Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a science major to pursue a health profession?
Answer: No. Students should major in a subject area of personal interest. Many Pre-Health students pursue science majors based on interest in the scientific field while completing their professional program pre-requisite coursework. Students pursuing non-science majors would find it advantageous to take additional courses beyond the pre-requisites to demonstrate science abilities.

What is an educational goal?
Answer: An educational goal indicates a student's intended professional pursuit after completing the pre-requisite coursework and admissions criteria for the desired program. Students can request one of the following Pre-Health educational goals be listed on their record: Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-Human Nutrition and Pre-Health Information Management.

What if my intended professional pursuit is not an educational goal at UIC?
Answer: Students pursuing professions such as Optometry, Podiatry, Physician's Assistant, Chiropractic Medicine and Genetic Counseling can elect to have Pre-Medicine as their educational goal and talk with a Pre-Health advisor regarding specific admission criteria for their area of interest.

How do I find volunteer opportunities?
Answer: There are multiple resources students can take advantage of to become involved in volunteer and health related opportunities. Students should select health settings: hospitals, clinics or nursing homes in their area and contact the volunteer coordinator for available positions. Additionally, UIC offers many student organizations and clubs both Pre-Health and service-oriented. Pre-Health students are encouraged to become active members of these organizations, including involvement in leadership positions when possible.

Is there a Pre-Med major at UIC?
Answer: No. Students desiring to matriculate to medical school must pursue a Bachelors degree prior to admission. Within the context of that degree, students should declare a Pre-Medicine educational goal with a LAS advisor. This will enable students to be included in Pre-Medicine related emails, including but not limited to updates regarding: course registration waitlists, workshops, campus speakers, professional school open houses, and scholarship opportunities. Students will also be given a list of pre-requisite coursework necessary for medical school admission and successful performance on the MCAT.

When do you apply to professional school?
Answer: Typically, applicants apply 12 to 15 months in advance of the date they wish to enter professional school. Application cycles begin early summer and continue through the fall for most professional schools. Students are responsible for knowing each school's admissions criteria and deadlines. It is highly recommended that students submit their applications early for greatest consideration.

When do I take entrance exams or admission tests?
Answer: Entrance exams should only be taken after considerable time is taken to study and basic science coursework, relevant to the exam content, has been completed. Students should be aware of the test content for the exam they wish to take. Official exams should NEVER be taken for practice. See Admission Tests for information and websites of the various entrance exams for professional schools.

How do I take Anatomy and Physiology at UIC?
Answer: Students outside of the College of Applied Health Science can take KN 252 & 252 if seats remain after all AHS students are permitted registration. To request KN 251, students (outside of AHS) must place themselves on the wait list. The wait list can be found in the Restricted Courses section of the Pre-Health web site. KN 251 is offered every fall and KN 252 is offered every spring semester at UIC. Pre-Medical students might take BIOS 272 (Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology) as an alternate course to provide some background in anatomy. Anatomy is not a requirement for medical school admission.