Most graduate programs in the health professions require similar prerequisites for admission. Click on each of the links below for more specific information:
To find out more about the requirements for specific professions, follow the links below:
Common Requirements for Pre-Dentistry, Medicine (Allopathic, Osteopathic, Chiropractic), Optometry, Podiatry, Pharmacy**, & Veterinary Medicine
Some professional schools require specific Mathematics courses. Some schools require specific courses and hours in Humanities or Social Sciences. Consult individual schools for information on requirements.
Although most professional schools will accept AP credit in lieu of these courses, not all will. Contact the school(s) you are interested in to find out if they will accept AP credits.
**Pharmacy students should consult with their advisor and research their chosen schools carefully because of varying requirements among pharmacy schools.
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Admission Tests Required for Professional Schools
Almost all professional schools require an admissions test which is taken after all science prerequisites have been completed and about one year prior the date you intend to start professional school. For most students the appropriate test(s) should be taken the spring of their junior year.
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GPA Requirements
Professional schools calculate at least two GPA's. They will all calculate an overall GPA. Many will calculate a Math/Science GPA. This includes all courses you have taken in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Some schools will calculate a PreRequisite GPA, which includes only the specific courses they require for admissions. Some schools will calculate an Upper Division GPA, which would include all the courses you have taken at the 3000, 4000, and 5000 level. You should calculate your GPA in any of these ways which apply to you. The SAC has a hand-out to help you. Come by and get it if you like.
For students who are working on a second degree, medical schools will calculate your GPA's seperately for the first and the second degree. For this reason, it sometimes makes sense for a student to graduate with one degree before pursuing a second degree (in contrast to double-majoring). If you have a poor overall GPA, talk to you advisor about graduating, and then re-enrolling for a second degree.
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Gaining Experience and Exposure to Your Chosen Profession
All professional schools require that you demonstrate that you know what the profession is all about. This can be achieved by either working in the profession (with patient contact) or volunteering. Do not neglect this. Students with excellent academic credentials are sometimes not admitted to professional school because they cannot show a record of having observed the profession.
The Student clubs at USFoffer a great way for you to make these kinds of contacts. Visit the Student Societies site for links to groups active on the USF campus.
To find out about current volunteer opportunities, visit our Volunteer Opportunities site.
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Are you able to handle a tough academic load?
When you get to professional schoool, you will be taking 15-22 hours of tough science each semester. Naturally admissions committees will want to know that you can handle that. Therefore, they will look at your academic record for evidence that you can. To meet this requirement we recommend you have at least 2 semesters with at least 16 hours of mostly sciences.
We know, and you know, that having a life, job, family can be as taxing at 16 hours of science classes, however medical school admissions officers do not always take that into account.
Still have questions? Then check out our FAQ page or email us.
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