GETTING STARTED IN PRE-HEALTH**

NOTE: All new Pre-Health students** are required to attend a Pre-Health Info Session prior to scheduling an appointment with the Pre-Health Advisor. Click here for additional information regarding the Info Sessions.

Follow these guidelines for getting started in pre-health no matter what your area of interest is.

• One of the first classes you should take is College Biology I with its lab (BIOL 1610/1615). This class will begin to prepare you for many of the other classes you will be taking. If you have never taken a biology class or if you have struggled with biology classes in the past, you may want to consider taking a general biology course (BIOL 1010) prior to beginning the College Biology series.



• Until you have completed College Algebra (MATH 1050), you should be taking a math class each semester. You must complete MATH 1050 before you can begin the chemistry series.



• If you have never taken a chemistry class or if you have struggled with chemistry classes in the past, you may want to consider taking an introduction to chemistry course (CHEM 1010) prior to beginning the Principles of Chemistry series.



• For most college courses, it is recommended that students study for 2 hours for every hour spent in class. For science classes, students should plan to study for 3 hours for every hour spent in class. Science classes are some of the most challenging courses you will take.



• You may meet with the Pre-Health Advisor to help you plan a schedule for completing your prerequisite courses.

PRE-MISSION

If you plan on serving a mission, do not start the pre-health science coursework until you return. The science courses are some of the most important classes you will take to prepare for health professions schools as well as the MCAT, DAT, PCAT and OAT and should be fresh in your memory. 2 years spent away from your science courses will become a disadvantage to you in the long run. Your pre-mission course load should be light and include primarily general education courses. There is no benefit to completing an associate's degree prior to your mission.

If you are good at math, you should consider completing College Algebra (MATH 1050), prior to your mission. If not, save the math until you return. At UVU, math scores and courses expire after 2 years; which means that you will have to take a placement test for math before you begin courses again at UVU. You may end up repeating some of the lower level math courses if it is not a strong area for you.

POST-MISSION

No matter how many college courses you took prior to your mission or if you have an associate's degree, most returned missionaries should plan on spending at least 3 years to complete their bachelor's degree and the prerequisite courses. You will not be prepared to take the MCAT, DAT, PCAT or OAT until you have completed the Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physics series (physics is not on the DAT). This will usually take at least 2 years and an additional year for application.

**The information on this page does not apply to pre-radiology tech or pre-respiratory therapy students.