Pre-Professional Programs

• Pre-Medicine: Information for Pre-Medical Students [PDF]
• Pre-Dental: Pre-Dentistry Program
• Pre-Pharmacy:
  • Butler University School of Pharmacy-Pre-Pharmacy program [PDF]
  • Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences [PDF]
• Pre-Vet: Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program [PDF]
• Pre-Optometry: Pre-Optometry Courses and Information [PDF]
• Pre-Physical Therapy: Doctor of Physical Therapy [PDF]

  Here are a few of the majors with physical therapy prerequisite courses:

  • Pre-Physical Therapy-Biology
  • Pre-Physical Therapy-Chemistry
  • Pre-Physical Therapy-Exercise Science [PDF]
  • Pre-Physical Therapy-Psychology
• Pre-Occupational Therapy: Masters in Occupational Therapy [PDF]

  Here are a few of the majors with physical therapy prerequisite courses:

  • Pre-Occupational Therapy-Biology [PDF]
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy-Exercise Science [PDF]
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy-Psychology [PDF]
• Pre-Physician's Assistant: Butler University-Physician's Assistant Program

Preparing for Professional School Presentation

If you are preparing for professional school, watch this presentation to find out more about requirements, how to apply, and other valuable information.

Admission to Professional Health Programs

Admissions committees for professional programs usually take a number of factors into consideration – in both academic and non-academic – when choosing a qualified candidate. These include:

• Specific pre-requisite courses. These should mostly be taken at a four-year degree-granting institution. Some professional programs require a bachelor’s degree; some do not.
  • If the institution does not require a degree, the student should still plan to proceed toward a degree in case s/he does not gain admission to the professional program.
• Major. In most cases, a student may choose from a variety of majors and be eligible to apply for professional school. Most professional programs do NOT have a preferred major; rather the student must complete a body of pre-requisite courses and have an excellent academic background to be competitive.
  • The “best” major to enter professional school is one in which the student can excel, and the one which s/he will be happy to finish/have as a background if s/he does not get admitted to professional school.
• A strong GPA. Programs are almost always looking for students with a GPA above a 3.0; many programs are looking for students with a GPA from 3.5 – 3.7.
• Good test scores. For most professional programs there is a standardized test (MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, PCAT) covering basic sciences, quantitative skills, reasoning ability, and writing. A serious pre-professional student will spend time preparing for the exam.
• Relevant background and experiences. Professional schools expect that students will have some of the following experiences in their record:
  • Volunteered or worked in related settings
  • Participated in student or professional organizations
  • Shown leadership
  • Studied abroad
  • Engaged in undergraduate research
  • Taken honors courses
  • Outside interests and hobbies
• Personal statement. In this written piece, the student has the opportunity to tell the admissions committee why s/he wishes to pursue this profession. The student should rewrite this document many times and consult others for feedback.
• Reference letters. Format preferences for these may vary from one professional program to another. Usually between 2 and 4 are required/allowed.
• Interview. In most instances, the committee will narrow the pool of applicants and invite the top group to interview. From the interviewees, the final selection is made.
  • The committee is usually seeking to balance a class in various ways – “practice” interests of students, commitment to urban or rural work, etc.
  • The committee often will ask students about non-academic subjects including hobbies, current events, etc.
    • In certain programs it is helpful if a student fosters manual dexterity by taking music lessons, art classes, etc.
• Ability to handle the rigors of professional school. Since professional programs require a huge intellectual, time, and monetary commitment , and since the coursework is much more difficult, committees are looking for evidence that the student is capable of doing well in this context. Professional programs often require that students take from 18 – 27 credits per semester.
• Balance. Students need to demonstrate interest and ability in a wider arena than just the scientific courses pre-requisite to admission to professional schools. There areas include:
  • Proficiency in written and oral communication and in humanities & social science courses
  • Consideration of the ethical issues inherent in your chosen profession
  • Awareness of current issues in your profession and in the world
  • An understanding of the value of lifetime learning; that a professional will always need to learn more as the profession progresses and changes
  • Integrity and strength of character

NOTE: Most professional programs allow a student to re-apply if s/he does not gain admission on the first try. Often, the professional program will give the student feedback about what would augment their application, if the student requests such feedback.