Pre-Health
About the Program
Oklahoma State University in Stillwater provides outstanding undergraduate preparation for students to become competitive applicants. Through the Pre-Health advising office, students have access to a wide variety of opportunities that will help them develop the strong portfolio that is needed for admission to highly competitive health programs.
Pre-Health Advising
Each year, OSU pre-health students consistently earn entry into health professions schools across the country. OSU provides students with the opportunity to develop a competitive undergraduate portfolio through the Pre-Health Program.
Please visit the Pre-Health Advising office at 040 Student Union or thier website to make an appointment.
Academic Advising is Available for Students Interested in:
- Chiropractic Medicine
- Dental Hygiene
- Dentistry
- Medical Imaging and Radiation Services
- Medicine (Osteopathic and Allopathic)
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Podiatry
- Surgeon
- Veterinary Medicine
The Pre-Health Advisor
The Pre-Health Coordinator provides personal attention to help students plan a sound pre-professional curriculum. In addition to a student’s major advisor, the pre-health advisor assists students in selecting appropriate courses, finding health-related experiences, learning to demonstrate academic and personal strengths, and developing new skills throughout the undergraduate experience at OSU.
The Pre-Health Program Helps You:
- Explore the different health professions through the Introduction to Health Professions class offered in the fall semester
- Understand prerequisites and course sequencing
- Connect with on-campus health related clubs and organizations
- Gain information on entrance exams, preparation strategies and the application process
- Generate letters of recommendation through the Pre-Health Advisory Committee (PAC)
- Develop other components of a competitive application including:
- Personal Statements
- Interview Skills
- Clinical Experience (Shadowing and Volunteering)
On Choosing a Major
Health profession programs do not seek specific majors or degree plans. Each student is encouraged to select a major in which he or she is genuinely interested. The Pre-Health Coordinator assists students in understanding the difference between a major and a career goal, and effectively integrating the two into one undergraduate academic plan. The choice of major becomes the framework within which students will take the prerequisites for the targeted health professional program.Career goals indicate future medical plans and include:
- Pre-Medical
- Pre-Dental
- Pre-Nursing
- Pre-Veterinary
Majors indicate the degree plan students pursue at OSU. Some examples include:
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Medicinal and Biophysical Chemistry
- Microbiology/Cell and Molecular BIology
- Physiology
- Plant Biology
- Psychology
- Zoology
Pre-Health Programs
Students preparing for careers in dentistry, medicine (chiropractic, allopathic or osteopathic), optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, podiatry or veterinary medicine typically complete an undergraduate degree before moving on to a health profession school.
Students preparing for the allied health careers (dental hygiene, nursing, occupational therapy, and medical imaging and radiation sciences) may apply for admission after completing the pre-requisites for the school of interest. Allied health preparation usually consists of 60-90 undergraduate credit hours.
Organizations and Clubs
Oklahoma State University’s pre-health program has several clubs that are organized by students interested in health professions. The clubs include:
- Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), Pre-Health Honor Society
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
- American Student Dental Association (ASDA)
- Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA)
- Pre-Occupational Therapy Association
- Pre-Pharmacy Student Association
- Pre-Optometry Student Association (POSA)
- Pre-Physician Assistant Club (PPAC)
- Pre-Health Professions Club
- Pre-Veterinary Club
Course Selection
Health professional schools require a strong foundation in the sciences. Depending on the specific profession, students will take courses in:
- Biology, Zoology, and Mircobiology
- Mathematics (College Algebra, Trigonometry, and/or Calculus)
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Animal or Human Nutrition
- Genetics
- Physics
- Psychology
- Statistics
Not all courses listed here are requirements for all health-profession schools. Click here for specific course requirements for your intended health profession.
Prescription for Success
Year One:
- Meet with the Pre-Health Coordinator to discuss your goals
- Become involved in pre-health organizations and extracurricular activities
- Begin seeking opportunities for experiences in health care through undergraduate research, shadowing, volunteering, and/or employment
- Become familiar with the admission requirements of your chosen field
Year Two:
- Build relationships with faculty, advisors, and health professionals for mentoring and future
- Begin to identify and compare professional program for your career goal
- Stay involved with campus and community activities and shadowing
- Maintain contact with the Pre-Health Program
Year Three:
- Maintain contact with the Pre-Health Program to ensure you are on track
- Continue building your professional portfolio
- Work on your personal statement
- Begin serious preparation for the required admission exam (MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, or GRE)
Year Three- Summer and Spring:
- Interview with the Pre-Health Advisory Committee (medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant)
- Request letters of recommendation from faculty, advisor, and/or health care professional who know yo
- Research your targeted schools to confirm admission criteria. Visit the campuses.
- Take the admission exam required by your profession
- Apply! Prepare for the admission interview
Year Four:
- Participate in the on-site interviews
- Take additional upper division science courses that will strengthen your background for professional school
- Continue gaining experience
- Graduate from OSU!
Learn more about the program
University College
040 Student Union
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078