Academic Preparation

Bryn Mawr offers many exciting academic opportunities of interest to prehealth students. Students should develop their academic plans in consultation with their dean, faculty advisors, and the prehealth advisor. Students are urged to develop a long-range plan as they enroll at Bryn Mawr, and to revisit it each semester in consultation with advisors. This would enable students craft ways to engage in stimulating courses and rewarding activities while fulfilling the prequisities for the health professions schools that interest them. Make an appointment with Assistant Dean Gail G. Glicksman to discuss your prehealth pathway: gglicksman@brynmawr.edu, 610-526-7350.

This is an exciting time to prepare for the health professions. Educators in all types of health professions programs are reconsidering the ways that their fields can prepare students to meet the emerging global health needs. Health professions schools are identifying competencies that are essential for entering students. Over time, they are articulating ways that these competencies can be considered in the admissions process. Allopathic medical schools have been leading the way in designing guidelines for competency-based preparation for application. Some schools have been moving away from identifying specific course requirements. They still require specific areas of content.

Recognizing that scientific fields are changing and emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches, medical schools realize that some students can gain the knowledge through courses with different titles. All these schools still require students to gain knowledge in specific areas. Many of these schools point out that classes still remain the most effective way to gain knowledge and skill in these areas. Further, in some cases, they are requiring more knowledge than the “traditional” sequence of courses.

The knowledge is still needed, but schools are willing to consider a broader range of approaches to mastering the material.    

Also, please note that most schools require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Please visit the AAMC site to learn about the exam, what to expect on test day, and how to register for a fee waiver or for testing accommodations. This site includes extensive information about the topics covered on the exam, so students can use this resource to ensure that they are engaging in academic experiences that would help them perform effectively on the exam.

Although there is a traditional set of prerequisite courses that has been required by many professional schools, there is not a core that works for all professions or for all schools within a specific profession.

The Health Professions Advising Office has collected information about the MCAT and about tests for other health professions schools. Visit the HPAO resource room in Canwyll House to view copies of test books prepared by various test preparation companies.    

Bryn Mawr College students take a variety of approaches to prepare for the the relevant standardized tests. Many find it helpful to consider the strategies that helped them prepare for previous tests and to discuss the range of options. Please keep in mind that Bryn Mawr has negotiated a special discount for students or alums seeking online or in-person prep courses for the DAT, GRE, MCAT, OAT, and the PCAT. Consult the Health Professions Advisor for more information.   

• Guide for First- and Second-Year Prehealth Students
• Join the Prehealth Listserv, which the Health Professions Advising Office uses to send useful information, including announcements about special events on campus, research and internship opportunities, application deadlines. The undergraduate student Prehealth Society also announces its meetings and activities over its listserv.