The information provided in this presentation covers what the Health Professions graduate programs are looking for in student-applicants and how the community college and university advisors can help students prepare for their applications and grow as a person. Attention will be given to specific information that will strengthen students' applications.

The overall goals of this presentation (each are broken down into detail below): Goal 1: To provide guidelines for any advisor of pre-health professions students to help students reach their goals of being a good health professions applicant and professional; Goal 2: To discuss how advisors can: a. help students keep on track academically for successful application to a health professions school; b. Assist students in the successful completion of the required prerequisite courses for the health professions programs c. Help students stay on track to graduate Goal 3: To help advisors assist students in finding alternative careers in the health professions or programs to strengthen their applications to the desired profession.

EMERGE: Guidelines for Advisors of Pre-Health Professions Students (Or What the Health Professions schools look for in student-applicants and how you can help) By Debrah Beck Goal 1: 1. To inform any advisors of pre-health professions students of ways to help students reach their goals of being a good health professions applicant and professional: Excellence: good character traits; leadership ability; empathy; altruism; maturity; humility; accountability; being autonomous; self-aware Medically-related activities/employment 1. Shadowing; 2. Clinical work such as: a. Scribe b. CNA c. Phlebotomist d. Surgical tech e. Nurse f. EMT g. Pharm tech h. ER tech i. Patient advocate j. Other Experience: 1. Volunteer experience: altruism, leadership; 2. Shadowing experience: a. Life in the “trenches”. b. Do I really want to be a doctor/dentist/PA/PT/optometrist/pharmacist/veterinarian/etc.? Resilient: are you tough enough to survive the rigors of training and of the profession? Good grades Entrance exams Medical MCAT Podiatry MCAT Dental DAT Optometry OAT Vet Med GRE Pharmacy PCAT PA GRE PT GRE Nurse NET; TEAS or HESI Goal #2 2.To provide ways advisors can: a. help students keep on track academically for successful application to a health professions school; b. Assist students in the successful completion of the required prerequisite courses for the health professions programs c. Help students stay on track to graduate Evaluate: grades, time management skills; shadowing, volunteering, etc. Manage time effectively Enable students to succeed: JAMP; Pathways Programs; availability of tutoring; TRIO; Learning Center; volunteer opportunities; shadowing opportunities; summer internships (SHPEP, summer research: www.aamc.org ); employment opportunities; enrichment Realistic assessment of abilities/limitations Good coping mechanisms: Good sense of humor; Gratitude; Giving to others; Get-the-heck-out-of-Dodge! Extraordinary human being: passion to heal and alleviate suffering. Goal #3: 3. To help advisors assist students in finding alternative careers in the health professions where students can be successful. a. Coming soon: new UNT website: https://HealthCareers.UNT.edu b. Explore Health Careers: www.ExploreHealthCareers.org c. National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions: www.NAAHP.org d. UNT Office of Health Professions, College of Science: https://cos.unt.edu/advising/health-professions e. UNT Office of Health Professions Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UNTPreHealth/ f. Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service (TMDSAS): application service for the public Texas medical, dental and vet med schools: www.TMDSAS.com g. Post baccalaureate enhancement programs