To be effective and successful as a health professional, it is important to develop strong communication skills, learn how to be a team player, and demonstrate leadership ability.  As a health professional, you will be a leader and team member in many ways – with your patients, your staff, your colleagues, and your community. Leadership can be demonstrated in many different ways on and off campus: offices held in organizations, committee work; leadership in church activities; coordinating a project; managing, training, supervising at work or in other activities; teaching experience of any kind; peer counseling or mentoring, etc. 

     Because you are preparing for a humanitarian profession, it is important to have volunteer learning experiences which demonstrate a commitment to service to others. It is suggested that this be ongoing throughout your college years prior to application for admission.

     Exposure to your intended health profession is crucial to your preparation and to your decision to pursue this career.   This experience should include observing the health professional and patient contact. 

     Research is the foundation of medical knowledge – you will learn from and participate in research during professional school.  Health professionals depend on medical literature to remain current in their field during their entire career.  Most medical schools highly recommend participation in research.  It is also a plus for dental and veterinary school.  The UUSOM requires participation in independent, hypothesis based research using scientific method.  Your research experience could be from many different areas – it does not have to be medically related or in a lab.