Pre-Health Professions

Preparation for professional programs in the health and medical fields is available at UNC Asheville. Students can major in the natural science, social science and traditional humanities disciplines or they can transcend traditional disciplines and create their own individual degree program. At UNC Asheville we believe that an undergraduate liberal arts education, coupled with a strong research component, is the best foundation for advanced studies in the health professions. Students need breadth, depth of knowledge, and experience in order to later understand their patients and relate to their peers in the health professions.

Preparation for Health Careers

Professional programs require courses in English, humanities, social sciences, and especially in the natural sciences and mathematics. Although the standard course requirements for medical school serve as a template for all of the health professions, specific requirements exist for each of the professions and among schools within the same profession. Your pre-health professions academic advisor will assist you in solidifying your professional goals and make sure you have the correct preparation for the schools to which you apply. Advising is an important service at UNC Asheville. The Pre-Health Advisory Committee and the Hippocrates Program have extensive materials about specific programs across the country. They have been established to guide you through this process and assist you in making the correct decisions.

Course Requirements for Medical School

Below is a list of course requirements specified by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). These courses cover materials tested by the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This also serves as a list of general requirements for the medical schools themselves. Keep in mind that requirements differ among schools. In addition to these courses, at UNC Asheville you will also be required to take other courses, course work in your major, and electives.

Course/Semesters

Will I be Able to Get into the Program of My Choice?

Since so many people want these careers, you need good college preparation and careful planning to be competitive. Admission committees look at the courses you chose, the grades you earned and, most importantly, your performance on the standardized admissions examination, the MCAT, DAT, PCAT, GRE, etc. They also consider you as a person: Have you demonstrated excellence in some way outside the classroom? Have you been of service to others? Are you consistent in your goals? Have you gained experience in your future profession? Colleges and universities can’t create the qualities an applicant needs, but schools like UNC Asheville can develop your strengths. UNC Asheville offers small classes and close interaction with faculty who are dedicated to teaching and distinguished by scholarship. We work to create opportunities for independent study and undergraduate research. You may explore areas of interest or do an internship with area professionals. We try to help you reach your full potential.

How selective are medical schools?

During the past decade the national acceptance rate for applicants to medical schools has ranged from a low of 34 percent to a high of 42 percent. Obviously, most applicants to medical school are not accepted, and admission into veterinary medicine schools is even more competitive. Your scores on each section of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) are of great importance, but recently medical schools are placing increased emphasis on your understanding of the profession, your desire to serve humankind and your ability to effectively interact with a broad spectrum of people. Students often ask which major they should select that will optimize their chances of being accepted into medical school. Nationally, the most popular majors are biology, chemistry and biochemistry. However, any major is acceptable. In fact, over the past 10 years many non-science disciplines have had acceptance rates that exceeded the national averages.

At UNC Asheville, about one half of the pre-medicine students major in biology and chemistry/biochemistry. But any major is encouraged if you have the required courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.  Our students have majored in the social sciences, the fine arts, traditional humanities disciplines, and foreign languages (a French major went on to become a medical missionary in Africa). The UNC Asheville Pre-Health Advisory Committee will help you with the details. In your freshman year, you should complete the requirements in introductory chemistry (2 courses), introductory biology (one course), English (two courses) and mathematics (one or two courses). In your sophomore year you should complete organic chemistry, start your physics courses and take an advanced biology course. During the junior year, you should complete the physics, perhaps take an additional advanced biology course, and begin a rigorous study program to review for the MCAT. In April of your junior year, you will take the MCAT and begin your application to medical school. During your senior, year you will complete the application to medical school and you should take biochemistry and other science courses in preparation for the first year of medical school. 

Other Health Professions

Our students have also had considerable success in the fields of dentistry, optometry, podiatry, veterinary medicine, medical research, pharmacy and physical therapy. Former students are also physician assistants, athletic trainers, nurses, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners. UNC Asheville also offers a joint degree program in nursing with Western Carolina University. Please consult with members of the Pre-Health Advisory Committee for specific requirements for these other health professions.

More Information

Bert Holmes
Philip G. Carson Distinguished Chair of Science and
Chair of the Pre-Health Advisory Committee
214 Robinson Hall, CPO #2310
UNC Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804-8511

bholmes@unca.edu

Barry Fox
Coordinator, Pre-Health Professions Program   
116C Rhoades Hall, CPO #2420
UNC Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804-8511

bfox@unca.edu
828.251.6118