The Pre-Health Advisory Committee

For students applying to Pre-Health Programs. 

Students who are applying to Pre-Health programs in the following areas are eligible to participate in our Pre-Health Advisory Committee Process: 

  • Allopathic Medical Schools (AMCAS)
  • Osteopathic Medical Schools (AACOMAS) 
  • Dental School (ADEA)

Students who are considering other programs may still seek assistance through the Pre-Health Advisor, but we are not presently offering this process to students in those programs. 

Applications for the Fall 2026 application cycle will open after the conclusion of the Pre-Health Advisory Committee workshops on October 23 and October 29, 2024. Register here: https://science.rpi.edu/hub/pre-health-advising/events 

If you are not able to attend a workshop, reach out to Emma Harmon at harmoe@rpi.edu. 

What is the Pre-Health Advisory Committee? 

The Pre-Health Advisory Committee is offered each Spring. The Committee members are faculty and staff members who assist students who are interested in Pre-Health programs to gain a Committee Letter of Evaluation. This letter represents a culmination of your letters of evaluation from other sources and is intended to serve as an official representation from Rensselaer regarding your ability to join the medical profession. Rensselaer offers this service to students and alumni both. 

What are the requirements of the Pre-Health Advisory Committee?

In order to take part in this process, students must have an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher. In addition, we highly recommend that students have an array of extracurricular activities, medical experience, and a timeline to complete required standardized exams prior to applying

Students will need to provide the following to the committee at the time of application: 

  • Completed Pre-Health Advisory Committee Application 
  • Official or Unofficial RPI Transcript 
  • Official or Unofficial Transcripts from All Prior Institutions 
  • List of 10 'Activity Logs' that describe relevant medical or extracurricular experiences

In addition, in late February, students will need to submit the additional following information: 

  • Personal Statement Draft 
  • Names and Contact Information of Four Letter of Evaluation Providers

Students are required to meet all deadlines for submission and to reach out to their evaluators to ensure that all letters of evaluation are received promptly.

What do I receive from the committee? 

Each Spring semester in early March through April, the committee meets with students who have successfully applied to the committee for a 45 minute interview that allows us to get to understand your desire to attend medical school. During this interview, we ask questions that are similar to those that would be asked at a medical school admissions interview. We then write a letter and include your prior submitted information and letters of evaluation to write a comprehensive summary of you as an applicant. This summary replaces the need for you to submit individual letters to each school for most application services. In addition, you will receive feedback from the committee regarding your interviewing skills and your overall application. During the application process, if we feel that your application is weak or unlikely to succeed, we will also offer you guidance towards means of strengthening your application for the next cycle.  

Members of the Pre-Health Advising Committee

The Pre-Health Advising Committee consists of staff and faculty members from across campus, including: 

  • Lee Ligon (School of Science Associate Dean for Academic Affairs)

  • Emma Harmon (Pre-Health Advisor)

  • Tankut Atuk (Assistant Professor, Sociology)

  • Michael Klein (Lecturer, Biological Sciences)

  • Alicia Walf (Sr. Lecturer, Cognitive Science)

  • Mariah Hahn (Professor, Biomedical Engineering)

  • Kristen Kettering (Career Counselor, Center for Career and Professional Development)