Exploring Professional School

• Connect with current students in the programs you are interested in and follow career or departmental offices through social media; join student groups associated with the program/area of interest.
• Explore application or prerequisite requirements (i.e. coursework, research,  clinical requirements, admissions tests, etc.) for the program(s) you are interested in. What would make you a stand out candidate? Think about what you are doing, or could do, to meet and demonstrate those skills or requirements.
• Attend professional school fairs and information sessions or set up a time to visit the school/program. Come up with any questions you may have about the program or school that will help determine if this is a place you want to apply to/attend.
• Research career options and job outlooks connected to the field you are considering using professional organizations in your field and career information sites.
• Connect with professionals currently working in your area of interest to learn more about the field. Connect with them on LinkedIn or Handshake, through professional organizations, or other connections, and if possible, conduct career conversations to learn more about the field and future outlook or opportunities. 
• Discuss your ideas or plans with academic advisors, professors, and career development specialists to talk through your thoughts and questions. 

Each individual has their own criteria for deciding which programs might be a good fit. Some things to consider are:

• Degree(s) offered, length of program, program requirements
• Program concentrations (i.e. focus on rural or other community focused populations, epidemiology, family medicine, biostatistics, etc.) that you are interested in
• Accreditation (i.e. does the program meet the accreditation requirements needed for licensure or certification in your field) 
• Cost and financial aid available
• Location and surrounding community
• Information about or assistance with securing practicum/clinical opportunities, internship, or research opportunities 
• Culture of the program, school, and/or community
• Facilities, equipment, labs, or libraries
• Career opportunities of program graduates
• Additional criteria that may be important or essential for you 

When do I begin? When are applications due? How far ahead of when I want to go do I need to apply? These are some of the most common questions people ask. 

Here are some general guidelines: 

Start early whenever possible to prepare for, research, and evaluate programs of interest. What are the prerequisite courses or experiences needed to make you a strong candidate for the program? 

Applications to most professional schools are submitted through a Centralized Application Service (CAS). These CAS systems typically open up in late spring/early summer of the year prior to when you want to attend.

Example: You are graduating with your undergraduate degree in May 2027 and want to attend school starting Fall 2027. Your CAS application will most likely need to be submitted between May-Aug 2026 to be admitted Fall 2027. 

Why do I need to submit my application so early? 

Once you submit your application to the CAS system, it needs to be “certified” and sent to each school you are applying to. Once a school receives your application they will review it and send you a secondary application. These secondary applications include a series of short answer paragraphs/essays to get to know why you want to pursue that profession, your goals and experiences, and why you want to attend that particular school. Once those are received, schools then will contact you for an interview if they are interested in moving you forward as an applicant. If you apply EARLY in the application cycle, there will be the maximum number of interview and acceptance spots available. Not all schools require an interview but many do.

Application deadlines for financial aid may be different (and sometimes earlier) than the deadlines for program application materials. Some programs also offer early admission or early decision options. Prospective students submit materials, and hear back about admission decisions, before the regular admission cycle begins. Check the specific school/program you are interested in for information on if they offer any early application/admission options.

Additionally, if you just recently decided to pursue professional school or do not exactly fit this timeline don’t despair! Come in and meet with a Career Development Specialist to discuss your goals and plans and we can help you determine what will work best for you.