Pre-Health at the UW

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Understand what "pre-health" means at the University of Washington Seattle, how to access advisers and how to get started.

Pre-Health at the UW

Pre-Health at the UW

Pre-health is not a major

We define pre-health (or pre-med) as a process a student goes through if they intend to enter a health professional field. Pre-health is not a “major” or “track”. The process includes:

  1. Actively exploring a variety of health care professions and understanding the type of work (e.g. patient contact, type of facility) involved and how this matches your personal strengths, motivations, and preferences
  2. Preparing for a selected health profession, this includes both academic (e.g. course planning and major selection) and vocational endeavors (e.g. job shadowing, volunteering, research, leadership, work experience)
  3. Applying to the professional schools including assessing readiness to apply, selecting schools, preparing for and taking entrance exams, and preparing a compelling application

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I major in?keyboard_arrow_down

You can major in anything along the way towards a career in health and health care. Health professional schools don't consider an applicants major in the admissions process. There are specific requirements that each graduate and professional school may look for however which is covered in the prepare section.

Keep in mind that choosing a career in health care is not one decision but a series of decisions based on exploration, investigation and reflection. Just completing a major is not enough to be successfully prepared for a health care program. You should continually assess your academic readiness, motivation, and skills in sciences as well as humanities and social sciences. Getting involved in health care (volunteering and shadowing) as well as community service are essential elements to exploring what the profession is really about and if it is a good match for you.

What are health related majors at UW?keyboard_arrow_down

While you can major in anything on your path to a healthcare career or graduate health program, below are a few health and health science undergraduate programs. You can contact those departmental advisers directly. There may also be other majors that fit for your own personal interests. Consider these as a jumping off point for your exploration; other majors may also fit your own personal interests and goals.

UW is known for their medical school, what does that mean for me as an undergraduate?keyboard_arrow_down

The UW School of Medicine ranks among the top academic institutions in the country. Its faculty conducts basic and clinical research, cares for patients and trains new physicians, biomedical scientists, and allied health professionals. The medical school’s regional education program, WWAMI (an acronym for the states served by the UW School of Medicine: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho), is a national model for community-based training of physicians for rural areas and for other populations lacking adequate medical services. The medical school has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top medical schools for primary-care education. It is also the nation’s #1 public university for receiving National Institutes of Health funding. From all sources combined, the UW School of Medicine receives more than $1 billion each year in research funding.

Studying at the UW as an undergraduate student means you have access and opportunities to collaborate with the UW School of Medicine and their programs. You can prepare for your graduate school applications by volunteering or conducting research with hospitals and clinics in the greater Seattle region. Attending UW as an undergraduate student does not mean you will have an advantage in getting into the UW School of Medicine. Learn more at uwmedicine.org/school-of-medicine.

Who do I contact at UW Bothell or Tacoma?keyboard_arrow_down

Pre-Health Advising at UW Bothell
uwbprehealth@uw.edu
425.352.3418
https://www.uwb.edu/career-services/pre-health

Pre-Health Advising at UW Tacoma
uwtuaa@uw.edu
253-692-4857

https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/pre-health

Read all Frequently Asked Questions

Get Started and Stay Connected

Get Started and Stay Connected

Review the website

This website provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how pre-health at the UW works. There are many people at the UW who can support you in navigating the pre-health process. This website will help you know where to start.

Stay connected

View and sign up for alerts and updates from pre-health news and events to start connecting with resources, summer programs, fellowships, career panels, internships, and more! Click the "sign up for alerts from this interest community" on the sidebar.

Make an Appointment

Make an Appointment

Non-UW Students

Unfortunately we do not have capacity to see non-UW students. Interested in attending the UW? Feel free to explore the website and these other resources: ExploreHealthCareers.org and UW Pre-health News and Events.

Admitted Students

Newly admitted students should wait until their Advising & Orientation session to speak with an adviser. Review this website and come prepared with questions to ask.

Current Students

Current students should meet with their academic adviser and then make an appointment with a career coach.

Not sure who to meet with? Use the chart below to understand how an adviser or coach can help you.

Academic Advising

Meeting with an general or department adviser can help you prepare for your chosen healthcare career. Advisers can help you with:

• Which courses you need for your chosen health professional school and when to take them
• How to choose the major that is the best fit for you
• How to combine major requirements with pre-health requirements

Not sure who to contact for academic advising? You can:

  • Visit MGH 141,
  • Call 206-543-2550, or
  • Email advice@uw.edu

and we can help connect you with an academic adviser.

The Career & Internship Center

Meet with a Career Coach who can help you with questions about:

• Which health career is the best fit for you
• Getting clinical experience and exposure
• Getting involved in research and leadership activities
• Your timeline for preparation and application to health professional schools

The Career & Internship Center
Mary Gates Hall 134
(206) 543-0535
careers.uw.edu

University of Washington