According to UMass' Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advisors:

To get accepted to medical school, dental school, physician assistant programs, or other graduate programs in the health professions, excellent grades are essential. However, candidates also need hands-on health-care experience to gain knowledge of the field as well as community service experience to build strong interpersonal skills and cultural competence. Admissions committees look for students who have explored and tested their motivation for a career in health care by gaining knowledge of the field and engaging in service experiences.

Beyond these basic requirements for admission, candidates should seek out opportunities that motivate them, teach them, and inspire curiosity (like research!). This list of hands-on experiences includes programs for students looking to explore research and clinical roles, among other areas. Most deadlines are in January through March.

The Pre-Med/ Pre-Health Advisors are the experts for helping you be the best candidate you can be for your desired programs. Your PHS Advising Team can help you understand how these requirements fit in (and apply) to your academic plans. We highly recommend connecting with them no later than your second year of college.

Additionally, we have students in this major who choose to work for UMass EMS as yet another opportunity to gain experience.