Resources for pre-health professions at Connecticut College:

  • Pre-Health Advising Moodle website: Students who enroll will receive information and updates about events, resources, internships, and job postings.
  • Individualized academic and career advising: Students can meet individually with Page Owen and Sara Abbazia, both members of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP).
  • Campus engagement and leadership opportunities: The Pre-Health Club serves as an umbrella organization for the various pre-health subcommittees on campus, including Health Professions for Underrepresented Minorities, the Pre-Dental Committee, and the Pre-Veterinary Committee.
  • Local engagement: Through the Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy, students are able to volunteer and engage with the local New London community. Pre-health students are able to volunteer at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Samaritan House (a health education center), and the Beachwood Post-Acute and Rehabilitation center.

What qualities and background do medical schools look for in a candidate?

Connecticut College is based on traditional liberal arts principles, and it is possible to major in any academic discipline and still complete the required coursework for health professions schools.

Health professions schools do not have a preference for any major. While chemistry, biology, and biochemistry are the most common majors for pre-health students, students should focus in whatever area they find exciting and appealing.

When choosing coursework, students should consider the following:

  • Map out an academic plan that includes pre-health coursework and academic major classes.
  • Pre-health prerequisites may not be taken abroad. Research study abroad and speak with potential departments about whether or not they will permit any major coursework in programs being considered.
  • If a student chooses a non-STEM major, they may consider taking a science course or two above the minimum requirements.
  • Ideally, students should avoid taking science requirements in the summer.
  • Consider cross-disciplinary minors and concentrations that can enhance one's portfolio.
  • Double majors are not that common with pre-health, and schools would prefer to see a mastery of the pre-health sciences.

Additionally, health professions schools generally want to see applicants with the following activities:

  • Shadowing hours
  • Clinical experience
  • Research experience
  • Community service/volunteer hours