You must have certain information on file in the Biology Advising Office BNR101 early or you may be late in meeting various deadlines and/or admissions procedures. Your Junior and Senior years are particularly critical, especially if you have a goal to complete your program within a specific time period.

Each year of school you need to accomplish specific critical tasks. Courses must be taken in the proper sequence after having met the essential prerequisites. Enrollment and timing for a particular level or a sequence of courses, particularly mathematics, chemistry, English, and the biology core courses (BIOL 1610 and 1620) does influence performance in other required courses, as well as eventual preparation for the MCAT or DAT.

Getting off to a "bad start" may be corrected if action is taken early during your Freshman or Sophomore years. A low GPA can be raised, somewhat, through selected repeated courses. A necessary skill, such as mathematics or English composition, may be developed and improved. The longer you wait to upgrade skills, the harder it becomes to reach desired goals. For example, it is very difficult to raise your GPA during your Junior or Senior years because so many credits have been accumulated.

The path to successful admittance to a health professions school depends on the steps you have taken during your Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years. The advisor's job is to assist you with information, advice, and suggestions. Your job is to visit your advisor on a regular basis, watch for announcements, and attend meetings regarding the Prehealth Professions Program, and to use the services and resources available to you.

Remember, you must also meet USU requirements for your major. If you are not a biology major, you should still meet regularly with both your major advisor and with your prehealth advisor.

Start Early

Health professions schools are increasingly looking for students who are "well-rounded." Along with the required science, math, and English courses, consider taking courses such as deductive logic, bioethics, medical sociology, and diversity courses focusing on culture, history, and/or current circumstances of minority population groups in the United States. Volunteer in various clubs, groups, and organizations: social, academic, and service. Assume roles of leadership in the activities in which you are involved. Join and participate in Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), Women in Medicine (WIM), and the Predental Club. Volunteer or work in a research lab. Make regular visits and develop friendships with health professionals. AED offers an informal program called "Shadow-A-Physician" which allows students to get firsthand knowledge of the medical profession. Dental students should take the dental class "Predental Orientation and Clinical Dental Observation" offered at USU by Dr. Gary Lowder. Begin now!