Skip to main content

Our resources page is targeted to K-12 students interested in a health career, students currently in undergraduate graduation or post-baccalaureate, or anyone interested in increasing diversity in medicine. Please contact us if you have any questions about these resources or if you would like to suggest additional resources for this page.

Pre-College

The following programs and groups provide opportunities for K-12 students interested in becoming a health professional.

Minority Students & Healthcare Education: An Online Guide to School Success

Students of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other minorities can face numerous barriers when training in healthcare. If you’re a minority and thinking about a career in allied health, learn about the resources and support you have available in higher education.

North Carolina Health Careers Access Program (NC-HCAP)

“One of the major goals of NC-HCAP is to grow the health care workforce of tomorrow by increasing interest in health careers among our young people today. Each year, we sponsor fun, hands-on health exploration programs and activities throughout the state, at absolutely NO COST to our students.”

NC Health Careers

Sponsored by NC AHEC
“Welcome to NC Health Careers — your roadmap to becoming a health care professional! Sponsored by the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program, this site is here to help you find all the information you need to prepare you for your journey.”

Health Professions Recruitment Exposure Program (HPREP)

sponsored by UNC SNMA
“Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program “HPREP” is an outreach program designed to provide high school students with the opportunity to interact with medical students, faculty and health professionals.”

Middle School Science and Technology Enrichment Program (MSTEP)

sponsored by UNC SNMA
The purpose of this program is to increase exposure of minority and underrepresented middle school students to careers in the allied health professions.

Youth Science Enrichment Program (YSEP)

sponsored by UNC SNMA
“Youth Science Enrichment Program “YSEP” is an outreach program designed to provide fourth- and fifth-grade students with the opportunity to interact with medical students, faculty and health professionals. YSEP is sponsored by the UNC-CH Chapter of Student National Medical Association (SNMA)”


Parents

NC Public Schools: Parents, Family, and Community Information

“This Parent, Family, and Community Involvement Information website represents one of the many initiatives to educate, inform, and advocate for strengthening the role of parents, families, and communities.”

UNC University Career Services for Parents

Division of the Student Affairs Office that provides services and resources to help students choose and prepare for their careers, learn job search skills and find employment.


Medical Students

The AAMC has compiled a list of research grants and scholarship opportunities for medical students. https://www.aamc.org/


College / Post-College

Below are resources for current and post-bac students on a pre-health track. Please refer to the timeline below, created by current medical students.


List of Post Baccalaureate Programs

Interested in strengthening your foundation in the sciences, improving your science GPA, or becoming a second career student? Visit the link above for to see a compiled list of post-baccalaureate programs to suit your needs created by Syracuse University.

Below are other post-baccalaureate and master’s programs.

Premedical Post-Baccalaureate Programs

You can also search the AAMC search engine for premedical post-baccalaureate programs. *Premedical Post-Baccalaureate programs are applicable to predental students

Pre-Dental Post-Baccalaureate Programs

Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate and Master’s Programs

Public Health Opportunities for Pre-Health Students


A Framework for Success

Pre-Health Education (Traditional)

Freshman

Establish yourself academically to create a baseline for success

  • 12-15 credit hours – no more
  • Take basic science courses in biology and chemistry regardless of major
  • Take psychology, sociology electives
  • Get involved with pre-health groups, pre-health advising
  • Get started with community service, volunteering, and shadowing

Summer

  • Academic program
  • Research
  • Get a big buddy (professional health student mentor)
  • Get a professional mentor (person in the field in which you are interested)
  • Continue shadowing and gain exposure to VARIOUS health fields (Medicine, Dentistry, Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, etc.)

Sophomore

Maintain and improve academically

Summer

  • Research
  • Academic Program

Junior

Maintain and improve academically (lighter load 14-16 credit hours)

  • Continue and dig deeper into test prep (MCAT, DAT, PCAT, or GRE)
  • Start to identify recommendation letter writers (2nd semester)
  • Plan to take test (2nd semester → April time frame)
  • Personal statement (2nd semester)
  • Open application and complete

Summer

  • Research
  • Academic programs

Senior

Maintain academics

  • Remainder credit hours
  • Complete secondaries
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Mock interview
  • Choose school to attend
  • Regroup and address weaknesses
  • Enjoy summer or spend time addressing holes/weaknesses in your application