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
Fall 2025 Walk-In Hours: (for quick, 5-10 minute questions only)
HPAO peer advisor walk-in hours:
- Mondays: 8:00-9:30am, 10:00-11:00am, & 12:45 - 2:15pm
- Tuesdays: 11:30-1:00pm
- Wednesdays: 8am-12:30pm
- Thursdays: 8:15-9:15am & 11:30am-1:00pm
- Fridays: 10-11am & 12:45-2:15pm
Note: HPAO offers in-person peer advisor walk-in hours during the fall & spring semesters.
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.
Fall 2025 Events, Workshops & Group Sessions (More Coming Soon!)
- September 4 @ 6-7:30pm, The Commons Center 235/237: Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Info Session - Incoming Fall 2025 VU Students - RSVP & Event Info Here
- September 11 @ 6-7:30pm, The Commons Center 235/237: Pre-Health/Pre-Med 101 Info Session (repeat of Sept 4th) - Incoming Fall 2025 VU students - RSVP & Event Info Here
- September 13 @ Virtual 8am-4pm (CST), MappdCon Free Annual Pre-Health Conference - RSVP & Event Info Here
- September 25 @ 5-7pm, Sarratt Student Center, Rand Hall 189: Learn What Physicians Do: Physician Demos (OMM) & Medical School Admissions Support. 10 event raffles for OMED Pre-Med Conference Registration Fee. (Attendance required to win.) - RSVP Link & Event Info Coming Soon!
- September 27-28, Osteopathic Medicine Education National Conference in Downtown Nashville! Includes Pre-Med Conference Events ($50 Pre-Med Registration Fee) - RSVP & Event Info Here
- October 22 @ 3-6pm: Annual Music City Health Professions Program Expo - RSVP & Event Info Here
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 "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.