{"id":2414,"date":"2015-06-09T12:27:40","date_gmt":"2015-06-09T16:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/?page_id=2414"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:52:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T18:52:55","slug":"prepare","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/prepare\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepare"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"type-intro fullwidth\">Pursuing any health professional program requires significant planning and creating a plan to be a competitive applicant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Holistic Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Health professional schools use a holistic review process, which means they look at everything in your application\u2014not just your GPA or test scores. They consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Academic performance (GPA, coursework, test scores)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experiential learning (direct patient care\/clinical experience, volunteer work, research, leadership)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal qualities and competencies (communication, resilience, ethical reasoning, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This approach helps schools understand your readiness for the program, how you might contribute to their community, and your potential as a future healthcare professional.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/explore\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1746\/Screenshot-2025-06-03-152024.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Prerequisite Requirements<\/h2><p>Applicants will need to ensure they complete the prerequisites for their desired program(s) in addition to the requirements of their major(s) here at URI.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">visit each program in explore<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-quote-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-quote  \"><blockquote>There\u2019s no single part of your application that will make or break your acceptance. Success comes from a well-rounded, authentic story built across all parts of your application.<\/blockquote><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/direct-patient-care-clinical-experience\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1746\/Nursing-Tools--scaled.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Patient Care\/Clinical<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">Gain experience<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/research\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1746\/Lab-Group-2-scaled.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Research<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">start searching<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/16936-2\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1746\/46142233762_fccd417fed_c.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Volunteer<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">get involved<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  \" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/16944-2\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1746\/33052496622_23e175d9d4_c.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Leadership<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">make your mark<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-hero-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-hero   cl-has-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-hero-proper\"><div class=\"overlay\"><div class=\"block\"><h1>Pre-Health Competencies<\/h1><p>These professional, science, and thinking and reasoning competencies are relevant for all health professions<\/p><a class=\"cl-button\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/pre-health-competencies\/\" title=\"\">identify where you excel<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"still\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1746\/Lab-Group-1-scaled.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls-container\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-icon\" title=\"Accessibility controls\">Accessibility controls<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-motion-control cl-accessibility-control-hidden\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Pause motion\">Pause motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">On<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Play motion\">Play motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Off<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-contrast-control\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Increase text contrast\">Increase text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Standard<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Reset text contrast\">Reset text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">High<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-system-setting\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle\" title=\"Apply my preferences site-wide\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle-label\">Apply site-wide<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Breadth, Depth and Rigor: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional schools don\u2019t just look at your GPA. They closely review what you\u2019ve taken and how you\u2019ve challenged yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to think about your classes through the lens of breadth, depth, and rigor:<br><\/p>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-tabs-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-tabs  \">\n<section class=\"cl-tab \"><h1>Breadth in well-rounded learning:<\/h1>\n\n<p>You\u2019ve explored meaningful coursework outside the sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shows you&#8217;re a curious, culturally aware thinker through coursework outside of the sciences, or through your experiences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider upper-level courses in the social sciences, humanities, or languages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examples could include: Helping Skills for Counselors and Health Professionals (HDF 250) or Health, Illness and Medical Care (SOC 224), or any class that deepens cultural or behavioral understanding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tip: Get a letter of recommendation from a non-science professor to reflect your engagement in these areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-tab \"><h1>Depth of subject mastery<\/h1>\n\n<p>You\u2019ve gone beyond the basics in a specific area of interest. This may demonstrate commitment and the ability to think like a future expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose upper-level courses that build on earlier ones (examples might include Immunology and Serology, Inorganic Chemistry or Pharmacology).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider getting involved in research to further deepen your expertise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-tab \"><h1>Rigor and Academic Challenge<\/h1>\n\n<p>You\u2019ve taken, and succeeded in, challenging courses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important note:<\/strong> Whenever possible, your prerequisite coursework should be taken at URI\u2014your four-year, degree-granting institution. This demonstrates your ability to handle the full academic rigor of foundational science courses. Taking prerequisites during summer or J-Term sessions, or at other institutions like a community college, may raise concerns about course intensity and consistency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Health professional schools want to see that you&#8217;ve challenged yourself in a traditional academic setting, so plan to complete these key courses during the regular fall and spring semesters at URI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shows schools you can handle the intensity of health professional programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your science GPA (<a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/media\/7861\/download\">BCPM<\/a>) matters, so be strategic with your STEM course choices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take more 300- and 400-level courses as you advance, especially in biology, chemistry, physics, or math.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-tab \"><h1>A Level of Awareness <\/h1>\n\n<p>There should be a level of &#8220;knowing&#8221; that this is the career for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You can show you are passionate about pursuing this health profession, more than just &#8220;wanting to help people&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Building a passion for the field by doing work through direct patient care\/clinical experience to know what the work is like.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Own your journey! Research professional associations to find out as much as you can about the career you are pursuing from resources available online: AAMC, ADEA, PAEA and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-tab \"><h1>AP Credits<\/h1>\n\n<p>AP credit can be a great way to move ahead in your academic requirements at URI.&nbsp;However, <strong>that\u2019s not always the case when it comes to applying for health professional programs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Many schools do not accept AP credit in place of required science or math courses and may expect to see that you\u2019ve completed these subjects at the college level.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AP credit may also impact your preparation for entrance exams like the MCAT, DAT, or GRE, which assume a college-level foundation in core sciences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some programs (<strong>but not all<\/strong> <strong>programs<\/strong>) will accept AP credit if it is supplemented by higher-level coursework in the same subject area. If you plan to use AP credit in place of introductory biology courses, most medical schools will expect you to demonstrate your biology proficiency through additional upper-level coursework. Choosing classes like any of the following can be beneficial:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Introductory Endocrinology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Virology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Immunology and Serology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Principles of Cell Biology <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These courses go beyond the general survey content of introductory biology and provide a deeper understanding of human systems, disease mechanisms, and molecular processes, which connects directly to medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Health professional schools value these types of courses because they signal that you\u2019ve challenged yourself academically. For medical school specifically, this can signal to the admissions committee that you&#8217;ve built a strong foundation for success in both the MCAT and in medical school itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, immunology and virology align closely with topics tested on the MCAT, while endocrinology and cell biology strengthen your grasp of human physiology and molecular biology, which you\u2019ll revisit in detail during your medical training. By taking one or more of these upper-level biology electives, you show admissions committees that you can handle rigorous science coursework and that your AP credit reflects genuine mastery of the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A Note on Labs:<\/strong><br>While upper-level biology courses such as the ones listed above are excellent ways to demonstrate advanced knowledge, many of these courses do not include a lab. Since most medical schools require a full year of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics <em>with labs<\/em>, you will need to ensure that you have college-level laboratory experience on your transcript. This does not always have to be tied directly to the same lecture course. <strong>For example<\/strong>, an advanced biology lab or techniques course can complement an upper-level lecture. If you plan to use AP credit for a prerequisite, make sure you pair it with both an upper-level lecture course and at least one corresponding lab experience in that discipline to fully meet medical school expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When in doubt<\/strong>, plan to take the full sequence of prerequisite courses here at URI. This not only strengthens your application but also ensures you&#8217;re fully prepared for the academic rigor of professional school.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-panel-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-panel  \"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1746\/33053963402_579a936ae0_c.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/figure><article>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Timelines<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The application process for health professions schools can be lengthy and intensive. Applicants formally begin the process during the Fall semester one and a half years prior to when they plan to matriculate to health professional school. <\/p>\n\n\n<a class=\"cl-button  \" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/pre-health-timelines\/\" title=\"\">make your plans now<\/a>\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-quote-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-quote  \"><blockquote>For students who are planning on applying, the first step is to attend our \u201cAm I Ready to Apply?\u201d interactive workshop held in the Fall semester. <\/blockquote><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Upcoming Workshops and Events:<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>All events, information sessions and workshops are posted to URI Events and Handshake:<\/p>\n\n\n<a class=\"cl-button  \" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1746\/Pre-Health-Fall-Workshops-and-Events-1.pdf\" title=\"\">Fall 2025 Events and Workshops<\/a>\n\n<div class=\"display-posts-listing\"><div class=\"listing-item\"><div class=\"content\">\n<div id=\"localist-widget-67781638\" class=\"localist-widget\"><\/div><script defer type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"https:\/\/events.uri.edu\/widget\/view?schools=uri&#038;groups=ccee&#038;days=120&#038;num=5&#038;match=any&#038;experience=inperson&#038;container=localist-widget-67781638&#038;template=card\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pursuing any health professional program requires significant planning and creating a plan to be a competitive applicant. Holistic Review Health professional schools use a holistic review process, which means they look at everything in your application\u2014not just your GPA or test scores. They consider: This approach helps schools understand your readiness for the program, how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":581,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2414","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/581"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2414"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17391,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2414\/revisions\/17391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}