Pre-dentistry

Purdue University in West Lafayette

Academic goals such as pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-physician assistant, etc., are career interests rather than majors or degree programs.

Purdue pre-health students may choose from more than 200 undergraduate majors based on their academic interests and abilities. Strong grades, demanding courses, and a well-rounded curriculum are more important to health professional schools than a student’s undergraduate major.

Purdue encourages students to pursue a major they enjoy rather than one they think professional schools would like to see. Students who enjoy what they study generally achieve greater success.

When considering an undergraduate major, students should consider one that provides a viable, parallel plan if professional school goals do not work out.

Purdue students who plan to pursue professional health programs such as medical or dental school most often choose undergraduate majors within one of the following colleges or schools:

• College of Agriculture
• College of Engineering
• College of Health and Human Sciences
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Pharmacy
• College of Science

At Purdue, pre-professional students (pre-medicine, pre-law, etc.) have access to an academic advisor for their specific undergraduate major as well as to the Center for Pre-Professional Advising, which helps students achieve their professional school goals through services and resources including:

• Individual advising
• Group workshops
• Guidance in preparing to become a competitive professional school applicant
• Assistance with professional school applications
• Career guidance