Pre-Medical and Allied Health Advising
The Pre-Medical Program
For the student who is considering entering the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, or an allied health profession, it is advantageous to plan an academic program in advance, paying particular attention to timing and scheduling. Competition to all of these programs remains at a high level.
Planning ahead has obvious advantages, since students are expected to apply one year or more before the time they hope to begin classes in these medical/health care programs. Admission tests are mandatory and should be taken as early as possible. The tests are generally based on material covered in premedical courses, so when the courses are completed and sufficient time has been budgeted for test preparation, that determines when the test should be taken.
Explore Health Career Fields
The following sites offer tools, information and support to help you explore careers in the health professions:
- Aspiringdocs.org
- Explore Health Careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical Programs
When considering a specific field within health care be sure to explore and become familiar with the National Association's website:
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
- American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
- Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
- Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)
- Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
- Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)
Other Helpful links:
- AMCAS® Tools and Tutorials
- Five Ways to Gain Experience Without Shadowing
- How to Get Research Experience
- Medical School Admission Requirements™ Reports for Applicants and Advisors
- Anatomy of an Applicant
- Medical School Interview Do's and Don’ts
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Health Care Occupations
- PreMed Navigator (Pre-Med)
- SHPEP Connect (Pre-Health)
- ADEA GoDental (Pre-Dental)
- PA Webinars (Pre-PA)
- AAVMC Newsletter (Pre-Vet)
Contact Us
Premedical and Allied Health Advising is located in the College of Science and Mathematics Student Success Center
University of Massachusetts Boston
Wheatley Hall, 4th floor, suite 151
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393
Email: premedadvising@umb.edu
For letter writers:
Please send letters of evaluation via email to premedadvising@umb.edu with the name of the student in the subject line
The letter of recommendation should be on letterhead and be signed by the writer.