Pre-Health Professions

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-Ed Requirements
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 the HPAO and Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support a robust shadowing program and MHS course.
VPS Website - http://www.vanderbiltpremedicalsociety.org
To Join VPS
1. Go to AnchorLink: https://anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu/
2. On the “Explore” page, click on the “Organizations” tab
3. Search “Vanderbilt Pre-Medical Society”
4. Once you are on our page, click the blue “Join” icon
5. The icon will switch to “Membership Pending,” and someone will confirm memberships
Pre-Med Resources
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - Access the AAMC Resource Guide for Pre-med Students.
- MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) - The AAMC/MCAT link has valuable information including:
  - Preparing for the MCAT exam
  - Registering for the MCAT exam
- MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) - Access the AAMC/MSAR Online, a 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.
- AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) - The AAMC/AMCAS link has valuable information including:
  - How to Apply
  - FAQ
  - Instruction Manual
- Resources for Pre-med Students by the AAMC
- Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students by the AAMC
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
- Osteopathic Medical College Information Book by AACOM
Application Processing Services
- AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service)
  The American Medical College Application Service is the AAMC's centralized medical school application processing service (for all US allopathic medical schools other than Texas state schools).
- 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.
- AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is the centralized application processing service for applicants to osteopathic medical schools.
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
- Applying as an International Applicant

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.

Access Brightspace

Pre-Dental Resources

Vanderbilt Pre-Dental Society
- Vanderbilt Pre-Dental Society
Helpful Links
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
- ADEA AADSAS Participating Dental Schools Required and Recommended Courses
- Dental School Admission Requirements by the ADEA
- Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
- 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.
- GoDental
- DAT Frequently Asked Questions
- Proposed Future Changes in DAT

Pre-Pharmacy Resources

Vanderbilt Pre-Pharmacy Society
- Vanderbilt Pre-Pharmacy Society (VPPS)
Helpful Links
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
- Pharmacy School Admission Requirements by the AACP

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Resources

Vanderbilt Pre-Veterinary Medicine Society
- Vanderbilt Pre-Veterinary Medicine Society (VVMS)
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

Helpful Links

Pre-Occupational Therapy Resources

Helpful Links
- American Occupational Therapy Association

Pre-Physician Assistant Resources

Helpful Links

Pre-Optometry Resources

Helpful Links
- Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
- Optometry Programs and Pre-Requisites

Pre-Podiatry Resources

Helpful Links
- American Podiatric Medical Association

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
- Vanderbilt Pre-Nursing Society
Helpful Links