Apr 16, 2024  
2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Professions

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(Pre-medical and Related Pre-Professional Programs)

Few careers are as challenging or as satisfying as the practice of medicine or one of the related health professions (dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, and others). Admission to post-baccalaureate professional schools is highly competitive, but is a realistic goal for able students who plan their undergraduate programs carefully. Most professional schools value well-rounded applicants possessing a strong background in the liberal arts and solid preparation in the sciences. For this reason the University of Maine does not recommend one specific academic major for students planning to apply to medical or other professional schools. Instead, we advise students in any academic major who are interested in a health-professions career to pursue the minor in Pre-Professional Studies outlined below in addition to their major.

Here are some of the special advantages The University of Maine offers to students planning careers as physicians, optometrists, dentists, podiatrists, physician assistants, and in related health professions.

Introduction to the Health Professions

The University of Maine offers a special course in the sophomore year for students thinking about a career in the health professions. Dr. Mark Jackson, D.O., Director of the University’s Cutler Health Center teaches this three-credit course. The course introduces students to the many different components of the modern health care system, and gives them practical, hands-on experience assisting professionals in the Cutler Health Center.

Minor in Pre-Professional Studies

The courses outlined below meet the entrance requirements of the majority of professional schools and colleges offering post-baccalaureate programs in the health professions. Students should plan these courses in addition to the specific requirements of their academic major. The Health Professions specialist can help students research the admission requirements of specific schools.

First Year-First Semester

First Year-Second Semester

Second Year-First Semester

Second Year-Second Semester

Third Year-First Semester

Third Year-Second Semester

Health Professions Specialist

The University of Maine’s Health Professions specialist provides wide-ranging support services to students planning to attend medical school or other professional schools. The Health Professions Specialist

  • advises students about the entrance requirements of professional schools
  • helps students schedule courses and entrance examinations
  • helps them prepare for admissions interviews
  • prepares letters of recommendation and assists with the application process
  • arranges group visits to medical schools and visits of medical school admissions officials to the University of Maine
  • provides support to the Health Professions Club
  • coordinates the Health Professions Mentor Program

The Health Professions Mentor Program

This program, offered in conjunction with Eastern Maine Medical Center, places qualified undergraduates with physicians and other professionals in the Bangor area to job-shadow and learn first hand the challenges of a medical career. This kind of experience, coupled with a record of volunteer service in medically related fields, is very important for students applying to medical schools.

Undergraduate Research

The University of Maine offers qualified students outstanding opportunities to work with its research faculty in a wide variety of disciplines. Participation in research helps students to develop critical thinking skills and the habits of independent scholarship, and therefore is highly valued by medical and other professional schools. Students planning careers in the health professions should work with their academic advisors and the Office of Health Professions to identify research opportunities early in their undergraduate careers.

Three plus Four Medical School Program

The University of Maine and the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) cooperatively offer a special program for the most capable students enabling them to be admitted to UNECOM after completing three years at the University of Maine as majors in Biology, Biochemistry, or Microbiology. Students accepted into this program by UNECOM earn their baccalaureate degree from the University of Maine upon completion of their first year of medical school at UNECOM. For more details and a complete UMaine curriculum, contact the Office of Health Professions at (207) 581-2587.

Dedicated Undergraduate Scholarships

Each year the University awards approximately $30,000 in scholarships to undergraduates planning careers in the health professions.

Gilbert Loan Fund

Each year the University of Maine makes low-interest loans totaling several hundred thousand dollars to its graduates who are in medical school to help finance their professional studies. This unusual program is made possible through a multi-million-dollar bequest to the University in the name of Charles E. Gilbert to assist students of modest means to become physicians. Loans may also be made to undergraduates planning careers in the health professions.

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