Undergraduate Studies, University of Oregon - Academic Advising - Pre-Professional Advising

Office of Academic Advising
364 Oregon Hall
541.346.3211

Prepare for the Health Professions

Page Contents

1) Choosing Courses at the UO

2) Selecting a Health Profession

3) Volunteering

4) Reference Letters

5) Personal Statement

6) State and Regional Educational Sites

Choosing Courses at UO

These programs are recommended for most pre-professional programs in dental hygiene, dentistry, medicine (allopathic, chiropractic, naturopathic, osteopathic), medical technology, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. If you are unsure of what direction you might take but are interested in a health career, follow this path to prepare for a variety of professions.

Option I		Option II
CH 221, 222, 223		CH 224, 225, 226
CH 227, 228, 229 (labs)		CH 237, 238, 239 (labs)
MATH 111 (or higher)		MATH 251 (or higher)
1 or 2 other courses		1 or 2 other courses

The chemistry courses listed above are year long sequences that start fall term and run through the spring (some courses are also available during the summer.)
Students are eligible to enroll in Math 111 if they earn an SATM score of 550 or above or an ACTM score of 25 or above. Students may also qualify to enroll in Math 111 by taking the standard math placement test. Students may qualify to enroll in MATH 251 by taking the advanced math placement test (offered at New Student Orientation or by the Testing Center).
Students who place below Math 111 are advised to take the appropriate math courses their first year and take the chemistry sequence the following summer or second year.
Students with no prior chemistry experience are advised to take CH 111 summer term in preparation for the chemistry sequence in fall term.
Many students in the above options will begin their biology winter term with BI 211 General Biology I: Cells or begin biology in their second year with BI 251 Foundations I: Biochemistry and Cell Physiology (which must be taken concurrently with organic chemistry).

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Selecting a Health Profession

Please click on a primary field to pull up a PDF file of our pamphlet.

Primary Fields	Pre-Prof. Training	Prof. Training	Notes
Dentistry	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Medicine (MD, DO, DC, ND)	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Medical Technology	3 years + 1 summer	1 year
Nursing	2-4 years	1-2 years	Not all courses available on UO campus.
Occupational Therapy	4 years	2 years min.	Programs vary considerably.
Optometry	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Pharmacy	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Physical Therapy	4 years	2 years min.	Programs vary considerably.
Physician's Assistant	3-4 years	2 years	Health care experience required. Most complete baccalaureate degrees.
Podiatry	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Public Health	3-4 years	2-4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Veterinary Medicine	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.

YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM AN ADVISOR WHEN PLANNING YOUR PRE-HEALTH COURSEWORK. COURSE REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND SHOULD BE VERIFIED WITH AN ADVISOR OR WITH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS.

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Volunteering

Medically-related volunteer experience is important - it allows you to assess your interest and aptitude for a profession, and it is part of your application to any professional health program.
What type of experience should I get? (for medical school)
Local, regional, and international volunteer opportunities
Premed Practica/Preceptorships

Reference Letters

General Advice for Students & Faculty
Letter of Recommendation Request Form - Explain to faculty your professional goals, why you need a letter of recommendation, what should be included, etc.
Interview Report -After interviewing for a professional program, complete this feedback report and mail it or drop it by our office in Oregon Hall. We will use the information to help guide advising of future pre-health students!
The University of Oregon has partnered with Interfolio, a credential management service, to give pre-health students an affordable way to manage and send files to medical and dental schools. Click HERE to join Interfolio for University of Oregon Pre-Health Students and GET A DISCOUNT on your subscription fee.

DENTISTRY

MEDICINE

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

NURSING

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

OPTOMETRY

PHARMACY

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

PHYSICAL THERAPY

PODIATRY

VETERINARY MEDICINE