Undergraduate Timeline for Health Professions Students

This timeline represents two years leading up to matriculation into a health professional school. Please note this is intended to be used as a general guideline in conjunction with regular meetings with both your academic advisor, as well as a Health Professions advisor.

Timeline for two years before starting health graduate school. Click on image to view pdf version.

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 Questionnaire 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.