Pre-Professional Advising
The Center for Graduate School and Fellowship Advisement offers individualized advising for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in the health professions or law after their graduation from Manhattan College.
We are available to help students investigate their career options; discuss curricula, activities, internships, volunteer opportunities, research, and application procedures; and help students prepare to be competitive applicants. Additionally, we also offer workshops throughout the year, and a mailing list.
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Preparation for Health Professions Graduate School
CGSFA works closely with the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC), a body of faculty members who give guidance to students interested in preparing for careers in medicine, dentistry and allied health fields. The committee helps students make sure they’re qualified for admission to professional schools, as well as help navigate the application process and provide references when necessary.
HPAC Application
You must submit the following application in order to be evaluated by the Health Professions Advisory Committee. This application is for students who are preparing to apply for health professions schools for admission next fall. The deadline for the next cycle will be January 7, 2022 at 11:59pm.
Basic Pre-Health Course Requirements
The minimum required courses for admission to professional schools are as follows, but be aware that specific schools may require or recommend other courses. Pre-professional students are expected to maintain an average of at least a 3.0 in their science courses. Based on changes made to the MCAT, we also suggest foundation courses in Psychology, Sociology, and Biochemistry for students interested in pursuing a medical degree.
course number
course name
BIOL 111 &
BIOL 112General Biology I
General Biology II4
BIOL 113 &
BIOL 114General Biology Laboratory I
General Biology Laboratory II4
CHEM 101 &
CHEM 102General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II8
CHEM 319 &
CHEM 320Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II6
CHEM 323 &
CHEM 324Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Organic Chemistry Laboratory II4
PHYS 101
PHYS 102Physics I
Physics II8
or PHYS 107 &
PHYS 108Introductory Physics I
Introductory Physics II8
CHEM 433
or
BIOL 319
Biochemistry
Cellular Biochemistry/Physiology
3
4
MATH 185 &
MATH 186Calculus I
Calculus II6
Pre-Health Mailing List
Submit the following form to be added to the mailing list for current Manhattan College students and alumni ONLY to receive information about upcoming events, workshops and more. Current Manhattan College students should sign up with their Manhattan College email address.
Key Components for Admission into Professional Health Schools
- A good GPA: Different health-professional schools require different GPA ranges for admission, but typically a GPA of 3.5 or better is competitive.
- Good admissions test scores: Most professional schools require an entrance exam, either the GRE or a specialized exam like the MCAT or DAT. These exams will typically be taken late in the junior year or early in the senior year, after the core courses have been taken.
- Evidence of commitment to health care: It is imperative that you find summer jobs, research opportunities, and internships in the health professions. In addition, you should read articles on current issues, both scientific and social, in the medical and health field.
- Attributes conducive to a career in the health professions: Integrity and responsibility are expected. Schools also look for traits such as integrity, responsibility, leadership, maturity, perseverance, breadth of interests, ability to relate to people effectively and, perhaps above all, clear motivation.
- Extracurricular activities: It is important to be involved in activities; those that involve service to others and/or those in which you have a leadership role are important. The level of participation is more important than the number of activities. Be selective and get involved, don't just be a name on a membership list.
- Recommendations: The HPAC provides a composite letter of recommendations and evaluations for all students in the program who are applying to health-professional school. This composite letter is based on your answers to the HPAC’s professional school candidate information form, meetings with the pre-health professions advisor, and letters of recommendation from professors, employers and personal references.
- Interview: If all application material is acceptable, you may be invited for an interview at a health-professional school. Be ready to answer questions about your motivation for a career in the health professions, academic performance, health-related experiences and questions relating to issues in the field. You will make a positive impression at the interview through your ability to communicate, develop rapport and demonstrate enthusiasm, poise and confidence.
For More Information
Contact Bruce Liby, Ph.D., Chair of the Health Professions Advisory Committee and Professor in the Physics Department, at 718-862-7899 or bruce.liby@manhattan.edu or Br. Daniel Gardner, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies and Fellowship Advisement, at 718-862-7399 or dgardner01@manhattan.edu.
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Preparation for Law School
While there is no single major or minor here at Manhattan College that is a prerequisite for applying to law school, students who do well in the application process have strong analytic and problem solving skills, critical reading skills, writing skills, communication skills, research skills, task management skills and a dedication to public service and promotion of justice, according to the American Bar Association.
Students are also encouraged to join and actively participate in the The Manhattan College Law Society.
Pre-Law Advising
We have two pre-law advisors. Please email them directly to schedule an advising appointment. It is important to work with the pre-law advisors throughout the undergraduate process in order to be prepared for the law school application process:
- Br. Daniel Gardner, Assistant Director, Center for Graduate and Fellowship Advisement: Thomas Hall 3.50, 718-862-7399,
Pre-Law Timeline
Freshman Year
September Begin building a solid GPA and necessary skills
Attend the Pre-Law Welcome Reception
January Begin researching law schools
Make an appointment with your pre-law advisor
Sophomore Year
September Continue building a solid GPA and skills
Attend Law School Open Houses
Begin investigating internships
October Attend the NY Law Forum
Junior Year
September Attend Law School Open Houses
October Attend the NY Law Forum
February Register for the June or July LSAT
January-June Prepare for the LSAT. (Register for a test prep class. Kaplan, Princeton Review, Powerscore, Exam Krackers and others all provide excellent preparation for the LSAT.) YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE GRADE THAT YOU WANT WITHOUT HELP.
Manhattan College currently has a partnership with The Princeton Review for discounted prep classes for Manhattan College students. Students will only receive the discount if they register through the Manhattan College website here.
July You will receive your LSAT score. Re-register for the next LSAT if necessary.
August-September Research various law schools and their strong programs. Visit as many as you can. Attend law school admission's events. Meet representatives. Make contacts with alumni.
Register with the CAS Depository.
Senior Year
September Request letters of recommendation- two letters from your upper level professors and an additional letter from an employer or lawyer whom you have shadowed.
September-October Begin the first draft of your personal statement. Review the research that you have already done to determine what information your desired law schools want in their personal statements.
October Attend the NY Law Forum
September-November Repeat the LSAT if necessary.
September-October Begin your law school applications.
October-November Submit your applications.
January File for financial aid and scholarship opportunities with the law schools.
LSAT Preparation
The Center for Graduate Advisement encourages all pre-law students to begin preparing for the LSAT as early as September of their junior year. The O’Malley Library offers free LSAT practice tests here. Interested students are encouraged to speak with an advisor about LSAT preparation programs.
Pre-Law Mailing List
Submit the following form to be added to the mailing list for current Manhattan College students and alumni ONLY to receive information about upcoming events, workshops and more. Current Manhattan College students should sign up with their Manhattan College email address.