Planning Your Career
Making a Career Plan
Preparing for a career in the health professions is not just about learning facts. It is about learning and mastering skills and about abilities and values that help you throughout your life.
Demonstrating Success
Historically, students applying to medical school with at least a 3.6 GPA, an average MCAT score of 30, strong letters of recommendation, a solid track record in scholarly work/research outside the classroom, sustained service and leadership along with a record of commitment to medicine as a career gain admission. Applicants to dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine and other health professions with strong academic records and strong applications have been equally successful. CSUSB Health Professions Advising Center can you help you reach your career goals, too.
Choosing A Major
There is no "pre-med" major and no "best" major for the health professions although a solid foundation in the sciences is required. Health professions schools are looking for students from all majors who have performed at a high level in all course work, particularly the sciences.
You Don't Have to be a Biology, Chemistry or Biochemistry Major
- Although these majors make up about 55% of the students who apply to medical school, they do not matriculate at a higher rate than students who come from other majors.
- Applicants to other health professions come from a variety of academic backgrounds as well, including humanities, math and statistics, physical sciences, social sciences and specialized health studies.
General Coursework Needed
Students with an interest in a health profession should come to the CSUSB Health Professions Advising Center early in their undergraduate program to begin regular and on-going advising about their specific health profession interest. Students are encouraged to explore different health career options and to confirm their interest in a particular health profession.
There is no "best" major for those going into graduate or professional programs in the health professions. Students should major in a field that genuinely interests them. Regardless of major, students must have a solid foundation in the sciences and must complete pre-requisite courses in preparation for admission tests and applying for admission to graduate or health professions programs. Courses should be academically rigorous and acceptable for students majoring in these areas.