{"id":610,"date":"2024-08-23T13:11:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T13:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/?page_id=610"},"modified":"2024-10-29T14:36:49","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T14:36:49","slug":"planning-for-a-healthcare-career-throughout-all-4-years","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/for-students\/planning-for-a-healthcare-career-throughout-all-4-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning for a Healthcare Career"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- Inserted by Dropdownizer plugin. Forces video embeds contained in dropdowns to have a size --><style>.dropdownizer__dropdown iframe { width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; }<\/style>\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">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 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/for-students\/worksheets-for-planning-and-preparation-for-a-healthcare-career\/\">Worksheets for Planning and Preparation for a Healthcare Career<\/a><\/strong> page. The best starting point worksheet is the <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1G26VTIFASDcuW_IeUYprZFc9J2f2J1Wi\/view?usp=drive_link\">General Planner,<\/a> but it is also important to track and write about your activities and experiences in the <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/14Fo4FgYig15k42laV3UfVqxssTvDNNiv\/view?usp=drive_link\">Activities and Experiences Worksheet<\/a>, and to determine how well you are meeting the health professions competencies using the <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1aoBiIdnMFVDMJvxsh-vl5P3gFVvSqYeF\/view?usp=drive_link\">Competencies Worksheet<\/a>. When you feel like you are getting ready to apply, use this <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1YJIYzkA0tkphjrC3Z0evLHYcgpZ22y44\/view?usp=drive_link\">Self-Assessment<\/a> tool, which includes a link to a GPA calculator where you can calculate your math and science GPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Timeline With No Gap Years<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework for major and health professions pre-reqs (Please see below for content tested on the MCAT and DAT)<ul><li>First year chemistry, first year biology, math, psychology, or physics<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, and\/or clubs<\/li><li>Seek out research opportunities<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sophomore Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework for major and finish MCAT\/DAT coursework<ul><li>Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, psychology, or physics (whatever is still needed)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and\/or research<\/li><li>Begin seriously preparing for the MCAT\/DAT in the summer following sophomore year<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Junior Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework for major and other health professions pre-reqs<ul><li>More biology, chemistry, math, or physics<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and\/or research<\/li><li>Complete the Pre-Health Advisory Committee Process if requesting a committee letter <\/li><li> Take MCAT\/DAT\/GRE no later than spring of junior year<\/li><li>Complete applications (May\/June)<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Senior Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework to graduate<\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and\/or research<\/li><li>Interviews &amp; Acceptances<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Timeline With One Gap Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework for major and health professions pre-reqs (Please see below for content tested on the MCAT and DAT)<ul><li>First year chemistry, first year biology, math, psychology, or physics<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, and\/or clubs<\/li><li>Seek out research opportunities<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sophomore Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework for major and finish MCAT\/DAT coursework<ul><li>Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, psychology, or physics<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and\/or research<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Junior Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework for major and other health professions pre-reqs<ul><li>Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, math, psychology, or physics (whatever is still needed)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and\/or research<\/li><li>Begin seriously preparing for the MCAT\/DAT in the summer following junior year<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Senior Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework to graduate<\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and\/or research<\/li><li>Complete the Pre-Health Advisory Committee Process if requesting a committee letter<\/li><li>Take MCAT\/DAT\/GRE (no later than spring of senior year)<\/li><li>Complete applications (May\/June)<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gap Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Health or research related work<\/li><li>Interviews &amp; Acceptances<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Timeline With Two Gap Years<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework for major and health professions pre-reqs (Please see below for content tested on the MCAT and DAT)<ul><li>First year chemistry, first year biology, math, psychology, or physics<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, and\/or clubs<\/li><li>Seek out research opportunities<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sophomore Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework for major and finish MCAT\/DAT coursework<ul><li>Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, psychology, or physics (whatever is still needed)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and\/or research<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Junior Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework for major and other health professions pre-reqs<ul><li>Organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, psychology, or physics (whatever is still needed)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and\/or research<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Senior Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coursework to graduate<\/li><li>Volunteering, shadowing, clubs, and\/or research<\/li><li>Begin seriously preparing for the MCAT\/DAT in the summer following senior year<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gap Year 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Health or research related work<\/li><li>Complete the Pre-Health Advisory Committee Process if requesting a committee letter<\/li><li>Take MCAT\/DAT\/GRE (no later than spring)<\/li><li>Complete applications (May\/June)<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gap Year 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Health or research related work<\/li><li>Interviews &amp; Acceptances<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Academic Content on the MCAT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>General Chemistry (CHEM 125)<\/li><li>General Biology (BIOL 107, 108)<\/li><li>Organic Chemistry (CHEM 244, 245)<\/li><li>Biochemistry (CHEM 272)<\/li><li>Physics (PHYS 111, 112 or PHYS 113, 114) <\/li><li>Psychology<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Academic Content on the DAT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>General Chemistry (CHEM 125)<\/li><li>General Biology (BIOL 107, 108)<\/li><li>Organic Chemistry (CHEM 244, 245) <\/li><li>Basic math and algebra<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>General timelines are listed below for applying to many health professions programs &#8211; 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":149,"featured_media":0,"parent":416,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-610","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/149"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=610"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/610\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":713,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/610\/revisions\/713"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/pre-health-advising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}