Pre-health Advising at Bucknell
A strong foundation in science and a focus on undergraduate research make Bucknell University one of the country's best colleges for pre-health or pre-med students.
Each year, graduates from Bucknell leave fully prepared for the fast-paced world of health care — a field where the pursuit of knowledge never ends and helping people is the ultimate goal.
The pre-health advising resources offered by Bucknell's Center for Career Advancement can help you identify the courses, extracurricular activities and internships that will put you in the best position to pursue your goals in health care.
At Bucknell, you can pursue inventive solutions to real health problems — and begin doing so the day you arrive. Our office can help you take the next steps.
What Fields Are Considered ‘Pre-health’?
Pre-health encompasses many of the health sciences. These include, but aren't limited to:
- Medicine (allopathic and osteopathic)
- Dentistry
- Physical therapy
- Physician's assistant
- Veterinary medicine
- Pharmacy
- Optometry
- Nursing
- Nurse practitioner
- Chiropractic
- Genetic counseling
- Public health
What Is the Best Major for Pre-med?
There is no one best major for students wanting to pursue careers in health care.
At Bucknell, you can — and should — major in what you enjoy while still completing the required classes for your professional school of choice. See the list in the next section, and remember to reach out to our office for additional guidance and support.
How Many Bucknell Students Are Considered Pre-med?
About 10% — or 360 of 3,600 — Bucknell undergraduates identify as "pre-health" or "pre-med."
What Percentage of Graduates Are Admitted to Med School?
About 75% of Bucknell graduates are accepted — with the majority of applicants applying to M.D. or D.O. medical schools.
What Pre-med Courses Should I Take?
How Do I Apply to Medical School?
The Pre-health Advising team can help guide you through each step of the application process. We can even help you strengthen your résumé to make your application irresistible to medical schools or employers.
Most applications are managed by centralized application services, or CASs. These allow for an application experience similar to the Common App or Coalition App you used when applying to Bucknell.
- MD medical schools:American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
- DO medical schools: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
- Dental schools: ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service
- Physician assistant schools: Central Application Service for Physician Assistants
- Physical therapy schools: Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service
- Occupational therapy schools: Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant Centralized Application Service
- Pharmacy schools: Pharmacy College Application Service
- Nursing schools: Centralized Application Service for Nursing Programs
Most professional schools will require an entrance exam as a part of the application process.
- MCAT, for MD or DO medical school
- DAT, for dental school
- GRE, for physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant and veterinary medicine programs
- OAT, for optometry programs
- PCAT, for pharmacy programs
Where Can I Find Help?
The Pre-health Advising team at Bucknell's Center for Career Advancement helps students and alumni who are considering a career in health care. If you decide that health care is the right path for you, we'll help you practice for exams, prepare your application and connect you with alumni working in medicine.
To connect with advisers, contact:
Dr. Alison Patterson
103 Botany Building
570-577-1238
apatters@bucknell.edu