Pre-Professional Health Programs

Suggested Timeline

Regardless of pre-professional category, creating a meaningful and robust resume throughout your undergraduate career is important. Below, goals are broken into three categories for each year: Career, Personal, and Academic. Consider creating more specific goals for your Pre-Professional Category.
 

BEGINNING COLLEGE

Career Goals:

  • Explore major and career options and consider taking a career/personal interest assessment. If you already have an idea of the career you wish to pursue, consider shadowing before high school is over so you can confirm the pathway.

  • Attend Information Fairs.
     
  • Schedule a Visit to campus. (If you pre-arrange a visit, you can also schedule a meeting with Pre-Professional Health Programs to learn more about your career path and office services.)

Academic Goals:

  • Take college entrance exams (ACT, SAT) and complete Ohio High School core or transfer student preparation program.
     
  • Apply for and complete admission process including scheduling orientation.
     
  • Attend orientation both for Cleveland State University and Pre-Professional Health Programs (during the first week of the semester).

Personal Goals:

  • Complete financial aid application; apply for on-campus job.
     
  • Explore housing/living options at CSU or in the community.
     
  • Apply for scholarships: University and community sources.


FRESHMAN YEAR

Career Goals:

  • Attend career and major related workshops in Pre-Professional Programs. Explore online information about careers in healthcare.
     
  • Develop career goals: short and long term as well as alternative career goals.
     
  • Start to build your resume through involvement, shadowing, and volunteer work.
     
  • Create a resume.

Academic Goals:

  • Meet with pre-professional advisor to develop your educational plan for prerequisite pre-professional health courses.
     
  • Meet with your college advisor to begin to look at the pathway for your major.
     
  • Maintain a strong GPA.

Personal Goals:

  • Explore service learning or other civic engagement options in Cleveland.
     
  • Explore student organizations.
     
  • Apply for scholarships: University and community sources.


SOPHOMORE YEAR:

Career Goals:

  • Explore job shadowing opportunities or other ways to get direct experience in career field of interest.
     
  • Modify career goals: short and long-term. Make sure that you are coming up with Plan B options.
     
  • Update your resume.

Academic Goals:

  • Meet with your pre-professional advisor to update your plan and establish relationship with college and faculty advisor.
     
  • Cultivate relationships with faculty/staff/advisors that may serve as references for applications.
     
  • Maintain a strong GPA.

Personal Goals:

  • Get involved in student organizations at CSU.
     
  • Get involved in professional student organizations.
     
  • Apply for scholarships: University and community sources.
     
  • Consider summer opportunities in research to build your resume.


JUNIOR YEAR

Career Goals:

  • Attend the Applicant Track Workshop series during your fall semester to prepare for a Summer application after the junior year.
     
  • Create study timeline for application and entrance exams and decide whether or not you will take a preparatory course.
     
  • Continue to search for meaningful experiences such as shadowing, volunteering, undergraduate research, and a part-time job.
     
  • Update your resume.

Academic Goals:

  • Continue to attend pre-professional workshops to learn about various fields.
     
  • Meet with your college or faculty/department advisor to confirm graduation plan.
     
  • Maintain a strong GPA.

Personal Goals:

  • Consider leadership positions in student organizations for Junior or Senior year.
     
  • Get involved in professional student organizations.
     
  • Apply for scholarships: University and community sources.


SENIOR YEAR:

Career Goals:

  • After application, prepare secondary applications if applicable.
     
  • Attend the Interview Success Workshop to learn about and start preparing for potential interviews.
     
  • Once you receive your first interview, sign up for a Mock Interview with Pre-Professional Health Programs.
     
  • Update your resume.

Academic Goals:

  • Select applicable elective coursework that will aid in your transition to professional school.
     
  • Meet with advisor to make sure all courses are in progress or complete by graduation.
     
  • Maintain a strong GPA.

Personal Goals:

  • Accept leadership roles in student organizations.
     
  • Participate in research symposium/conference for students.
     
  • Find ways to pay for your professional career by doing research and applying for scholarships.
     

ALUMNI

Career Goals:

  • Continue to show your support for CSU as a proud alumni by getting involved in the Alumni Association and volunteering your time with Pre-Professional Health Programs.
     
  • Examine your career goals.
     
  • Update your resume.

Academic Goals:

  • Now that you are admitted into a professional program or other option, study hard and do well!
     
  • Continue to maintain a strong GPA throughout your professional school career.
     
  • Obtain copies of your transcript to have on-hand.

Personal Goals:

  • Gain meaningful experiences that will aid in your passion for your career path.
     
  • Get involved in professional organizations.
     
  • Become a mentor and maintain your educational network.