Health Professions Academic Advising
Preparing for a Career in Health Professions
The Health Professions Advising Program at Elizabethtown College seeks to guide students by emphasizing the courses and skills necessary for students to have success in a health profession field. Coursework in the humanities, natural and social sciences prepare students for successful careers.
The Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC) — comprised of members from multiple academic areas — has been established to help students tailor their undergraduate preparation in the health sciences and to help them navigate the process of applying to professional schools.
Elizabethtown College students interested in Health Professions Advising can sign up to access additional resources.
Contact HPAC
Interested in Pursuing a Health Profession?
86%
of our graduating seniors who applied to medical school were accepted, compared to 43% nationally.
87.5%
of our graduating seniors who applied to veterinary school were accepted, compared to 10-15% nationally.
92%
of our graduating seniors who applied to physical therapy (DPT) programs were accepted, compared to 73% nationally.
*Statistics are based on a 5-year average.
Health-Related Cooperative Programs
Etown offers qualified pre-health students the opportunity to participate in cooperative programs with affiliated graduate and professional schools. By combining focused undergraduate preparation at Etown with direct admission to select graduate programs, students may complete their advanced degree in less time than the traditional route — potentially saving one to three years of study. Admissions criteria and application timelines vary by program.
Advising and Applying
Admission to pre-professional schools is very competitive. HPAC encourages and helps students find opportunities for research, internships, study abroad, community service and extra-curricular pursuits that will enhance their candidacy for these programs. First year students are introduced to the HPAC faculty during their first weeks on campus and are advised of the opportunities for career and academic guidance. Programs are scheduled throughout the academic calendar for all interested students to attend and participate in discussions with health care providers, medical students and professional school admissions representatives.
Although certain majors have designated "pre-medicine" or "allied health" concentrations, it is possible to major in almost any academic discipline at the College and, with careful course planning, complete coursework that will allow a student to be admitted to graduate programs in the health professions. We encourage our students to seek out and study those areas of interest to them, while also keeping in contact with HPAC to make sure that they are completing the appropriate coursework for entry into professional school.
Students can gain valuable knowledge of the health professions through our network of local health professionals. Professionals in this network can provide students with shadowing opportunities and/or direct patient care hours. We are committed to assisting any current student or alumnus/alumna seeking admission to a health professions program. HPAC faculty work closely with the applicant as they select professional schools, provide feedback as they compose personal statements and recommendation letters required for their application.
Health Professions Advising Committee
The Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC) comprises members from various academic departments and provides support to pre-health students throughout their undergraduate years. Committee members include:
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Dr. Debra Wohl, HPAC Chair
wohld@etown.edu | Professor of Biology -
Dr. Amy Defnet
defneta@etown.edu | Assistant Professor of Chemistry -
Dr. Anya Goldina
goldinaa@etown.edu | Associate Professor of Biology
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Dr. James MacKay
mackayj@etown.edu | A. C. Baugher Professor of Chemistry -
Dionna Rookey, M.S., PA-C
rookeyd@etown.edu | Director, Physician Assistant Program -
Dr. Jennifer Legault Wittmeyer
wittmeyerj@etown.edu | Assistant Professor of Psychology