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Pre-Health Advising

Vassar College

Planning for a Healthcare Career

General timelines are listed below for applying to many health professions programs - some programs like PA or PT school may have cohorts that do not begin in fall so the timing could be different. If you are interested in a program other than medical, dental, podiatry, optometry, pharmacy and veterinary, please make an appointment to see the pre-health advisor for more specific timelines. For planning worksheets that you can complete to keep track of your progress please visit our Worksheets for Planning and Preparation for a Healthcare Career page. The best starting point worksheet is the General Planner, but it is also important to track and write about your activities and experiences in the Activities and Experiences Worksheet, and to determine how well you are meeting the health professions competencies using the Competencies Worksheet. When you feel like you are getting ready to apply, use this Self-Assessment tool, which includes a link to a GPA calculator where you can calculate your math and science GPA.

Common Timeline With No Gap Years

First Year

  • Coursework for major and health professions pre-reqs (Please see below for content tested on the MCAT and DAT)
    • First year chemistry, first year biology, math, psychology, or physics
  • Volunteering, shadowing, and/or clubs
  • Seek out research opportunities

Sophomore Year

  • Coursework for major and finish MCAT/DAT coursework
    • Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, psychology, or physics (whatever is still needed)
  • Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and/or research
  • Begin seriously preparing for the MCAT/DAT in the summer following sophomore year

Junior Year

  • Coursework for major and other health professions pre-reqs
    • More biology, chemistry, math, or physics
  • Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and/or research
  • Complete the Pre-Health Advisory Committee Process if requesting a committee letter
  • Take MCAT/DAT/GRE no later than spring of junior year
  • Complete applications (May/June)

Senior Year

  • Coursework to graduate
  • Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and/or research
  • Interviews & Acceptances

Common Timeline With One Gap Year

First Year

  • Coursework for major and health professions pre-reqs (Please see below for content tested on the MCAT and DAT)
    • First year chemistry, first year biology, math, psychology, or physics
  • Volunteering, shadowing, and/or clubs
  • Seek out research opportunities

Sophomore Year

  • Coursework for major and finish MCAT/DAT coursework
    • Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, psychology, or physics
  • Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and/or research

Junior Year

  • Coursework for major and other health professions pre-reqs
    • Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, math, psychology, or physics (whatever is still needed)
  • Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and/or research
  • Begin seriously preparing for the MCAT/DAT in the summer following junior year

Senior Year

  • Coursework to graduate
  • Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and/or research
  • Complete the Pre-Health Advisory Committee Process if requesting a committee letter
  • Take MCAT/DAT/GRE (no later than spring of senior year)
  • Complete applications (May/June)

Gap Year

  • Health or research related work
  • Interviews & Acceptances

Common Timeline With Two Gap Years

First Year

  • Coursework for major and health professions pre-reqs (Please see below for content tested on the MCAT and DAT)
    • First year chemistry, first year biology, math, psychology, or physics
  • Volunteering, shadowing, and/or clubs
  • Seek out research opportunities

Sophomore Year

  • Coursework for major and finish MCAT/DAT coursework
    • Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, psychology, or physics (whatever is still needed)
  • Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and/or research

Junior Year

  • Coursework for major and other health professions pre-reqs
    • Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, psychology, or physics (whatever is still needed)
  • Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and/or research

Senior Year

  • Coursework to graduate
  • Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and/or research
  • Begin seriously preparing for the MCAT/DAT in the summer following senior year

Gap Year 1

  • Health or research related work
  • Complete the Pre-Health Advisory Committee Process if requesting a committee letter
  • Take MCAT/DAT/GRE (no later than spring)
  • Complete applications (May/June)

Gap Year 2

  • Health or research related work
  • Interviews & Acceptances

Academic Content on the MCAT

  • General Chemistry (CHEM 125)
  • General Biology (BIOL 107, 108)
  • Organic Chemistry (CHEM 244, 245)
  • Biochemistry (CHEM 272)
  • Physics (PHYS 111, 112 or PHYS 113, 114)
  • Psychology

Academic Content on the DAT

  • General Chemistry (CHEM 125)
  • General Biology (BIOL 107, 108)
  • Organic Chemistry (CHEM 244, 245)
  • Basic math and algebra