Health Professions Advising at Mason

Information for Students

Freshman Year

This general checklist revised from the Timeline for Application/Admission in the AAMC's Medical School Admissions Requirements. This checklist can be modified as needed.

Read the classic "Dear Freshmen Premed Letter."

Freshmen and new students should meet with their departmental advisor and the Academic Advising Center at least once during the year, with additional meetings as necessary.

Freshmen who plan to apply to early admissions programs should complete the pre-application process. These and other freshmen who are interested in competitive summer programs should meet with the Health Professions Advisor once during the year.

Fall Semester

• Attend meetings organized by Health Professions Advisor. Join listserver (PREHEALTH-L) for prehealth students.
• Perform well in your classes. Study with colleagues.
• Consider taking UNIV 100 (academic skills preparation).
• Explore health professions options.
  • Explore Health Careers.
  • Visit University Career Services and read the Premedical Students' Guide to Preparing for Medical Programs.
  • Read the Predental Student Timeline from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.
• Identify and join a student organization .
  • Alpha Epsilon Delta (premedical honor society)
  • Predental Society
• Become informed of early enrollment opportunities.
• Consult with department advisor and Academic Advising Center regarding class schedule and planning for spring semester.
• Seek role models and mentors among the faculty in situations outside of the classroom or laboratory setting.
• Investigate eligibility to participate in summer programs targeting students interested in health professions careers. Ask faculty or administrators as possible references. Consult with Health Professions Advisor if eligible.
  • Summer Medical and Dental Education Program
  • Gateway to Dentistry (University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey): programs in January (application deadline: August) and May (application deadline: March).
  • TEXOCOP summer program for economically disadvantaged undergraduates interested in careers in optometry (University of Houston College of Optometry)

Spring Semester

• Keep up performance in classes. It is very important to keep up a good academic record in your science coursework.
• Pay attention to listserver announcements from Health Professions Advisor.
• Visit University Career Services to investigate and pursue volunteer or paid internships/opportunities in a health care or research environment.
• Consult with department advisor and Academic Advising Center regarding class schedule and planning for summer and fall semester.
• Investigate eligibility to participate in summer programs targeting students interested in health professions careers. Ask faculty or administrators as possible references. Consult with Health Professions Advisor if eligible.
  • Summer Medical and Dental Education Program
  • Gateway to Dentistry (University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey): programs in January (application deadline: August) and May (application deadline: March).
  • TEXOCOP summer program for economically disadvantaged undergraduates interested in careers in optometry (University of Houston College of Optometry)

Summer Semester

• Complete volunteer or internship opportunity.
• Attend summer school classes if planned or needed.

Information for Students
New & Incoming

Student Community

Freshman Year

Dear Freshmen Premed Letter

Sophomore Year

Non-citizen Students

Non-traditional Students

Transfer Students

Student Applicants (Juniors and Seniors)

External Links
Not So Short Introduction to Getting into Medical School (PDF) from Student Doctor Network