Year-by-Year Calendar of Activity
- Attend Health Professions meeting during Orientation.
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss a tentative four-year academic plan. This is especially important if you are considering study abroad.
- Get to know your professors—and let them know you. On-going meetings with your professors can assist you in refining your study habits and improving your academic record. Be open and make these people your allies in reaching your goals!
- Make use of Hamilton's academic resources: the Writing Center, Quantitative & Symbolic Reasoning (QSR) Center, departmental tutoring services, class review sessions.
- Participate in service-related extra-curricular activities (HAVOC volunteer activities, COOP, tutoring, etc.)
- Speak to your science professors by January to explore the possibility of a summer research grant.
- Discuss spring course choices with your academic advisor before pre-registration in November.
- Investigate "Alternative Break."It's both fun and a great service opportunity!
- Consider shadowing a healthcare professional or volunteering during winter break. Check out the Career Center's shadowing program.
- Meet with your career advisor between November and February to explore opportunities for research or health-care-related experience over summer break.
- Utilize Career Center resources for writing or updating your resume (ask your career advisor for guidance).
- Consider adding or subtracting campus activities. Investigate new opportunities.
- Discuss schedule with your academic advisor before pre-registration in April.
- If considering a semester or year abroad, schedule a meeting with the Global Learning Office in CJ.
- Attend relevant programs on health-related topics.
- Honestly evaluate your academic performance. How are you doing? How can you improve? Can you challenge yourself more? See your academic advisor to discuss making adjustments.
- Engage in a health-care-related experience or research position, if possible. If these are unavailable, plan some volunteer work in a healthcare setting in addition to a paid job.
- Evaluate campus involvement. Health professions schools are interested in the extracurricular experiences that are meaningful to you. Are you spending your time on activities that reflect your values?
- Think of how to use upcoming breaks to take steps to further your understanding or preparation for your intended health career (e.g. conduct an informational interview, shadow a healthcare professional, research potential internships, etc.)
- Investigate a wide range of health professions. Attend advertised meetings with professional school representatives who visit campus.
- Investigate opportunities listed on Handshake.
- Declare major.
- Discuss your plans with the health professions advisor.
- Continue to evaluate your extracurricular commitments and finalize summer plans for pertinent research, service, or clinical position.
- Finalize study abroad plans.
- Make plans to take MCAT/DAT/GRE. Decide whether to apply to professional school after your junior year, your senior year, or at some point further on. Discuss plan with health professions advisor.
- Consider accepting leadership positions in campus or service activities.
- Make plans for in-depth summer experience. Consult Career Center and discuss research opportunities with faculty and health professions advisor.
- Use winter break for MCAT/DAT/GRE study or spend a few days on appropriate volunteer work or shadowing.
- Begin research of potential professional schools.
- Continue to attend health professions programs.
- Consider applying for the "Day in the Life of a Resident" shadowing program in January with St. Elizabeth's Family Medicine Residency Program.
If making application to medical or dental school after junior year:
- See timeline for Applying to Medical or Dental School with a Committee Letter
- Attend campus meetings on the application process for professional school.
- Finalize plans for responsible health-related summer position.
- Continue test preparation.
- Consider the benefits of applying for a postgraduate fellowship (Fulbright, Watson, Bristol Fellowship) and visit with the Student Fellowship Coordinator to discuss your candidacy. In recent years, Hamilton students have deferred entry to medical school to accept a Fulbright, Bristol, or other post-baccalaureate fellowship.
- Complete AMCAS/AACOMAS/AADSAS/VMCAS etc. applications. Medical and dental school admission is "rolling."
Those who apply early will have an advantage in the process. After you submit your online application, it can take 4-6 weeks before your application is "verified" and sent to the schools. Aim to complete the primary application and submit in June. - Complete supplemental applications for individual schools.
- Obtain appropirate clothing for fall/winter interviews
- If you plan to work for a year or two before applying to professional school, update resume and begin process of looking at potential jobs.
- Prepare for interviews by practicing with your assigned career advisor.
- File FAFSA.
- Stay in contact with the health professions advisor throughout the application process.
- Develop a strong "Plan B" and consider the benefit of additional work and/or academic experience while waiting to hear from professional schools.
- Make time for "Second Look" days at schools where you have been admitted.
Academic Planning by Profession
Contact
Contact Name
Courtney Hance
Director of Health Professions Advising
