The Planning Process

• Overview
• Choosing Your Major
• Requirements
• Timeline

Timeline for Prehealth Undergraduates

The timeline below demonstrates the typical pattern for a traditional undergraduate at URI with serious aspirations to attend medical, dental, or optometry school soon after graduation. Pre-PA students should modify this slightly to put more emphasis on logging direct-patient care and perhaps less on research. Pre-PA students would also take the GRE instead of the MCAT and do not go through the HPAC process. They are, however, strongly encouraged to consult with a pre-health advisor regarding the application process, especially the personal statement and interviews.

YEAR 1	Fall Semester Register with the Pre-Health Program and learn the requirements. Attend information sessions, workshops, and guest lectures offered by the Pre-Health Program. Obtain strong grades in a challenging curriculum. Select extracurricular activities. Read regularly. Spring Semester Explore medically-related summer employment or volunteer opportunities. Apply for peer mentoring and tutoring opportunities, if this interests you, or seek out research programs. If you are economically disadvantaged or from an underrepresented group in medicine: Apply for special enrichment programs, such as the NIH Undergraduate Scholarship or the Summer Health Professions Education Program  (formerly the Medical and Dental Enrichment Program). Seek guidance from Pre-Health Advisor.
SUMMER	Log hours shadowing. Consider observing a variety of health professionals. Complete medically-related experience (paid or volunteer). Read regularly.
YEAR 2	Attend Sophomore Information Session for Pre-Health Students. If you are eligible for the Brown EIP or other early identification programs, touch base with Chair of HPAC before end of the fall semester Attend information sessions, workshops, and guest lectures offered by the Pre-Health Program. Continue to obtain strong grades in a challenging curriculum. Pursue research opportunities, if this interests you. Apply for competitive summer research opportunities. Continue active involvement in one or two extracurricular activities that you feel passionate about. Obtain more experience in a medical setting. Apply for special enrichment programs and competitive opportunities. Read regularly.
SUMMER	Log more shadowing hours, ideally developing a mentorship with a doctor. Continue medically-related summer employment/volunteer opportunities. Participate in research, study abroad, or other enrichment activities appropriate for your interests and goals, as discussed with your advisors. Read regularly.
YEAR 3	Attend Junior/Senior Information Session for Pre-Health Students. Establish your timeline for applying in consultation with an advisor. Attend information sessions, workshops, and guest lectures offered by the Pre-Health Program. Obtain strong grades in a challenging curriculum. Continue active involvement in one or two extracurricular activities that you feel passionate about.  If applying through HPAC this spring, solicit letters of recommendation and prepare your dossier in time for Feb 1 HPAC. HPAC Group Interview (early Spring Term), Individual HPAC Interviews (March-April). Begin to prepare for the standardized admissions exam (MCAT/DAT/OAT) for 3 to 6 months in advance of administration.  Take many online practice tests. Apply for competitive summer internships and research opportunities. Read regularly.
SUMMER	If planning to apply this summer: Take exam by end of May (June for DAT/OAT) May/June: Prepare the final draft of your application in consultation with HPAC. If test scores are acceptable, submit application before July 1. Complete secondary applications promptly. Continue medically-related summer employment or volunteering. Continue research and/or leadership activities. If applying next year after graduation: Study and take the exam at the end of the summer. Continue medically-related summer employment or volunteering. Continue research and/or leadership activities. Explore “professional development year” opportunities in consultation with a pre-health advisor and make a timeline for applications (e.g. NIH Post-Bac Training, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, etc.)
YEAR 4	Attend information sessions, workshops, and guest lectures offered by the Pre-Health Program. Obtain strong grades in a challenging curriculum. Junior Year Applicants: Prepare for Interviews, develop a financial plan, Keep HPAC informed of your progress and consult as needed Senior Year Applicants: Solicit letters of recommendation and prepare a dossier in time for Feb 1 HPAC. If you need to re-take the standardized admissions exam (MCAT/DAT/OAT), address weaknesses, take additional practice exams. Consider a January administration.