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.
Support Offered
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. For longer conversations, please schedule an appointment. Instructions for all options to connect are provided below.
Office Location
Whether your are exploring, preparing, applying or taking next steps towards the healthcare professional school program or industry, join the HPAO Brightspace to access on-demand resources, advice and tools to support you on your journey as a Vanderbilt Pre-Health student.
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
Summer 2025 Walk-In Hours: (for quick, 5-10 minute questions only)
We offer limited, virtual walk-in hours once a week during the summer. For schedule and connection details, please visit: Handshake
Note: HPAO offers expanded in-person peer advisor walk-in hours during the fall & spring semesters. See you in-person for the fall semester!
Attend Events, Workshops & Group Sessions
Discover annual events, programming and workshops by joining our HPAO Brightspace, 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 student. Learn more by joining the HPAO email list serve to stay informed.
Spring 2025 Events, Workshops & Group Sessions
- February 10 -14, 2025: Exploring career role options within healthcare? Attend Vandy in Health Week events and sessions.
- Multiple sessions, March 18 - April 15th: Application Refinement: Small Group Sessions - Highly recommended if applying summer 2025 - Register Here
Come to the HPAO for guidance as you prepare your application for a health professions program. Sessions are optional support and will have no bearing on your committee letter.
- March 19th, 2025: Pre-Med Gap Year Panel Event - Register here
Wondering whether you should take a gap year or not? Come to the HPAO Gap Year Panel Event where you can ask Vanderbilt Medical Students your questions! There will be a panel portion as well as a networking, 1:1 portion where undergrads can ask more specific questions to medical students of their choosing. Chick-fil-A will be provided.
- April 14th, 2025: HPAO Crash Course: Secondary Applications – Register Here
Fall 2025 Events, Workshops & Group Sessions (More Coming Soon!)
- September 4 & 11, 2025: Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Info Session (For incoming fall 2025 VU students)
- October 22, 2025: Annual Music City Health Professions Program Expo
Save the date! More information in early fall 2025.
Note: During summer semester (May-July) the HPAO office has limited appointment availability due to peak applicant support, fall preparation, and ongoing staffing transitions. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to connecting more in the fall semester if we’re unable to meet you during the summer.
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 "Schedule A New Appointment" & "Health Professions Advising" option.
- Select your appointment type need to view availability and schedule a session.
No appointments available? Don't forget options...
- Join HPAO Brightspace: access on-demand pre-health resources.
- Have a "quick" 5-10 minute question? Consider "walk-in hours" option as well in fall & spring semester.
Please check at least 3 weeks ahead in the appointment system.