Getting Started
TIPS FOR GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START
1. Meet with a Pre-Health Advisor Early to Develop a Plan
Everyone arrives with different math and science backgrounds. Meet with a Pre-Health Advisor to choose courses that best fit you.
2. Sign Up for the Health Professions Program Listserv
Sign up ASAP for the Health Professions Program listserv. It will provide you with information about events and lectures.
3. Sign Up for the Nathan Smith Society Listserv
The Nathan Smith Society listserv will keep you updated on Dartmouth's Shadowing Program; opportunities to meet physicians, other medical practitioners, and Geisel students. To join the listserv, go to the Nathan Smith Society website, and under Contact Us click Join the NSS Listserv.
4. Review Your Algebra/Calculus Skills
A strong foundation in algebra and some knowledge of calculus is useful upon matriculation. Be sure to refresh your math skills by the time you arrive at Dartmouth. If you don't have a strong math background, consider a summer community college course, an online course, or (free) material online at Khan Academy, Shodor, Coursera, or other similar resources.
5. Expect to Refine Your Study and Learning Skills
Students find it helpful to develop new learning strategies. Hear from Dartmouth students about their modified study routines to find Success in the Sciences!
6. Be Open-Minded about Major Choice
Health professions graduate schools admit students from all majors, although a genuine interest and competency in science is essential. With the proper planning, you will fit in your major and pre-health courses. Hear some of your upper-class peers discuss their majors and why they chose them.
7. Explore Healthcare from Other Perspectives
A fun resource is the NSS Health-Related Course Guide under "Databases" to explore health-related courses outside the sciences.
8. Consider a Flexible Timeline
Around 80% of Dartmouth applicants to a medical, veterinary, dental, or other health professions school take one or more "gap/growth" years between graduation and time of application. Doing so is the norm: most students no longer go "straight through." Talk to an advisor about the actual timeline involved when thinking about gap years. Get a picture of it here: Timeline/Application Cycle and Pre-Health After Dartmouth.
9. Connect with Trained Pre-Health Peer Mentors
Learn from peers who have been going through the Pre-Health process!