Pre-Health Basics
What does it mean to be a “pre-health” student at Princeton? It means that you are considering going to medical, veterinary, dental, or another health professions school some time after you finish your undergraduate degree. And it is not just about academics! Usually, it means that you have a deep and abiding interest in science and humanity, that you have a particular interest in health and disease, that you have a desire to help others, and that you thrive on hard work, responsibility, and leadership.
You may be interested in this path because you want to pursue a career in an academic setting, in the clinic, in biomedical research, or healthcare administration, college health, or some combination of these arenas.
What constitutes a successful pre-health student? There is no absolute definition. Students that tend to be successful in the pre-health journey are usually:
- Excellent students in any discipline
- Strong in the science courses they’ve taken, whether or not science is their major
- Inclined to help others and take on leadership roles
- Self-aware and interested in the challenges that face others in society
Preparing for a Career in the Health Professions (pdf) - recommended reading for all students in their first semester. This will take you through the basics of academic and non-academic preparation as a pre-health student.
Frequently Asked Questions for Pre-Med/Pre-Health Students (pdf) - provides a general overview on academics, activities, MCAT, applications, and other topics of interest for new and continuing students.
HPA Orientation Powerpoint presentation - a brief overview of planning your pre-health course selection. This information was presented at Freshman Orientation on Sunday 9/9/12.