Pre-Professional Programs Major

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Prepare for the career you’ve always dreamed of with one of our pre-professional programs. Combine academics, real-world experiences and personalized advising to give you a competitive edge when applying to your future graduate or professional degree program.

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Program Summary

Pre-professional programs at Purdue provide a strong foundation to pursue careers in fields such as medicine, health, veterinary medicine, law and more. While not standalone majors, pre-professional advising guides students to complete common prerequisite courses required by most professional schools. These pathways complement your chosen major, giving you the flexibility to explore different academic interests while still preparing you to apply to professional school.

Professional schools — like medical, dental and law programs — accept students from a wide range of undergraduate majors. What matters most is your academic performance, your involvement in experiences related to your field — like jobs, internships, volunteering or student organizations — and having strong relationships with faculty who can speak to your abilities in letters of recommendation. Completing any prerequisite courses required for your chosen program is also essential.

Choose from more than 200 majors to match your academic strengths and personal interests. Health and professional schools value strong grades, rigorous coursework and a well-rounded curriculum far more than any specific major.

That’s why we encourage you to pursue a major you truly enjoy. When you’re passionate about what you’re studying, you’re more likely to thrive — and that success will carry you forward, no matter which professional path you choose.

Purdue Pre-Professional Programs

Unsure of where to start? Visit Purdue’s Pre-Professional Advising website for answers to some of their most frequently asked questions.

When considering an undergraduate major, be sure to select one that provides a viable, parallel career plan in case your professional school goals shift.

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:

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

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

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You should pursue the most rigorous high school curriculum available to you. Succeeding in challenging courses will make you a stronger candidate for Purdue’s competitive admission process and better prepare you for college success.

Minimum high school coursework (many applicants exceed these minimums):

Math – 4 years
English – 4 years
Lab science – 3 years
Social studies – 3 years
World language – 2 years

Pre-Professional Advising in the Center for Career Opportunities

Discover pathways that align with your future career goals.

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Pre-Professional Advising
765-494-3981
preprofessional@purdue.edu

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Meet Our Students

Katie Hite

Major: Neurobiology Pre-professional path: Pre-dentistry Activities: Vice President of Membership of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Predental Club Advice for pre-professional students: Get involved as fast as possible in an organization that applies to your future professional goals and a hobby/interest you may have. Find a mentor on a similar path because they will have lots of wisdom to share.