Pre-Health Advising

The Committee on the Health Professions is a standing committee and is composed of members of the faculty and a Career Development Center counselor. These individuals serve as advisers 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.

Accessing Services
Pre-health advising is available to you beginning your first semester, primarily through the CDC. The CDC’s Director of Pre-Health Advising and the Chair of the Committee on the Health Professions co-sponsor 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 CDC’s Director of Pre-Health Advising serves as your primary advisor on health career issues. You are always welcome to contact a member of the Committee as well (see 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. The form to request assignment to a health professions advisor is available on-line and at the Career Development Center. 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 you have available from the Committee on 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, internhips, research, entrance exam scores, and comments contained in your individual recommendation letters.

Committee Members
Sarah Bacon, Biological Sciences, Chair of the Committee

Kathy Binder, Psychology and Education

Rachel Fink, Biological Sciences

David Gardner, Career Development Center

Darren Hamilton, Chemistry

James Harold, Philosophy

Jeffrey Knight, Biological Sciences

Will Millard, Psychology and Education

Megan Nunez, Chemistry

Stan Rachootin, Biological Sciences

Margaret Robinson, Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science

Sharon Stranford, Biological Sciences

Clerk to the Committee: Marianne Taylor, Career Development Center