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When designing your schedule, work closely with your pre-major academic advisor to plan the most appropriate program to meet your individual needs. It is advisable to begin addressing the health professions requirements early during your college career, but it is a mistake to take courses for which you are not ready. Enroll in classes for which you have both the necessary academic preparation and the intellectual maturity. At the same time, be mindful of the recommended timeline for any field in which you may major and the distribution and division requirements you must complete. No two students’ course schedules are likely to be exactly the same!

Tips for Designing Your Schedule

• Don't hesitate to ask upper-class students questions about courses you're considering.
• Talk to the health professions advisor, as well, if you have questions about course requirements for any health care field.
• Try to design a semester that will be challenging without being overwhelming – in other words, one that will allow you to enjoy learning!

Medical schools look beyond the academic accomplishments of an applicant, and his or her interpersonal, social and intellectual qualities are critical during the applicant process. Consider pursuing opportunities for campus leadership, internships, community service, and other rewarding life experiences.

In your application for a health professions program, be sure to demonstrate the following attributes:

• Passion for lifelong learning across disciplines
• Confidence in your decision to spend the rest of your life working with people who are ill and in crisis
• Effectiveness as a member of a health care team
• Understanding of the importance of cultural/social issues in the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease

Internships and Job Shadowing 

Take your learning beyond the classroom. Job shadowing or observing healthcare professionals, working or volunteering in clinical settings, or doing research are just a few ways to explore health careers, understand the roles and responsibilities of various members of the healthcare team, and to make sure you are choosing a career that is a good fit for you. 

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  • At this time, we do not provide placement services, so it is up to students to take the initiative to network and seek their own shadowing/observation experiences.
• Contact faculty within your major department regarding research opportunities. Many ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ faculty welcome students to join their research teams.
• • Read a student's story about his shadowing experience and career deciding experience. 
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  • For first years and sophomores, especially those underrepresented in medicine and healthcare
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• CXD Grants Stories 
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  • For Mainers or those with strong connections to Maine – list of internships and applications will be available in January
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Additional Summer Research Opportunities

As you consider your summer options, we encourage you to take advantage of the services and resources offered by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾'s office of Career Exploration and Development (CXD). Meg Springer is especially knowledgeable about the CXD Funded Internship Grant program, and Erin Beirne is an excellent source of information for anyone interested in the sciences, medical research, and public health. The best way to get started is to explore the to search, , or to with an advisor.

For a list of summer research opportunities, please visit the Career Exploration and Development website.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾'s former Health Professions Advisor, Dr. Seth Ramus, has created the following videos with advice for potential pre-health first-years:

Advice for Potential Pre-Health First Years

Choosing a Major as a Pre-Health Student

Applying to a Health Professions Program When You're Ready