Health Sciences Advising
(HSA)
offers information
on preparation
for and admission to
health professions programs, including assistance with all aspects of the application process.
In addition, the office presents
informative workshops and has
many handouts that provide
useful tips and advice.
Health Sciences Advising (HSA) is located on the first floor of South Hall, Room 111 . All pre-health students are encouraged to stop by or call 530-752-4475 to sign up for a group advising session in their field of interest (e.g. Intro to Med) or to make an appointment to see an advisor who will assist them with their concerns. In addition to seeing an advisor in person, view our Web videos through the Student Academic Success Center Video Player. The following are brief descriptions of the major services provided by Health Sciences Advising.
Preparing
For The
Health Professions
The following are the major health professions for which the Health Sciences Advising office offers guidance. Multiple HANDOUTS for most of these areas (including information on prerequisite courses and experience) are available to download and print
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Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
Prehealth students are encouraged to consult with an advisor about obtaining the letters of recommendation they will need for application to their chosen health profession.
Committee/Advisor Letter Service (PHPAC) at UC Davis
UC Davis no longer offers a Committee Letter Service (a.k.a. "Advisor Letter", "Pre-Professional Letter Service", etc). Although you may see that some health professions schools prefer this type of LOR, or require that you use such a service if your undergraduate institution offers one, you will not be required to have this type of LOR because this service is no longer available at UC Davis.
Professional Letter Service (PLS) Service at UC Davis
The PLS was a letter of recommendation service for UC Davis students and alumni who are applying to doctoral-level degree programs in dentistry, medicine (allopathic, osteopathic, podiatric) and optometry. Due to declining resources, coupled with the recent development of other external online letter services, PLS is being phased out and will close in December 2012. Thus, no new files are being opened, but applicants with existing files will be able to use the PLS service until the end of 2012.
Useing the VirtualEvals (VE) Service for PLS
The VirtualEvals (VE) service provides an efficient, secure way to transmit thePLS letter packet electronically to participating US medical and optometry schools. For more detailed information, please refer to these Virtual Evaluation forms:
- VirtualEval List - Medicine (allopathic & osteopathic)
- VirtualEval List - Optometry and Podiatric Medicine
Writing a Personal Statement
The personal statement is the initial opportunity for applicants to present themselves as interesting and unique individuals who deserve a closer look. Detailed general instructions on how to write an effective personal statement are available on the HANDOUTS page, and as a web video (Student Academic Success Center Services Video Playe). Workshops on writing personal statements will also be offered throughout the year (watch the prehealth-events listserv for announcements).
Applicants may submit their written personal statement to be reviewed by a staff advisor. Visit Personal Statement Review Service for details. You may also call (530) 752-4475 or visit the Pre-Professional Advising Office in 111 South Hall during normal busness hours if you have questions.
Staying Informed
Handouts
Refer to the HANDOUTS page for a list of useful handouts (can be prnted) including information on the basic prerequisites for most health professions and how you can best fulfill them at UC Davis. Although these handouts are self-explanatory, we strongly urge applicants to consult with an advisor if they have any questions or concerns.
Workshops/Programs
Throughout the year, HSA organizes a number of useful workshops, recruiter visits and other programs aimed at keeping prehealth students and applicants informed and prepared for careers in the health professions. These programs are announced on the prehealth-events listserv (see below).
Prehealth-events Listserv Subscription
All prehealth students are encouraged to subscribe to the prehealth-events e-mail listserv to stay up-to-date on what is happening on campus (and elsewhere) that would be of interest to prehealth students. This service is free and is open to anyone, including UC Davis alumni and prospective students. Sign up and receive weekly updates on upcoming events, announcements, information, and useful advice. This is also the way HSA keeps in touch with prehealth students, especially those in the application process.
UC Davis students can subscribe by sending an e-mail message exactly as follows:
To: sympa@ucdavis.edu
Subject: [leave blank]
Body: subscribe prehealth-events your name
Unsubscribeby sending an e-mail message from your original subscription address exactly as follows:
To: sympa@ucdavis.edu
Subject: [leave blank]
Body: unsubscribe prehealth-events
All listserv messages now have a link at the bottom of each message that you can click on to unsubscribe. Be sure to include your subscription email address when prompted. If you graduate and have your email forwarded, it would be a good idea to unsubscribe from this (and other) listservs BEFORE you have your email forwarded. Since it is not necessary to have a UC Davis email address to subscribe to this listserv. you are welcome to re-subscribe using a new address. Simply follow the unsubscribe instructions above, then re-subscribe using your new email address. All are welcome!
Calendar
Stay informed about HSA events by subscribing to the prehealth-events listserv, which features a weekly calendar of events during the academic year.
Resource Books
HSA has a small collection of resource books (notably the current Medical School Admissions Requirements/MSAR, ADEA Guide to Dental Schools, and Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements, as well as study material for standardized tests) that are available for use in South Hall. Please inquire at the reception desk in 111 South Hall if you would like to access these books.
Getting Advice
Staff Advisors
A team of experienced professional staff advisors are available to assist students with questions about any health profession listed above after they have attended a group advising session and/or met with a peer advisor, especially when they are getting ready to apply or are in the application process. Prehealth students with short questions (10-minutes or less) may come to drop-in hours (check at reception for availability) or schedule a 30-minute in-person or phone appointment by coming to 111 South Hall, or by calling (530) 752-4475 during our normal business hours.
Student Advisors
Prehealth peer advisors are available to assist students with questions they may have about a given health profession, especially when they are first considering a health profession or are in the early stages of preparation for professional school. Prehealth students may sign up for a group advising session, come to drop-in hours, or schedule a 30-minute in-person or phone appointment as described above.
Contact Information
Health Sciences Advising
Pre-Professional Advising Office
111 South Hall (First Floor)
UC Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 752-4475
(530) 752-4545 (fax)
Business Hours
9-12p, 1-4p M-F (academic year)
10-12p, 1-3p M-F (summer)