Pre-Health FAQ
Entering health professions is complicated… there are hundreds of schools, each with its own expectations, which also change over time. UT Dallas provides a full-time Health Professions Advising Center to help each student craft a personal and highly effective journey toward a rewarding health profession.
Below you’ll find brief answers to the most common advising questions. However, because your background and interests are unique, you should visit HPAC to confirm whether each general answer applies to you.
What makes a successful applicant to medical school?
Applicants must show academic discipline, personal integrity, empathy, industry, and understanding of professional healthcare. Each school may emphasize different factors.
What makes a successful applicant to dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, and other health professions?
Most professions ask for qualities similar to medical schools, but with important differences. Ask a pre-health advisor.
Can I take community college courses?
Yes, though HPAC recommends taking university sciences if possible. Ask a pre-health advisor for details.
What courses are required by professional schools?
Minimum prerequisites vary by school. For information on most Texas schools appears in HPAC's profession handouts, see www.utdallas.edu/pre-health/forms.
What's the Best Major?
Students should major in an area they're passionate about, then use their electives to study healthcare-related sciences and non-sciences. Seeking your personal interests is important preparation for your future career.
Professional schools regularly accept students from all majors.
Should I get a minor? A double major?
Minors and double majors do not especially qualify one for professional school admission, but may be appropriate if your interests are split between two fields.
What is HPAC?
The Health Professions Advising Center helps students prepare to enter health professions. HPAC is many students’ first contact at UT Dallas and supports students throughout their training for and application to professional schools.
HPAC advisors teach classes and help students explore their interests, select classes and experiential learning, find summer experiences and internships, and revise professional school applications. Call HPAC any time for a half-hour appointment, 972-883-6767.
How do I gain healthcare experience?
Usually by donating your time in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. You can supplement that experience by observing practitioners (shadowing) or by working in healthcare—as a pharmacy tech, EMT, Physician Scribe, clinical research assistant, etc.
How do I gain research experience?
Usually by identifying research projects to which you'd like to contribute, then donating your time.
Approach the professor or researcher respectfully to discuss your interests and how many hours you want to commit.
When should I take an MCAT/DAT/PCAT/OAT/GRE?
“As soon as you’re ready, but not until.” Most students take an admissions exam after 2 or 3 years of college. Ask an advisor which exam you’ll need and what material will be covered.
When do I apply for professional school?
Traditional students apply after their junior year. Non-traditional students should ask an advisor.
How will I pay for professional school?
Financial aid is widely available, mostly in the form of low-interest student loans. Programs like the National Health Service Corps, Indian Health Service, and the Armed Services may pay for your professional school in exchange for service after you graduate.