Undergraduate Timeline for Health Professions Students

FIRST YEAR

• Attend HPA 101. See HPA events.
• Think about a major (and minor) course of academic study in which you will do well.
• Develop strong study skills (form study groups, use resources on campus).
• Establish and maintain a competitive GPA.
• Meet with a health professions advisor to discuss your education plan and identify areas to develop for your field of interest.
• Begin extracurricular activities, join pre-health organizations/clubs on campus in spring semester.
• Volunteer/work in a medical field or setting (clinics, ER, hospital).
• Review school admission requirements.
• Order or review online the information book for your health profession of choice, which includes descriptions of all of the schools/programs, admissions criteria, minimum entrance requirements, etc.
• Read books on and learn about your health career field.
• Get to know a health professional in your field.
• Join the HPA Hub on Canvas.

SOPHOMORE YEAR

• Attend HPA 101 if you haven't already. See HPA events.
• Select major and/or minor courses of study if you are undecided at this point or changing majors.
• Maintain competitive GPA.
• Meet with health professions advisor.
• Volunteer/work in a health profession field or setting (clinics, ER, hospital).
• Research school/program entrance requirements.
• Order or review online the information book for your health profession of choice, which includes descriptions of all of the schools/programs, admissions criteria, minimum entrance requirements, etc.
• Consider participating in research (either with a VT faculty member or outside campus).
• Learn more about your health career field (shadowing, advisor, Internet research).
• Join the HPA Hub on Canvas if you haven't already.
• Explore a variety of volunteer and community service activities to determine where you want to devote your time next year and the years after.

JUNIOR YEAR

• Attend HPA 101 if you haven't already. See HPA events.
• Attend HPA 202. See HPA events.
• Complete an HPA Student Advising Questionaire and review with an HPA advisor.
• Maintain competitive GPA.
• Continue to volunteer/work in a medical field or setting (clinic, ER, hospital).
• Study for, register for, and take admission exam.
• Visit schools in which you are interested through open houses and recruitment events.
• Review the information book (online version or order hard copy) for your health profession of choice, which includes descriptions of all of the schools/programs, admissions criteria, minimum entrance requirements, etc.
• Make a list of all schools/programs to which you plan to apply.
• Request letters of recommendation/evaluation from individuals who will serve as your references.
• If you are applying during summer after junior year to start your graduate program the fall after senior year:
  (If you are applying to start your graduate program after a gap year, do these steps in your senior year)
  • Participate in the Health Professions Evaluation Committee process.
  • Write thank-you notes to committee members who interviewed you.
  • Complete your centralized application by the applicable due dates.
  • Request official transcripts of all college work attempted at VT and elsewhere be sent to application service.
  • Request HPA to submit your committee letter to application services or professional schools.
• Continue to be involved in pre-health organizations, research and community service activities. Look for leadership opportunities in these areas. Focus your time and energy to specific community service activities on a regular basis (for example, once a week).

SENIOR YEAR 

• Attend HPA 101 if you haven't already. See HPA events.
  
• Attend HPA 202. See HPA events.
• Meet with health professions advisor. 
  
• Interview at schools if you applied in the summer after your junior year (make a plan to ensure you do not miss classes, assignments, etc.) 
  
• Complete FAFSA financial aid application (if you applied in the summer after your junior year)
  
• Plan for what you will do this summer if you applied after your junior year (accepted or not accepted) 
  
• Accept offer (if you applied in the summer after your junior year)
• Write thank-you notes to references and school admission officers 
• Thank your health professions advisor/ and or office for their assistance 
• If you are applying during the summer following your senior year to start your graduate program after a gap year:
  • Follow the steps listed above for junior year. 
    
  • Plan for what you will do during the gap/bridge/opportunity year.