General Information and StrategiesStrategies For Gaining Admittance Into Professional Programs
- Choose an appropriate undergraduate major and include prerequisite courses required by the professional program, e.g. biology, chemistry, and physics, if they are not a requirement of the chosen major.
- Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically to discuss curricular decisions.
- Maintain a high grade point average, particularly in the sciences, to improve chances of admission to graduate or professional school.
- Develop excellent computer, mathematics, and verbal and written communication skills.
- Build good relationships with professors and/or employers in order to secure strong recommendations.
- Join related student organizations, such as Alpha Epsilon Delta, and assume leadership roles.
- Obtain summer jobs, volunteer positions, or internships to test fields of interest and gain valuable experience.
- Develop a back up plan in case medical/graduate school admission is denied.
- Look at entrance requirements for desired institutions. Be aware of any standardized test requirements, minimum grade point averages, and prerequisites.
- Talk to professionals already in your desired field regarding their backgrounds. Arrange a shadowing experience.
- Join professional associations and community organizations to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking contacts.
- Read scientific journals related to your area of interest.
- Research accredited institutions. Check graduation rates, success rates on licensing exams, cost, location, etc. If possible, speak with current students.
General Information and Strategies
- Develop a desire to help people of all backgrounds and ages including various races and socioeconomic groups.
- Gain an understanding of the rigorous education and training required in the medical professions to ascertain your willingness to complete the required experiences.
- Study the demands required by each of the medical fields. Many physicians work very long, irregular hours. Consider your tolerance for such a schedule.
- All fields require licensure that is generally regulated by the state of residency.
- Plan for a lifetime of learning to stay abreast of new trends in the field and to fulfill continuing education requirements for licensure.
- In some medical fields, additional training is necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching, and independent research.
- Some medical fields offer the opportunity for post doctoral experiences which can allow one to gain additional training or specialize in a particular area.
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Physician Assistant
Most common Areas of Practice
- General Internal Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Medicine
- Occupational Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Dermatology
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- Physicians' offices
- Hospitals
- Surgical facilities
- Public clinics
- Community health centers
- Government agencies
- Colleges or universities
- Nursing homes
- Armed services
- Correctional facilities
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- Test Required: GRE or MCAT
- Schooling Required: Complete an accredited physician assistant educational program. The majority of programs take at least 2 years to complete and result in a master's degree (e.g. MPA or MPAS). Clinical experience is gained during the second year.
Some PA's pursue additional education to prepare for specialties.
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Pharmacy
Some Areas of Specialization
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Intravenous Nutrition Support
- Oncology
- Nuclear Pharmacy
- Geriatric Pharmacy
- Psychopharmacotherapy
- Research
- Public Health
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Hospitals
Nursing homes
Mental health institutions
Health clinics
Retail chains
Government agencies including:
- Food and Drug Administration
- Public Health Service
- Department of Veteran's Affairs
- Armed Services
Pharmaceutical companies
Health insurance firms
Universitie
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- Test Required: PCAT
- Schooling Required: After spending 2 to 3 years in undergraduate coursework, the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) requires 4 academic years. Many applicants to pharmacy school have completed a bachelor's degree.
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Chiropractic Medicine
Some Areas of Specialization
- Sports Injuries
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition
- Internal Disorders
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Ergonomics
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- Solo and group practices
- Hospitals or health clinics
- Physicians' offices
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- Test Required: GRE or MCAT
- Schooling Required: After earning at least 90 hours of undergraduate course work, the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) requires 4 academic years at a chiropractic school.
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Medicine
Some Areas of Specialization
- Allergology
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Emergency Medicine
- Family and General Practice
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Orthopedics
- Pathology
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
- Surgery
- Research
- Public Health
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- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Private or group practice
- Health networks
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Mental health institutions
- Federal, state, & local health departments
- Government agencies
- Armed services
- Correctional facilities
- Colleges or universities
- Medical schools
- Large corporations
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- Test Required: MCAT
- Schooling Required: After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Medicine (MD) requires 4 years of medical school, followed by 3-8 years of internship and residency depending on specialization chosen.
- Some physicians pursue the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. D.O.s emphasize the body's musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and holistic patient care and often work in family and general practices, although they may be found in many specialties.
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Podiatry
Some Areas of Specialization
- Surgery
- Orthopedics
- Primary Care
- Sports Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Dermatology
- Radiology
- Geriatrics
- Diabetic Foot Care
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- Private practice
- Community health clinics
- Hospitals
- Residential and nursing homes
- National Health Service
- Sports clubs
- Some specialty retail chains
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- Test Required: MCAT or GRE
- Schooling Required: After earning at least 90 hours of undergraduate course work, the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) requires 4 academic years (last 2 years are clinical rotations). One year of postdoctoral residency is required in most states.
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Optometry
Some Areas of Specialization
- Family Practice
- Pediatric Optometry
- Geriatric Optometry
- Vision Therapy
- Contact Lenses
- Hospital-Based Optometry
- Primary Care Optometry
- Ocular Disease
- Public Health
- Research
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- Private practice
- Vision care centers
- Hospitals
- Physicians' offices
- Armed services
- Government organizations
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- Test Required: OAT
- Schooling Required: After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Optometry (OD) requires 4 academic years at optometry school.
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Optometry
Some Areas of Specialization
- Family Practice
- Pediatric Optometry
- Geriatric Optometry
- Vision Therapy
- Contact Lenses
- Hospital-Based Optometry
- Primary Care Optometry
- Ocular Disease
- Public Health
- Research
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- Private practice
- Vision care centers
- Hospitals
- Physicians' offices
- Armed services
- Government organizations
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- Test Required: OAT
- Schooling Required: After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Optometry (OD) requires 4 academic years at optometry school.
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NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY
Diagnosis and Treatment (some applications):
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Orthopedic
- Renal
- Cardiac
- Pulmonary
Specialties:
- Nuclear cardiology
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
Clinical Research
Education
Administration
Training
Sales
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- Community hospitals
- Teaching hospitals
- Medical centers
- Public health institutions
- Research institutes
- Outpatient imaging facilities
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories
- Physician offices
- Private clinics
- Commercial radiopharmaceutical suppliers
- Nuclear imaging equipment manufacturers
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- Secure a strong foundation in science and mathematics, along with interests in computer technology and medicine.
- Develop strong interpersonal skills, as nuclear medicine technologists work directly with patients interviewing and providing instruction.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadowing experiences with professionals, and plan to tour nuclear medicine facilities to confirm interest in the field.
- Seek volunteer experience in a clinical setting, nuclear medicine if possible.
- Earn a degree from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).
- Seek certification through one of two national accrediting agencies: Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT); certification requirements vary by state and employer.
Consider specializing further in nuclear cardiology or positron emission tomography (PET).
- Approximately two-thirds of Nuclear Medicine Technologists work in hospitals. Professionals may be on call in some hospital settings.
- Part-time or shift work may be available.
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NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY
Diagnosis and Treatment (some applications):
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Orthopedic
- Renal
- Cardiac
- Pulmonary
Specialties:
- Nuclear cardiology
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
Clinical Research
Education
Administration
Training
Sales
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- Community hospitals
- Teaching hospitals
- Medical centers
- Public health institutions
- Research institutes
- Outpatient imaging facilities
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories
- Physician offices
- Private clinics
- Commercial radiopharmaceutical suppliers
- Nuclear imaging equipment manufacturers
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- Secure a strong foundation in science and mathematics, along with interests in computer technology and medicine.
- Develop strong interpersonal skills, as nuclear medicine technologists work directly with patients interviewing and providing instruction.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadowing experiences with professionals, and plan to tour nuclear medicine facilities to confirm interest in the field.
- Seek volunteer experience in a clinical setting, nuclear medicine if possible.
- Earn a degree from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).
- Seek certification through one of two national accrediting agencies: Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT); certification requirements vary by state and employer.
Consider specializing further in nuclear cardiology or positron emission tomography (PET).
- Approximately two-thirds of Nuclear Medicine Technologists work in hospitals. Professionals may be on call in some hospital settings.
- Part-time or shift work may be available.
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