Explore More Careers

Unable to find the health profession you are interested in pursuing on our pre-professional programs page?

For more information on different health professions, visit the list we have complied of useful sites/resources.

Internships

It's a very competitive world out there. The better prepared you are, the better your chances for success, whether applying to graduate school, medical school, or for a job. Internships are rapidly becoming a virtual requirement for many science-related careers.

Check the W&J Career Resources Network on the Center for Professional Pathways page for more information. If you are interested in doing an internship during Intersession, look over the requirements.

• Pre-Health enrichment programs
• Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (this set of enrichment programs is targeted toward minority groups in their freshman or sophomore year)
• Cornell Medical College offers a 7-week program for premedical students (the Travelers Summer Research Fellowship Program) from diverse backgrounds who have an interest in working with underserved populations. This program is for students during the summer between junior and senior year. We have had students in the program in the past and it is an excellent opportunity.
• Case Western Reserve University offers a number of undergraduate research experiences during the summer
• Duquesne University Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy (biomedical research opportunities, along with the opportunity to shadow physicians)

In addition to the links above, most professional and graduate schools offer various internships, fellowships and summer programs. If you are interested in a particular area of the country or a particular school, check out that school's website or contact them for more information about research opportunities.

If you are interested in Veterinary Medicine, one of Washington's local clinics has generously offered to serve as a location for pre-vet students to have a shadowing experience. The clinic is the East Maiden Animal Clinic on Maiden Street. If you are potentially interested in this opportunity, please contact Dr. Lee (her pets visit the clinic regularly!) for contact information.

MCAT and other standardized tests

Please note that the MCAT schedule is subject to change, and to be up-to-date on the most current information visit the MCAT website. In addition, MCAT examinee relations specialists are available to assist you: (202) 828-0690.

You can take the MCAT exam only 3 times per year and you can only register for one test date at a time. You also must wait until the 2nd day after you take an exam before registering for any further exams. These rules do limit how quickly you can manage to re-take an exam after finishing one taking of the exams.

The Pre-Health Professions Committee is happy to announce a new relationship with Kaplan Test Preparation that makes Kaplan the preferred test preparation provider for the pre-health program at W&J. Starting immediately, W&J Pre-Health students that register for a Kaplan test prep course (MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, GRE) using the email or phone number provided in the email from the Chair of the Pre-Health Professions Committee will receive a 10% discount off the currently-offered price for test preparation. This discount applies to On-site, Online, and On-demand courses. The discount does not apply to private tutoring or summer intensive programs and cannot be applied retroactively if you have already registered for a prep course. If you are interested in learning more about Kaplan Test Preparation services, please go to www.kaptest.com and click on "Start Here" to select your field of interest. There are many different options for test preparation… please read the descriptions of the types of courses carefully and consider which option is best for your particular study skills and schedule.

Volunteer Opportunities

W&J students have explored many volunteer opportunities in the surrounding Washington Community, that relate in some way to a variety of health professions. These experiences have been very rewarding to students as well as beneficial to the community. Contact the office of volunteer services for a full list of volunteer opportunities.

Advice for Interviews and Writing

Take a look at the interview preparation suggestions below, or link to the Center for Professional Pathways page for information on resume writing and interviewing. An additional resource is the Accepted.com guide to writing personal statements.

Interview Preparation (from The Complete Guide to Premedical Success):

1. Re-read and be thoroughly familiar with everything in your application materials.
2. Read and study all materials sent by the interviewing school.
3. Involve yourself in a mock interview.
4. Make sure you are up-to-date on current events and news in the health care field.
5. Know the reasons why you want to become a physician.
6. Prepare answers to some of the potential questions you may be asked.

Advice for a Good Health Professions Interview (From Complete Guide to Premedical Success):

1. Be polite and friendly.
2. Be a good listener and address their questions.
3. Show your interest in their school and why you are right for them.
4. Ask questions about the school.
5. Be on time.
6. Be truthful and don't exaggerate.
7. Look and dress like a professional.
8. Maintain good eye contact.
9. Mail a "thank-you" letter to each interviewer immediately and make reference to something special from your interview.

A few questions to which you should give careful thought:

1. Why are you interested in the medical profession?
2. Why should we select you over our other applicants?
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
4. How have you demonstrated your leadership ability?
5. What would you do if you were not accepted to medical school?
6. How do you explain___________?(any gaps or weaknesses in your record)
7. How do you deal with failure? What has been the greatest challenge offered by your life?
8. Why are you applying to our school?
9. Do you have any questions for me?
10. Do you know what to expect of medical school and the practice of medicine? How did you learn this?
11. What are your long-term goals?
12. In what extracurricular activities have you been involved? What has been the depth of your involvement?
13. How do you cope with stress?
14. What do you think is the major problem in today's health care system?
15. Tell me about your family and what kind of support you can expect from them during your tenure in medical school?
16. What kinds of volunteer positions have you held?
17. Can you give some examples of how you have handled adversity? This could involve friends, relatives, grades or any other negative experience.