The Planning Process
Requirements
Below are some general requirements for applying to health professional programs. As you begin to identify a health care profession that interests you will learn more about specific requirements for each type of training pathway.
Major
There is no pre-health major at URI. Students from any major can opt to follow a pre-health curriculum in conjunction with their major and general education requirements. Moreover, medical and other health profession training programs do not require or prefer any particular major.
Honors Program
Pre-health students are also strongly encouraged to participate in the Honors Program
Academic readiness
Prerequisites should be completed before applying to programs.
Standardized tests
For students preparing for medical, dental, or optometry school, pre-requisites should be completed before taking the required entrance examination (MCAT, DAT, OAT). (Note: For pre-dental students, physics is the one exception, which is required for admission but is not on the DAT.)
Summer courses
Prerequisites should be taken during the regular semesters at URI (not summer and not online).
Minimum grades
Many health professional graduate programs require a C or better in pre-requisite courses. Successful applicants generally achieve a grade point average of 3.5 and above.
Experience in the field
In addition to strong academics and entrance exam scores, applicants to health profession training programs are expected to have shadowed practitioners, sought out other relevant experiences, and demonstrated a strong desire to serve others. Research experience is not required, but competitive applicants often participate in research.