Health Professions

Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) and Student Health Professions Network Website

Skidmore has a Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) and Student Health Professions Network to help students who are interested in a health profession plan their program of study to maximize their chances for admission to graduate programs. Those health professions may include: medical doctor (MD; allopathic medicine), osteopathic doctor (DO; osteopathic medicine), dentist, veterinarian, physician assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, or chiropractor. Interested students should review the HPAC website and discuss with their summer academic advisor their interest in pursuing a health profession so that they can appropriately plan their academic program according to their interests and objectives.

For answers to frequently asked questions, please see: https://www.skidmore.edu/hpac/incoming-student-FAQ.php

Please review the chart of classes to fulfill the typical pre-requisite for pre-health tracks including medicine, dentistry, nursing, PA, PT, and veterinary medicine:  https://www.skidmore.edu/hpac/documents/Prerequisite-Chart-for-Health-Professions.pdf

For advice prior to registering for classes for the fall semester, students may contact Professor Kelly Sheppard, Chair of Health Professions Advisory Committee, at ksheppar@skidmore.edu.

Upon arrival to Skidmore in the fall, pre-health students should sign up with the Student Health Professions Network; at that time students will be assigned a secondary academic advisor from the Health Professions Advisory Committee.

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Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary Studies

A typical pre-med, pre-vet, or pre-dental student will need to complete at least one year of biology, two years of chemistry, one year of physics, one year of calculus, and one year of English, in addition to major and all-college requirements. The most appropriate curricular schedule for a given student depends on level of preparation, timetable for applying to health professions programs, or other factors such as plans to study abroad, adding a second major or a minor to one’s main area of academic interest, or spending the first semester in the London program.

Generally speaking, first semester pre-med, pre-vet or pre-dental students should take BI 107 or BI 108, CH 115 or CH 125 (depending on the results of the General Chemistry Placement Diagnostic), and either EN 105, MA 111, or an elective course, along with the Scribner Seminar. This schedule is optimal for completing the necessary courses that one can apply to health professional programs during the summer after the junior year of college for admission immediately after graduation. However, individual students may be advised to choose alternative schedules. It is most important to consult with a member of HPAC each semester to plan an academic program that best meets each student’s individual needs because pre-health profession students also need to prepare for standardized tests such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and plan for recommended research, clinical, internship and co-curricular experiences. Students may also join the student-led Pre-Health Club.

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Recommended courses

An ideal first-year program for a student interested in a health profession would be:

*General Chemistry Placement Diagnostic exam required. CH 115 and CH125  are only offered in the fall.

Common variations from this schedule include the following:

• Pre-med students are not required to major in the natural sciences, and choice of major makes no significant difference in competitiveness.
• Non-science majors can start with any of the pre-med requirements in their first year and complete all of them by the end of their third year. Decisions should be guided by background, interests, and individual timetables.
• All pre-med students who are not considering a major in math or physics can take calculus later, but keep in mind that it is a prerequisite or co-requisite for physics at Skidmore.
• Potential neuroscience majors could substitute NS 101 for MA 111 and finish the year of calculus by the end of the junior year.
• Students should discuss with their advisor how many lab-based classes it is appropriate for them to take within a given semester.
• Study abroad is encouraged but requires doubling up on organic chemistry and physics in the sophomore year, or delaying application to medical school by one year, or taking pre-med requirements over one summer.

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from New York University rory meyers College of Nursing (NYUCN)

New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing currently has an articulation agreement with Skidmore College. This articulation agreement enables Skidmore College students to complete requirements of the baccalaureate program at Skidmore College and enroll in the 15-Month Accelerated BS Program offered by New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing post-graduation. For more information see http://www.skidmore.edu/hpac/nursing/course-requirement-nursing.php.

Interested students are encouraged to contact Professor Kelly Sheppard, Chair of the Health Professions Advisory Committee, at ksheppar@skidmore.edu.

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Allied Health Professions

Skidmore College offers qualified students the opportunity to earn dual degrees in liberal arts and sciences and professional degrees in physical therapy and occupational therapy through cooperative programs at Russell Sage College Graduate School. Students may earn a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy through a cooperative 4+2 program, or a Doctor of Physical Therapy through a cooperative 4+3 program. These are challenging programs designed for students interested in entering the allied health professions. For more information see http://www.skidmore.edu/hpac/physical-occupational/index.php.

Interested students are encouraged to contact T.H. Reynolds, Chair and Professor of Health and Human Physiological Sciences Department, at treynold@skidmore.edu or 518-580-8349.