Advising
Pre-health advising is available to you beginning your first semester, primarily through the Pre-Health Programs. The Dean of Pre-Health Programs and the Chair of the Committee on the Health Professions cosponsor information sessions early every fall semester for students interested in learning about careers in the health professions and the advising system that is available. During your first three semesters, the Dean of Pre-Health Programs serves as your primary advisor on health career issues. You are always welcome to contact a member of the committee as well (see member list below).
Beginning the spring semester of your sophomore year, you may request to be formally assigned an advisor from among the faculty who serve on the Committee on the Health Professions by completing the request for a health professions faculty advisor form. For sophomores, the request must be received by March 15, as assignments are made only once during the semester. Juniors and seniors may request a health advisor during the fall or spring semester, with forms due by October 15 or March 15, respectively.
The support available from the Committee on the Health Professions includes regular advice and guidance on choosing courses, planning internships, selecting schools, preparing for standardized entrance exams, and working through the application process. The committee will also write a composite letter of recommendation for you and will conduct a practice interview. The composite letter of recommendation is a comprehensive summary of all aspects of your preparation, including coursework, internships, research, entrance exam scores, and comments contained in your individual recommendation letters.
Committee on the Health Professions
The Committee on the Health Professions is a standing committee and is composed of members of the faculty and the Dean of Pre-Health Programs. These individuals serve as advisors to students interested in, and applying to, graduate and professional programs in the health professions. The committee members are knowledgeable about the Mount Holyoke curriculum as well as requirements for professional schools and are available to help you select appropriate courses. You are responsible for learning as much as possible about programs and their requirements, developing a plan, and keeping your advisor updated on a regular basis.
Committee Members
- Sarah Bacon, Biological Sciences, Chair of the Committee, profile
- Kathy Binder, Psychology and Education, profile
- Rachel Fink, Biological Sciences, profile
- David Gardner, Dean of Pre-Health Programs, profile
- Darren Hamilton, Chemistry, profile
- James Harold, Philosophy, profile
- Jeffrey Knight, Biological Sciences, profile
- Will Millard, Psychology and Education, profile
- Megan Nunez, Chemistry, profile
- Mark Peterson, Math and Physics, profile
- Stan Rachootin, Biological Sciences, profile
- Sharon Stranford, Biological Sciences, profile
- Jackie Collette, Clerk to the Committee, profile