FULFILLING PREREQUISITES

Much of the information that you will use to decide whether or not a particular health profession suits you is in the public domain, accessible to all. The information that you need to think about and act on to get into the profession and school of your choice is something entirely different, a private affair.

To decide which courses to take and when to take them, you will need to know more than just which health profession interests you. Different schools can have different prerequisites. You might want to keep your options open for more than one profession. "Where you are right now," academically speaking, is another important factor. Most schools have placement tests for mathematics and writing, you should take them and consider your results seriously when you decide which courses to take. You are not doing anybody a favor if you get in over your head and sacrifice the strength of your work, and no one will be impressed if you take a string of courses that, for you, are easy. The key to success is to take a reasonably challenging course load, and master your material.

Remember that you need to consider issues beyond the classroom when you make your schedule. Do you commute or have a job that will cut into your study time? Are you responsible for a family member who is ill? Responsibilities such as these can have an impact on the time and focus that you can bring to bear on your studies.

In the final analysis, the way to approach your prerequisite work is the same way that you would want your loved ones treated in a health care setting. The priorities should be high quality, efficient work with excellent results tailored to the needs of the individual.

If you are a Stony Brook student, one resource that you want to keep in mind is the Academic Advising Center in room E-2360 at the Frank Melville Jr. Memorial Library. The advisors there will assist you in navigating your way to the resources and through the requirements of the University so that you get the most out of your education. Stony Brook's online Undergraduate Bulletin is a site that you should bookmark and then use throughout the course of your education.

We have prerequisite information relating to all of the major health professions at Prehealth Advising. If you have not yet visited us be sure to stop by or email us with your questions so that we can provide you with materials crucial for effectively planning out your studies.