Vision (Why): We develop well-rounded pre-health students.
Mission (What): We engage pre-health students through accessible pipeline initiatives, comprehensive pre-health resources, coaching, and programming, resulting in preparedness for admission to competitive medical and allied health advanced degree programs.
Values (How): Pre-Health Programs align with the mission put forth by UNCW to create transformative experiences, engage locally and globally, and support students & alumni in becoming professional leaders. In this context we value:
Interdisciplinary Health Education for Aspiring Leaders (iHEAL)
iHEAL introduces rising ninth graders from underrepresented and rural communities in surrounding southeastern North Carolina counties to healthcare major and career options. Students participate in exposure activities introducing them to pre-health pathways including health & human services functions ranging from individual clinical practice, to population health, & public health. UNCW staff coordinate and facilitate program planning and camp activities, while UNCW faculty and community partners lead interactive, educational workshops for campers. This program is offered free of charge to eligible and admitted campers due to being a grant-funded initiative.
There are no specific pre-health majors (i.e. pre-med, pre-dent, pre-vet, etc.) at UNCW. While many students choose to pursue majors in the natural and allied health sciences, they do so because of their interest in those fields. Students can choose any undergraduate major and still satisfy the prerequisites necessary for admission into medical or allied health graduate programs.
Designated pre-health advisors and coaches can connect you with resources and aid in your development as a competitive applicant. This support can include information or referrals related to the following:
Students Advised Within Center for Academic Advising (CAA)
Students who are advised withinCAAshould schedule an appointment with theirCAAAcademic Advisor in Starfish: https://uncw.edu/starfish/
*If you have not formally declared your major, please work with your primary advisor inCAAand discuss your pre-health intentions during your meeting with them.
Students with a Declared Pre-Major/Major (advised outside of (CAA)) & UNCW Alumni
UNCW students and alumni who are advised outside ofCAAare encouraged to submit a Pre-Health Coaching request.
Please Note:
submit your Pre-Health Coaching Request here »
In the meantime, please sign up for the latest news by joining our mailing list.
Students are also encouraged to bookmark the Pre-Health Student Preparation Resource.
UNCW is collaborating with the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in a shared commitment to train the future healthcare workforce. The two universities created an Early Assurance Program, offering an automatic interview with the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program admissions committee for qualifying UNCW students. UNCW will verify that interested students meet the participation qualifications identified by the two schools and provide processes and resources to support interested students.
Throughout the program, participating students will be required to meet with a School of Pharmacy advisor at least once each semester prior to joining the School; participate in a program seminar series; and meet pre-requisite coursework/grade requirements. The School of Pharmacy’s admissions committee will be responsible for the final selection and notification of the candidates admitted to the school’s Pharm.D. program.
Students interested in participating in the ESOP EAP should email prehealth@uncw.edu to inquire about next steps.
Explore the ESOP EAP admission requirements and apply here. Due date: 1/31/24
UNCW Public Health majors interested in the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program at East Carolina University within the Brody School of Medicine should email prehealth@uncw.edu for more information.
November 2023 - In 2021, UNC Wilmington partnered with the UNC Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy (ESOP) to create an Early Assurance Program (EAP), which offers qualifying students an automatic interview with the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program admissions committee. The program offers early assurance of admission into the UNC ESOP Doctor of Pharmacy Program after a minimum of two years of study and completion of all pre-requisite courses. The ESOP is ranked as the number one pharmacy school in the country.
In spring 2022, Cassidy White, a clinical research major in the College of Health and Human Services, received her admission letter, becoming one of these students. “When I found out that I was admitted, I just cried. I was so excited and it was such a sigh of relief,” she said. White graduated from UNCW in May 2023 and is in her first semester at UNC Chapel Hill. “I’m so humbled that the program happened when it did, it was just the perfect timing for me and my path,” she says. “I think this avenue is a great way to expand the field of pharmacy to people who might not get an opportunity like this,” she said.
For as long as White could remember, she always wanted to do something with medicine. “In high school, I interned at an independent pharmacy in my hometown, and I fell in love with it,” she says. “Medicine is a huge part of my life and the wellbeing of people is so important to me. I found out that my grandfather had only 10% of his kidney function. He lived for another four years and medicine made that possible. Later, my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer but was cured, all thanks to medicine. Seeing the impact of medicine and how it creates happiness and wellbeing in people is what drove me to pursue this field.” she said.
When looking at her life post-graduation, White says, “There is this notion that pharmacists only work in CVS or Walgreens, but this field is so much more than that. My heart is in pediatrics, and I would love to work in a pediatric pharmacy one day,” she said.
White praises her alma mater for guiding her pathway to pharmacy. “I would not be here if it wasn’t for UNCW,” she says. “UNCW is a wonderful school, I am so fortunate. I wouldn’t change my path for anything. I’ll always be a Seahawk.”
Students with questions about the ESOP EAP can email Pre-Health Programs at prehealth@uncw.edu.