Our office primarily supports pre-medical, pre-PA, and pre-dental students (and the occasional pre-optometry or podiatry student), but we strongly encourage all pre-health students to explore the diverse range of health career options. This helps ensure they pursue a path that aligns with their strengths, interests, and long-term goals while providing personal and professional fulfillment.
Exploration in the health professions should occur through dedicated personal exploration by networking and joining relevant student clubs or organizations, engaging in volunteer work and community service, and seeking out shadowing opportunities and direct patient care experiences. Professional schools seek applicants that have demonstrated their commitment to learning about their prospective profession and are able to articulate their passion, preparation and competencies.
For students who are unsure about what healthcare profession they might like to pursue, we suggest first reflecting on your professional skills and personal strengths, as well as what your desired work environment and lifestyle might look like. In addition to exploring the information on our website here about the various healthcare professions, students can also use outside resources such as ExploreHealthCareers.org or the National Association of Advisors for Health Professions to find more information.
We also suggest that students and alumni take advantage of the resources offered through UConn's Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills. They have information for the Healthcare and Wellness Career Community, and have dedicated career coaching professionals who are eager to meet with students and help them explore potential career pathways.
To learn more about health professions our office does advise, click below:
Medicine
Learn more about medicine as a career here!
Dental Medicine
Learn more about dental medicine as a career here!
Physician Assistant (PA)
Learn more about the Physician Assistant profession here!
Podiatry
Learn more about podiatric medicine (DPM) here!
Optometry
Learn more about the optometry profession here!
To learn more about health professions our office does not advise, click below:
Nursing
Go here to learn more about the nursing profession.
Since our office does not advise those interested in nursing, we encourage you to visit the UConn School of Nursing to learn more about programs, advising, and opportunities through the university.
Pharmacy
Go here to learn more about pharmacy as a profession.
Since our office does not advise those interested in pharmacy, we encourage you to visit the UConn School of Pharmacy to learn more about programs, advising, and opportunities through the university.
Physical Therapy
Go here to learn more about physical therapy as a profession.
Since our office does not advise those interested in pharmacy, we encourage you to visit UConn’s Physical Therapy Program website (offered through the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources). to learn more about programs, advising, and opportunities through the university.
Public Health
Go here to learn more about public health as a profession.
Since our office does not advise those interested in public health specifically, we encourage you to visit explore programs broadly. To find public health programs, use the ASPPH’s searchable database, the Academic Program Finder. For information on the application process, visit the centralized service for application to public health programs, SOPHAS.
Veterinary Medicine
Go here to learn more about veterinary medicine as a profession.
Since our office does not advise those interested in veterinary medicine, make sure to visit the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) and explore their information about Pre-Veterinary Studies and make an appointment with an advisor. The Animal Science department at UConn also has information for Current Undergraduate Students and specific information for the Pre-Veterinary Program.
“I choose to pursue a career in healthcare because I wanted to be able to empower patients and assist them in their health and wellness journey. DOs take into account and incorporate the social, psychological, and cultural aspects in the context of healthcare. I want to help people in a holistic approach, go beyond treating the disease to take an active role in a patient's life and care for the whole person: promote lifestyle changes, health education, and integrate preventative health.” –Sandy Durosier, Post-Bacc, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
“Medicine and health care I believe is the most rewarding field you can go into. You have the opportunity to learn more about the interconnected complexities of the human body, as well as the chance to oversee the care of a human life. It is a great feeling of satisfaction when you're able to understand the pathology of a disease in a patient, and then deduce the best course of treatment given the lab results and presentation of symptoms.” –Ryan Verano, c/o 2018, New York College of Podiatric Medicine
“I spent most of my life participating in different volunteer opportunities in my local community. I went on to do so globally as well and saw the many disparities people face. I hated politics but wanted to make a change. The best way for me to do that was a career that would help people on an individual level. I grew up with my nurse mother sharing her patient stories and realized quickly that medicine would be the source of my giving back.” –Meghan Goddard, c/o 2018, Albany Medical College
“Even though I completed the required/recommended pre-medical coursework as PNB major at UConn, I was not interested in attending medical school by the time I graduated. It wasn't until I worked in a clinic, under the supervision of physician mentors, that I appreciated just how meaningful a career in medicine could be for me... These types of encounters cemented my decision to pursue an advanced clinical degree in order to expand my skillset and scope of practice.” –Kelly Borges, c/o 2015, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine