Academic advising is particularly important for pre-health students because they have unique advising needs.

Each professional school has its own requirements, which can change frequently. Application to professional health programs and schools is very competitive. Our advisors help keep students aware of the courses and other requirements necessary to make them competitive applicants.

Pre-Health Advising Checklist

Pre-health professions advising is available for the following careers:

• Chiropractic Medicine
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Dentistry
• Health Information Management
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Optometry
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy
• Physician Assistant
• Respiratory Care
• Veterinary Medicine

Note: Completing pre-health prerequisites prepares students to make application to health professional schools. It does not result in the completion of a degree, with the exception of Clinical Lab Science.

Students interested in Kinesiology, Athletic Training, Dietetics, or Communication Sciences and Disorders may prepare for these careers through the College of Human Ecology.

At Kansas State University, there are many field-related clubs and organizations for students to join. The following are related to pre-health professions.

Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED)
Alpha Epsilon Delta is the National Health Preprofessional Honor Society dedicated to the encouragement and recognition of excellence in preprofessional health scholarship. Our Society welcomes all students engaged in the pursuit of a professional development, provides a forum for students with common interests, and extends a program of service to benefit the college/university community.

Pre-Health Ambassadors
Pre-Health Student Ambassadors promote pride in and develop awareness of options within pre-health among prospective students, parents, alumni and the general public. Pre-Health Ambassadors are a group dedicated undergraduate students who volunteer their time and talents at special events including: Discover K-State Days, Admitted Wildcat Days, K-State Open House and much more!

Pre-Chiropractic Club
This student organization was created to provide students interested in chiropractic health the opportunity for community while a student at K-State. The goal is to support members and to help them learn about graduate chiropractic programs and other related topics of interest. It is also important for this group to make a contribution to the Manhattan community through service

Pre-Dental Club
The purpose of this organization is to provide an environment in which students who are interested in the field of dentistry can join together to promote oral healthcare, provide service opportunities within our communities, and network.

Pre-Medicine Club
Kansas State University’s Pre-Med Club offers opportunities for intellectual and professional development for students to prepare them for life after college in the medical education system.

Pre-Nursing Club
The purpose of this organization will be to promote communication and understanding among the Pre-Nursing Students at K-State. This club will assist members and other K-State students in exploring possibilities for careers in nursing. Students will be informed about nursing schools and many community service opportunities.

Pre-Occupational Therapy Club
The purpose of this organization: 1) to increase communication and networking between students, undergraduate, and professional school advisors, and professional in the field of Occupational Therapy, 2) to inform students, interested in the field of Occupational Therapy, of the variety of careers in this line of work, and to help prepare students for professional school programs, and 3) to give back to our community through philanthropic projects

Pre-Optometry Club
The K-State pre-optometry club is an organizations that allows students pursuing a degree in optometry network, as well as speak with representatives from different optometry schools.

Pre-Pharmacy Club
The Pre-Pharmacy Club is designed to provide students with special interest to join a group where they can share their ideas and concerns, serve as an informational and resource center for students, facilitate students' understanding of the pharmacy profession, and provide students with leadership opportunities.

Pre-Physician Assistant Club
The Pre-Physician Assistant Club prepares students to be successful graduate school candidates and medical practitioners following their graduation from Kansas State University. Our club offers educational and professional development by hosting a variety of speakers, workshops, and volunteer opportunities.

Pre-Physical Therapy Club
The Pre-Physical Therapy Club aims to promote social and intellectual cooperation and fellowship between Pre-Physical Therapy Students.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club
Provide an opportunity for students to meet other pre-vet students and to become involved both professionally and socially while keeping members updated on requirements and admissions policies of Vet School.

Courses

DAS 115 - Orientation to Health Careers
Acquaints students whose career goals are in the health professions with the variety of options available and with the corresponding academic requirements. Discussion covers an introduction to the personal responsibilities that health-care workers assume and the impact of social and economic problems on our health-care delivery system. Includes an orientation to general requirements for success as a student at K-State and in professional health related programs.

DAS 240: Practicum in Pre-Health
This is an independent study course in which students will complete 40 hours of shadowing along with two assignments and a meeting with their pre-health advisor to discuss reflections on the course.

DAS 315 - Creating a Competitive Health Professional School Application
Creating a Competitive Health Professional School Application is designed for students who are preparing to apply to health professional schools in the coming year. This course will assist them in drafting a personal statement, obtaining letters of recommendation, preparing for the interview process, learning about the Centralized Application Services (VMCAS, PTCAS, AMCAS, CASPA, etc), as well as other preparation needed for their respective entrance examination (MCAT, GRE, DAT, HESI, TEAS-V, PCAT, OAT). The course will also address current trends and topics in health care such as interprofessional education, health care disparities and cultural competence.

BIOL 698 – Internship at the Flint Hills Community Clinic (FHCC)
BIOL 698 is an opportunity for pre-health students to advance from volunteers to scribes and earn 3 credit hours for a grade. After completing 30 hours of volunteer service at the FHCC, students are eligible to apply for an Internship. During the internship, some students will serve as scribes assigned to assist a medical professional who volunteers at the clinic to care for the underserved within Riley County; others will gain clinical experience in nursing. All students are required to serve for 120 hours, complete a Critical Reflections Paper (2-3 pages), a research paper, and meet with the internship panel at the end of each semester. This experience is year-long commitment. Students attend a mandatory two-day training during the week before the official fall semester begins.

Apply Here (PDF) for the FHCC Internship. Completed applications should be sent to artsci@ksu.edu.

Fill out an application to volunteer at the FHCC here. Completed applications can be faxed to 785-323-4359 or mailed to the following address:

Flint Hills Community Clinic
401 Houston Street, Ste C
Manhattan, KS 66502