Pre-Law, Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Optometry

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Since law schools do not require specific undergraduate majors or courses, we encourage students interested in law to consider completing the Legal Studies Minor. A special pre-law advisor, who supplements the academic advisor within the major program, counsels University of Maine students planning to attend law school. Contact Lisa Carter at (207) 581-1359 or lisa.m.carter@maine.edu

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 assist students in any academic major who are interested in a health-professions career regarding options to complete the prerequisite courses typically required for application to the related professional schools. Students may pursue the minor in Pre-Medical Studies outlined below in addition to their major (n.b. some majors with significant overlap are excluded) and some majors offer a concentration in pre-medical studies. Students are not required to enroll in the minor or concentration. To find out more, visit the premed web page at umaine.edu/healthcareers.

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

Introduction to the Health Professions

The University of Maine offers two special courses for students thinking about a career in the health professions. These 2-credit courses introduce students to the many different components of the modern health care system.

Minor in Pre-Medical Studies

The courses within the Minor in Pre-Medical Studies meet most of the entrance requirements of the majority of professional schools and colleges offering post-baccalaureate programs in the health professions. The STEM/Health Professions Career Consultant can help students research the admission requirements of specific schools. You can view the Minor in Pre-Medical Studies in the Majors/Minors section of this catalog.

STEM/Health Professions Career Counselor

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

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

Connections to Shadowing Opportunities

The Health Professions Office assists students with connecting with area healthcare facilities to match qualified undergraduates with physicians and other regional professionals 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 Optometry Program

This agreement allows highly qualified students to enter an accelerated program resulting in the OD (Doctor of Optometry). Accepted students become candidates for reserved slots in the New England College of Optometry program and may enter the four-year optometry program after three years of undergraduate study. Acceptance to the New England College of Optometry is contingent upon maintenance of an excellent undergraduate academic record while at UMaine as a biology major. Upon successful completion of the initial year at New England College of Optometry, students are awarded a baccalaureate degree from the University of Maine. The OD is awarded by New England College of Optometry upon successful completion of three additional years of optometry study. Interested candidates should contact the STEM/Health Professions Career Counselor at (207) 581-1359 or um.healthprofessions@maine.edu.

Dedicated Undergraduate Scholarships

Each year the University awards over $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, dental or veterinary school, to help finance their professional studies. This program is made possible through a multi-million-dollar bequest to the University in the name of Charles E. Gilbert.