UC Advising Center Assists Future Doctors and Lawyers

Are you working on your bachelor’s degree, but planning ahead for medical school, law school, or a career as a veterinarian? What should you be working on now to make sure you’ll be set for later and where do you even begin to navigate the application process? The University of Cincinnati’s Pre-Professional Advising Center, located in Room 503 Dabney Hall, has the staff and the resources to guide you on your pathway to success.

“We advise students majoring in academic programs across the campus who are interested in attending law, medical, dental, optometry and veterinary schools,” explains senior advisor Denise Robinette, who says the center also provides help for students planning careers in podiatry or chiropractics. “For example, although there’s not a specific pre-med major here at UC, you can select a different major and still plan for medical school. Our office helps students work courses into their curriculum to get them prepared, and most of those courses will count toward their current major.”

“We also work to provide career guidance and to show them how they can best explore those fields and know that they’ll be a good fit,” adds center director Suzette Combs.

David Sheyn, a third-year biomedical engineering major, knew he wanted to be a doctor from the time he was just a toddler. “I was born in Ukraine and my mom was a cardiologist. She’d take me to work with her when I was little, and I got to see how she helped people and how grateful they were. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

While he was still very young, David’s family moved to Cincinnati and he grew up in Kings Mills. He was a high school senior when he was selected for the UC Connections program which puts him on a dual track through the University of Cincinnati and the UC College of Medicine. If he successfully completes his requirements in the program, he will be guaranteed entry into the UC College of Medicine.

David first discovered the center through the Connections program, and has been in touch regularly since his freshman year at UC. “My freshman year, I was really feeling stressed out about my course load, especially about keeping the minimum grade point average that’s necessary to stay in the dual admissions program.

“I thought high school was easy, so I never really learned how to study for the hard classes. The advisors at the center told me not to freak out. They just sat down with me and helped me with what I needed to do. I got a lot of attention and I think they’re exceptional at what they do.”

Catherine Law, a junior biology major, is currently preparing for the Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT. Catherine first learned of the Pre-Professional Advising Center when she joined Caducea Pre-Medical Society her freshman year. She had high praise for the center’s shadowing program, which provides for a student to spend up to 20 hours observing a physician on the job. “Students could explore various specialties ranging from psychiatry to cardiology. It is indeed a great opportunity to see if the occupation of a physician is fit for you.”

Catherine also ranks the center’s advising services as “number one. Both Suzette and Denise are wonderful advisors, detailing the pathway of premedical students and guiding them through the process. They are very knowledgeable and are always welcome to any questions. I would strongly encourage any premedical students to talk with Denise or Suzette about their premed track.”

Robinette stresses that UC students considering law careers should contact the center as they begin their undergraduate degree, so they can build on the skills that law schools consider as they process applications.

Combs and Robinette each assist as many as 150 students per quarter, through one on one advising, phone calls to the center, or by providing assistance via e-mail responses. “They might want to know if they need to take the 101 or the 104 course, but if it’s a more detailed question, we’d rather meet with them at the center,” says Robinette.

“We often get calls from students who are getting ready to apply to a professional program and they’re at a loss,” adds Combs. “They’ll ask, ‘What do I have to do?’ or, ‘Where do I get an application?’ Letters of recommendation are also a big concern, and we can help them with this process. We’ve even had workshops for juniors interested in the medical profession.”

For more information, contact the Pre-Professional Advising Center at (513) 556-2166.

Pre-Professional Advising Center Web site