Office of Pre-Health Advising
Office of Pre-Health Advising
Getting into a professional health program requires a great deal of planning and preparation. From choosing your path to mapping out courses to planning shadowing and co-curriculars to preparing for entrance exams, there are many details required for developing a successful application. Here are some resources to help you along the way.
Your academic journey is a key part of preparing for a future in the health professions. Admissions committees want to see that you can succeed in challenging coursework, especially in science and math. But success is not just about earning high grades, it is also about showing growth, consistency, and how you respond when things get difficult.
Explore our Academics section to learn how to plan your coursework and build a strong foundation for your health career.
Professional schools want more than strong grades. They look for core competencies like communication, ethical reasoning, teamwork, and cultural awareness. These skills are essential for patient care, leadership, and success in any health profession.
At Detroit Mercy, you build these competencies through academics, service, reflection, and hands-on experience, all rooted in our Jesuit and Mercy traditions. Explore what each health profession expects and learn how to prepare with confidence.
Learn more about Core Competencies for Health Professions
Your journey to a health profession is shaped by more than academics. Co-curricular experiences like shadowing, clinical work, volunteering, student organizations, research, and community service help you grow as a future provider and leader. These opportunities build essential skills, deepen your understanding of healthcare, and connect you with mentors and peers who share your goals.
Explore how you can get involved in co-curricular activities and make the most of your time at Detroit Mercy.
Most health professions schools require standardized entrance exams as part of the admissions process. These exams assess your academic readiness and critical thinking skills in areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.
Whether you’re preparing for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), DAT (Dental Admission Test), OAT (Optometry Admission Test), GRE (Graduate Record Examination), or other exams, it’s important to understand each test’s format, content areas, and recommended preparation timeline.
Explore Entrance Exams Resources and Preparation Tips
Office of Pre-Health Advising
Engineering Bldg. RM# 125
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Kia Hart
(313) 993-1928
hartkl@udmercy.edu