Please note the importance of advising. The information provided in the links below is not a substitute for conversations with your advisor. Consult both your school-based advisor and the health professions advisory office to develop a plan that suits your own strengths, interests, and background.
Looking to Pursue a Career in Healthcare?
Begin the process by contacting the Career Center to discuss your options.
Discover the Vandy in Health Community
Pre-Medical
The pre-med track is a program designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. It provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills required for a successful application to medical school, including coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. In addition to academic preparation, the program emphasizes the importance of clinical experience, research, and extracurricular activities. Highlights of the program include access to a network of pre-med advisors, workshops on the medical school application process, and opportunities to participate in research projects and community outreach programs. The pre-med track is an excellent choice for students who are committed to pursuing a career in medicine and want to build a strong foundation for their future studies.
Pre-Med Resources
General Pre-Med & Association Resources
- Reviewing the First-Year Pre-Health Guide
- AAMC: Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) Course Requirements Guide
- Pre-Medical Preparation – Threading a path through pre-medical expectations
- AAMC: Explore Medical (M.D.) Careers
- AACOM: Explore Medical (D.O.) Careers
- What do Medical Schools Value & Self-Assessment Guide: AAMC Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students
Medical Application Resources
Applications cycles vary but applications often open in May. Application deadlines widely vary, with some closing as early as October in each Centralized Application Service (AMCAS, AACOMAS & TMDSAS). Review each medical school’s official admissions website for full details and instructions about their application process. As you prepare to apply, helpful resources to assist you:
Resources: AAMC (M.D.), AACOM (D.O.) & Texas Medical Schools
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) – Access the AAMC Resource Guide for Pre-Med (M.D.) Students.
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)– Access AACOM Resources for Pre-Med (D.O). Students.
- Additional Resources for Texas Specific Medical Schools: Inside Health Education (sponsored by TMDSAS).
- Resources for all Pre-Med Students by the AAMC
- Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students by the AAMC
Resources: MCAT Exam
- MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) – Valuable information including:
Research Schools 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.
- 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.
Resources: Personal Statements
Ready to Apply?
Apply: AMCAS
- AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service)
AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service for all U.S. allopathic (M.D.) medical schools other than Texas specific schools across the U.S. - Explore the AMCAS Application Process & Apply. Review resources and links before you apply. Essential information, including:
- How to Apply, FAQ & Instruction Manual
- AAMC Fee Assistance Program Resources
- Does your M.D. school require the AAMC PREview (Professional Readiness Exam)? Search AAMC PREview Official Website
- How to Prepare for AAMC PREview and Official AAMC PREview Website
Apply: AACOMAS
- AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service)
AACOM’s centralized medical school application processing service for all U.S. osteopathic (D.O.) medical schools. - Explore the AACOMAS Application Process & Apply. Review resources and links before you apply. Essential information, including:
- How to Apply, FAQ & Instruction Manual
- AACOMAS Fee Assistance Program Resources
- Does your D.O. school require Casper Situational Judgment Test? Search Casper Official Website
- How to Prepare for Casper and Official Casper Website
Apply: TMDSAS
- TMDSAS (Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service)
Texas centralized medical school application processing service used by most Texas medical schools.- Participating Medical Schools
- Am I considered a Texas Resident? Texas Residency Determination (TMDSAS)
- Additional Resources for TMDSAS Specific Schools: Inside Health Education (sponsored by TMDSAS).
- Does your Texas medical school(s) require either:
- Casper (Situational Judgment Test)? Search Casper Official Website
- How to Prepare for Casper and Official Casper Website
- AAMC PREview (Professional Readiness Exam)? Search AAMC PREview Official Website
- How to Prepare for AAMC PREview and Official AAMC PREview Website
Vanderbilt Pre-Medical Society (VPS)
The Vanderbilt Pre-Medical Society (formerly Alpha Epsilon Delta, AED) is the student branch of the Health Professions Advisory Office (HPAO) and serves to maximize the Vanderbilt pre-medical experience by connecting the student body with resources and opportunities. Such efforts include hosting speakers and representatives from medical schools, organizing community service opportunities throughout Nashville, facilitating medical student mentoring, planning social events, sponsoring an international Spring Break service trip, sending a weekly newsletter (This Week in VPS, or “TWIV”), and collaborating with HPAO to support the VPS – VUMC (Physician) Preceptor Match Process and MHS course.
To Join VPS:
- Go to AnchorLink: https://anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu/
- On the “Explore” page, click on the “Organizations” tab.
- Search “Vanderbilt Pre-Medical Society” or https://anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu/organization/vanderbiltpre-medicalsociety
- Once you are on VPS page, sign in (as VU student) and click the blue “Join” icon.
- The icon will switch to “Membership Pending,” and someone will confirm memberships.
Early Acceptance Programs
- Mount Sinai Humanities and Medicine Early Acceptance Program
- State University of New York (SUNY) College of Medicine Early Assurance Program
- University of Cincinnati ROSE Program (Sophomore Ohio residents)
- University of Florida College of Medicine Juniors Honors Medical Program (UFCOM) (7 year BS/MD program – does not accept high school students)
- University of Toledo MEDStart Early Acceptance Program
Note: The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) no longer offers an Early Acceptance Program (EAP)
International Students
Visit Our Brightspace Page
Each year, nearly 200 of our students apply to medical school. As a Vanderbilt undergraduate, you’ll be able to access our Brightspace page to gain unfiltered access to our professionals and resources.
Pre-Dental Resources
General Pre-Dental & Association Resources
Resources for Pre-Dental Students
Dental Application Resources
Application cycles vary but often open in May and some might close as early as October in each Centralized Application Service (ADEA AADSAS & TMDSAS). Review each dental school’s official admissions website for full details and instructions about their application process. As you prepare to apply, helpful resources to assist you:- ADEA Go Dental
- American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
- Dental School Prerequisite Admission Requirements (ADEA)
- Official Guide To Dental Schools (ADEA)
- American Dental Association (ADA)
Resources: DAT Exam
Research Schools 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)
- Official Guide To Dental Schools (ADEA)
- ADEA: Where to Apply Tips
Resources: Personal Statements
Ready to Apply?
Apply: ADEA AADSAS
- ADEA AADSAS (American Dental Education Association Associated American Dental Schools Application Service)
ADEA’s centralized application service for all dental school schools across the U.S. - Explore the ADEA AADSAS Process & Apply. Review resources and links before you apply. Essential information, including:
- How to Apply, Timelines, FAQ & Instruction Manual
Apply: TMDSAS
- TMDSAS (Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service)
Texas centralized medical school application processing service used by all Texas dental schools.- Participating Dental Schools
- Texas residents interested in a Texas Dental Program MUST apply through TMDSAS. Non-residents interested in Texas programs may apply through either TMDSAS or ADEA AADSAS.
- Am I considered a Texas Resident? Texas Residency Determination (TMDSAS).
- Explore the TMDSAS “Menu” & resource links before you apply. Essential information, including:
- How to Apply, Timelines, FAQ & Instruction Manual
- Additional Resources for TMDSAS Specific Schools: Inside Health Education (sponsored by TMDSAS)
Vanderbilt Pre-Dental Society
Pre-Pharmacy Resources
Vanderbilt Pre-Pharmacy Society
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
The HPAO supports Vanderbilt undergraduate students interested in attending health professions. Students interested in an advanced career in veterinary medicine are encouraged to contact Michelle Grundy, Ph.D. for additional advising support, the VU pre-veterinary medicine advisor.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine Resources
Vanderbilt Pre-Veterinary Medicine Society
Helpful Links
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
- Veterinary Medicine School Admission Requirements
- Summary of Course Prerequisites
- TMDSAS (Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service)
The Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service is the centralized application processing service for applicants to the first-year entering classes at all of the public medical, dental and veterinary schools in the state of Texas.
Pre-Physical Therapy Resources
Pre-Occupational Therapy Resources
Helpful Links
Pre-Physician Assistant Resources
Pre-Optometry Resources
Pre-Podiatry Resources
Helpful Links
Pre-Nursing
The HPAO advises Vanderbilt undergraduate students (and others with a Vanderbilt affiliation) interested in attending health professions graduate schools other than Nursing. Students interested in an advanced career in nursing are encouraged to contact Brandee Madden, the pre-nursing advisor at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.
Pre-Nursing Resources
Vanderbilt Pre-Nursing Society