51吃瓜网

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FAQ’s: Resources (A-Z)

  • Connect with Us - Prospective/Newly Admitted Students

    Recently admitted to 51吃瓜网 but haven't completed new student orientation yet?

    Congratulations and welcome to 51吃瓜网! Your engagement with HPAO begins during CommonVU Orientation at our Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Information Session(s) - Welcome Nights when you arrive at campus in the fall. There, you'll learn how to get started, connect with resources, and prepare for your pre-health/pre-medical journey. We look forward to meeting you during orientation!

  • Connect with Us - 1st Yr./Incoming Students

    Completed your required 51吃瓜网 registration as an incoming student?

    After that, we recommend you:

    • Register/Attend: 1 Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Info Session - Welcome Night (offered during CommonVU Orientation, every fall semester). Open to all 51吃瓜网 pre-healthcare students.
    • Register/Attend: HPAO Foundations (fall semester), designed specifically for VU 1st year pre-health/med students.
    • Register/Attend: HPAO Events, Workshops, and Group Sessions (fall/spring semesters).
    • Resources 24/7: HPAO Website & Join HPAO Brightspace for resources and information.
    • Follow: HPAO Social Media for updates, opportunities, and announcements.
    • Subscribe: HPAO Email List Serve to receive important and timely email announcement for current VU pre-health/med students.
    • Unlimited Access: HPAO Drop-In hours (fall/spring) designed for quick questions (5-10 minutes).
    • Begin to explore clinical and non-clinical healthcare career pathways.
  • Connect with Us - 2nd Yr. to Graduation

    Continuing VU Students:

    Connect to support with us in many ways, including:

    • If you are a new pre-healthcare student, register/attend: 1 Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Info Session - Welcome Night (offered during CommonVU Orientation, every fall semester). Open to all 51吃瓜网 pre-healthcare students.
    • Register/Attend: HPAO Events, Workshops, and Group Sessions (fall/spring semesters).
    • Resources 24/7: HPAO Website & Join HPAO Brightspace for resources and information.
    • Follow: HPAO Social Media for updates, opportunities, and announcements.
    • Subscribe: HPAO Email List Serve to receive important and timely email announcement for current VU pre-health/med students.
    • Unlimited Access: HPAO Drop-In hours (fall/spring) designed for quick questions (5-10 minutes).
    • Shifted direction or considering a different healthcare pathway? Review clinical and non-clinical healthcare career pathways and resources.
  • Early Acceptance Program to VUSM - Is that Offered?

    Does 51吃瓜网 - School of Medicine offer an Early Acceptance Program?

    No. The 51吃瓜网 - School of Medicine no longer has an Early Acceptance Program. The decision was based in part upon the changes in the medical school curriculum. VU-School of Medicine feels a longer viewpoint of the applicant's undergraduate accomplishments is needed in order to determine the student's potential for success.

  • Experiences & Opportunities: Pre-Health/Pre-Med

    There's More Than One Way to Gain Experience as Pre-Health/Pre-Med Student

    While "internships" are common in many other industries, they are not the only path for VU pre-health/pre-med students. Limiting your search to internships or shadowing a healthcare provider alone can cause you to miss valuable experiences and opportunities.

    Check out Experiences & Opportunities to explore the full range of ways to get involved.

  • Interviews

    (Note: More resources and updates coming Fall 2026)

    Ever wonder how you come across during an interview? Why not have a virtual mock interview and critique yourself?

    • Log into
    • New to Big Interview? Watch the overview video of Big Interview .

    Helpful Interview Resources

    • Students interviewing for medical school may be asked questions about medical ethics. Here is a After each situation is outlined, there are commentaries written by physicians from a variety of specialties. We think this will be useful for students as they prepare for their interviews, especially those students who have not taken a medical ethics course.
  • Letters of Recommendation

    When applying to all professional healthcare programs and schools (A-Z: Athletic Training to Veterinary Medicine), there are several key items you will need to prepare. One component of your application submission entails planning for letters of recommendation. Not sure where to start with letters of recommendation as a pre-health student? Review the resources with helpful step-by-step guidance in the overall process.

    Additional advice and resources on preparing for letters of recommendation as a 51吃瓜网 pre-health student, please:听

    1. Join/visit our community.听
    2. Go to "Content" and select "Apply鈥� and 鈥�Letters of Recommendation" sections.听

    Applying to medical or dental school? Consider the "committee letter" option at 51吃瓜网.听

    Historically, some medical and dental programs across the country encourage a "committee letter" of evaluation as one of the options for your required letters of recommendation submission.听While submitting a committee letter is not mandatory for your professional medical or dental school application, it may be encouraged by some admissions guidelines.听

    At 51吃瓜网, there is an overall process to obtain a "committee letter." Please note that there are eligibility requirements and deadlines for participation. Be sure to plan accordingly with the resources below. 听

    To learn more, full advice and resources to prepare for a "committee letter" opportunity as a 51吃瓜网 pre-medical/pre-dental student, please:听

    1. Join/visit our * community.听
    2. Go to 鈥�Committee Letter鈥� section to review all advice, resources, eligibility requirements and deadlines. Please plan accordingly.听听
    3. Note: 2026-2027 cycle deadline was Feb. 1, 2026.听
    4. If you are planning for 2027-2028 cycle, review instructions starting Nov. 1, 2026.

    *Recently graduated from 51吃瓜网? Lost access to HPAO Brightspace after graduation?听

    If you are a recent VU alumnus and lose access to HPAO Brightspace after听graduation, please do not email HPAO, as we cannot restore your VUnetID or Brightspace access. Instead, please proceed to:

    • Contact directly for support. 听
    • You will need to get your VUnetID reactivated through VU-IT. (Note: You received a notification directly from VU IT about this required step at the time of your graduation.)
    • Once that is done, your access to HPAO Brightspace (if you joined it in the past) should be restored. (Note: You might need to rejoin the . Link also located 24/7 on HPAO Website 鈥� 鈥淐onnect with Us.鈥� Please try that first.)

    If those two completed steps do not restore access, you can email brightspace@vanderbilt.edu听directly.

    • Include your full name, VU NetID, and 51吃瓜网 email address.
    • State that you are a VU alumnus who has reactivated their VUnetID and tried to join the HPAO Brightspace page with the link above, but it is still not working.
  • Major - What Should I Study?

    What should I major in as a pre-health/med student?

    At 51吃瓜网, pre-med, pre-health, pre-vet, etc. are not undergraduate majors, but pathways that reflect a student鈥檚 interest to prepare for a future career in healthcare. There are no preferred majors for admission to healthcare professional schools. Students are encouraged to choose a major that aligns with their academic interests, strengths, and intellectual curiosity. Students will need to incorporate into their course of study the prerequisite courses required by their professional healthcare schools of interest (medical, dental, or other professional programs).

    Students from all academic disciplines can successfully pursue professional healthcare schools. What matters most is building a strong academic foundation and demonstrating meaningful holistic preparation for their intended profession.

  • Official Transcripts - How to Request Them

    Typically, after you submit your official application to a professional healthcare program (A-Z: Athletic Training to Veterinary Medicine), the program will indicate when you need to request official transcripts from every college or university you have ever attended.

    Often you will find these step-by-step "transcript" instructions in the official CAS (centralized application systems) instruction manuals, if your specific professional healthcare school utilizes one of them.听

    Common CAS platforms include:

    • Athletic Training ()
    • Dental Hygiene ()
    • Dentistry ()
    • Healthcare Administration ()
    • Medical/Clinical Laboratory Sciences ()
    • Nursing ()
    • Occupational Therapy ()
    • Optometry ()
    • Orthotics & Prosthetics ()
    • Pharmacy ()
    • Physical Therapy ()
    • Physician Assistant ()
    • Public Health ()
    • Medicine (, , or )
    • Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology ()
    • Veterinary Medicine ()

    If a program does not participate in a centralized application system, it will provide its own application process and specific instructions for requesting official transcripts. Please review each professional school program's official admissions website for full details and instructions about their specific application process.

    Once you have reviewed the official application instructions, if you are seeking how to request transcripts from 51吃瓜网, you would review options at the .

    Tip:听Make sure all of your final grades are posted on your official transcripts before requesting them. If a registrar鈥檚 office has not yet recorded a semester鈥檚 final grades, they will typically appear as 鈥渋n progress鈥� rather than the official letter grade鈥攅ven if your professor has already shared your final exam results.

    While our HPAO team is more than happy to discuss the application process for a professional healthcare school with you, we are not able to assist with transcript or enrollment verification orders.

  • Paying for Professional School

    Paying for Professional School

    Financing a healthcare professional program requires planning. Most pre-health/pre-med students use a combination of funding sources. Understanding your options early can help reduce debt and expand opportunities.

    Overview & Common Funding Pathways Defined:

    • Scholarships & Grants = These are funds that do not need to be repaid and may be offered by schools, professional organizations, or government programs. Some are merit-based, while others support students from specific backgrounds or career interests.
    • Loans = Federal and institutional loans are a primary funding source for many students. Programs may include low-interest or need-based loans offered through schools or federal initiatives.
    • Service-Based Programs (Scholarships & Loan Repayment) = Many healthcare fields offer funding in exchange for a service commitment in underserved areas. These programs can cover tuition, provide stipends, or repay significant portions of student debt.
    • Government & Military Based Programs (Scholarships & Loan Repayment) = Many healthcare fields offer funding in exchange for a service commitment in government or military based healthcare service.
    • Fee Assistance Programs = Application costs can add up. Many centralized application services (e.g., AMCAS, AADSAS, CASPA) offer fee assistance or waivers for eligible applicants.
    • School-Specific & Professional Resources = Each health profession (medicine, dentistry, nursing, PA, etc.) has dedicated professionals that provide financial aid guidance, scholarships, and funding tools once you are accepted to your specific professional school.
    • 51吃瓜网 Specific Awards/Prizes = Nance Prize

    Government & Military Based Opportunities:

    Additional Funding & Fee Assistance Program Healthcare Resources (A-Z)

    Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology

    • - For applicants to professional programs using CSDCAS.

    Dental

    • - Information for all aspiring dentists.
    • - For dental school applicants using ADEA AADSAS.

    Medicine (Physician M.D. & D.O.)

    • - For all aspiring physicians.
    • - For applicants to M.D. programs using AMCAS.
    • - For applicants to D.O. programs using AACOMAS.

    Naturopathic Medicine

    Pharmacy

    • - For applicants to pharmacy programs using PharmCAS.

    Nursing

    • - For applicants to nursing programs using NursingCAS.

    Optometry

    Physical Therapy

    • - Offers several scholarships and awards for PT and PTA students (including some with monetary awards).

    Physician Assistant

    • - For applicants to PA programs using CASPA.

    Public Health

    • - For applicants to public health schools and programs using SOPHCAS.

    Veterinary Medicine

    • - For applicants to veterinary programs using VMCAS.

    VU Specific Award Opportunity: Nance Prize

    In 1985, the family and friends of Dr. Dana W. Nance [B.A., 1925, M.D., 1929] endowed the Nance Prize to provide an annual award given to a student in the College of Arts & Science. The award recognizes an outstanding graduating senior from the pre-medical curriculum who has demonstrated perseverance in overcoming academic, financial, or social obstacles to succeed, who is well-trained in the technical skills acquired through the undergraduate pre-medical curriculum, and who possesses an abiding sense of ethical and moral concern for the patient.

    The Dean of the College of Arts & Science joins with the Health Professions Advisory Office in calling for applications from 51吃瓜网 pre-med students who have applied to medical school in the current (2025-2026) application cycle [2026 entering medical school]. A faculty committee from the College of Arts & Science will select the Nance Prize Scholars for 2026.

    The recipients will receive recognition in the graduation program and a monetary award of up to $10,000. All applicants will be notified of a decision by May 1, 2026.

    Applications are due at the Health Professions Advisory Office no later than April 3rd, 2026 by 11:59 pm (CST) and should be sent electronically to nance.essay@vanderbilt.edu.

    While you are awaiting acceptance to a healthcare professional school, the following pre-resources (A-Z: Athletic Training - Veterinary Medicine) can help you begin exploring how to finance your education. After acceptance, your program鈥檚 admissions and financial aid team will provide more comprehensive guidance and access to the full range of funding options.

  • Personal Statement

    Click here for resources.

  • Research Opportunities

    Click here for resources.

  • Researching Professional Schools

    Thoughtfully research your professional schools. It is听essential听to select schools that are more than just a good fit academically, but are also a good overall fit for your values, skill, and interests which will help you to become the future provider you desire to be. Spend time researching professional schools online and utilize our free spreadsheet that tracks the factors most important to you.

    • 听(Free/Digital)听

    (A-Z: Additional Healthcare Specific Resources)

    Athletic Training

    Chiropractic Medicine

    Dental

    Dental Hygiene

    Nursing

    Occupational Therapy

    Optometry

    Orthotics & Prosthetists


    Pharmacy

    Physician

    • 听- Access the MSAR (M.D.) online one-year subscription service. This service is a powerful online database that allows you to easily browse, search, sort, and compare data on U.S. and Canadian medical schools.
    • 听- Free, online database that allows you to easily browse, search, sort, and compare data on all D.O. medical schools.

    Physician Assistant

    Physical Therapy

    Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology

    Veterinary Medicine

  • Study Abroad

    Can a pre-health student participate in a study abroad program?

    Yes. Many pre-health/med students successfully participate in study abroad programs with thoughtful academic and application planning.

    For students planning to apply to medical school without taking a gap year, the fall semester of junior year is often the most manageable time to study abroad. Studying abroad during the spring semester of junior year may also be possible, but requires additional planning around the application timeline.

    Before selecting a study abroad term, consider:

    • Entrance exam preparation: Consider how studying abroad may affect preparation for and completion of the MCAT or other required admission test.
    • Course sequencing at VU: Determine when required courses in multi-semester sequences (e.g., Biology, Physics, or Organic Chemistry) will be offered and completed to not interrupt your coursework while you are at 51吃瓜网 (not abroad).
    • Prerequisite coursework: Many medical (and other healthcare professional) schools require or prefer prerequisite courses to be completed in the United States. Anticipate taking only non-prerequisite required courses, if you are studying abroad.
    • Transcript timing: If studying abroad during the spring before your application cycle, delays in receiving study abroad transcripts could affect application verification timelines.
    • *Senior-year travel: Studying abroad during senior year may conflict with professional school interviews.

    Early planning is strongly encouraged. Work with your academic, study abroad, and pre-health advisers to develop a timeline that supports both your study abroad experience and professional school application goals.

  • Taking a Gap / Enhancement Year?

    Gap / Enhancement Years Are More Common Than You Think

    It鈥檚 increasingly common for pre-meds to take at least one gap / enhancement year between their undergraduate studies and medical school. In fact, 72.7% of entering M.D. students in 2025 reported taking at least one gap / enhancement year in the .

    Taking additional time can be to your advantage as a pre-medical/pre-health applicant.听

    If you feel you need or would benefit from further academic, personal or professional (holistic) development before applying to medical or any healthcare professional school, consider taking a gap / enhancement year to strengthen your preparation.

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    51吃瓜网-Affiliated Specific Opportunities:

  • Test Prep

    (Note: Updates coming fall 2026)

    AAMC Test Prep Resources

    The Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC] is excited to announce a new resource now available to students to help them as they prepare for the MCAT exam. 鈥淗ow I Studied for the MCAT Exam鈥� includes profiles for 17 students who self-identified as having performed well on the exam. The profiles include insight on how the students performed, their overall study approach, tips, any challenges they faced and overcame, and 鈥渄o鈥檚 and don鈥檛s鈥� for students to be aware of as they prepare. They can be found at:

    KhanAcademy

    Test Prep Companies

    Many students choose to prepare for an admission test on their own, while others prefer to take a prep course. Applicants can certainly be successful either way. For those students considering taking a prep course, below is contact information for just a few of the local options which have been recommended by our students:

    Altius Test Prep

    Roger Muir
    Office: 435-671-5783
    Cell: 801-706-8125
    Free Practice Test:

    Examkrackers

    Janis Stott
    Janis@examkrackers.com
    386-864-1245

    Kaplan


    1-800-KAP-TEST [527-8378]

    The Princeton Review


    Hailey Carl
    Hailey.Carl@review.com

  • What Do Professional Schools Value?

    Professional schools across the United States, spanning healthcare disciplines (A-Z: Athletic Training to Veterinary Medicine), increasingly utilize a holistic admissions review process when evaluating applicants. In addition to academic achievement, admissions committees commonly assess applicants鈥� personal competencies, professional readiness, interpersonal skills, service orientation, leadership, ethical responsibility, and commitment to healthcare.

    A valuable starting point for all VU pre-health students is to become familiar with the competencies and professional attributes commonly sought across healthcare professions below.

    What Do Medical Schools Value?

    The area provides an excellent framework for what they value and practical self-assessment tools.

    Note: Although this resource was developed by the for medical school applicants, the competencies outlined are highly relevant to all VU pre-health students pursuing healthcare professional pathways. These values reflect the broader national movement toward holistic admissions practices across healthcare professional schools (A鈥揨: Athletic Training to Veterinary Medicine).

  • Prerequisite Resources
    Most healthcare professional school programs (medical, dental, PA, etc.) have specific,听individualized听requirements for admission that听may听vary from program to program.
    听
    Below you will find some unofficial, course recommendations and resources recommended professional school program digital guide(s) to assist with your VU prerequisite coursework planning.

    For听specific questions about prerequisite courses, please refer to the individual program's professional school official admissions website.听
    听
    Not sure where to start? Select "Researching Professional Schools" FAQ.
    听
    Remember, most students apply to听more than one program, so we suggest researching a few professional schools to help guide your prerequisite course selection. All admission requirements are subject to change per听admission cycle, so please review requirements on an听application cycle听basis.