The Post-baccalaureate Pre-professional Preparation Program (P4 Program) is for students who hold a baccalaureate degree but do not have the science courses necessary to qualify for admission to a professional school. They now have a platform at UWF for taking the courses necessary to make successful application to medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, physical therapy and other professional schools in the health sciences arena. This is called the P4 Program. The P4 opens a broad mosaic of support for these students in the form of the Pre-professional Advisory Committee and Pre-Professional Advisor; the five pre-professional student organizations, which offer critical leads, sources of information, networks and academic support; and the departmental advisor and faculty who are well—versed in information integral to a successful application to professional school. Read a personal success story about Anna Christensen.
Between 20 and 30% of medical students earned a non-science undergraduate degree. How did they manage the Biology, Chemistry and Physics that medical schools require for admission? How did they get recommendation letters? How did they get good advice? How do they perform compared to the traditional premed students? What resources are available to them? |
In the P4 program at UWF, the Advising team offers one-on-one advising sessions during which a returning student can discuss their goals, look at degree options and timelines, and probe alternate careers in the health sciences. The team provides mock interviews and writes collective letters of support which are of critical importance in the application process to many professional schools in the health sciences.
In addition, UWF has five student organizations that are open to returning students, Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) is the Pre-professional Honor Society. AMSA is the American Medical Student Association. There is also a Pre-Pharmacy Society, a Medical Technology Student Association, and a Pre-Veterinary Society. These groups bring in speakers from allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, veterinary, dental, PT, pharmacy schools and others, from within and outside the US.
Many professional schools expect applicants to have a good understanding of what is involved in a career in the health professions. The UWF Biology has designed a course entitled "Clinical Experience in Health Care" as an upper division elective providing clinical experience for the pre-professional student.
This 3 credit hour course will place students in clinical settings within the region to provide them with the kinds of experience that professional schools are expecting. If a student entering the P4 Program requires a clinical experience they can contact the Chair, Dr. George Stewart for more information (gstewart@uwf.edu).
I already have a degree in Business/ Hospitality/Political Science/ Etc.
What classes should I take, and in what order? · Talk with the Pre-Professional Advisor to tailor a timeline for your success. Depending on the school to which you are applying and the field you have chosen, you may need Math up to Calculus, Chemistry up to Organic Chemistry II, Biology (Zoology and Cell Biology, and higher Bio courses), as well as Physics I and II. Other classes may be required.
How long will it take me to be ready to apply to med school? · This will depend on the number of courses you need to take and the amount of time you have to devote to these courses. An analysis of your specific situation by the Pre-Professional Advisor will lead to development of a “road map” and time line for your journey to professional school.
Should I do research? Are there research opportunities at UWF? · A majority of successful applicants to health professional schools have done some research. Faculty in Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Lab Sciences, and other fields have active research programs and routinely involve students in these activities.
I heard that health professional schools require a Health Advisory Committee Letter of recommendation. Will UWF help me with that, since I’m not earning a degree? · We work with both traditional and P4 students. We are here for you and will support you in every way possible.
Student organizations and contacts for 2009-2010AED—Alpha Epsilon Delta is the Preprofessional Honor Society |