Pre-Professional Studies

Pre-Health Professions

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) and a campus pre-health advisor are available to assist students in preparing for admission to a graduate health professions program. This includes medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary, optometry, physical therapy, and other health-related fields. Students considering a career in one of these fields should contact the pre-health advisor as soon as possible upon admission to Manhattanville, to plan their schedules. Students are strongly advised to begin taking courses in preparation for admission to a particular graduate health professions program in the first semester of their studies at Manhattanville. The pre-health advisor will help students prepare a four-year plan of study.

A pre-health student can major in any subject; Manhattanville does not offer a “Pre-Health” or “Pre-Med” major. However, all pre-health courses must be completed in a timely manner so that the student is prepared to take the appropriate entrance exam in his/her application year. The following courses are recommended as a minimal program of preparation for the entrance exams and for admission to medical and dental programs:

Principles of Biology I,II with labs
Principles of Chemistry I, II with labs

Organic Chemistry I, II with labs

Calculus I

Principles of Physics I, II with labs

First-Year Writing Seminar

One course in English Literature (not a film course)

Highly Recommended: Statistics, Biochemistry with or without lab (note: Biochemistry is required for those applying for a Committee Letter; see below.)

Recommended: Psychology, Sociology

Additional courses may also be required for admission to certain schools, or certain schools may have a different list of pre-requisite courses. The table below provides advisory information on pre-requisite courses by type of program. Always check the pre-requisites required for the graduate school you plan to attend. Requirements for other professional programs may be discussed with the pre-health advisor.  It is highly recommended that two or more of the courses listed above be taken in the first semester at Manhattanville. The sequence in which these courses are taken should be discussed with the pre-health advisor as early as possible in the academic career to ensure the best possible outcome. A Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Studies minor is available for students majoring in non-science academic areas.

Admission to graduate programs in the health professions is highly selective. To compete successfully for admission, students must maintain a minimum 3.3 cumulative G.P.A. and a 3.3 G.P.A. in the courses listed above while at Manhattanville. Students should be aware that some professional schools require a G.P.A. that is significantly higher than 3.3. Students should also be aware that some professional schools require a very strong performance on a standardized entrance exam (MCAT or DAT, for example).

Manhattanville offers qualified students an opportunity to apply for an Official Committee Recommendation Letter when they are ready to apply to a professional program, e.g., medical school. Requests for this letter are reviewed by the Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) in the student’s application year and the student may receive one of the following ratings: Highly Recommended, Recommended, Recommended with Reservation, or Not Recommended. Students are also given the opportunity to practice their interview skills with the PHPAC members.

Questions or comments may be sent to prehealth@mville.edu.  

The pre-health advisor is Professor Wendy McFarlane, Wendy.McFarlane@mville.edu.

Advising Pre-Health Track

Pre-Law

Manhattanville offers several options for students interested in pursuing a career in law. Students interested in the legal profession may major in Criminal Justice and Law or Political Science. They may also minor in Legal Studies. Students interested in law should seek advice early on from the pre-law advisor, Professor Matthew Pauley, matthew.pauley@mville.edu.