For Those Considering Careers in Medicine

Preparing for Careers in the Health Professions: Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry and Optometry

SUNY Old Westbury provides excellent instruction in all of the science and non-science courses that are either required or strongly recommended as entrance criteria for colleges of medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, podiatry, and optometry. The specific minimum criteria for each of these professions are listed on the page below. While most students choose to major in a science area of discipline, this is by no means a requirement for a career in the health field. Students can major in any subject as long as the minimum academic criteria for admission are achieved. The pre-health careers program at Old Westbury has been in existence since the early years of the institution. Since that time, the program has had remarkable success in preparing students for studies in the major health sciences. Particularly notable has been Old Westbury's success in preparing a significant number of minority students and women for such studies.

Health Professions Advisory Committee

Advisement for students interested in the health professions is offered by the campus' Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC). Current members of the committee are:

Salvatore J. Mulé, M.S., Office of Pre-Health Professions, New Academic Bldg., 1037, (516) 876-3446. hpac@oldwestbury.edu
Dr. Youngjoo Kim, Chemistry & Physics Dept., Natural Sciences Bldg., S-235, (516) 876-2744. hpac@oldwestbury.edu
Dr. Lisa Chin, Public Health Dept., Natural Sciences Building, S-256, (516) 876-5032. hpac@oldwestbury.edu

The following links lead to information about the HPAC and some general advice for Old Westbury students preparing for careers in the health professions:

Medicine

Learn more about the Association of American Medical Colleges website for general information about medical careers and applying to medical school.

More specific information can be found in the following publications and websites:

Learn more about the Official Guide to Medical School Admissions: A comprehensive source of information on preparing for and applying to medical school.
Learn more about the Medical School Admissions Requirements: Provides specific information on individual medical schools. A subscription is necessary for on-line access.
Learn more about Information helpful for minority students.

Osteopathic Medicine

Learn more about the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) website for general information about osteopathic medical careers and applying to osteopathic medical school.

Learn more about the list of U.S. colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dentistry

Learn more about the American Dental Education Association website for general information about dental careers and applying to dental school.

More specific information can be found in the following publications and websites:

Learn more from the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools (Annual): Information about dentistry and the dental admission process.
Learn more from the Commission on Dental Accreditation: A listing of accredited US dental programs.

Podiatric Medicine

Learn more from the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine website for general information about Podiatric medical careers and applying to colleges of Podiatric medicine.

Optometry

Learn more about the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) website for more information about careers.

Post-baccalaureate Pre-Health Professions Studies

Students who have already earned an undergraduate degree in any field from any college or university may enroll as post-baccalaureate students to prepare for admission into health professional schools. SUNY Old Westbury has the full complement of courses necessary to prepare students to apply to medical school. Typically post-baccalaureate students register as non-matriculated or non-degree students (full-time or part time) and take the necessary courses. The Health Professions Advisory Committee can assist with advice and information as appropriate. If post-baccalaureate students meet the criteria (see Health Professions Advisory Committee Procedures and Guidelines on this website), the committee can write a support letter, if desired. Click the link here for Non-Degree Admissions for instructions on applying. Learn more about the entire course catalog.

General Requirements For Admission To Health Professional Schools

Listed below are minimum requirements for admission to professional schools in the health area. Students should realize, however, that it is wise to plan to take more science courses than would meet minimum standards. A broad range of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and behavioral sciences is also strongly recommended. To be considered a good candidate for admission on the basis of minimum requirements requires exceptionally good performance. The large majority of candidates with whom you will be competing have gone well beyond minimum requirements. You should plan to do the same.