Milestone 5 
Staying on Track and Seeing the Sights
- Consult regularly with your advisor
Faculty and Advisors are one of your most valuable resources. Use them well. Talk with faculty in your program of study, seek their advice about elective courses appropriate to someone with your interests, find out from them if there are research opportunities in the department or in a related field. Meet with your academic advisor at least once every semester. Double-check the courses you will need to complete your program. The Pre-Prefessional Health Studies Office offers individualized advising to students preparing for careers in the health professions, particularly for those applying to professional and graduate programs. Don't wait until the last minute to make an appointment to talk to an advisor in Pre-Professional Health Studies.
- Seek out volunteer, shadowing, and/or relevant work experiences:
In addition to the course work you take to prepare for entry into professional school, there are other important activities that will help you learn about the profession you are interested in and develop skills and abilities that will develop your understanding and strengthen your candidacy to the schools of your choice. Every candidate for professional school should strive to have a strong academic record, a history of volunteer or service experiences, and a significant research experience. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities by visiting the Pre-Professional Health Studies web site or consulting with a faculty member or an advisor in you major area of study.
- Consider a research experience during the semester or during the summer:
Every year, undergraduates have opportunities to participate in directed research projects during the summer months. Some of these opportunities are available on campus at Temple; many others are available at universities, colleges, institutions, and corportations across the country and overseas. There are opportunities for students in almost every field, and many of them provide generous stipends, housing and meal allowances, and travel support to the location. Engaging in a concentrated research project can
- Deepen your understanding of the material you are studying in classes;
- Broaden your understanding of opportunities for further undergraduate and post-graduate study;
- Prepare you for graduate school - including your competitiveness for funding opportunitities;
- And become the first step toward a scholarship opportunity to support the completion of your undergraduate studies or to continue your education in graduate school.
Information about research opportunities for undergraduates can be found at the Pre-Professional Health Studies web site.
- If you have planned carefully and been attentive to the guide materials along the way, you'll know when you're ready for the next stage of your journey: the application process. It various depending on your area of interest and program of study, so plan ahead, consult with your advisor, and apply early.
To continue to the application stage, click here:
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