Health Professions Academic Timeline

Freshman & Sophomore Years

Visit The Career Center to explore health-related resources.
Begin and complete your Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Organic Chemistry requirements.
Join a professional student organization.
Open a credential file at www.leo.uiuc.edu to house the letters of evaluation.
Visit with faculty/teaching assistants for possible letters of evaluation.
Begin to gain volunteer experience.
Get involved in extracurricular activities.
Keep your options open.
Attend The Career Center's Health & Graduate School Fair (fall semester).

Complete your health profession admission requirements by the end of spring semester.
Prepare and take the relevant Health School Admissions Test. (ie. MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, or GRE)
Review health/professional school catalogs or websites. Talk to students who are presently at schools you would consider attending - keep informed.
Complete your credential file with individual letters of evaluation. (It is best to have made final contact with evaluators before you leave campus for the summer.)
In May, begin your application and begin to make a rough draft to your personal statement/essay. Obtain a student copy of transcript to assist with the application.
At the conclusion of the spring semester, have your official transcript sent to application service or to schools upon request.

Submit health school applications early, do not wait until the end of the summer.

Secondary or supplemental packets are sent to viable candidates, with request for letters of evaluation.
Invitation for interviews offered (September-April). Practice with a Mock Interviews available at The Career Center.
Complete forms for financial aid.
Send updated transcripts if requested by schools.

Completion of invitation for interviews offered.
Mock interviews available at The Career Center.
Complete forms for financial aid.
Send updated transcripts if requested by schools
Send thank you notes to evaluators & mentors.
Alternatives: Follow an alternate career option, re-take the MCAT, interview for employment, take the GRE, apply to graduate school. Make an appointment with a Career Counselor, Pre-Health Advisor, or Information Specialist at The Career Center.