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Preparation for a Career in the Health Professions

Career Preparation

The following guidelines address the specifics of preparation for and application to schools of allopathic and osteopathic medicine. At the same time, much of the information is equally relevant to dental, veterinary, optometry, and podiatry schools, as well as to physician assistant, nursing, physical therapy, and other allied health programs. A number of these programs have requirements in addition to those outlined in this handout, however. If you are considering any of these fields, be sure to work closely with the health professions advisor to obtain the resources and information pertinent to your interests and goals.

Bowdoin does not have a specific program or major for students who are interested in the health professions; you may major in any department and successfully prepare for a career in health care. We encourage you to use your undergraduate years to develop interests and abilities in many areas. Take advantage of the opportunities to explore different disciplines within the curriculum. We believe there is no better preparation for medical school than the liberal arts education you have available to you. Medical school admissions committees are seeking candidates who will be successful in the life-long learning required of physicians, not only in the sciences but in the social sciences and humanities, as well. Even if you concentrate in the sciences, you should be certain to take a minimum of one non-science class each year. Work with your advisor to insure that your college transcript will reflect your interests, potential and commitment to learning.

While the requirements for medical school are relatively standard, the route to completing them is in no way prescribed. The challenge is to find the appropriate path for you to follow in preparing for medical school. While one student may complete all of the premedical requirements through courses taken here at Bowdoin, a roommate may choose to focus on a non-science area of interest during the undergraduate years, completing the science prerequisites in a post-baccalaureate program. Someone else may decide to pursue a combination of these options, possibly even including summer courses. Keep the following information in mind as you work closely with your faculty advisor and the health professions advisor to find your right path:

  • Take courses for which you have adequate preparation. It will not be sufficient to explain to medical schools why you did not achieve a strong grade in a course; no one can predict your future performance based upon your explanations. Enroll in classes for which you have both the necessary academic preparation and the intellectual maturity. There are instances in which it is advisable to wait a year to take a particular course.
  • Plan to concentrate in the academic field that is of greatest interest to you – hopefully one for which you have a passion. The success of your application will not be affected by your choice of major. It will be affected by your academic performance and intellectual enthusiasm.
  • There is no reason why your preparation for medical school must be completed in the four years following high school. Many individuals end up stronger applicants after a year or two of work experience, community service, or additional academic achievement following college. Others delay applying simply because they desire time away from school before stepping into a rigorous health professions program. You should plan to apply when you can make the most compelling application possible, and when you feel truly ready to make the commitment to further study. In recent years, only about a quarter of the Bowdoin candidates for health professions programs have applied to matriculate in the fall immediately following graduation.
  • The decision to study away may impact the timing of your application to a health professions program. Assuming you can work out a schedule that will allow you to complete the requirements of your major, there is no reason not to take advantage of the opportunity to study away, if you like. Generally, though, it is best to complete your pre-medical prerequisites here at Bowdoin, or at least at an American college or university. Realize, too, that if you are away for all or part of junior year, you will be well advised to return to campus and complete senior year before applying, which means that you will not matriculate in med school until at least a year after graduating from college. Furthermore, for obvious reasons, it is a mistake to plan to study away the semester you need to take the MCAT or the semester when you hope to be interviewing for medical school. Discuss your options with your advisor.