Prospective Students

Choosing where to go to college is a big decision, and if you’re interested in health professions, you may also be thinking about how your college is going to prepare you for your career. At Centre, we understand that preparation for your future includes many factors, such as your coursework, your experiences, and your network.

At Centre, we emphasize high quality academics and strong relationships with faculty who both support and challenge you to be your best. We especially promote the development of strong written and oral communication skills as well as problem solving and critical thinking skills that help our graduates stand out when they apply for professional programs.

As you’re thinking about your future career development, we encourage you to be looking for a community where you can thrive both personally and academically. Centre students, including pre-health students, are involved in athletics, Greek life, study abroad, research, and student government. Additionally, Centre students can gain experience in the healthcare fields through shadowing, volunteering, or internship opportunities.

Below you will find what Centre offers to students interested in the health professions. This page also contains a list of questions that you should ask when you are visiting colleges and links to the answers you will get at Centre College.

What Does Centre College Offer to Students Interested in a Healthcare Career?

Advising students who are interested in health care fields is handled by the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC). The HPAC is a group of professors who advise students in specific fields (medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, etc.) Our most important duties are to be available to all students who have even the slightest interest in the health professions and to provide an honest, ongoing evaluation of a student’s qualifications for a career in the health professions. Some of the important services offered by the HPAC are listed below. These services are available to current students as well as graduates.

Course Scheduling Assistance

• The HPAC helps students schedule the health professional school course prerequisites throughout their careers at Centre College.

• Long range course planning is especially important for students interested in studying abroad and for those who have double majors.

• The HPAC works in concert with the student’s academic advisor, who will advise on the student’s general education courses and major courses. Pre-med is not a specific major at Centre, and students can major in anything and still complete the prerequisite coursework.

Internship Resource

•  The HPAC works with the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) to coordinate internship and volunteer opportunities.

• Internships are available for academic credit during the school year and summer. HPAC professors can serve as the faculty advisor for for-credit internships.

• Volunteer opportunities are available right up the street at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center and with other physicians and other health care professionals in Danville.

Test Preparation

• The HPAC provides practice opportunities for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and other entrance tests.

• Some Centre students take commercial MCAT preparation courses, but most do not. 

Assistance in the Admissions Process

• The HPAC assists students in applying to the different health care professional schools.

• The most important job of the HPAC for the medical school admissions process is to compile a committee letter of evaluation for all medical school applicants.

• • Five science professors and two non-science professors or staff members or administrators are solicited for evaluations of the applicant’s academic, personal, and professional qualifications.

• • The HPAC also provides an evaluation of the applicant based on an interview and review of other academic information.

• • The final committee evaluation provides a comprehensive portrait of the applicant.

• The HPAC and CCPD offer practice interviews which provide important feedback.

• Members of the HPAC also help students with their personal statements and other essays for their respective applications

Important Organizations at Centre College

• Health & Medicine Career Exploration Community – Program within the Center for Career and Professional Development that helps students explore possible career paths. The Career Exploration Community hosts alumni panels and invites representatives from programs in the health professions.

• Pre-Health Society — An organization composed of students interested in any of the health professions. The society

• Other health professions (e.g. pre-dental) also have specialized student groups. View a comprehensive list of student organizations at Centre College here. 

Here is a list of questions you might want to ask when you are visiting other colleges.

1. What percentage of your medical school applicants are accepted?

2. Do you have a pre-medical advisory committee and what is its role?

3. How is the committee letter of evaluation compiled?

4. What are the average GPA and MCAT scores of successful applicants?

5. What is the typical profile of a successful applicant?

6. What types of medical experiences and research internships are available to students here?

7. What other organizations on campus are available to help me prepare for medical school?

8. Where do most of your students attend medical school?

Why Is All of This Important?

Centre students are very successful at getting into medical school and other health professions graduate schools. Part of their success is due to the advising system that is in place at the college. All of the professors in the HPAC are very approachable and the one-on-one advice that students receive starting in their first year is very valuable.

I’ve decided to go to Centre. What should I do next?

• • • See our advice for Incoming First Year Course Selection

    • Look for information from the Registrar about placement tests. Complete the math and language placement tests seriously to ensure you’re taking the math or language courses that are right for you.

    • Continue exploring your interests by getting yourself into the healthcare environment. Consider asking your physician is you can shadow her for a day. Volunteer at a hospital or nursing home.