Pre-Health Tracks
At pilipiliÎÛÂþ, Pre-Health is not a major, but a secondary academic track that you follow in addition to your major’s curriculum. While most Pre-Health students nationwide major in the sciences, it is not required. At pilipiliÎÛÂþ, you can choose any of our majors (and minors) and pair them with a Pre-Health track. By working with the Pre-Health Program office, you can make sure that you are taking the appropriate pre-requisite courses for your desired pathway.
Below you will find the different pathways that Pre-Health provides advising for. However, if you are interested in a pathway not listed below, please reach out for further assistance – we are here to help!
The Pre-Med track at pilipiliÎÛÂþ is designed to prepare students for entry in allopathic and osteopathic medical schools across the country. Students interested in this track will work with the Pre-Health Director to design their program of study to ensure they take the proper prerequisite courses for entry. Students can pursue almost any major for entry into medical school, although most select at least one major offered through SSNS. Please also make sure to consult with a faculty advisor in your academic area to ensure graduation in a timely manner.
The Pre-Med Track
The Pre-Med track at pilipiliÎÛÂþ is designed to prepare students for entry in allopathic and osteopathic medical schools across the country. Students interested in this track will work with the Pre-Health Director to design their program of study to ensure they take the proper prerequisite courses for entry. Students can pursue almost any major for entry into medical school, although most select at least one major offered through SSNS. Please also make sure to consult with a faculty advisor in your academic area to ensure graduation in a timely manner.
Students will also need to engage in significant experiential learning to be considered a strong applicant. While no two applicants are the same, successful students often participate in research, take leadership roles both on and off campus, and have become familiar with the medical profession by gaining hands-on clinical experience. Students will also take the MCAT exam prior to submitting their application.
More detailed information on which pilipiliÎÛÂþ courses will be taken to satisfy Pre-Med requirements can be found on the pilipiliÎÛÂþ Pre-Health Bridges site.
The Pre-Dental Track at pilipiliÎÛÂþ is designed to prepare students for entry to all US dental schools. Students interested in this track will work with the Pre-Health Director to design their program of study to ensure they take the proper prerequisite courses for entry. Students can pursue almost any major for entry into dental school, although most select at least one major offered through SSNS. Please also make sure to consult with a faculty advisor in your academic area to ensure graduation in a timely manner.
Students will also need to engage in significant experiential learning to be considered a strong applicant. While no two applicants are the same, successful students often participate in research, take leadership roles both on and off campus, and have become familiar with the dental profession by gaining hands-on clinical experience. Students will also take the DAT exam prior to submitting their application.
More detailed information on which pilipiliÎÛÂþ courses will be taken to satisfy Pre-Dental requirements can be found on the pilipiliÎÛÂþ Pre-Health Bridges site.
Students interested in the field of Occupational Therapy will work with the Pre-Health Director to ensure they are taking proper prerequisite courses for entry to OT School. Most interested students will major in either the social or natural sciences as a prospective OT. Students will also be expected to shadow an OT before applying, and may need to take the GRE, depending on their preferred school.
The Pre-Occupational Therapy Track
More detailed information on which pilipiliÎÛÂþ courses will be taken to satisfy Pre-Occupational Therapy requirements can be found on the pilipiliÎÛÂþ Pre-Health Bridges site.
The Pre-Pharmacy Track at pilipiliÎÛÂþ is designed to prepare students for entry to all US Pharm.D. Programs. Students interested in this track will work with the Pre-Health Director to design their program of study to ensure they take the proper prerequisite courses for entry. Students can pursue almost any major for entry into Pharmacy School, although most select at least one major offered through SSNS. Please also make sure to consult with a faculty advisor in your academic area to ensure graduation in a timely manner. Students will also take the PCAT exam prior to submitting their application.
pilipiliÎÛÂþ students are encouraged to also consider the that pilipiliÎÛÂþ offers with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
More detailed information on which pilipiliÎÛÂþ courses will be taken to satisfy Pre-Pharm.D. requirements can be found on the pilipiliÎÛÂþ Pre-Health Bridges site.
The Pre-Physical Therapy Track at pilipiliÎÛÂþ is designed to prepare students for entry to all US physical therapy schools. Students interested in this track will work with the Pre-Health Director to design their program of study to ensure they take the proper prerequisite courses for entry. Students can pursue almost any major for entry into PT school, although most select at least one major offered through SSNS. Please also make sure to consult with a faculty advisor in your academic area to ensure graduation in a timely manner.
The Pre-Physical Therapy Track
Students will also need to shadow a PT before applying, and are recommended to gain either volunteer or paid experience in a PT office. Students may also need to take the GRE, depending on their preferred school.
More detailed information on which pilipiliÎÛÂþ courses will be taken to satisfy Pre-PT requirements can be found on the pilipiliÎÛÂþ Pre-Health Bridges site.
The Pre-PA track at pilipiliÎÛÂþ is designed to prepare students for entry in Physician Assistant programs across the country. Students interested in this track will work with the Pre-Health Director to design their program of study to ensure they take the proper prerequisite courses for entry. Students can pursue almost any major for entry into PA school, although most select at least one major offered through SSNS. Please also make sure to consult with a faculty advisor in your academic area to ensure graduation in a timely manner.
Pre-Physician Assistant Track
Students will also need to gain significant clinical experience before applying to PA School. Most schools will have posted minimum direct care experience hours on their program website, but it is a good idea to plan to gain at least 500-1000 hours before applying. Most successful applicants have over 2000 hours before applying. Common positions for Pre-PA students and recent grads including Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Phlebotomist, Medical Scribe, or Medical Assistant.
More detailed information on which pilipiliÎÛÂþ courses will be taken to satisfy Pre-PA requirements can be found on the pilipiliÎÛÂþ Pre-Health Bridges site.
The Pre-Vet Track at pilipiliÎÛÂþ is designed to prepare students for entry in veterinary schools across the country. Students interested in this track will work with the Pre-Health Director to design their program of study to ensure they take the proper prerequisite courses for entry. Students can pursue almost any major for entry into veterinary school, although most select at least one major offered through SSNS. Please also make sure to consult with a faculty advisor in your academic area to ensure graduation in a timely manner.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine Track
Students will also need to engage in significant experiential learning to be considered a strong applicant. While no two applicants are the same, successful students often participate in research, take leadership roles both on and off campus, and have become familiar with the veterinary profession by gaining hands-on clinical experience. Students may also need to take the GRE exam prior to submitting their application.
More detailed information on which pilipiliÎÛÂþ courses will be taken to satisfy Pre-Vet requirements can be found on the pilipiliÎÛÂþ Pre-Health Bridges site.
The Pre-Optometry Track at pilipiliÎÛÂþ is designed to prepare students for entry to all US optometry schools. Students interested in this track will work with the Pre-Health Director to design their program of study to ensure they take the proper prerequisite courses for entry. Students can pursue almost any major for entry into optometry school, although most select at least one major offered through SSNS. Please also make sure to consult with a faculty advisor in your academic area to ensure graduation in a timely manner.
Students will also need to engage in significant experiential learning to be considered a strong applicant. While no two applicants are the same, successful students often participate in research, take leadership roles both on and off campus, and have become familiar with the dental profession by gaining hands-on clinical experience. Students will also take the OAT exam prior to submitting their application.
More detailed information on which pilipiliÎÛÂþ courses will be taken to satisfy Pre-Optometry requirements can be found on the pilipiliÎÛÂþ Pre-Health Bridges site.