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Health Professions

This program is designed for you if you’re interested in pre-med, pre-dental, pre-vet, pre-PA, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-nursing or other allied health professions, including such fields as audiology, genetic counseling, optometry and podiatry.

Dickinson Distinctives

Group advising or the Exploring the Health Professions course for first-year and sophomore students introduces you to academics and health professions preparation for entering your preferred field.
You'll be assigned a health professions advisor who will help with class scheduling, developing goals and preparing you for professional school.
Our dedicated health professions advisor in the Center for Career Development assists with experiential learning, professional school requirements and the application process for both students and alumni.
Dickinson’s graduates maintain a 94% five-year average acceptance rate to medical, dental, veterinary and other professional schools.

Health Professions

Medical Doctor (MD/DO)

Rigorous academics, dedicated mentoring and diverse experiences prepare Dickinson students for success in allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools. Explore course requirements, application strategies and our outstanding placement record.

Dental Medicine (DDS/DMD)

Hands-on shadowing, science coursework and personal advising help you build a competitive dentistry application. Prepare to join leading dental programs across the country.

Veterinary Medicine

Gain broad preparation and in-depth animal experience for veterinary medicine careers. Join interest groups, complete vital science classes and benefit from strong alumni outcomes.

Physician Assistant (PA)

Prepare for these high-impact roles in patient care at Dickinson through flexible coursework, valuable clinical exposure, and expert advising. Explore your path to a PA career.

Nursing (BSN, MSN, DNP)

Prepare for high-impact roles through flexible coursework, valuable clinical exposure and expert advising. Explore your path to an accelerated or advanced nursing program before a rewarding career in nursing or nursing leadership.

Physical Therapy (PT) & Occupational Therapy (OT)

Build a strong science foundation and complete required clinical hours for entry to PT or OT programs. Get individualized guidance as you pursue internships and advanced degrees.

Experiential Opportunities

UPMC Central Pennsylvania internship, summers only, by application
University of Maryland School of Dental Medicine, University Medical System, and Shock Trauma unit internship, summers only, by application
UPMC shadowing program, facilitated with Dickinson and UPMC
Students apply and are selected to participate in research opportunities and internships throughout the US

Student Organizations

Pre-Health Society Club, a student-run organization that offers a speaker series and development activities with alumni and regional health professionals.
MAPS club (Minority Association of Pre-Health Students) supports underrepresented students pursuing medical and health professions.
Pre-Dental Society
Pre-Optometry Society
Pre-Vet Society

Outcomes

Dickinsonians have been accepted to a wide range of prestigious professional schools, including:

Allopathic Medical Schools (MD)

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Boston University
Columbia University College of Physicians
Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Johns Hopkins University
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
And many others

Osteopathic Medical Schools (DO)

AT Still University
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
PCOM
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
New England School of Osteopathic Medicine

Dental Schools (DMD/DDS)

New York University
Rutgers University College of Dental Medicine
Temple University
Tufts University
University of Maryland
University of Pennsylvania

Veterinary Schools (DVM)

Kansas State University
Ohio State University
University of Dublin
University of Glasgow
University of Pennsylvania
Western University

Occupational Therapy

MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston
St. Joseph’s University
Thomas Jefferson University
University of Maryland
University of Southern California

Physical Therapy

Columbia University
Drexel University
George Washington University
New York University
Temple University
University of Colorado
Wheeling University

Physician Assistant

Drexel University and Drexel University Elkins Park campus
Hofstra University
George Washington University
Penn State University College of Medicine
Stanford University
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Thomas Jefferson University
University of Washington

Nursing

Boston College Connell School of Nursing
Columbia University School of Nursing
Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
University of Maryland School of Nursing
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Yale University School of Nursing

A full list of graduate and professional school placements is available or by request.

The health professions program is administered jointly by health professions program faculty and the Center for Career Development. Any student interested in pursuing a career within the health professions (medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, nursing, etc.) should click the link above.

Contact

Contact the health professions program team to make an appointment or ask questions at pre-health@dickinson.edu

Debi Swarner

Health Professions Advisor
Center for Career Development
Phone: 717-245-1740
Email: swarnerd@dickinson.edu

Tiffany Frey

Associate Professor of Biology
Phone: 717-254-8037
Email: freyt@dickinson.edu

For more details on specific health career paths, prerequisite planning and application resources, proceed to the supplemental pages linked in the navigation.