Career Advisor
Alison Patterson
Alison is the Pre-Health Professions advisor at Bucknell. She earned her B.S in Biology from Juniata College and her Ph.D. in Biomedical Science (focusing on Physiology) from Marshall University. Her post-doctoral training was at Geisinger Medical Center.
The Health Career Community covers careers within the medical and science research fields.
- Medicine (allopathic and osteopathic)
- Dentistry
- Physical therapy
- Physician’s assistant
- Veterinary medicine
- Pharmacy
- Optometry
- Nursing
- Nurse practitioner
- Chiropractic
- Genetic counseling
- Public health
Focused on all things related to the field of healthcare (or Pre-Health) and is not limited to only medical school but encompasses any ‘health’ focused path. This could include careers that range from audiology to veterinary medicine and anything in between!
Scientific Research
Given the significant overlap with considering a career in health care delivery, and in choosing to pursue scientific research, this subgroup will focus on the pros and cons of each path.
Clinical Research
Trains in both medicine and research. Conducts research and applies scientific knowledge to develop, evaluate, and implement medical technologies, treatments, and diagnostic tools to improve patient care and healthcare outcomes.
What Pre-med Courses Should I Take?
- Two semesters of intro biology with lab
- Two semesters of organic chemistry with lab
- Two semesters of general chemistry (or inorganic chemistry) with lab
- Two semesters of physics with lab
- One semester of biochemistry
- Two semesters of writing-intensive courses in the English language (these courses don’t necessarily have to be taken in the English department — your W-2s often can cover this requirement)
- Two semesters of math
- Psychology and sociology, which are covered on the MCAT (along with the sciences above) — these are not necessarily required by every med school
- Two semesters of intro biology with lab (PA, PT, OT, nursing)
- Two semesters of anatomy and physiology with labs (PA, PT, OT, nursing)
- Two semesters of organic chemistry with lab (PA — one or two semesters)
- Two semesters of general chemistry (or inorganic chemistry) with lab (PA, PT, OT, Nursing)
- Two semesters of physics with lab (PT)
- One semester of biochemistry (many PA programs)
- Two semesters of writing-intensive courses in the English language (these courses don’t necessarily have to be taken in the English department — your W-2s often can cover this requirement) (PA, PT, OT, nursing)
- Two semesters of math — varies widely among specific programs
- Psychology and sociology, which are covered on the MCAT (along with the sciences above) — these are not necessarily required by every med school
- Microbiology (most PA programs)
How Do I Apply to Medical School?
The Pre-health Advising team can help guide you through each step of the application process. We can even help you strengthen your résumé to make your application irresistible to medical schools or employers.
Most applications are managed by centralized application services, or CASs. These allow for an application experience similar to the Common App or Coalition App you used when applying to Bucknell.
- MD medical schools:American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
- DO medical schools: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
- Dental schools: ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service
- Physician assistant schools: Central Application Service for Physician Assistants
- Physical therapy schools: Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service
- Occupational therapy schools: Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant Centralized Application Service
- Pharmacy schools: Pharmacy College Application Service
- Nursing schools: Centralized Application Service for Nursing Program
Most professional schools will require an entrance exam as a part of the application process.
- MCAT, for MD or DO medical school
- DAT, for dental school
- GRE, for physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant and veterinary medicine programs
- OAT, for optometry programs
