Pre-Health Advising
Learn about pre-health advising and how it can prepare you for possible career paths and graduate school.
Seattle University students interested in pursuing a career in the health professions are encouraged to utilize the many resources and activities available for pre-health students.
Although many pre-health students major in the sciences (biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics), students can pursue any academic major and still be considered a pre-health student. When deciding on a major and minor, students should choose majors that align with their academic strengths, personal interests and professional goals.
Services to Support Pre-Health Students
- Advising: Pre-health advising is available through information sessions, workshops, one-on-one meetings and a variety of web-based resources. We offer information about career exploration, professional school essay review, practice for professional school interviews and feedback on application materials. Students are encouraged to meet with pre-health advising at least once per year to discuss their career goals, prerequisites for graduate admission and the timeline for degree completion.
- Workshops: We provide a series of workshops to help students prepare to apply for graduate health programs.
- Admissions Support: Pre-health advising offers opportunities for students to meet with admissions representatives for their prospective graduate health program, ask questions and learn about the admissions process.
- Health Professions Evaluation: Students applying to medical or dental school have the option to go through the health professions evaluation process and work with the Health Professions Advising Committee in spring and summer before starting the application process for medical or dental school. The evaluation process helps prepare students by evaluating applicants and offering individual feedback.
Health Profession Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Future healthcare professionals can pursue any academic major and still be considered pre-health. A pre-health advisor can help students interested in health professions determine the major and/or minor best aligning with their academic strengths, personal interests and professional goals.
We provide support and services to all Seattle University students and alumni who are interested in a career in the health professions.
Typically, pre-health advising involves those planning to pursue a future in:
- Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)
- Athletic Training
- Dentistry
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Osteopathic Medicine (O.D.)
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Veterinary Medicine
You gain a partner in your pre-health advisor. Through a collaborative advising process, your advisor assists with all of the steps required to pursue your career of choice. Guidance can include everything from academic planning to preparing to apply to graduate healthcare programs.
Advising can take the form of one-on-one meetings, information sessions, workshops, and/or a variety of web-based resources. Your advising partnership can result in a myriad of practical benefits, including everything from information regarding career options to assistance in developing career-specific educational plans.
Students are encouraged to meet with their pre-health advisor at least once a year to discuss their career goals, prerequisites for graduate admission, and the timeline for degree completion. And more often as they approach the application deadlines.
A central focus of pre-health advising involves ensuring successful admission to graduate health programs. Perhaps you will attend our workshop series regarding graduate school applications. Or you might benefit from a more individualized advising partnership where you’re provided feedback on application materials, practice interviews for professional schools, or reviews of graduate application essays.
Students applying to medical or dental school have the option to go through the health professions evaluation process and work with the Health Professions Advising Committee in spring and summer before starting the application process for medical or dental school. The evaluation process helps prepare students by evaluating applicants and offering individual feedback.