Using experiences as a clinician, an academician, and a researcher to challenge students’ worldview and their approach to healthcare

Welcome, Future Cougars!

Washington State University is an excellent choice if you are interested in a career as a health professional. With more than 90 undergraduate majors to choose from, you can follow your heart’s desire while preparing for professional school. You’ll have opportunities to learn from and work with world-class researchers and round out your education with a strong liberal arts curriculum.

We have prospective student visits, daily!

Please call 509-335-4549 to schedule!

Learning about a variety of health careers, not just the one you’re interested in now, is extremely important for several reasons:

• You will potentially work in your chosen field for 30 years or more—few other choices you make have such enduring impact on your life! The time you spend researching your choice is a very wise investment.
• Many students change direction as they learn about new subjects and career options.
• Others are forced to consider different paths when their grades mean they won’t be admitted to the programs they’ve chosen. All Health Professions students need a “Plan B.”
• Some students need to work before professional school to earn money and gain health care experience.

We encourage you to consult the links at right to help you start exploring the variety of paths a career in the field of health can take.

Still in high school?

Congratulations on starting your research early! WSU offers a broad range of degree options and has a strong commitment to fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals.

What should I do to prepare for college courses that are required for application to professional schools in health care?

All pre-professional healthcare students have to continue to study math and science at college. To prepare, our best advice is that you continue to take demanding math and science classes throughout high school.

What math should I take in high school?

Placement into chemistry classes is highly dependent on math skills.  Good algebra skills are essential for chemistry, and chemistry is the basis for biology. Our experience shows that you should focus on taking classes that lead to or include calculus. These classes might be algebra I and II, trigonometry, math analysis, pre-calculus, and calculus. Unless you have already completed a calculus class, we do not recommend taking statistics during your senior year of high school.

Health Professions Student Center professionals have found that students who take statistics in lieu of calculus or trigonometry in high school often find they have forgotten essentials of their advanced algebra and have to repeat it at WSU so they can start the college chemistry sequence when they desire.

What science should I take?

We encourage you to take challenging science classes throughout high school. While there is no “best” science course to take in high school, rigorous chemistry courses will give you the best preparation for the courses you will encounter in your health professionals curriculum at college.

However, you can also take any science course that both interests and challenges you, whether it is biology, geology, chemistry, or any other science. The important concept is that you are gaining the study skills and basic information that will help you be successful in your college career.

Are English and social sciences courses important?

Yes! Students applying to most professional schools will need English, psychology, and other social science courses to be considered qualified.

What about taking AP or International Baccalaureate courses in high school?

It’s always a good idea to take honors and AP courses, or complete an IB, because of the outstanding college preparation they provide. However, not all professional schools accept high school AP courses to meet prerequisite requirements for admission to their school.

What else can I do to prepare?

Professional schools consider the “whole person” in their decision process for admissions. Although grades and test scores are important, so are many other factors. Continue your school activities, consider shadowing a health-care professional, take advantage of opportunities to learn about diverse cultures, engage in community service.  All of these will provide you with a diversity of experience that will make you a better-qualified health-care practitioner.

Which major is best for getting into professional school?

We hear this question all the time and our answer is always the same: The best major is the one that interests you, that you have an aptitude for, and which allows you to complete the prerequisites for professional school. Every year we have students with a wide range of majors—from English and psychology to molecular biology and bioengineering—who are admitted to professional schools.

If you haven’t decided on your major, we can help you find the right one for you as we guide you toward professional school. And remember, you do not have to declare a major during your first year in college.

What should I be doing to prepare for professional school?

Professional schools consider the “whole person” in their decision process for admissions. Grades are important, but so are many other factors. Schools look at each student’s participation in extracurricular activities, leadership experience, teamwork, a sense of community service, and an interest in healthcare. Examples of these could include walking the neighbor’s dog, being a member of a church choir, being a sport team captain, earning a Boy Scout Eagle or Girl Scout Gold award, participating in Relay for Life or other community-support activity, or holding a job while going to high school.

Have you considered working, volunteering, or shadowing with a healthcare provider or organization? These experiences can be extremely valuable in helping you decide which healthcare career to pursue.

In order for you to know whether or not you really want a career in healthcare, you need to try it on for size first. Volunteering, job shadowing and part-time or temporary employment are all good ways to get an up-close view of the workplace and demands of the field.  You’ll learn from others and these experiences will look great on your professional school application and your resume.

When you go to your professional school interview, you will be asked why you want to join that particular profession. You will need to be well-armed to talk about your personal experiences, how you gained insight to the field, and have an understanding and proficiency in several different health-related practices.

Now is the time to find opportunities where you will be able to observe, volunteer, participate and/or work in a variety of endeavors.

Your Pre-Health Advisor/Specialist is here to help

You are strongly encouraged to seek opportunities that are available to everyone. Professional school admissions committee members will be looking for your involvement in: professional experience in the field, leadership, extracurricular activities, cultural competency, and volunteerism. WSU and the surrounding community offer an abundance of experience opportunity to help you satisfy the requirements for professional school. Your pre-health advisor/specialist will help you determine which activities will best suit your needs and help you navigate all the different experience opportunities in Pullman as well as in your hometown.

If you are a current or incoming WSU Pullman student, please visit our homepage to schedule an appointment with your pre-health advisor/specialist.