Pre-Health at KU

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES

PREHEALTH AT KU

MEDICINE DENTISTRY OPTOMETRY VETERINARY PHYSICIAN-ASSISTANT

#HEARTOFKU

YOUR FUTURE IN HEALTHCARE BEGINS HERE.

ROADMAP TO SUCCESS 4 6 8 10 12 14 22 24 25 26 28 30 32

In the Heart of KU, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

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UNDERSTANDING PRE-HEALTH AT KU HIGH SCHOOL PREP WHY CHOOSE KU DECIDING ON A MAJOR FINDING YOUR PRE-HEALTH TRACK PRE-HEALTH CURRICULUM GUIDES REQUIRED EXPERIENCES FIND YOUR FLOCK RESEARCH AT KU LANGUAGES & CULTURES STUDY ABROAD SUCCESS TIMELINE ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE PATHWAYS TIPS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS 3

#HEARTOFKU

UNDERSTANDING PRE-HEALTH AT KU What does “pre-health” mean?

The pre-health track provides you with a specific set of pre-requisite courses and experiences that are required for a successful graduate school application.

The pre-health areas we will focus on are:

Most medical, dental, optometry, veterinary and physician assistant schools require students to: 1.

2.

3.

Have a bachelor’s degree Take specific pre-health coursework Participate in shadowing and volunteer experiences

• Pre-Medicine • Pre-Dentistry • Pre-Optometry • Pre-Veterinary • Pre-Physician Assistant

The pre-health tracks will be a significant portion of your academic time at KU. Check out pages 16-20 for the specific curriculum for each track.

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#HEARTOFKU Have you taken college courses already?

Go to credittransfer.ku.edu to see how your classes from a community college or 4-year university will transfer to KU.

HOW TO PREP IN HIGH SCHOOL

GET GOOD AT STUDYING Whether it’s math and science or history and English, nailing the tough courses in high school helps you develop good study habits.

ENROLL IN A RANGE OF CLASSES Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Take music, debate, art or a language. These classes will expose you to different areas of study.

SEEK OUT HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCES Volunteer at a hospital or nursing home; participate in science or math clubs and competitions; attend a science or math-related summer camp. It’s never too early to start.

THINK ABOUT YOUR MAJOR

Have AP Credit?

Google “KU AP Credit,” the first link will take you to a KU Admissions webpage with info on how your AP scores match up.

We obviously love the sciences, but don’t feel like that’s your only option. Studying something you’re really interested in will help you get good grades, make studying less tedious, and possibly set you apart when applying for graduate school after KU.

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TOP TIER RESEARCH UNIVERSITY

HEALTHCARE OPPORTUNITIES

LANGUAGE & CULTURAL STUDIES

ALUMNI NETWORK

With more than 60 interdisciplinary research centers and institutes, research opportunities span all departments and majors. KU also has $263.9 million in externally funded research that means more possibilities for you to gain firsthand experience in cutting edge research.

You’ll be in a prime location to take advantage of healthcare opportunities in three major urban areas: Lawrence, Topeka and Kansas City. If you’re passionate about rural healthcare, you’re a short drive from many small Midwestern communities eager to have budding health professionals as volunteers.

The language experience here is a little different. It’s more than just learning the words; it’s about the culture. The cultural knowledge you gain in the languages here at KU will provide a connection and an understanding of the world around you. Choose from 40 languages to study.

KU has more than 35,000 alumni working in healthcare in the U.S. today. That’s a lot of connections for you. Bonus? You can make those connections while you’re here on campus through the Jayhawk Career Network, an online mentoring tool.

WHY CHOOSE KU ?

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DECIDING YOUR MAJOR Pre-health is not your major. So what are your options? Anything.

Professional admissions counselors all agree: It’s your grades and experiences that matter most. That’s why it’s really important to major in something you love. It will make working hard a little easier. Yes, doing well in your science classes will be key to your graduate school application, but that doesn’t mean you have to major in it.

Use the degree formula to see how any major can be paired with a pre-health track.

FORMULA FOR YOUR DEGREE

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS These are the classes you’re passionate about and will keep you motivated throughout your time at KU.

KU CORE These are KU’s general education requirements. Much of your pre-health curriculum will overlap with KU Core requirements.

ELECTIVES The classes that will help you complete your degree.

If you are a non-science major, this is where your prehealth curriculum fits in. You’ll get to study something you’re passionate about AND graduate on time.

Consider majoring in whatever interests you and will keep you engaged and motivated during undergrad. Medical schools want students who are authentic with genuine interests, so it’s best to major in what you want – not what you think they want.

Association of American Medical Colleges

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FINDING YOUR PRE-HEALTH TRACK The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is the best place to follow your curiosity and explore a variety of academic areas and healthcare paths.

FIRST THINGS FIRST Ask the healthcare professionals you know for advice. They’ve been where you want to go. Ask them how they got there!

EXPLORE AWAY Work with your advisor to find classes that fit with your interests and still fulfill your degree requirements. Think about the things and experiences that challenge you, make you curious, and give you purpose. That’s the pathway to your future in healthcare.

The same goes for your pre-health track. KU has great classes to help you discover the right health-related field for your future.

LIBERAL ARTS FOR THE WIN According to the American Medical Association, US News & World Report, and the American Dental Education Association, the top skills for health professionals today are communication, teamwork, compassion/empathy, leadership and flexibility/ adaptability.

These are the strengths of the liberal arts. A liberal arts degree is an asset today. You’ll stand out in your grad school applications, be well-rounded, have a broader depth of understanding about the world, and be more relatable to your future patients.

A FEW COURSES TO GET YOU STARTED ABSC 100 Introduction to Applied Behavioral Sciences ABSC 310 Building Healthy Communities BIOL 210 Intro to Clinical Lab Sciences EVRN 445 Intro to Environmental Health GEOG 201 Culture & Health HEIM 210 Introduction to Healthcare LA&S 172 Exploring Health Professions PSYC 318 Cognitive Psychology PSYC 350 Abnormal Psychology PSYC 375 Cognitive Neuroscience PSYC 605 Health Psychology SOC 326 Health, Gender & Society SPLH 261 Survey of Communication Disorders

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PRE-HEALTH CURRICULUM GUIDES The curriculum guides lay out the courses for each pre-health track and include a sample schedule of when you will take each course.

You’ll notice that all of the pre-health tracks have courses that overlap, specifically the biology and chemistry courses during your first year. This means that you have time to decide what prehealth path is the right fit for you. Starting your second year, the curriculum begins to differentiate between tracks.

Don’t forget! Every student is different.

Your path will vary depending on incoming credit, math scores, etc.

ONE LAST NOTE Your undergraduate degree at KU will prepare you to apply and go ANYWHERE for any program. Be it dentistry, veterinary, physician assistant, optometry or medicine, KU is the foundation for your future.

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PRE-MEDICINE

PRE-DENTISTRY

REQUIRED COURSES

MCAT PULLS CONTENT FROM

REQUIRED COURSES

SOME DENTAL SCHOOLS REQUIRE

BIOLOGY BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology (4 hrs) BIOL 152 Principles of Organismal Biology (4 hrs)

BIOL 600 Biochemistry (3 hrs) PSYC 104 Psychology (3 hrs) SOC 104 Sociology (3 hrs)

BIOLOGY BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology (4 hrs) BIOL 152 Principles of Organismal Biology (4 hrs) BIOL 240 & 241 Anatomy (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs)

BIOL 350 Genetics (4 hrs) BIOL 416 Cell Structure & Function (3 hrs) BIOL 246/546 Human or Mammalian Physiology + Lab (5 hrs) BIOL 600 Biochemistry (3 hrs)

CHEMISTRY CHEM 130 General Chemistry I (5 hrs) CHEM 135 General Chemistry II (5 hrs) CHEM 330 & 331 Organic Chemistry I (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) CHEM 335 & 336 Organic Chemistry (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) CHEM 331 will satisfy the organic lab requirement for KU School of Medicine PHYSICS PHSX 114 College Physics I (4 hrs) PHSX 115 College Physics II (4 hrs)

SOME MED SCHOOLS REQUIRE Calculus (3-5 hrs) Statistics (3 hrs) BIOL 350 Genetics (4 hrs) COMMON COURSES BIOL 400 Microbiology (3 hrs) BIOL 503 Immunology (3 hrs) BIOL 546 Mammalian Physiology (3 hrs) A QUICK NOTE ON MATH To start your first semester in BIOL 150 and CHEM 130, you must have received a Math ACT of 26+, SAT of 610, or have credit for College Algebra.

SAMPLE PRE-MEDICINE COURSE PLAN 1ST YEAR

CHEMISTRY CHEM 130 General Chemistry I (5 hrs) CHEM 135 General Chemistry II (5 hrs) CHEM 330 & 331 Organic Chemistry I (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) CHEM 335 & 336 Organic Chemistry II (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) PHYSICS PHSX 114 College Physics I (4 hrs) PHSX 115 College Physics II (4 hrs)

SAMPLE PRE-DENTISTRY COURSE PLAN

2ND YEAR

3RD YEAR

FALL

FALL

FALL

Chemistry I Biology I

Organic Chem I + Lab Psychology

SPRING Chemistry II Biology II

1ST YEAR

2ND YEAR

3RD YEAR

FALL

FALL

FALL

Physics I Biochemistry

Chemistry I Biology I

Organic Chem I + Lab Anatomy + Lab

Physics I Biochemistry Cell Biology

SPRING

SPRING

SPRING

SPRING

SPRING

Organic Chem II + Lab Sociology

Physics II

Chemistry II Biology II

Organic Chem II + Lab Genetics

Physics II Physiology + Lab

IMPORTANT NOTES

IMPORTANT NOTES

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•

• •

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A QUICK NOTE ON MATH To start your first semester in BIOL 150 and CHEM 130, you must have received a Math ACT of 26+, SAT of 610, or have credit for College Algebra.

Pre-Med students will take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

While it varies by program, students should have around 200 hours of service, healthcare activities and shadowing. Shadowing specifically should be 50 hours at the minimum.

Places to volunteer include: JayDoc Free Clinic at KUMC, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, KU St. Francis Campus, Headquarters Counseling, Heartland Community Health Center, and more.

• •

Pre-Dental students will take the Dental Admission Test (DAT).

Observation and work in a dental office is strongly encouraged and favorable.

Consider observing a minimum of 100 hours in at least five different dental offices.

Places to volunteer include: Douglas County Dental Clinic, Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation, Missouri Dental Association, Harvesters Community Food Network, and more.

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PRE-OPTOMETRY

PRE-VETERINARY

REQUIRED COURSES

REQUIRED COURSES

SOME VET SCHOOLS REQUIRE

BIOLOGY BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology (4 hrs) BIOL 152 Principles of Organismal Biology (4 hrs) BIOL 400 & 402 Microbiology (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs)

BIOL 350 Genetics (4 hrs) BIOL 600 Biochemistry (3 hrs)

BIOLOGY BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology (4 hrs) BIOL 152 Principles of Organismal Biology (4 hrs) BIOL 400 & 402 Microbiology (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) BIOL 600 Biochemistry (3 hrs) CHEMISTRY CHEM 130 General Chemistry I (5 hrs) CHEM 135 General Chemistry II (5 hrs) CHEM 330 & 331 Organic Chemistry I (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) PHYSICS PHSX 114 College Physics I (4 hrs) PHSX 115 College Physics II (4 hrs)

SOME OPTOMETRY SCHOOLS REQUIRE MATH 115 Calculus I (5 hrs) PSYC 104 Psychology (3 hrs) OPTOMETRY SCHOOLS RECOMMEND BIOL 240 & 241 Anatomy (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) BIOL 546 & 547 Mammalian Physiology (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) PSYC 333 Child Psychology (3 hrs) A QUICK NOTE ON MATH To start your first semester in BIOL 150 and CHEM 130, you must have received a Math ACT of 26+, SAT of 610, or have credit for College Algebra.

SAMPLE PRE-OPTOMETRY COURSE PLAN

CHEMISTRY CHEM 130 General Chemistry I (5 hrs) CHEM 135 General Chemistry II (5 hrs) CHEM 330 & 331 Organic Chemistry I (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) CHEM 335 & 336 Organic Chemistry II (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs)

SAMPLE PRE-VETERINARY COURSE PLAN

FALL

FALL

FALL

FALL

Chemistry I Biology I

Microbio + Lab Calculus I

Physics I Biochemistry Statistics

Anatomy

SPRING

SPRING

Chemistry II Biology II

Organic Chem I + Lab Psychology

2ND YEAR

3RD YEAR

FALL

FALL

FALL

Chemistry I Biology I

Organic Chem I + Lab Microbio + Lab

Physics I Biochemistry

SPRING

SPRING

SPRING

SPRING

Physics II Ma. Physiology + Lab Child Psyc

Chemistry II Biology II

Organic Chem II + Lab Genetics

Physics II Ma. Physiology + Lab

IMPORTANT NOTES

IMPORTANT NOTES

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A QUICK NOTE ON MATH To start your first semester in BIOL 150 and CHEM 130, you must have received a Math ACT of 26+, SAT of 610, or have credit for College Algebra.

PHYSICS PHSX 114 College Physics I (4 hrs) PHSX 115 College Physics II (4 hrs)

1ST YEAR

• •

VET SCHOOLS RECOMMEND BIOL 546 & 547 Mammalian Physiology (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs)

Pre-Optometry students will take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT).

Observation and work with optometrists and patients is recommended and favorable.

Places to volunteer include: Audio-Reader Network at KU, Kansas Free Eye Clinic, KU Center for Civic & Social Responsibility, and more.

• •

Pre-Veterinary students will take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Observation and work with veterinarians is recommended and favorable - can assist in veterinary practice, pet boarding facility, stables, animal therapy, etc.

Places to volunteer include: Loving Paws Animal Therapy Program, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, Operation Wildlife, Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instruction of Lawrence, and more.

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PRE-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT REQUIRED COURSES

OTHER COURSES

BIOLOGY BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology (4 hrs) BIOL 240 & 241 Anatomy (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) BIOL 246 & 247 Physiology (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs) (BIOL 200/203 or 400/402) Microbiology + Lab BIOL 600 Biochemistry (3 hrs) Biochemistry not required for WSU

(MATH 365 or PSYC 210 or BIOL 570) Statistics HEIM 230 Medical Terminology A QUICK NOTE ON MATH To start your first semester in BIOL 150 and CHEM 130, you must have received a Math ACT of 26+, SAT of 610, or have credit for College Algebra.

CHEMISTRY CHEM 130 General Chemistry I (5 hrs) CHEM 135 General Chemistry II (5 hrs) CHEM 330 & 331 Organic Chemistry I (3 hrs) + Lab (2 hrs)

SAMPLE PRE-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT COURSE PLAN 1ST YEAR

2ND YEAR

3RD YEAR

FALL

FALL

FALL

Chemistry I Biology I

Organic Chem I + Lab Medical Terminology

Biochemistry Anatomy + Lab

SPRING

SPRING

SPRING

Chemistry II Statistics

Microbio + Lab

Physiology + Lab

HELPING YOU SUCCEED The foundation of the pre-health curriculum centers around biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics. We know how important it is to do well in these courses, so we’ve found ways to set you up for success.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) Weekly peer facilitated study sessions for students to review course material outside of the classroom. You’ll get to compare notes, discuss important concepts, talk about study strategies, note taking and test prep.

Tutor groups are offered for: BIOL 150, BIOL 152, BIOL 240, BIOL 246, BIOL 350, CHEM 130, CHEM 135, CHEM 330, CHEM 335, PHSX 114, PHSX 115

Available to students enrolled in: BIOL 150, BIOL 152, BIOL 240, BIOL 241, BIOL 246, BIOL 350, BIOL 400, BIOL 600, CHEM 130, CHEM 135

Practice Tests Prepare for your CHEM 130 test by taking a practice exam. You’ll have two hours to take a practice test on your own, work in a small group on tough questions, and receive solutions from the student group leader.

Peer-Led Undergraduate Supplements (PLUS) For students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, PLUS are small group, interactive exercises that help you put what you learn in lecture into practice.

Available to students enrolled in: BIOL 150, BIOL 152, CHEM 130, CHEM 135, CHEM 330, CHEM 335 Small Group Tutoring

IMPORTANT NOTES • •

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Pre-Physician Assistant students will take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Physician Assistant shadowing and direct patient care is heavily emphasized.

This could be through becoming a Certified Nursing Aide or other means.

Places to volunteer include: Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Trinity Respite Care, Angels Care Home Health, and more.

Meet twice a week for 90 minutes with students enrolled in the same class. Groups are limited to five people and are led by students who have taken the course, recommended by two faculty and trained as tutors by the Academic Achievement & Access Center.

Chemistry Resources for Pre-Health Students

Tutors One-on-one tutoring with Chemistry graduate students or teaching assistants. Offered for CHEM 130, CHEM 135, CHEM 330, CHEM 335 Help Room Work through problems and review key concepts from lecture and lab with chemistry teaching assistants.

Free to students enrolled in chemistry courses.

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REQUIRED EXPERIENCES

OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTH EXPERIENCES As a pre-health student at KU, you’ll be in the prime location to engage with health professionals in different communities across Kansas.

Experience in a variety of healthcare and non-healthcare settings is a requirement for all grad school applications. It will help you determine if being in the health field is the right fit for you.

SHADOWING Gain insight into the different areas of healthcare by shadowing a healthcare professional. You’ll get to follow a doctor, vet, optometrist, dentist or physician assistant throughout their day, ask questions, and interact with patients while gaining insight into a wide range of jobs.

COMMUNITY SERVICE Wanting to care for people is essential to the healthcare field.

Community service shows your interest in helping others. Think about the local community shelter, Meals on Wheels, Boys & Girls Club, or one of the many service-oriented clubs at KU like Student Union Activities.

TOPEKA

HEALTHCARE JOBS & VOLUNTEERING Having healthcare experiences will further your skills and enable you to see additional aspects of the healthcare profession. You can volunteer or work in a healthcare setting such as a nursing home, hospice care, dental office, eye doctor, etc. Many students work as CNAs, phlebotomists, EMTs, and more.

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healthcare facilities to volunteer and shadow in Topeka, KS.

762 Doctors’ offices in KU region

23 hospitals in KU region

506 Dental offices in KU region

LAWRENCE

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healthcare facilities to volunteer and shadow in Lawrence, KS.

1.3K

432 Eye Doctors in KU region

161 Vet offices in KU region

healthcare facilities to volunteer and shadow in Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY

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Research is yet another way to explore the vast possibilities of your future in healthcare.

FIND YOUR FLOCK KU has 15 pre-health specific student organizations to help you network with alumni, find volunteer opportunities, prep for the application process, and develop leadership and communication skills.

You’ll engage in everything from discussing current healthcare topics with Future Leaders in Healthcare, campus programming with Peer Health Educators, or even experiential learning abroad with the Jayhawk Health Initiative.

KU PRE-HEALTH STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Pre-Veternary Medicine Club Pre-Medical Society Pre-Dental Society Jayhawk Health Initiative Delta Epsilon Mu-Kappa Chapter Community Health Outreach Program Peer Health Educators Future Leaders in Healthcare Women in Medicine American Red Cross Club MedLife KU Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students

“As a pre-med student in the College, I received research, community service and shadowing opportunities that set me apart from other applicants when applying to med school. I also found friends in the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students who helped me find study groups, mentors and people to lean on when times were tough.”

Abdoulie Njai, Human Biology Major

Anthropology Minor, Wichita, Kansas

RESEARCH AT KU At KU you can work side-by-side the scientists and scholars who are making the discoveries and scientific breakthroughs that are changing the world.

In the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, research is embedded in your major. Research is about historic discovery that connects the past to the present, making cultural connections on human behavior and interaction, identifying problems and creating change.

Undergraduate research can be so many things: work in a faculty lab, conduct your own research through the Center for Undergraduate Research, research internationally on study abroad, writing a journal article, and more.

3rd Year Medical student

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LANGUAGES AND CULTURES WHY STUDY A LANGUAGE? As a healthcare professional, you will help and interact with people from all over the world. More than 60,000 students apply to medical schools each year. How do you make yourself stand out? How do you make yourself highly employable and provide yourself with global opportunities? Learn a language.

You’ll gain valuable cultural perspective, learn how to adapt to your surrounding, and be more relatable to patients.

TOP 9 LANGUAGES FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS What are the most common, non-English languages that will benefit you most in healthcare?

SPANISH HINDI FRENCH PERSIAN/FARSI CHINESE KOREAN SWAHILI ARABIC RUSSIAN

Harvard Medical School, American Medical Association, UCLA Medical School and more stress the importance of cultural competency for the next generation of health professionals.

Over the summer 10 Jayhawks traveled to Tanzania through the research program ColLAB: Bridging East Africa’s Health Divides, which brings together KU students and faculty from different fields and backgrounds to study questions of global health and development. Part study abroad and part experiential learning, the field school puts months and years of students’ Swahili language learning, African studies expertise, and research skills to the test.

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ITALY

Biomedical Sciences & Public Health

“People who look at the same problems through different lenses will make us better in the long run.”

Dr. David Muller, Dean of Medical Education, Mt. Sinai, Medical School, NYC

Traditional Medicine & Healthcare Systems

STUDY ABROAD Many pre-health students study abroad the summer between their second and third year after they’ve completed the pre-health chemistry sequence, but study abroad programs are offered year round.

studyabroad.ku.edu

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You can also study abroad during a preferred semester in your major or a related program. You’ll work closely with the Office of Study Abroad and your advisor to make sure you stay on track and graduate on time.

“I gained experience shadowing in a hospital setting very different than within the U.S. It was interesting to see how the hospital was run and how different cultural norms, such as views on mental health and smoking, affected the patient-doctor relationship.”

Kyle Ta, Biology Major, Philosophy Minor Wichita, Kansas Atlantis Project Fellowship in Spain

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SUCCESS TIMELINE

It’s okay to take some time off before heading into graduate education. Use this time to: •

•

Now that you know what you need to be a successful pre-health student it’s time to make a plan. The timeline below shows how your prehealth experience will take form at KU to prepare you for the next step.

GAP YEAR

FALL

FALL

FALL

FALL

•

•

•

•

• •

Get adjusted to campus and college life Take UNIV 101 to become familiar with campus resources Take LA&S 172 Exploring Health Professions Get involved with 1 or 2 prehealth focused or general student organizations

•

•

Decide your specific pre-health track if you haven’t already Start thinking about potential graduate programs to be aware of required undergraduate curriculum Meet with your advisor to make sure you are on track with your degree and prehealth courses

•

•

Make a schedule and study for your admissions test Continue shadowing, volunteering, working, student org involvement and/or academic research activities Attend on-campus workshops to prepare your applications and get ready for interviews

SPRING

SPRING

SPRING

•

•

•

•

•

Gather resources to begin studying for admissions test Continue shadowing, volunteering, student org involvement, and academic activities Prepare for study abroad or shadowing/job experience over summer

•

YEAR 3

•

YEAR 2

•

Incorporate a few shadow and volunteer opportunities Use the KU Mentoring platform to connect with healthcare professionals Start thinking about research opportunities; look into something you’re interested in

•

Take LA&S 372 to prepare your application thoroughly Depending on pre-health track, register and take admissions test sometime from January to May Start application in late spring and submit in summer or by due date

• •

Focus on completing major, minor and graduate program required courses Admissions interviews in the fall throughout winter Continue shadowing, volunteering, working, student org involvement, and/or academic research activities

SPRING •

•

YEAR 4

•

YEAR 1

•

Gain more experience in the health field. This could be through a job or volunteering Engage with your community through service activities or events Consider a post baccalaureate program, like one offered through the KU Edwards campus

Hear back from interviewed schools throughout winter and spring Graduate in May and prepare for next step, whether going into graduate school or taking a break

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ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE PATHWAYS So you’ve explored and discovered your future is definitely in healthcare or a helping profession, but it’s on a slightly different path than you thought.

Great! Now what?

Stick with the College, and we’ll get you there. One of the best things about the College at KU is the flexible curriculum that allows you to study different areas while still having the same goal.

Think environmental studies has nothing to do with healthcare? Sure it does. Our environment directly impacts our health. Sociology?

Absolutely. How societies are formed and operate directly impacts who has access to healthcare. What about English and the humanities on a healthcare pathway? Yes, that works too. Those who understand the human condition and how to effectively communicate with a diverse population can make a tremendous impact on healthcare and public policy.

The ways in which healthcare affects our lives can be studied through almost any liberal arts and sciences major.

Intrigued, but also unsure? Take advantage of all the opportunities on campus that will help you find your way. It’s more than just classes.

Attend a talk or lecture, visit with the University Career Center, chat with your professor during office hours, find an internship or volunteer experience in a related field, or get an on-campus job.

HEALTHRELATED CAREERS BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY PUBLIC POLICY AUDIOLOGIST GERONTOLOGY HEALTH EDUCATOR DIETITIAN SPEECH THERAPIST WELLNESS COORDINATOR SCIENTIST/RESEARCHER PHARMACEUTICALS – SCIENTIST/SALES

Even if these aren’t of interest to you, you can still explore different areas of health. Think of it as medicine + health = career.

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TIPS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS Transferring to KU? Here’s how to do it – and why we think it’s a great idea.

HOW • •

•

•

•

Plan and check on how your credits will transfer.

Do it early and often.

Get good grades and excel at your coursework.

Take time to ensure you are not only getting the grades you need, but really learning and understanding the concepts taught.

Be your own advocate. Ask for help when you need it. Push for answers and clarification on how your classes will transfer.

Give yourself space to adjust. The transition from High School → Community College → 4-Year University → Graduate School can be tough.

The timeline to graduation is the same. The curriculum doesn’t change and the requirements for shadowing and volunteering don’t either – you’ll just start at a community college.

BENEFITS • • •

•

Learning in two educational environments – community college and 4-year university.

Demonstrating your adaptability. You can be successful amidst change.

Diversity of experience. Depending on location, you’ve had the chance to shadow and volunteer in different communities.

Confidence in yourself and your education. If you get the grades and understand the materials, don’t sweat how your community college coursework is going to be viewed by graduate schools.

Questions?

Email: collegeinfo@ku.edu

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