Health Professions Advisory Office
We provide resources and support for Vanderbilt students considering careers in healthcare. We strive to holistically educate and counsel students about professional healthcare careers, including exploration, expectations, preparation, and the application process.
Office Location
Connect with Us
Here are six ways to connect to resources and us below. For "quick questions" (5-10 minutes maximum) please join us for drop-in hours (times below) or email HPAO. Instructions for all options to connect are provided below.
Attend Events, Workshops & Group Sessions
Discover annual events, programming and workshops! Join our HPAO email and social media channel to be informed about upcoming events, workshops and small group sessions designed to help you in your journey as a Vanderbilt pre-health/pre-med student.
Fall 2026 Events, Workshops & Group Sessions
- Incoming/New 1st Year VU Pre-Health/Med Student? Engage and join us this fall for HPAO Foundations.
- Aug. 31 @ 3:45-4:30pm, Buttrick Hall 301: Pre-Health/Med Sophomore Reset session - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Aug. 31 @ 4:45-5:30pm, Buttrick Hall 301: Pre-Health/Med Sophomore Reset session - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Sept. 1 @ 4:15 - 5:00pm, Buttrick Hall 301: Pre-Health/Med Sophomore Reset session - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Sept. 1 @ 5:45 - 6:30pm, Buttrick Hall 301: Pre-Health/Med Sophomore Reset session - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Sept. 3 @ 6-7:30pm, Commons Center 235/237: Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Info Session - Welcome Night - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Sept. 10 @ 6-7:30pm, Commons Center 235/237: Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Info Session - Welcome Night - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Sept. 29 @ 4:30-5:30pm, Buttrick Hall 102: Get Ready! Music City Health Professions Annual Expo Event: Prep, Suit Up & Shine - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Sept. 30 @ 4:15-6:00pm, SLC Ballroom: Explorations in Research - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Oct. 6 @ 3-6pm: Annual Music City Health Professions Program Expo - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Oct. 27 @ 7:15-8:30pm, Buttrick 101: MCAT 101: Planning, Prep & Q&A - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Oct. 28 @ 5:45-7:00pm, Buttrick 302: HPAO & Pre-Dental Society: Info Session & Dental Student Panel - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Nov. 6 @ 3:30-6:00pm, SLC Ballroom: Fall Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Symposium - RSVP & Event Info Here
- Nov. 10 @ 6:00-7:00pm, Kissam C216: Spring into Volunteering - RSVP & Event Info Here
Fall 2026: Drop-In Peer Advisor Hours
Designed for quick questions (5-10 minutes maximum).
Sept. 9 - Dec. 11th
- Mondays: 10:15-11:45am & 3-5pm @ Peabody Library 108
- Mondays: 10-11am & 2-5pm @ HPAO Office, Moore A101
- Wednesdays: 10:15-11:45am @ Peabody Library 108
- Wednesday: 11:15am - 2:15pm @ HPAO Office, Moore A109 (next door)
- Fridays: 12:15-3:15pm @ HPAO Office, Moore A101
*Hours not offered on labor day, during week of VU fall break and thanksgiving week.
Note: HPAO offers in-person peer advisor drop-in hours during the fall & spring semesters.
Whether you are exploring, preparing, applying or taking next steps towards the healthcare professional school program or industry, join the HPAO Brightspace page to access on-demand resources, advice and tools to support you on your journey as a Vanderbilt Pre-Health student.
*Recently graduated from Vanderbilt University? Lost access to HPAO Brightspace after graduation?
If you are a recent VU alumnus and lose access to HPAO Brightspace after graduation, please do not email HPAO, as we cannot restore your VUnetID or Brightspace access. Instead, please proceed to:
- Contact VU Information Technology (VU-IT) directly for support.
- You will need to get your VUnetID reactivated through VU-IT. (Note: You received a notification directly from VU IT about this required step at the time of your graduation.)
- Once that is done, your access to HPAO Brightspace (if you joined it in the past) should be restored. (Note: You might need to rejoin the HPAO Brightspace. Link also located 24/7 on HPAO Website – “Connect with Us.” Please try that first.)
If those two completed steps do not restore access, you can email brightspace@vanderbilt.edu directly.
- Include your full name, VU NetID, and Vanderbilt email address.
- State that you are a VU alumnus who has reactivated their VUnetID and tried to join the HPAO Brightspace page with the link above, but it is still not working.
Stay informed! Sign up for our HPAO email list serve to receive important and timely email announcements for current VU Pre-Health students.
Subscribe to our HPAO Email List
Fall/Spring semester, to schedule:
- Sign in to Handshake using VU email/VUNETID.
- Click the Tri-Bar Menu (top left on phone) and/or select:
- "Career Center" & "Appointments."
- Click "Request Appointment" & "Pre-Health Professions Advising" option.
- Select the appointment type to view availability and schedule.
No appointments available? Don't forget all options to connect with us...
- Have a "quick" 5-10 minute question? Utilize HPAO Drop-In Hours as well in fall & spring semester.
- Resources 24/7: HPAO Website & Join HPAO Brightspace for resources and information.
- Follow: HPAO Social Media for updates, opportunities, and announcements.
Please check at least 2-3 weeks ahead in the appointment system.