What is the UNCW Pre- Health Professions Advising Program?
Each Fall semester, approximately 200 freshman enter UNCW stating an intent to pursue a career in the health professions after completing their undergraduate studies. These careers include medicine (allopathic and osteopathic), dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy and veterinary medicine and others. Admission to post-graduate professional schools of health is highly competitive and the academic and personal preparation required to be a successful applicant is both rigorous and challenging.
The mission of the UNCW Pre-Health Professions Advising Program is to provide consistent guidance, support and encouragement to all pre-health professions students starting at Freshman Orientation and continuing through the junior and senior year application process. The primary goal is to increase the number of pre-health students who apply for and successfully obtain admission to professional schools of health. The overall objective of the program is to provide students with the academic and personal preparation necessary to be uniquely qualified applicants. To further this mission, the program offers the following programs and services:
- One–on-One Advising with three advisors designed specifically for pre-health professions students is provided through UNCW’s University College until the time a major is declared and through the College of Arts and Sciences post-declaration;
- Pre-Health Professions Cornerstone Learning Community (Fall 2009 communities #4 and #8) offers the opportunity to live with other pre-health students, attend together introductory biology and chemistry lectures and dedicated labs, and benefit from participation in a Pre-Health Integrative Freshman Seminar
- UNCW - SEAHEC Pre-Health Professions Partnership , a university-community partnership designed to improve the quality and competitiveness of pre-health students; a Fall semester speakers series provides insight into the social, economic, political, organizational and professional contexts in which healthcare is delivered; during Spring semester, selected students are provided access to vibrant clinical field experiences;
- Pre-Health Professions Admissions e-Portfolio, a structured, internet -based format for compiling a comprehensive file containing information critical to preparing successful applications to professional schools of health;
- CommunityConnect , access to clinical shadowing, volunteer, community service and leadership experiences available both on and off campus;
- Pre-Health Web Site , a comprehensive, user-friendly web site offering access to a wide-range of resources including descriptions of all components of the UNCW Pre-Health Professions Advising Program, an overview of health careers, links to North Carolina, regional and national professional schools of health, information about summer enrichment programs, advice and valuable insights into all aspects of the application and admission process and much more;
- Pre-Health Professions Clubs welcome all pre-health professions students, currently includes American Medical Student Association Chapter, Pre-Dental Student Organization and Pre-Vet Medical Association.
