A Holistic Student Service
The Health Professions Advising Center (HPAC) is dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for students pursuing health professions. To do this, HPAC provides resources that help break down systemic barriers when it comes to enrolling in a graduate or professional school. HPAC can assist students in a wide variety of ways, which include:
- Strength-based Pre-Health Advising
- Identifying and merging the components of a student's background, perspectives, cultural wealth, and identity into their application
- Graduate/Professional Application Preparation
- How to become a competitive applicant
- Advising on coursework, standardized tests, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and other application components
- Gaining relevant experiences, internships, and research opportunities
- Accessible Resources
- Guidance from mentors from specific health fields
- Access to the Medical and Pre-Health Student Society (MAPSS), the student-led organization that provides a platform for networking, peer support, and collaboration
- Events (MAPSS and HPAC organized) such as panel discussions, workshops, guest lectures, and community service activities related to health professions to foster a sense of belonging among students with shared interests and ambitions
- Assistance with finding volunteering, shadowing, research, and internship opportunities that align with their desired career choice, all within their community
Supportive Services
Additional ways we can help:
Please explore our Resources page. Once you identify the program you are interested, select the specific page and you will find a list of prerequisites.
Our Resource page also has pages dedicated to scholarships, internships, research, volunteer opportunities, and many more!
LAUNCH is a partnership between CSUSB HPAC and CUSM School of Medicine that matches aspiring health professional students with current CUSM medical students who can provide support and guidance throughout their educational journey.
As an aspiring medical professional, you’ll have access to a trained CUSM mentor to discuss topics such as:
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Managing pre-health coursework
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Balancing school, work, and personal life
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Exploring careers in the field of medicine
Pre-med and pre-health students at CSUSB who are looking for mentorship and want to connect with a mentor (virtually) are encouraged to join LAUNCH.
Register Here: CUSM Launch Mentee Sign up
Questions? Email hpac@csusb.edu or valenzuelan@cusm.org
Figuring out a career can be pretty difficult. We know! Through our Resources page and advising sessions, we can find a Healthcare career that is right for you!
In addition, connect with use on social media or Coyote Connection or join us for our events.
HPAC is here to best support you as you begin to submit applications for health professional schools. Most schools utilize a Centralized Application Service (CAS). CAS systems often request to submit only one application that will be received by multiple schools you designate to apply to. Please explore the Resources page for many more tools and guides.
Common CAS Links below:
- Allopathic Medicine (MD) - AMCAS: American Association of Medical Colleges Application Services
- Osteopathic Medicine (DO) - AACOMAS: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services
- Dental Medicine - AADSAS: American Dental Schools Application Service
- Optometry - OptomCAS: Optometry Centralized Application Service
- Pharmacy - PharmCAS: Pharmacy School Application Service
- Physician Assistant - CASPA: Principle Application Service for Physician Assistants
- Podiatric Medicine - AACPMAS: American Association of Podiatric Medicine Application Service
- Physical Therapy - PTCAS: Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service
- Veterinary Medicine - VMCAS: Veterinary Medical College Application Service