OVERVIEW
The mission of the Dillard University Pre-Health Program is to provide a supportive and empowering environment for students to prepare for and pursue post-baccalaureate academic opportunities leading to placement in careers as health care professionals.
How Will We Get There?
The Medical School Admissions Requirements Guidebook published by the AAMC makes the following recommendation:
“A science major is not a prerequisite for medical school, and students should not major in science simply because they believe this will increase their chances for acceptance. ….. For most physicians, the undergraduate years are the last available opportunity to pursue in depth a non-science subject of interest, and all who hope to practice medicine should bear this in mind when selecting an undergraduate major.”
The Pre-Health Program will facilitate the knowledge and resources to support students in the pre-health career decision-making process. Services are provided to students across academic disciplines with an expressed interest in the healthcare profession.
The goal is to prepare well-rounded students to pursue academic and career opportunities upon graduation.
Our approach requires individualized, timely assessments of students’ undergraduate academic progress toward their academic and professional goals.
Once students discover their passion for the health profession, we provide academic and professional guidance throughout each stage of the preparation and application processes to ensure students pursue the best pathway for their career goals.
Pre-Health Programs
PSB 307
2601 Gentilly Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70122
Ph. (504)816 – 5702
prehealth@dillard.edu
Office Hours:
M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Pre-Health Program provides support for students on their pathway to a health career. If you are interested in a health career, contact the pre-health advisor to schedule an appointment.
Most pre-health careers require graduate and/or professional school degrees. The Dillard University Pre-Health Program provides support for students seeking entrance into programs such as (but not limited to) the following:
Below are a range of resources curated by the Pre-Health Career Program to support current and former Dillard University students with an interest in health careers. This list is fluid and will be updated as needed to reflect updated application deadlines and new resources.
Do you know of a health career-building resource that is not currently listed here? Please send a link to prehealth@dillard.edu so it can be added. Do you have feedback on a resources that is listed here? Please email prehealth@dillard.edu and share your experience.
Children’s Hospital has a diverse group of volunteers who selflessly devote thousands of hours each year to support the hospital staff and our patients and families. Whether playing with children during wait times or helping families find their way in the halls, the volunteers at Children’s Hospital make a difference providing a special human connection that often eases the stress for patients and families going through difficult times. Please note that volunteers can volunteer in clinical areas, but volunteering doesn’t provide an opportunity to shadow a physician, nurse or other health care provider.
Project Sunshine delivers the healing power of play to children with medical needs through trained and dedicated volunteers. For over 20 years, Project Sunshine volunteers have brought joy and play directly to pediatric patients through in-person programming with a network of hospitals and medical facility partners across the country
Jefferson Parish Medical Reserve Corps (JPMRC) is a volunteer program for individuals with medical and public health backgrounds to assist in a disaster. Volunteers have the opportunity to engage in annual community vaccination events, hurricane response including evacuations and sheltering, and preparedness activities.
The NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps helps build a culture of preparedness and resilience, supporting first responders, community partners, and residents in disaster response and recovery efforts. NOLA Ready Corps volunteers are part of a team working to meet residents' needs before, during, and after emergencies. NOLA Ready Corps volunteers can receive training in hurricane preparedness, City-Assisted Evacuation, shelter operations, pet evacuation and sheltering, flood recovery, and more. The NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps is managed by the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps (NOMRC) is the medical and public health volunteer organization. The mission of NOMRC is to be a diverse group of committed volunteers with skills and expertise to supplement public health emergency preparedness and response in New Orleans. Volunteers receive training in First Aid/CPR, Psychological First Aid, vaccination outreach, meeting the needs of medically vulnerable populations, and more. NOMRC is managed by the New Orleans Health Department.
Mentoring in Medicine exists to inspire and equip disadvantaged and low-income students to become health care professionals through academic enrichment, leadership development, civic engagement and mentoring programs and to engage, educate and empower students – from elementary to professional school – by providing resources, support and guidance to help them reach their true potential. MEDICAL PATHWAY PROGRAM (MPP) (Virtual) is a holistic medical school preparatory boot camp targets low-income students or students under-represented in medicine. (All are welcome to apply.) This rigorous 30-week program accelerates a candidate’s application to medical school by helping to increase his/her competitiveness through personal strategic planning sessions, MCAT prep, AAMC Preview Professional Readiness Exam information, application assistance, mock interviews, work with MIM coaches and much more!
The Michigan Health Sciences Summer Institute (MHSSI) is comprised of three academies that expose learners to careers in the health sciences, foster leadership development, enhance academic skills, and prepare them for admission to medical school. Our goal is to encourage personal and professional growth in students throughout the academic pipeline. The Career Development Academy (CDA) is designed to provide participants with an MCAT Prep Course as well as resources to prepare for submitting medical school applications. This program requires a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
The Division of Laboratory Sciences (DLS) within the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia offers multiple summer fellowship opportunities. DLS offers a stimulating research environment that enables summer fellows to gain practical experience in applied analytical chemistry and enhance their knowledge of public health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services and works to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. The Division of Laboratory Services (DLS) provides laboratory support that improves the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of environmental, tobacco-related, nutritional, newborn, selected chronic and selected infectious diseases. DLS also works to improve the rapid and accurate detection of chemical threat agents, radiologic threat agents, and selected toxins. The Laboratory Sciences Fellowship Opportunity at CDC connects participants with laboratory teams to develop and apply analytical methods to characterize and quantify biochemical markers, including those in biologic specimens (such as serum or urine), that are relevant to disease and harmful exposures. Participants may gain experience in bench chemistry, using mass spectrometry, or working with biochemical markers. Selected candidates will be placed in one of seven branches within DLS (see website for branch information: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/dls/). They will gain hands-on
The Introduction to the Medical Profession: a Rotation to Empower Students (IMPRESS) is an intensive course tailored for first—and second-year college students from various backgrounds in medicine. This program offers participants invaluable mentorship and practical tips for building a successful career in the medical field. Through exposure to various medical specialties and cutting-edge technologies, students are equipped with the tools to navigate their journey in medicine confidently. Participants receive personalized mentorship from experienced physicians and surgeons who guide them through medical school challenges and specialty selection. The curriculum includes practical workshops on clinical reasoning, surgical techniques, and patient communication.
Logan University 3+3 Program allows Dillard University students to complete three years at a participating undergraduate institution and then complete the first year’s coursework at Logan in the Doctor of Chiropractic program. Credits can then be transferred back to complete the undergraduate degree. This allows students to complete their first year of the DC program while completing their undergraduate degree and earn their Bachelor’s and Doctorate in 1 year less than the normal 7 years. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for 90 credit hours at Dillard to be considered for admission.
AT Still University Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program is designed to provide admission opportunities to outstanding students who aspire to become osteopathic physicians who focus on whole person healthcare and community service without traditional MCAT requirements. Still Scholars are awarded a small academic scholarship for medical school upon entry. Students must be in the process of finishing their sophomore year and have a GPA of 3.4 cululative and science, with a B or above in all pre-requisite courses, 50 hours clinical experience, strong leadership experience and service to the underserved.
Xavier University College of Pharmacy dual degree program allows Dillard University students to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and a Doctor of Pharmacy. It requires three years of academic coursework at Dillard University with a 2.75 GPA for COP pre-requisite courses and a 2.75 GPA for math and science courses. A letter of interest must be submitted in a student’s first or second year of enrollment at Dillard University.
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine designates four (4) seats in each RUSVM semester class for eligible Dillard students during the admissions process. Students must meet several minimum requirements, including but not limited to at least a 3.0 GPA generally and in all pre-requisites for RUSVM and a score in the 20th percentile or better of the GRE.
Rush University Graduate College has preferential admission for up to four (4) qualified applicants (who have met admission requirements and excelled in STEM curricula and research) per fall term to a graduate program of study leading to the Master of Science in Biotechnology, Clinical Research and/or Integrated Biomedical Sciences.
Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) Postbaccalaureate Research InternShip & Mentoring (PRISM) Program is an intensive 2-year research and professional development experience at NIBR in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is dedicated to providing research training opportunities for highly talented students from historically underserved communities and increasing their competiveness for top-tier biomedical graduate degree programs.
NMF Health Equity Leaders Program was established in 2022 through the generous support of the Brave of Heart Fund and provides underrepresented in health care, medical, and allied health students with opportunities to explore health equity service, scholarship, leadership, and advocacy. The Health Equity Leaders Program provides $10,000 to 30 scholars and is open to second-, third-, and fourth-year medical (MD, MD/PhD, DO, DO/PhD), and graduate level physician assistant and nursing students who come from underrepresented backgrounds and have a demonstrated interest in primary care.
The WashU Neuroscience Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (Neuroprep) aims to enhance readiness for graduate studies in Neuroscience through a two-year paid experience in research and professional skills training. Recent or soon-to-be college graduates from underrepresented groups who haven’t had substantial laboratory research experience are invited to apply. All individuals selected as participants will apply to neuroscience doctoral degree programs (PhD) during the research education program.
The Tulane Master of Biomedical Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree is a two-semester non-thesis program. The program is primarily designed to enrich and improve academic credentials of graduates. Our distinctive program emphasizes student development in four areas (coursework, experiential learning, presentation skills, and personal growth), and allows students to broaden and strengthen their academic foundation for further intellectual development, such as gaining entrance into medical-, dental- or health profession-related schools.
The Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement (RISE) Fellowship includes a 6-month (part-time or full-time), 12-month full-time, or 9-week summer public health research experience for students currently enrolled full-time in a medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, or public health, allied health and social sciences graduate programs who are interested in conducting research in the areas of infectious diseases and/or health disparities. Fellows increase professional leadership skills and are supported to present their research at national meetings.
National Medical Fellowships (NMF) service-learning programs provide special opportunities for students to work hands-on to enhance health care delivery in underrepresented communities. These programs match students with mentors, often eminent NMF alumni, and focus on areas of critical clinical/public health need.
The Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP) provides financial assistance to physicians in the form of a loan repayment to recent graduates of an accredited medical or osteopathic school and are currently enrolled or matched to a residency identified as a shortage by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The loan repayment is $40,000 a year with a maximum of $160,000. In return the recipient would agree to serve in a clinical practice at a VA facility for a period of 12 months for each $40,000 of loan repayment with a minimum of 24 months of obligated service.
Eligible Specialties:
The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), one of the most comprehensive scholarships available in the healthcare field, can go a long way in helping pay for an advanced medical degree for current and future medical students. The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) offers two-, three- and four-year military scholarships that can help cover civilian medical school tuition, pay for fee, and provide a monthly living stipend. The length of these scholarships can vary by Service branch. Compensation also includes a signing bonus under certain conditions. This scholarship is offered by the Army, Navy and Air Force, and the benefits are the same across all three Services.
