Preparing for Health Professional School • Pre-Health • Carthage College-伟德手机APP

Preparing for healthcare professional school applications can be a daunting yet exciting journey. With the competitive nature of school admissions, it’s essential to start early and approach the process strategically.

From engaging in campus clubs and gaining relevant clinical experience to compiling letters of recommendation and crafting a compelling personal statement, each step plays a critical role in shaping a strong application. Below is information and advice on how to prepare for healthcare professional school.

Begin preparation in your Carthage pre-health program

Get to know your academic faculty advisor and pre-health coordinators.
Your faculty advisor can help you align your pre-health course requirements into your four-year plan. And pre-health coordinators will support your career exploration, application planning and preparation, resource and experience connection, and interview preparation.
Take recommended courses and review your program guide.
You can find a list of recommended courses, key action steps, and preparation activities for admission into healthcare professional schools on your specific pre-health program page. Know your timeline: when and what standardized test you need to take, when you should ask for letters of recommendation, and when you should apply.

Get involved in the community and gain experience

Be active in campus student organizations.
Join and be active in the Pre-Health Club and other pre-health student organizations.
Volunteer and serve in your community.
Show that you care about your community and others — these are the types of people the professional schools want to be training.
Shadow healthcare providers in your field of interest.
You must be prepared to demonstrate that you understand what it will be like as a healthcare professional.
Consider doing research or participating in a lab assistant position.
Research opportunities can help you connect what you are learning in the classroom to real laboratory experience.
Make plans for the summer.
Think about your summers strategically and as a time to engage in opportunities that will strengthen your professional school application.

Start reflecting on your experiences right away

Take time to reflect on your experiences throughout your four years at Carthage.
Write down how your experiences relate to your individual professional and personal development.
Begin thinking about your personal statement early.
It will help you realize the types of experiences you need to engage in and help you access these prior to your application.

Build strong relationships with your peers and professors

Network and gather possible references along the way.
Make sure that you present yourself to others in a professional manner. Form positive relationships with your professors, be a model student, and come to class on time and prepared. Remember to engage positively both inside and outside of class with your peers and your instructors. Your letters of recommendation can be one of the most important aspects of your application, and you want to demonstrate to your professors that you are a good candidate.

Additional tips as you prepare for professional school

Give anyone writing you a letter of recommendation plenty of time to write it.
Sit down with him or her to talk about why you want to go into this profession and why you are a good candidate. It will help her or him write a good letter for you.
Research plenty of healthcare professional schools.
Researching potential schools can help you make an informed decision about which program best aligns with your career goals and personal preferences. It helps you understand admission requirements, clinical training opportunities, costs, and the overall fit of the program, ensuring you choose the right path for your future.
Always be willing to ask for help.
There is no rule that says you should try to do this on your own. You chose a college like Carthage so that you are supported throughout your education. Let us support and help you. Ask for help when struggling with your courses, finding meaningful experiences, trying to determine what you want to do, etc. The Carthage community is here for you.

If you are a Carthage student interested in a pre-health profession but do not have a Pre-Health Program listed in Workday or need to change your pre-health program, please contact the Office of the Registrar. If you have any questions about the Pre-Health Program, contact the pre-health coordinators, Ashley Greenwood and Mandy Long.