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Pre-Health Advising Program

Interested in health professions such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or physical therapy? Besides providing basic information on such careers, the purpose of this site is to help current or prospective Ohio State students locate a pre-health advisor on campus.

What is pre-health?

This is a designation for those who seek admission to health professional programs, usually upon completion of a baccalaureate (BA, BS, etc.) degree. While the “well-known” fields including medicine and dentistry continue to draw interest, we encourage students to explore other options—all of which lead to satisfying careers in which one can make a difference.

The term pre-health can also refer to students interested in four-year degree programs that lead directly to health careers upon graduation. To name a few, these include nursing, dental hygiene, circulation technology, and medical dietetics. (All of these programs are available at Ohio State.)

An excellent starting point to explore health career possibilities is the online Occupational Outlook Handbook. See the occupations listed under health diagnosing and treating occupations, and health technologists and technicians.

Why choose a career in the health professions?

Students are drawn to the health professions for many reasons. Some have relatives or parents who are actively involved as physicians, nurses, researchers, optometrists, dentists, etc. This was their first introduction to the health professions, and they have experienced it first hand. Other students have an inner “call” or sense of responsibility to become care-givers and healers to those who need health assistance and direction. Still other students have their first interaction with the health professions through interaction with other students in their science majors, research experience, and the support groups/clubs associated with their majors. Many are seeking a career where they can serve their community and country as responsible citizens, and enjoy their chosen field as a day-to-day activity.

How to find a pre-health advisor at Ohio State

It is crucial that you contact a pre-health advisor as early as possible after you decide to pursue a health career, as admission to schools is very competitive, requiring much preparation and careful academic and skills assessment. Choosing the appropriate pre-health advisor at OSU usually depends on your choice of major. For students who are pre-med, pre-dentistry, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy (Pharm.D.), pre-veterinary medicine, pre-physical therapy, or pre-occupational therapy, please note that these are officially-recognized areas of interest at Ohio State but are not majors (as at most universities). At this point, we suggest that you read the section on this site regarding the "right major" for pre-health.

Pre- Health Advisor directory:

For directions and complete address information

Allied Medicine-Atwell Hall, 453 W. 10th Avenue, 614-292-1706

Arts and Sciences-West Lobby Denney Hall, 164 W. 17th Avenue, 614-292-6961

  • For students interested in arts and sciences majors, including biology, chemistry, psychology, and history.
  • Arts and Sciences pre-health advisors are also available to work with current and prospective students from any academic unit.
  • We also assist continuing education students interested in completing pre-health prerequisites.
  • Our advising program includes information on admissions requirements; assessment of one’s chances of admission; help with personal goal statements; and assistance with interviewing skills and techniques.

Contact any of the following advisors:

Arts and Sciences Honors Program-207 Enarson Hall, 154 West 12th Avenue, 614-292-5104

Contact: Meagan Toohey
toohey.4@osu.edu

Contact: Denise Allman
allam.24@osu.edu

Scholars Program (Health Sciences Scholars)-(614)688-5898

Contact: Julie Humbel
humbel.1@osu.edu

Biomedical Science-1170 Graves Hall, 333 W. 10th Avenue, 614-247-8060

Students are typically only admitted to the Biomedical Science major as incoming freshman.

Contact: Lori Martensen
martensen.5@osu.edu

Dental Hygiene-3082 Postle Hall, 305 W. 12th Ave, 614-292-2228

Contact: Assistant Director for Academic Studies
hygiene@dentistry.dent.ohio-state.edu

Exploration Program-352 Denney Hall, 164 W. 17th Avenue, 614-292-0646

The Exploration Program works with undecided and re-deciding students at The Ohio State University

Contact: (614) 292-0646

Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Science (FAES)-100 Agricultural Administration Building, 2120 Fyffe Rd., 614-292-6891

Some FAES majors have a direct relation to preparing students for health professional programs and have a strong applied science curriculum (biology, chemistry, and physics all required). These include (but are not limited to):

  • Animal Sciences (B.S. in Nutrition or B.S. in Agriculture)
  • Food Science & Nutrition (B.S. in Food Science or B.S. in Nutrition)
  • Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering
  • Plant Health Management (plant pathology – great background in pathogenic infection, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi)
  • Environmental Sciences
  • A minor in Life Sciences is also available, which incorporates organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular genetics, physics, biology, calculus, etc.
  • Some pre-veterinary science students major in Agribusiness & Applied Economics (to develop their business skills) along with the Life Sciences minor (to accommodate for the required pre-professional science courses).

Contact: Paul A. Heimberger
heimberger.5@osu.edu

Human Ecology, Department of Human Nutrition-Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Ave., 614-292-9261

The Department of Human Nutrition offers four programs that cover the breadth of nutrition science:

  • Nutrition (Requirements meet prerequisites for health professional schools)
  • Dietetics
  • Nutrition and Community Health
  • Nutrition in Industry

Contact: Nicole Orozco
orozco.13@osu.edu

College of Pharmacy-150 Parks Hall 500 West 12th Avenue, 614-292-3813

The Bachelor of Science in the Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) is for students interested in preparing themselves for careers in the pharmaceutical industry. Careers in this industry include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutical sales representatives, drug researchers, and licensed pharmacists. For more information.

Contact: Joe Orozco
orozco.5@osu.edu