A female student in a lab coat looking into a microscope in a lab.

Pre-Health Advisory Program

The Pre-Health Advisory Program at Stevens Institute of Technology offers a community of advisors and services to students in any major at Stevens who are interested in pursuing a career in the health professions after graduation.

The Pre-Health Advising Program includes the Director of Pre-Health Advising and the Health Professions Advisory Committee, a group of faculty and staff with expertise in the health professions and a high motivated commitment to mentoring, counseling and guiding students in this career path.  

We work with current students and alumni who are interested in a career in the health professions, which include:

  • Medical School (Medical Doctor and Doctor of Osteopathy) 

  • Dental School 

  • Physical Therapy School 

  • Veterinary School 

  • Optometry School 

  • Physician’s Assistant (P.A.) School 

  • Chiropractic School 

  • Podiatry School 

  • Pharmacy School 

Pre-Health Programming & Opportunities 

  • Workshops 

  • Shadowing Programs 

  • Alumni Panels 

  • Research 

  • Graduate school information sessions 

  • Volunteer and service opportunities 

  • Bootcamps 

  • Community of students with similar goals 

  • Personal Statement and resume support 

  • Mock Interviews 

What Pre-Health Advising Does

  • Helps students think through how to use their time at Stevens effectively to prepare for health professions school  

  • In conjunction with academic advisors, supports students in building their four-year course plan to include all pre-health requirements 

  • Helps students decide their timeframe for applying to programs 

  • Connects students to shadowing, volunteering, and clinical opportunities  

  • Provides students with resources and strategies to prepare for health professions school entrance exams 

  • Guides students through the applications process, including school choice, supplemental material review, and mock interviews 

Health Professions Advisory Committee

The Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) is a group of faculty and staff across the university who support and advise pre-health students on their journey to health professions school. In the year students or alumni apply to programs, HPAC meets with students for a Counseling, Advising, and Planning Sessions (CAPS) to prep them for the application process and to prepare for writing their committee letter.

See the 2025-2026 HPAC Committee

Pre-Health Student Advisory Council

The Pre-Health Student Advisory Council is a group of pre-health students of all grades who provide input to Steven Pre-Health Advising and collaborate on programming. Council members solicit input from their follow students and synthesize what pre-health students need to be well supported. Council members also support admissions efforts by speaking on panels and answers prospective student questions.

See the 2025-2026 Student Council

Becoming a Pre-Health Student at Stevens

Adding Pre-Health as an advisory program in Workday ensures you're receiving all the latest information about courses, opportunities and workshops. Adding this advisory program is not binding and can be removed at any time.

Instructions on adding a program in Workday

Applying to Health Professions School

Programs of Study

You can choose any major available at Stevens and participate in the Pre-Health Advisory Program. Common majors include:

See all majors >

Health Professional School Pre-Requisites

You must complete the required prerequisite courses for the desired health professions school before taking the required entrance test (MCAT, DAT, etc) and application. Students typically apply to health professional schools at least one year before your desired entry date.

Recommended Courses

Typically, the following courses are recommended for students who are interested in applying to medical or dental school. All of the recommended courses help you prepare for the MCAT which has a significant emphasis on psychology, sociology, and biochemistry.

  • M = Normally required for admissions requirements to accredited U.S. medical schools

  • D = Normally required for admissions requirements to accredited U.S. dental schools

Subject

Requirement

Stevens Course Code

Stevens Course Name

Number of Credits

Semester Typically Offered

Chemistry (M, D)

16 credits

CH 115

CH 117

CH 116

CH 118

CH 243

CH 245

CH 244

CH 246

General Chemistry I

General Chemistry I lab

General Chemistry II

General Chemistry II lab

Organic Chemistry I

Organic Chemistry I lab

Organic Chemistry II

Organic Chemistry II lab

3

1

3

1

3

1

3

1

Fall & Spring

Fall

Spring

Spring and Summer II

Fall

Fall

Fall

Spring

Biology (M, D)

11 credits

BIO 181*

BIO 290

BIO 292

BIO 382

OR

BME 502

AND

BME 512

Biology and Biotechnology

Cell and Molecular Biology

Cell and Molecular Biology lab

Biological Systems

Engineering Physiology

Engineering Physiology Lab I

*Note: BIO 181 pre-requisite for BIO 290/292, BIO 382, and both BME 502 AND BME 512. Students can skip with appropriate AP scores

3

3

1

4

3

1

Fall & Spring

Fall & Spring

Fall & Spring Fall

Fall

Fall

Physics (M, D)

8 credits

PEP 111

PEP 221 PEP 112

PEP 222

Physics I: Mechanics

Physics I lab

Physics II: Electricity & Magnetism

Physics II lab

3

1

3

1

Fall and Spring

Fall and Spring

Fall, Spring, Summer I and Summer II

Fall and Spring

Mathematics (M, D)

8 credits

MA 121 MA 122

MA 125

MA 126

Differential Calculus

Integral Calculus

Vectors and Matrices

Multivariable Calculus I

2

2

2

2

Humanities (M, D)

8 credits

HASS 103 (previously CAL 103)

HASS 105 (previously CAL 105)

Writing and Communications Colloquium

Knowledge, Nature, Culture

3

3

Biochemistry (M, D)

3 credits

CH 580

Biochemistry I

3

Psychology

3 credits

HSS 175

Introduction to Psychology

Note: Recommended for entrance exam preparation

3

Sociology

3 credits

HSS 141

Introduction to Sociology

Note: Recommended for entrance exam preparation

3

Statistics

3 credits

MA 222

OR

BT 221

OR

ENGR 241

Probability and Statistics

Statistics

Probability and Statistics with Data Science Applications

3

3

3

Ethics

3 credits

BME 453

HPL 457

Bioethics

Bioethics

3

3

Microbiology (D)

4 credits with lab

BIO 392

Microbiology

4

Other Suggested Courses

BIO 484

BIO 586

BIO 583

HSS 331

CH 581

Molecular Genetics

Immunology Physiology

Biological Psychology

Biochemistry II

4

3

3

3

3

See course descriptions in the current year's academic catalog >

Please Note: Most U.S. medical and dental schools will NOT accept AP courses from high school, courses taken abroad, or courses taken at community colleges to satisfy the basic chemistry, biology, physics, math, and English courses. It is strongly recommended that you check the admission requirements with the specific medical, dental or pre-health professional school you are interested in applying to.

Research

Participating in research is a cental part of the Stevens experience. A variety of programs and opportunities are available at Stevens and within the Hoboken area.

Learn about undergraduate research opportunities at Stevens

Health Professional School Application

Typically, you will apply to your chosen health professional school at least one year before the desired entry date. Students in the Pre-Health Advisory Program apply to schools like:

  • Medical School (Medical Doctor and Doctor of Osteopathy)

  • Dental School

  • Physical Therapy School

  • Veterinary School

  • Optometry School

  • Physician’s Assistant (P.A.) School

  • Chiropractic School

The Health Professions Advisory Committee will support your application through a Counseling, Advising and Planning Session in the Spring before your application is submitted. A committee letter is written and included in students' applications.

Being so young and having the ability to learn from amazing professors, as well as collaborating with world-class hospitals in the northern New Jersey area, really made a difference in my life and helped me see the different possibilities in medical research and what could be accomplished.
Joshua Ross, NYU School of Medicine Student2018 Chemical Biology Graduate

Our Pre-Health Advisory Program students have recently been accepted to prestigious programs like:

  • New York University School of Medicine

  • Albert Einstein College of Medicine

  • Mount Sinai Medical School

  • Pennsylvania State Medical School

  • Pearlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

  • Drexel School of Medicine

  • NYU School of Medicine

  • Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

  • Rutgers – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

  • Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School

  • New York College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Boston University School of Dentistry

  • Columbia University School of Dental & Oral Surgery

  • NYU School of Dentistry

  • UC – San Diego School of Dentistry

  • Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

Leadership dinner

Pre-Health Clubs and Organizations

Stevens offers key resources for pre-med students in any department to help them prepare for their future, including numerous student organizations that provide invaluable support to assist them in taking practical, actionable steps toward the future they envision. Preview some of the clubs and organizations available on campus for students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare or a related profession.

SHPC Red Ribbon Event

Stevens Health Professions Club

The Stevens Health Professions Club (SHPC) is dedicated to providing educational and volunteer opportunities for students aspiring to a career in healthcare. Through programs offered on and off campus, students interested in an array of areas of healthcare will benefit from guest speakers representing various careers, introductions to and advice from members of professional school admissions committees, and access to volunteer opportunities at hospitals. You are encouraged to join this club in your first year if you are interested in the health professions.

AED Induction Ceremony

Alpha Epsilon Delta

Stevens hosts the New Jersey Beta Chapter of the national pre-health honor society, Alpha Epsilon Delta. Membership is an honor granted to students committed to healthcare in recognition of superior scholastic achievement. Students are eligible to be nominated beginning in their sophomore year. The organization was founded in 1926 at the University of Alabama with a dual purpose as an honor society and service organization. The NJ-Beta chapter of AED was stablished in 1992 at Stevens Institute of Technology and strives to organization events in terms of philanthropy, scholarship, and social causes with the goal of promoting the importance of healthcare on campus and throughout the Hoboken community.

Pre-Health and Pre-Med FAQ

Do I have to major in Bioengineering or Biological Science to get into medical school?

No — you can choose any major and still apply to medical school, as long as you complete all the math and science prerequisites.

Stevens does not offer degrees in Bioengineering or Biological Science. If you are interested in a traditional pre-med path, our Biology and Chemical Biology majors integrate all required coursework to prepare you to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during your junior year and apply to medical school on schedule.

In addition, our Biomedical Engineering department offers a dedicated track for students interested in applying to medical school, combining engineering rigor with pre‑health preparation.

While Biology, Chemical Biology and Biomedical Engineering have structures in place for pre‑health and pre‑med students, these paths are not your only options at Stevens. We encourage you to select the major that best reflects your interests and strengths, and our advisors will help you shape your vision into a clear, achievable pre‑health plan.

What do pre-med students major in?

If your goal is a medical or health career, you can choose any major at Stevens, as long as you complete the required coursework for medical school.

Recent pre-med graduates have majored in areas including:

What are the pre-med requirements?

Pre-med requirements include coursework across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, humanities and social sciences.

For a current, detailed list of recommended courses, visit the Preparing for a Career in the Health Professions section of the Stevens Academic Catalog.

You can also explore our Pre-Health Advisory Program page for a more detailed course listing, as well as the robust variety of programs and opportunities available to you as a pre-med or pre-health student at Stevens.

How many years is pre-med?

Your four years as a pre‑med undergraduate will be focused on preparing for medical school. To stay on track, you should declare your interest in medical school as early as possible, ideally during your first year. Doing so enables your academic and pre‑health advisors to help you plan an efficient course sequence that prepares you for the MCAT and the medical school application process.

Is pre-med the same as pre-health?

No; pre-med is one of many paths within pre-health. Pre-med refers specifically to preparing for medical school. Pre-health is broader, including preparation for schools including:

  • medical (M.D. and D.O.)

  • chiropractic

  • dental

  • optometry

  • pharmacy

  • physical therapy

  • physician’s assistant (P.A.)

  • podiatry

  • veterinary

Stevens’ pre‑health advising supports students across all of these professional goals.

Why do most pre-med students take biochemistry in junior year?

Most pre-med students take biochemistry in their junior year so the material is fresh when they sit for the MCAT that same year. Here’s how your pre-med course sequence at Stevens is structured:

  • Sophomore year: Two semesters of organic chemistry (a prerequisite for biochemistry)

  • Junior year (fall semester): Biochemistry

  • Junior year (winter): MCAT exam

Students who plan to take the MCAT earlier may choose to self‑study biochemistry, often during the summer after sophomore year.

How do Stevens pre‑health and pre‑med students prepare for the MCAT, and what support is available?

As a pre‑health student at Stevens, you will complete all required science and mathematics prerequisites for health professions programs and the MCAT as part of your coursework. Many students also take psychology and sociology to strengthen their MCAT preparation. Students typically complete two semesters of organic chemistry during their sophomore year, followed by biochemistry in the fall of junior year.

MCAT preparation usually begins during the summer after sophomore year, using a combination of resources such as:

  • Stevens‑offered MCAT boot camps and study programs

  • Third‑party study materials

  • Third‑party MCAT preparation courses

Most students take the MCAT either during the summer after sophomore year or in the winter of junior year.

What makes a pre‑med or pre‑health applicant competitive beyond GPA and test scores?

Medical and health professions schools evaluate applicants holistically, looking beyond GPA and test scores to assess overall readiness for the profession. Competitive applicants typically demonstrate strength in areas such as:

  • Meaningful extracurricular involvement

  • Leadership experiences

  • Clinical exposure and physician shadowing

  • Community service and volunteering

  • Collaboration and teamwork

  • Strong letters of recommendation

  • Well‑written personal statements and secondary essays

  • The ability to clearly articulate motivations, values, and experiences during interviews

Together, these elements help schools evaluate an applicant’s commitment, character and potential for success in a health professions career.

Can engineering students complete pre‑med or pre‑health requirements and still graduate in four years?

Yes. Engineering students can complete pre‑med or pre‑health requirements and still graduate in four years with careful planning. Common engineering majors for pre‑med and pre‑health students include Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

To stay on track, it’s important to declare your interest in pre‑med or pre‑health early, ideally during your first year, and work closely with your academic and pre‑health advisors to plan your course sequence and workload.

While it is possible to complete all prerequisites within four years, some courses may be taken during senior year. As a result, students planning to take a medical or health professions entrance exam may choose to include a gap year before matriculating into professional school.

What will my course load look like on a pre-dental track? What support and resources are available to students on the pre-dental path?

As a pre‑dental student, you will receive the same comprehensive advising and support provided to all pre‑med and pre‑health students at Stevens. Your academic and pre‑health advisors will help you plan required pre‑dental coursework such as microbiology with lab and anatomy, which may also count toward technical electives within your major.

In addition, student‑run pre‑health organizations offer regular meetings that connect students pursuing similar career paths, fostering a supportive community, peer mentorship and shared resources.

Beyond academics, how does Stevens support pre‑med and pre‑health students?

Stevens offers a wide range of resources to support pre‑med and pre‑health students throughout their undergraduate experience and beyond.

  • The Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) provides academic and professional guidance and programming, from planning your first semester through applying to health professions schools.

  • Our Director of Pre‑Health Advising offers dedicated, ongoing support tailored to your goals.

  • Student organizations such as the Stevens Health Professions Club (SHPC) and the national pre‑health honor society Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) provide educational programming, volunteer opportunities, and recognition.

Students also have access to meaningful hands‑on clinical and service experiences, including:

  • Participation in Stevens’ clinical program, originally established in 2022 at Jersey City Medical Center and now continuing at Montefiore Einstein Medical Center

  • Enrollment in a Clinical Experiences course launching in 2026, featuring an academic internship at Atlantic Health medical centers in Morristown and Overlook

  • Volunteer opportunities with organizations such as the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Jersey City Medical Center

Stevens continues to expand its pre‑health programming, offering students growing opportunities to explore, gain experience, and build confidence on their path to the health professions.

Can students pursue a pre‑veterinary (pre‑vet) track at Stevens?

Yes. Students at Stevens can pursue a pre‑veterinary track with dedicated support from pre‑health advisors. Advisors guide students through a rigorous and relevant curriculum, along with research and extracurricular experiences to help them meet veterinary school prerequisites and prepare for a career caring for animal health.

Stevens pre‑vet graduates have been accepted into top veterinary programs, including the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University.