Pre-Med / Pre-Health

Advising Program

When you pursue a future in the health fields, you dedicate yourself to the well-being of those you help.

With this advising program, you’ll have the education, resources and support you need to successfully pursue your chosen career as a doctor, nurse or other medical professional.

Overview

Choose your own major

The Pre-Med / Pre-Health advising program does not limit you to any particular major. Study what most closely aligns with your passions. Whichever major you choose, you’ll receive the full benefits of a liberal arts education — making you a well-rounded applicant for graduate school in these areas:

Medical
Dental
Pharmacy
Veterinary
Optometry
Physical Therapy
Physician Assistant

Take specially designed courses

Along with your regular classes, you’ll need to take a year of each of these subjects to be considered for graduate school:

General and Organic Chemistry
Introductory and Advanced Biology
Physics

We also recommend taking Biochemistry, Psychology and Medical Sociology — they’re on the MCAT exam. Optional clinical courses, such as Immunology and Pre-Health Seminar, give you the opportunity to learn directly from practicing medical professionals. All of these courses will prepare you for a future career in medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and physical therapy. Learn more about required and recommended courses.

Get experience that matters

You’ll have shadowing and internship opportunities at local hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations. Some of our students have worked at Los Robles Hospital, St. Johns Hospitals and Amgen. You’ll also get exposure to research opportunities with professors in the lab and even COPE Health Scholars. These kinds of firsthand experiences are invaluable — and make you a much stronger medical, dentistry or pharmacy school candidate.

Join a strong pre-med community

Our current Pre-Med and Pre-Health students share your passions and goals. They will welcome you into their tight-knit community through clubs and organizations such as the American Medical Student Association. Their mentorship will play a huge role in your success.

Benefit from dedicated advisors

As you prepare to apply to graduate school, you will have one-on-one counseling every step of the way. This includes resume writing and personal statement reviews, mock interviews, maintaining a file for your letters of recommendation, and coordinating your mailings for school applications.

Popular Majors

Advisors

Michele LeBlanc

Professor of Exercise Science; Nena Amundson Professor of Biomechanics

How to Apply Request Info

The Experience

I have been shadowing two UCLA pulmonologists consistently since the summer of my freshman year. This experience has been an eye-opener to not only how hard it is to be a doctor, but how worthwhile this profession is. Seeing the patients each week brings me great joy and has solidified my desire to become a doctor.

Amy Lai '17

Read their story

The Pre-Health Seminar really kickstarted my pre-med experience at Cal Lutheran. Along with AMSA, it connected me to a network of like-minded students and exposed me to what was available. The summer after freshman year, I started my first internship, which I have continued ever since. I have learned and grown so much working within a hospital environment around patients and medical staff.

William Frem '16
William Frem

Your Future

Upon graduation, you will be well-prepared for the challenges of graduate school. You will also have free, lifelong access to our Career Services — an invaluable resource as you advance in your education and career.