Medicine and Other Health Professions
Medicine is the most popular health-career area at Centre, but our graduates also choose specialized study in fields such as dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine, among others. Biochemistry and molecular biology and biology are the most popular pre-med majors at Centre, but students from every academic major are accepted to medical school. Diversity is, in fact, not only possible, but encouraged by many medical schools, which have come to realize that students who pursue interests in art, music, philosophy, history, literature, and other areas of liberal study tend to become well-rounded, highly effective physicians. In fact, the only science background generally required for admission to medical school is two years of chemistry, one year each of biology and physics, and one semester of biochemistry. However, the MCAT exam, required of all applicants to medical schools, does require a strong understanding of biology, physics, and chemistry, as well as some study of sociology, psychology, and statistics.
Centre has established a Health Professions Advisory Committee comprised of faculty members who serve as specialist advisors for each health profession. Each advisor is available to students throughout their four years at Centre (and beyond) to help them plan their courses of study, assist them in exploring the many health-related professions, and support the development of application materials. They maintain close contact with the medical and other pre-health schools to which Centre students apply most frequently. The Health Professions Advisory Committee also conducts interviews with applicants for medical school, gathers individual letters of evaluation, and writes a summary evaluation of candidates as part of a committee letter of evaluation submitted on behalf of applicants. This continuing level of personal attention and concern is an important element in the success of Centre graduates in gaining acceptance to medical and other pre-health schools.
Other resources that help Centre students prepare for careers in medicine include the Pre-Health Society and the Health & Medicine Career Exploration Community of the Center for Career and Professional Development. These resources allow students to engage in a variety of activities, such as panel discussions with recent Centre alumni or local health professionals and inviting representatives from professional schools to campus. Other student organizations that support the exploration of careers in healthcare include the Pre-Dental Society, the Pre-Vet Society, and Partners in Health.