Getting Started

I.  WHERE DO I START?

If you are interested in a career in the health professions, start by attending the health professions orientation meeting during the opening week of your first semester at Whitman.  You’ll have a chance to sign up with our Health Professions email list in order to be kept informed about issues surrounding the health professions, events on campus,  and information about internships and applications.   Next, make an appointment with Jim Russo, the Health Professions Advisor on campus, to discuss your career plan, courses and majors, internships and health care experiences, and application timelines.  

II.  WHAT ARE THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS?

  Below is a list of some of the health professions which students have pursued after leaving Whitman. Click on the links at the right for more information on the particular profession. 

 Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)  www.aamc.org
 Audiology  www.audfound.org

 Chiropractic Medicine 

 www.chirocolleges.org

 Dentistry 

 www.adea.org
 Genetic Counseling
  www.nsgc.org/career/
 Naturopathic Medicine
  www.aanmc.org

 Nursing

 www.aacn.nche.edu
 Nutrition  www.asnutrition.org
 Occupational Therapy  www.aota.org
 Optometry  www.aoa.org
 Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
 www.aacom.org 
 Pharmacy  www.aacp.org
 Physical Therapy
  www.apta.org
 Physician Assistant
  www.aapa.org
 Podiatry  www.aacpm.org
 Public Health  www.asph.org
 Veterinary Medicine  www.aavmc.org

For a more detailed list of the professions, go to the Explore Health Careers website:

www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/index.aspx 

 

III.  HOW DO I BECOME A STRONG APPLICANT?

  • choose a challenging curriculum that stretches and challenges you (don't settle for the minimal course requirements)
  • make long-term commitments to service in your community
  • learn as much as you can about the practice of your profession and the promises and obstacles to affordable, quality health care from both direct interaction with health care professionals and your own reading
  • meet with your health professions advisor regularly to assess your coursework, to identify health care experiences and internships, and to discuss which programs may best fit your abilities and interests

Download a more detailed  checklist for becoming a strong applicant for a health profession school while at Whitman:

Click here for a checklist of academic and personal qualities of successful applicants


How many others apply?

Below is a graph showing the number of applicant vs. number of matriculants for first year positions in US allopathic (MD) medical schools from 1985-2009. (data from the AAMC) Notice the large fluctuation in number of applicants in a given year!