Admission committees at health professions schools will not only evaluate your ability to handle the academic rigors of graduate education, but will also take into consideration what you have accomplished outside of the classroom. Activities that have meaning for you and that demonstrate your leadership qualities, initiative, perseverance, and compassion will help schools learn about your personal qualities.
Additionally, admission committees are looking for applicants with specific competencies. While the AAMC core competencies were written for medical school applicants, they are very much applicable for individuals pursuing ANY health profession!
Clinical
Admission committees want to know what steps you have taken to find out about the health profession of your choice. Although there is no “magic” number of hours of clinical experience that is required, working in such an environment is essential and provides a valuable learning experience. Depending on your path, volunteering at hospitals, shadowing in dental offices, or interning at aquariums or zoos, can allow you to “try a profession on for size” and see if you “like the way it fits.”
Research
Research in a variety of settings can provide an additional medium through which you can demonstrate your motivation to do in-depth work, your dedication to intellectual pursuits, and your critical-thinking skills. Research should not be done in lieu of obtaining experience in a clinical setting.
Service
It is also important to have social/community service experiences outside of clinical settings. Volunteer work in a range of community-based organizations can demonstrate your ability to relate to many kinds of people, your problem-solving skills, as well as a commitment to helping others.
Meet With Us
In thinking about which types of experiences would be most beneficial to help schools learn about you and to build your portfolio for the application process, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with a pre-health advisor to discuss your interests and accomplishments.
