Self-Assessment Tables for Pre-Health
Professions Students
(Here is a printable version of the Self-Assessment.)
To be a successful pre-health student or health
professional, there are certain activities that are essential, or
at the very least beneficial. Below is a self-assessment
guide that you should use as a periodic tool to evaluate your
strengths and weaknesses with regards to a health
career. Score yourself on a scale of 1-5 with the lowest
score, 1, indicating that you lack preparation, knowledge, skills,
or have not participated in relevant activities, and the highest
score, 5, meaning that you have attained the relevant knowledge,
skills, or participated in the indicated activities.
Academics
Having a strong GPA and admission test score is necessary to get
into a professional school. In addition to working hard on
your coursework and tests, you should make an effort to get to know
your professors and advisors, and let them get to know you, as
well. Your professors and advisors will be able to help guide
you by suggesting other courses, books and articles, research
opportunities, and other activities that will help shape your
undergraduate and professional career. Also, the more they
know of your academic and career interests, your intellectual
abilities, and professional drive, the stronger recommendation
letters they will be able to write for you. Working on a
research team can be a good way to establishing a closer,
professional relationship with your professors. Also, by
engaging in research, you will be intellectually challenged and be
able to apply the skills you acquire to other
pursuits.
| Criteria |
Score |
Activities & Strengths |
Ways to Improve |
| Course selection |
|
|
|
| Working with your primary academic advisor |
|
|
|
| Working with your pre-health advisor |
|
|
|
| Meeting with professors at office hours |
|
|
|
| Cumulative GPA |
|
|
|
| Practice admission tests |
|
|
|
Health-Related Activities
You may think that your career in the health professions starts
after school, but it should have started already! Being aware
of and involved in health related issues and activities should be
and will continue to be a vital part of your life. Below are
just some possible ways of being involved. These activities
will help you gain experience, choose your specific path, and add
to the strength of your applications.
| Criteria |
Score |
Activities & Strengths |
Ways to Improve |
| Familiarity with current issues in health care |
|
|
|
| Volunteering/Interning in a health care related
environment |
|
|
|
| Clinical experience |
|
|
|
| Attending pre-health professions events on campus |
|
|
|
| Participating in pre-health related programs on campus |
|
|
|
| Job shadowing a health care professional |
|
|
|
| Reflection on personal motivation to pursue a health care
related career |
|
|
|
| Exploration of different health care professions |
|
|
|
Non-Health Related Extracurricular Activities
Here is your chance to explore different avenues. A well-rounded
individual, who has engaged in various experiences and spent time
with lots of different people, will be able to work and empathize
with people in a variety of situations. When working with patients,
it is important to connect with them on a personal level. Beyond
the personal satisfaction you will derive from your extracurricular
activities, they will also provide you with the means to build
bridges with likeminded individuals as well as to those with whom
you previously had little in common.
| Criteria |
Score |
Activities & Strengths |
Ways to Improve |
| Involvement on campus |
|
|
|
| Leadership roles on campus |
|
|
|
| Volunteering on campus |
|
|
|
| Volunteering off campus |
|
|
|
| Work experience on campus |
|
|
|
| Work experience off campus |
|
|
|
Communication and Interpersonal Characteristics
Working in a health related profession means working with
people. You will need to build trust and rapport with your
patients. You will also need to be able to work both alone and
collectively to solve problems, as well as serve as your patients'
advocate. The skills involved in all of the above activities are
not easily gained through a specific activity. They are abilities
that develop over time through a variety of experiences. Many of
them can be improved by engaging in some of the activities listed
in the above two tables. If you sense the need to work on any of
them and are not sure what to do, consult with your advisors,
friends, and family to discover new opportunities for growth.
| Criteria |
Score |
Activities & Strengths |
Ways to Improve |
| Ability to present yourself in person |
|
|
|
| Ability to present yourself on paper |
|
|
|
| Ability to work with others collaboratively |
|
|
|
| Ease of communicating with others different from yourself |
|
|
|
| Curiosity in local, national, and international events |
|
|
|
| Ability to handle successfully stressful or challenging
situations |
|
|
|
| Proactiveness |
|
|
|
| Time management and prioritization skills |
|
|
|
Application Process
Needless to say, the only way to enter a health care profession
is through an approved training program. Staying on top of the
application process is essential. Below are the primary steps
involved in putting together a complete application package. Keep
in mind that all of the above activities will be reflected in
different parts of the application, from your GPA and admission
test scores, to your letters of recommendation, personal statement,
and if required, interviews. Admission committees are looking for
candidates who will have a good chance of being successful in their
respective fields, and a strong showing in all of the above tables
will contribute to your success.
| Criteria |
Score |
Activities & Strengths |
Ways to Improve |
| Reviewed application process |
|
|
|
| Researched potential programs |
|
|
|
| Registered with the appropriate application service and began
the application process |
|
|
|
| Designated letter writers |
|
|
|
| Designated committee letter author |
|
|
|
| Taken admission test |
|
|
|
| Progress on Personal Statement |
|
|
|
| Prepared for interviewing process |
|
|
|