FAQ’s: Resources (A-Z)

Recently admitted to Vanderbilt but haven't completed new student orientation yet?

Congratulations and welcome to Vanderbilt! Your engagement with HPAO begins during CommonVU Orientation at our Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Information Session(s) - Welcome Nights when you arrive at campus in the fall. There, you'll learn how to get started, connect with resources, and prepare for your pre-health/pre-medical journey. We look forward to meeting you during orientation!

Completed your required Vanderbilt registration as an incoming student?

After that, we recommend you:

• Register/Attend: 1 Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Info Session - Welcome Night (offered during CommonVU Orientation, every fall semester). Open to all Vanderbilt pre-healthcare students.
• Register/Attend: HPAO Foundations (fall semester), designed specifically for VU 1^st year pre-health/med students.
• Register/Attend: HPAO Events, Workshops, and Group Sessions (fall/spring semesters).
• Resources 24/7: HPAO Website & Join HPAO Brightspace for resources and information.
• Follow: HPAO Social Media for updates, opportunities, and announcements.
• Subscribe: HPAO Email List Serve to receive important and timely email announcement for current VU pre-health/med students.
• Unlimited Access: HPAO Drop-In hours (fall/spring) designed for quick questions (5-10 minutes).
• Begin to explore clinical and non-clinical healthcare career pathways.

Continuing VU Students:

Connect to support with us in many ways, including:

• If you are a new pre-healthcare student, register/attend: 1 Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Info Session - Welcome Night (offered during CommonVU Orientation, every fall semester). Open to all Vanderbilt pre-healthcare students.
• Register/Attend: HPAO Events, Workshops, and Group Sessions (fall/spring semesters).
• Resources 24/7: HPAO Website & Join HPAO Brightspace for resources and information.
• Follow: HPAO Social Media for updates, opportunities, and announcements.
• Subscribe: HPAO Email List Serve to receive important and timely email announcement for current VU pre-health/med students.
• Unlimited Access: HPAO Drop-In hours (fall/spring) designed for quick questions (5-10 minutes).
• Shifted direction or considering a different healthcare pathway? Review clinical and non-clinical healthcare career pathways and resources.

Does Vanderbilt - School of Medicine offer an Early Acceptance Program?

No. The Vanderbilt University - School of Medicine no longer has an Early Acceptance Program. The decision was based in part upon the changes in the medical school curriculum. VU-School of Medicine feels a longer viewpoint of the applicant's undergraduate accomplishments is needed in order to determine the student's potential for success.

There's More Than One Way to Gain Experience as Pre-Health/Pre-Med Student

While "internships" are common in many other industries, they are not the only path for VU pre-health/pre-med students. Limiting your search to internships alone can cause you to miss valuable experiences and opportunities.
Check out Experiences & Opportunities to explore the full range of ways to get involved.

(Note: More resources and updates coming Fall 2026)

Ever wonder how you come across during an interview? Why not have a virtual mock interview and critique yourself?

• Log into Vanderbilt Career Services - Big Interview.
• New to Big Interview? Watch the overview video of Big Interview here.

Helpful Interview Resources

• AAMC: Full Interview Resources for Medical School Applicants
• AAMC: MSAR Interview Report for Applicants – Types & Interview Procedures
• Prep for Success in your Virtual Interview
• AACOM: Admissions Interview
• What's It Like To Participate in MMI Interviews
• Students interviewing for medical school may be asked questions about medical ethics. Here is a link from the AMA website which has a large database of clinical situations which highlight the of medical ethics in the context of actual patient care. After each situation is outlined, there are commentaries written by physicians from a variety of specialties. We think this will be useful for students as they prepare for their interviews, especially those students who have not taken a medical ethics course.
• ADEA: Go Dental Interviewing Do's & Don'ts

When applying to all professional healthcare programs and schools (A-Z: Athletic Training to Veterinary Medicine), there are several key items you will need to prepare. One component of your application submission entails planning for letters of recommendation. Not sure where to start with letters of recommendation as a pre-health student? Review the resources with helpful step-by-step guidance in the overall process.

• Letters of Recommendation: Advice for all Pre-Health Students
• Guidelines & Resources for Letter Writers (Your Mentors)

Additional advice and resources on preparing for letters of recommendation as a Vanderbilt pre-health student, please: 

1. Join/visit our HPAO Brightspace community. 
2. Go to "Content" and select "Apply” and “Letters of Recommendation" sections. 

Applying to medical or dental school? Consider the "committee letter" option at Vanderbilt University. 

Historically, some medical and dental programs across the country encourage a "committee letter" of evaluation as one of the options for your required letters of recommendation submission. While submitting a committee letter is not mandatory for your professional medical or dental school application, it may be encouraged by some admissions guidelines. 

At Vanderbilt, there is an overall process to obtain a "committee letter." Please note that there are eligibility requirements and deadlines for participation. Be sure to plan accordingly with the resources below.  

To learn more, full advice and resources to prepare for a "committee letter" opportunity as a Vanderbilt pre-medical/pre-dental student, please: 

1. Join/visit our *HPAO Brightspace community. 
2. Go to “Committee Letter” section to review all advice, resources, eligibility requirements and deadlines. Please plan accordingly.  
3. Note: 2026-2027 cycle deadline was Feb. 1, 2026. 
4. If you are planning for 2027-2028 cycle, review instructions starting Nov. 1, 2026.

*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.

What should I major in as a pre-health/med student?

At Vanderbilt, pre-med, pre-health, pre-vet, etc. are not undergraduate majors, but pathways that reflect a student’s interest to prepare for a future career in healthcare. There are no preferred majors for admission to healthcare professional schools. Students are encouraged to choose a major that aligns with their academic interests, strengths, and intellectual curiosity. Students will need to incorporate into their course of study the prerequisite courses required by their professional healthcare schools of interest (medical, dental, or other professional programs).

Students from all academic disciplines can successfully pursue professional healthcare schools. What matters most is building a strong academic foundation and demonstrating meaningful holistic preparation for their intended profession.

Typically, after you submit your official application to a professional healthcare program (A-Z: Athletic Training to Veterinary Medicine), the program will indicate when you need to request official transcripts from every college or university you have ever attended.

Often you will find these step-by-step "transcript" instructions in the official CAS (centralized application systems) instruction manuals, if your specific professional healthcare school utilizes one of them. 

Common CAS platforms include:

• Athletic Training (ATCAS)
• Dental Hygiene (ADEA DHCAS)
• Dentistry (ADEA AADSAS)
• Healthcare Administration (HAMPCAS)
• Medical/Clinical Laboratory Sciences (AHCAS)
• Nursing (NursingCAS)
• Occupational Therapy (OTCAS)
• Optometry (OptomCAS)
• Orthotics & Prosthetics (OPCAS)
• Pharmacy (PharmCAS)
• Physical Therapy (PTCAS)
• Physician Assistant (CASPA)
• Public Health (SOPHAS)
• Medicine (AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS)
• Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (CSDCAS)
• Veterinary Medicine (VMCAS)

If a program does not participate in a centralized application system, it will provide its own application process and specific instructions for requesting official transcripts. Please review each professional school program's official admissions website for full details and instructions about their specific application process.

Once you have reviewed the official application instructions, if you are seeking how to request transcripts from Vanderbilt University, you would review options at the Vanderbilt University Registrar's Office.

Tip: Make sure all of your final grades are posted on your official transcripts before requesting them. If a registrar’s office has not yet recorded a semester’s final grades, they will typically appear as “in progress” rather than the official letter grade—even if your professor has already shared your final exam results.

While our HPAO team is more than happy to discuss the application process for a professional healthcare school with you, we are not able to assist with transcript or enrollment verification orders.

Paying for Professional School

Financing a healthcare professional program requires planning. Most pre-health/pre-med students use a combination of funding sources. Understanding your options early can help reduce debt and expand opportunities.

Overview & Common Funding Pathways Defined:

Overview: Financial Aid for Healthcare Students

• Scholarships & Grants = These are funds that do not need to be repaid and may be offered by schools, professional organizations, or government programs. Some are merit-based, while others support students from specific backgrounds or career interests.
• Loans = Federal and institutional loans are a primary funding source for many students. Programs may include low-interest or need-based loans offered through schools or federal initiatives.
• Service-Based Programs (Scholarships & Loan Repayment) = Many healthcare fields offer funding in exchange for a service commitment in underserved areas. These programs can cover tuition, provide stipends, or repay significant portions of student debt.
• Government & Military Based Programs (Scholarships & Loan Repayment) = Many healthcare fields offer funding in exchange for a service commitment in government or military based healthcare service.
• Fee Assistance Programs = Application costs can add up. Many centralized application services (e.g., AMCAS, AADSAS, CASPA) offer fee assistance or waivers for eligible applicants.
• School-Specific & Professional Resources = Each health profession (medicine, dentistry, nursing, PA, etc.) has dedicated professionals that provide financial aid guidance, scholarships, and funding tools once you are accepted to your specific professional school.
• Vanderbilt University Specific Awards/Prizes = Nance Prize
• Financing Your Healthcare Graduate Education - General Resource Guide

Government & Military Based Opportunities:

• National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program
• Air Force: U.S. Air Force Healthcare Scholarships
  Tech Sergeant Samantha Peck
  615-651-9921
  Samantha.peck@us.af.mil
  
  
• Army: U.S. Army - Healthcare Careers Scholarships
  Major Robert Ortiz
  615-496-6228
  Robert.r.ortiz3.mil@army.mil
  
  SFC Derick Pacheco
  615-275-630
  derick.m.pacheco.mil@army.mil
• Navy: U.S. Navy - Healthcare Career & Funding Opportunities & Navy Medicine - Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) & Financial Assistance Program (FAP)
  

  Commander Christopher Yates
  615-781-5032
  Christopher.h.yates.mil@us.navy.mil

  Commander William Gorum
  615-781-5030
  William.a.gorum.mil@us.navy.mil

Additional Funding & Fee Assistance Program Healthcare Resources (A-Z)

Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology

Click here for resources.

Click here for resources.

Thoughtfully research your professional schools. It is essential to select schools that are more than just a good fit academically, but are also a good overall fit for your values, skill, and interests which will help you to become the future provider you desire to be. Spend time researching professional schools online and utilize our free spreadsheet that tracks the factors most important to you.

• Factors to Weigh Before Applying Worksheet (Free/Digital) 

(A-Z: Additional Healthcare Specific Resources)

Athletic Training

• Accredited Athletic Training Programs
• Documenting your AT observation hours in ATCAS

Chiropractic Medicine

• Accredited Chiropractic Programs
• Association of Chiropractic Colleges
• Find a Chiropractic School Tool

Dental

• Official Guide To Dental Schools (ADEA)
• ADEA: Where to Apply Tips

Dental Hygiene

• Accredited Dental Hygiene Schools
• Find a Program: Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

Nursing

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Baccalaureate Education Overview
• ACEN and the History of Nursing Accreditation
• Vanderbilt School of Nursing

Occupational Therapy

• Accredited Occupational Therapy & Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools
• Documenting your OT observation hours in OTCAS

Optometry

• Accredited Optometry Schools
• ASCO: Helpful Search & Directory - Optometry Schools

Orthotics & Prosthetists

• Accredited Orthotist/Prosthetists Schools
• NCOPE: Orthotist/Prosthetists Programs
  
• ABCOP: Location Search & Directory - Orthotist/Prosthetists Schools

Pharmacy

• Accredited Pharmacy Schools
• Admission Requirements & Prerequisites

Physician

• AAMC: What Made Your Medical School a Right Fit For You?
• AAMC: Ignore Rankings & Make Your Own List
• MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) from AAMC - Access the MSAR (M.D.) online one-year subscription service. This service is a powerful online database that allows you to easily browse, search, sort, and compare data on U.S. and Canadian medical schools.
• Choose D.O. Explorer Tool - Osteopathic Medical Colleges (AACOM) - Free, online database that allows you to easily browse, search, sort, and compare data on all D.O. medical schools.

Physician Assistant

• Accredited PA Schools
• PA Program Profiles
• Documenting PA Observation Hours & Experiences

Physical Therapy

• Accredited Physical Therapy & Physical Therapy Assistant Schools
• PTCAS Program Directory
• Documenting your PT observation hours in PTCAS

Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology

• Accredited Audiology & Speech-Language-Pathology Schools
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association program search
• Vanderbilt Professional School Programs Offered

Veterinary Medicine

• Accredited AVMA Veterinary Medical Schools
• Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements (VMSAR)
• Profile of Admitted Students (AAVMC)
• Profile of Admitted Students (TMDSAS)
• Cost Comparison Tool (AAVMC)

Can a pre-health student participate in a study abroad program?

Yes. Many pre-health/med students successfully participate in study abroad programs with thoughtful academic and application planning.

For students planning to apply to medical school without taking a gap year, the fall semester of junior year is often the most manageable time to study abroad. Studying abroad during the spring semester of junior year may also be possible, but requires additional planning around the application timeline.

Before selecting a study abroad term, consider:

• Entrance exam preparation: Consider how studying abroad may affect preparation for and completion of the MCAT or other required admission test.
• Course sequencing at VU: Determine when required courses in multi-semester sequences (e.g., Biology, Physics, or Organic Chemistry) will be offered and completed to not interrupt your coursework while you are at Vanderbilt (not abroad).
• Prerequisite coursework: Many medical (and other healthcare professional) schools require or prefer prerequisite courses to be completed in the United States. Anticipate taking only non-prerequisite required courses, if you are studying abroad.
• Transcript timing: If studying abroad during the spring before your application cycle, delays in receiving study abroad transcripts could affect application verification timelines.
• *Senior-year travel: Studying abroad during senior year may conflict with professional school interviews.

Early planning is strongly encouraged. Work with your academic, study abroad, and pre-health advisers to develop a timeline that supports both your study abroad experience and professional school application goals.

Gap / Enhancement Years Are More Common Than You Think

It’s increasingly common for pre-meds to take at least one gap / enhancement year between their undergraduate studies and medical school. In fact, 72.7% of entering M.D. students in 2025 reported taking at least one gap / enhancement year in the AAMC’s Matriculating Student Questionnaire.

Taking additional time can be to your advantage as a pre-medical/pre-health applicant. 

If you feel you need or would benefit from further academic, personal or professional (holistic) development before applying to medical or any healthcare professional school, consider taking a gap / enhancement year to strengthen your preparation.

Why Consider A "Gap" / Enhancement Year?

• What to do During Your Gap Year(s)
• Making the Most of Your Gap Year(s)
• AAMC: Considering PostBac Programs Resources
• AAMC (M.D.): PostBac Premedical Programs Database. (Internet Explorer is not a supported browser for the AAMC website link. Please use Firefox or Google Chrome.)
• AAMC (M.D.): Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
• AACOM (D.O.): PostBac Premedical Programs Listings

Vanderbilt-Affiliated Specific Opportunities:

• VU Medicine, Health & Society: Post-Bac 4+1 BA/MA or 1 year M.A. degree program
• VU Master's Program in Biomedical Sciences
• VU School of Medicine Master of Imaging Science

(Note: Updates coming fall 2026)

AAMC Test Prep Resources

The Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC] is excited to announce a new resource now available to students to help them as they prepare for the MCAT exam. “How I Studied for the MCAT Exam” includes profiles for 17 students who self-identified as having performed well on the exam. The profiles include insight on how the students performed, their overall study approach, tips, any challenges they faced and overcame, and “do’s and don’ts” for students to be aware of as they prepare. They can be found at: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/how-i-prepared-mcat-exam/

KhanAcademy

https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat

Test Prep Companies

Many students choose to prepare for an admission test on their own, while others prefer to take a prep course. Applicants can certainly be successful either way. For those students considering taking a prep course, below is contact information for just a few of the local options which have been recommended by our students:

Altius Test Prep

Roger Muir
Office: 435-671-5783
Cell: 801-706-8125
Free Practice Test: https://altiustestprep.com/take_free/

Examkrackers

Examkrackers website
Janis Stott
Janis@examkrackers.com
386-864-1245

Kaplan

Free practice tests and free sample classes
1-800-KAP-TEST [527-8378]

The Princeton Review

MCAT Demo test and additional free online materials
Hailey Carl
Hailey.Carl@review.com

Professional schools across the United States, spanning healthcare disciplines (A-Z: Athletic Training to Veterinary Medicine), increasingly utilize a holistic admissions review process when evaluating applicants. In addition to academic achievement, admissions committees commonly assess applicants’ personal competencies, professional readiness, interpersonal skills, service orientation, leadership, ethical responsibility, and commitment to healthcare.

A valuable starting point for all VU pre-health students is to become familiar with the competencies and professional attributes commonly sought across healthcare professions below.

What Do Medical Schools Value?

The AAMC Pre-Med Competencies Resources area provides an excellent framework for what they value and practical self-assessment tools.

Note: Although this resource was developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for medical school applicants, the competencies outlined are highly relevant to all VU pre-health students pursuing healthcare professional pathways. These values reflect the broader national movement toward holistic admissions practices across healthcare professional schools (A–Z: Athletic Training to Veterinary Medicine).