Pre-Med/Pre-Health: First-Year Students

Welcome, First-Year and Transfer Students! 

Join our email list to gain access to important events and announcements.

Check out First Year/First Fridays in the Pre-Med/Pre-Health Office! Every first Friday of the month from 3:00pm–4:00pm during the Fall semester we will meet to talk about important topics that will help you get started on the pre-med, pre-dent, or pre-PA track here at UMass Amherst. Join us on [Fall 2025 date TBA] for our first meeting! 

What should I do in my first year?

Fall: Engage

• Make friends—a strong peer group is important for support and stress relief.
• Study—utilize the Learning Resource Center to ensure your academic success and use SI sessions as much as possible.
• Read your email—we will send you important information through the Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising Newsletter.
• Explore potential majors—check out department websites for information on different majors. Attend the Majors Fair (usually in October) to get information about different majors.
• Meet with a PreHealth Peer Advisor to talk about where to begin. Transfer students can make an appointment with a Professional Advisor through Navigate.
• Get involved—join one or two clubs of interest; become an active member and make friends who share your interests.

Winter: Plan

• Volunteer—find a volunteer activity you enjoy; go back to the same organization weekly.
• Make a plan to get clinical experience or, for future, to shadow during the summer.
• Research places to volunteer next summer.
• Prepare your resume.
• Explore different kinds of healthcare careers.

Spring: Dig Deeper

• Keep studying to maintain a competitive GPA.
• Stay involved—evaluate if your fall activities were worthwhile; continue those, or choose new activities and volunteer work.
• Look for research opportunities.
• Apply for summer positions or plan to get a certification as a CNA or EMT.
• Declare a major.

Summer: Stay Busy

• Get direct patient care experience.
• Volunteer.
• Think about future leadership opportunities.
• Look into getting research experience.
• Work with people—as a camp counselor, for example.

Where do I go for help?

Peer mentoring info sessions are held in the fall and spring semester, covering what pre-health courses to take and how to plan for graduate school in a health field. Drop-in peer advising from a trained team of upperclassmen is also available. This AAMC Advising Guide outlines how to maximize your time with a pre-health advisor.

This table shows who to talk to or where to go for answers to the following questions:

What do I need to do to get into health professional school?

To get into graduate school for the health sciences, you must demonstrate that you have knowledge of the field, are prepared for the academic rigors of graduate school, and are engaged in your community. Strong applicants show commitment over an extended period of time and passion for the activities in which they engage. If you are planning to go to medical school, look at the AAMC’s recommendations for preparing and the core competencies for entering medical students that medical schools will be evaluating.

How do I pick a major?

Pre-health/pre-med is not a major but a series of courses that are required by health professions programs. When selecting a major, many students opt for one in the sciences, as the coursework will overlap with pre-health requirements. However, the best option is one that interests you and in which you will excel. Know that graduate admissions committees will focus on your grades, especially in science and math courses. You should not attempt multiple majors or minors if it will jeopardize your ability to do well or preclude your getting involved on campus, in the community, or in clinical experiences.

Where can I learn more?

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Naturopathic medicine
• Optometry
• Podiatry
• Pharmacy
• Chiropractic
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physician assistant