What are health professions programs looking for?
Top image: 麻豆传媒 student Tylor Lee interning with Healthcare in Action, which provides healthcare and social services to unhoused people in Los Angeles.
Health professions programs are looking for students with academic potential, robust experiences and unique attributes. First and foremost, students must demonstrate academic excellence, breadth and depth through coursework in the liberal arts and additional prerequisite courses. Seek help from academic support resources such as the Advising Center, the Writing Center and the Academic Mastery Program.
At the same time, identify and pursue meaningful opportunities including research, volunteering in the community, shadowing, clinical interactions, internships and enrichment programs. A consistent record of involvement will help you establish a mission-based pre-professional identity, which ultimately reinforces your commitment to a health profession. Over time, as you move through these experiences, you will determine if and when you are ready to apply.
Core Competencies
Beyond metrics such as GPA and standardized test scores, ideal health profession candidates should demonstrate the following 17 as laid out by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC):
| Category | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Professional Competencies | Commitment to Learning and Growth Empathy and Compassion Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others Interpersonal Skills Oral Communication Reliability and Dependability Resilience and Adaptability Self-Awareness Service Orientation Teamwork and Collaboration Understanding Others |
| Science Competencies | Human Behavior Living Systems |
| Thinking and Reasoning Competencies | Critical thinking Quantitative reasoning Scientific Inquiry Written Communication |