Health Professions Advising

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