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Pre-Health Resource Center

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Experience and Support

HELP student working with a patientUD's Pre-Health Resource Center (PHRC) provides an array of preparation support and experiential learning to students of any major who are interested in applying to medical, dental, physician assistant (PA) or other health professional schools after graduation. Our resources include exploration and networking, as well as application mentoring and support throughout the undergraduate experience and after graduation.

The PHRC also supports student-led pre-health clubs and organizations that provide practical experience, networking, volunteering and leadership development opportunities.

Exploration and Networking

Throughout the undergraduate years, students will learn about various health professions, gain clinical experience, explore the complexities of healthcare and interact with both admissions representatives and practicing health care providers. Opportunities include:

  • Regular seminars and small-group meetings with guest speakers from regional medical, dental and other professional schools that introduce different health professions and explain the process of applying to health-related graduate programs.
  • An annual healthcare symposium that provides opportunities for students to learn more about relevant aspects of healthcare, attend professional development discussion panels and network with area healthcare professionals.
  • Weekly email updates that connect students to shadowing, research, summer and gap-year opportunities, events and application advising and support.
Real-world Experience

Experiential learning is rooted in our Catholic, Marianist values and is one of the foundations of the educational experience for all of our students.

Purpose-driven clinical, research, volunteer and shadowing experience helps students ascertain the perspective and direction that will lead to a rewarding career in healthcare. Email prehealth@udayton.edu to learn more about current opportunities and how we can support your experience.

Current students can visit Porches to explore all available opportunities — including research, shadowing and employment.

Clinical Experience

Students from all majors can gain valuable clinical experience by participating in mini-courses sponsored by Premedical Programs. A central component of the mini-courses is on-site volunteer experience within a community partner organization.

Descriptions of the mini-courses we offer can be found on the courses page.

Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP)

University of Dayton students have the opportunity to gain clinical experience by participating in HELP, an innovative model program designed to improve the hospital experience of older patients.

Students must be registered for the premed mini-course MED 220 which is a 1 semester hour, pass/fail course.

Students must also complete the training program, including a sixteen-hour volunteer training session prior to the start of the program, and commit to a minimum of sixty volunteer hours throughout the semester.
Resources for Applying to Health Professional Schools

The PHRC provides guidance, resources and support for all majors across campus who are interested in applying to a health professional school.

Current students can find more information — including upcoming workshops — on Porches.

Mentoring

PHRC faculty mentors hold regular meetings with their pre-health advisees to discuss benchmarks and strategies for successful admission, based on the latest requirements and trends for medical, dental, PA, optometry and other health professional schools.

Composite Letters

PHRC staff assists students applying to health professional schools that accept composite letters as part of the primary application process.

MCAT Preparation

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a standardized test required for admission to the majority of medical school programs. The MCAT will also be accepted by specific masters and graduate programs.

PHRC developed a course mapping tool that aligns the content of UD courses with the content covered on the MCAT.

Mock Interviews

PHRC coordinates with Career Services to offer mock interviews for medical, dental and physician assistant school for student applicants and alumni that have received an interview offer from a health professional school.