Prehealth is an umbrella term for the diverse careers in the health professions that students may pursue, from acupuncture to veterinary medicine. Health Professions Advising (HPA) is the office that focuses on supporting prehealth students. Although most Princeton students are interested in medicine, we encourage open-mindedness and career exploration / discovery.

To meet requirements for most medical and dental schools, we advise students to take one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and physics (lecture and lab); Writing Seminar and one additional semester of English; and one semester each of calculus, statistics, and biochemistry (see Academic Preparation). Many students take psychology classes to prepare for the medical school entrance exam (MCAT). Other programs’ requirements differ, especially for vet school and Physician Assistant programs; contact HPA early to explore these requirements.

Students who use AP credit to place out of an introductory science course are advised to supplement the credit with upper level coursework (ideally with laboratory) in the same discipline. Students are recommended to take at least 11-12 science courses at Princeton prior to medical school application. HPA advisers work closely with students to be sure that their course work plans will fulfill their prerequisites for health professions schools.

No. Beyond the required science courses, a broad liberal arts background is encouraged and expected, as is majoring in the field of greatest interest.

Popular prehealth majors include:
Molecular Biology
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Chemical & Biological Engineering
School of Public and International Affairs
Chemistry
Neuroscience
Psychology
Medical Anthropology

Learn more about Major Choices.

Yes! Some favorites include:

• Race and Medicine (AAS 403)
• Medical Anthropology (ANT 240)
• Ancient Greco-Roman Medicine (CLA 345)
• Comparative Physiology (EEB 314)
• Critical Perspectives in Global Health (GHP 350)
• Literature and Medicine (SLA 368)
• Modern Genetics and Public Policy (WWS 354).

See a full list of medicine- and health-related course offered this term.

Yes! International experience via academic work, internships, and/or postgrad fellowships can complement and enhance a student’s program of study and their personal and prehealth interests. Students work with Study Abroad advisers to plan their abroad experience and with HPA to plan their prerequisite courses around it.

The activities that a student chooses should reflect their interests and values; students drawn to medicine in order to help others engage in service activities that reflect that interest. We also encourage students to choose activities that help them develop competencies that are valued in future physicians, such as teamwork and leadership skills, oral communication, and cultural competence. Choose a few things to do meaningfully and well, and always focus on academics first!

As with any other experience, try it if you think that you would enjoy it, but don’t do it because you feel like you “have to.”  Many of our successful prehealth students are passionate about other topics and prioritize other activities. The only “required” prehealth activity is gaining clinical experience (and we hope that you would want to spend time on this anyway).

The senior thesis positions Princeton applicants to demonstrate their intellectual curiosity and commitment to inquiry, and to have more research experience than most undergraduates applying to medical school. Some students pursue research prior to the thesis--if you might want to become a physician-scientist (MD/PhD), then prioritize joining a lab early.

At its core, medicine is a service profession, and we encourage students to choose civic engagement activities that demonstrate their service orientation and allow them to help others. The Pace Center for Civic Engagement is the best place to start exploring service opportunities.

As someone considering a health profession, prioritize experience in medical settings to show medical schools (and yourself!) that you have observed medical practice first-hand, started to develop your own "bedside manner," and have gained a realistic understanding of the career. Even if you volunteered and shadowed in high school, keep building on that experience in your undergraduate years.

Some students volunteer at the local hospital, as EMTs on the local rescue squad (PFARS), and with student groups through the Pace Center Student Volunteer Corps (SVC), including a hospice program and suicide hotline. Students shadow local physicians and participate in “Princeternships” to shadow in other cities over vacations. Our alumni network is incredibly generous and often invite students to shadow or develop internships specifically for our students. Past students have created Breakout trips to explore health care settings during vacations. Some students devote vacations to the medical environment and focus on classes and other activities during the academic year.

Three Princeton-specific internship programs (Princeton Internships in Civic Service; the International Internship Program, and the Global Health Program internships) provide medically-relevant, paid, hands-on experiences that are open exclusively to Princeton students. HPA strongly encourages some hands-on, in person work that involves interacting directly with patients and their families (beyond shadowing).

Unlike applying to college, which many students do as soon as they finish high school, medical school application timelines very significantly.

Once you are certain that 1) you’re ready to make a lifetime commitment to medicine and 2) that your candidacy is strong enough that you can meet your goals as an applicant.

Pragmatically, by the time you apply, you should have: 

• Completed prerequisite science courses and demonstrated readiness for the medical school science curriculum.
• Carved out ample time to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). 
• Gotten to know enough faculty and others to garner 3-6 strong letters of recommendation. 
• Gained meaningful experience with patients and exposure to your chosen profession. 

See Application Overview and Timeline on the HPA website

It’s a day-long standardized test that is required for the regular medical school admissions cycle. It tests critical analysis and reading skills, science knowledge, and concepts from psychology and sociology that address the importance of socio-cultural and behavioral determinants of health and health outcomes. You will be best equipped to take the MCAT when you have completed general and organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry and physics, and have gained familiarity with statistics, psychology and sociology. Similar tests are administered for most health professions.

Learn more:

• www.aamc.org/mcat
• Standardized Tests information on HPA website

Our applicant pool is as diverse as the Princeton student body. They come from every concentration, across the country and internationally. Some come from a family of physicians and others are first-generation college-goers.

Our belief at HPA is that any student who can get into Princeton has what it takes to get into medical school, but it does require significant self-reflection, thoughtful planning, and an openness to making adjustments in time management, study skills, and priorities. We work with students to navigate their holistic preparation based on their unique strengths, interests, and plans.

Princeton’s acceptance rate for students to allopathic medical (MD) schools in recent years has been about double the national average (80-90% vs. 38-44%), with similar success with osteopathic medical (DO), dental, and veterinary schools. As importantly, our students feel well prepared for their professional school and do well once they’re accepted. 

Admission to medical school is holistic and based on academic and nonacademic factors. Our applicants are accepted with a wide range of metrics. Rather than focus on GPA and MCAT scores now, incoming students should focus on adjusting to Princeton, setting a reasonable course load to facilitate a smooth transition from high school, and refining study strategies and time management so that they are confident that they are putting in their best work. 

One or more “glide” or “gap” years provide scheduling flexibility,  stronger letters if recommendation, a completed senior thesis before application, and time for real world experience between two rigorous academic endeavors. The average age of a medical school matriculant is 24 – many opt for taking time to regroup and pursue interests. All of the services that Princeton HPA offers are available to alumni.

Many choose to attend public medical schools in their home state, where financing options are favorable and support networks close at hand. Many also choose urban areas with diverse patient populations. 

See map of medical school acceptances 

HPA advisers have worked with hundreds of students who have each taken their own unique paths to their chosen professions. We can help you figure out your best path based on our past experiences. When you’re applying to professional school, we write a committee letter of recommendation on your behalf, so becoming familiar with us and our office early in your college career can result in a more nuanced and personalized letter based on a relationship developed over time.

Come and find us early and often! We’ll be available at course registration during orientation to answer initial questions, then attend a Prehealth 101 Info Session in the fall and bring follow-up questions to an individual appointment or to drop in hours. The earlier we get to know you, the more we’ll be able to help you set and reach your goals. We look forward to meeting you!