Applying to a professional degree - whether in law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or another health profession - can be challenging, and it is much easier to go through the process with a guide. PPAC can help you prepare and navigate the sometimes-complicated application and admission process, while also assisting you in making tough choices about careers and school.
Mapping Out Your Journey
Preparing for a career in the legal or health professions is not just about learning facts. It is about learning and mastering skills and about abilities and values that help you throughout your life. While there are many resources to learn about the process for preparing and applying to professional programs, it's important that you consult with PPAC professional staff who have extensive experience guiding students as they prepare for graduate/professional school. It is the student's responsibility, however, to initiate relationships with staff and faculty, staff who are important resources. Relationships with faculty in particular should be established early in your undergraduate career.
Students interested in law or health professions should focus on developing:
- Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Ethical judgment and professionalism
- Leadership and service experiences
In addition to academic preparation, many professional programs value:
- Research experience
- Community engagement
- Clinical, legal, or service-related exposure
- Leadership and teamwork
Understanding Professional School Prerequisites
Preparation requirements vary depending on the type of professional program you are considering.
Health Professions
Many health professions programs require specific science prerequisite courses, such as:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Additional upper-division science coursework
These requirements help ensure students are prepared for the scientific and clinical training required in fields such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.
Law School
Law schools typically do not require specific prerequisite courses or majors. Students from nearly every academic discipline successfully apply to law school each year.
However, law schools value coursework that strengthens:
- Analytical reasoning
- Critical reading
- Research skills
- Persuasive writing
Here is a list of recommended courses to help develop some of these skills while pursuing your degree.
Calculating your GPA
Although professional school applicants are encouraged to engage in activities inside and outside the classroom, academic performance remains one of the most important factors in admissions decisions. Maintaining a competitive GPA is an important step toward admission to professional school. However, understanding how your GPA is evaluated can help you better assess your progress.
Below are some key concepts to understand as you prepare for professional school.
Different Types of GPAs
Many students are surprised to learn that they may have multiple GPAs that professional schools consider when evaluating applications.
These may include:
- Cumulative GPA
- Science GPA (for many health professions)
- Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) GPA (for law school applications)
Each of these provides admissions committees with a different perspective on a student’s academic performance.
Cumulative GPA
Your cumulative GPA reflects the overall average of all courses you have completed for a letter grade during your undergraduate education. This is typically the GPA displayed on your official transcript.
Science GPA (Health Professions)
For many health professions programs, admissions committees also examine a Science GPA.
This GPA typically includes coursework in:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
For medical school applicants, this is often referred to as the BCPM GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math). While the science GPA is included in your cumulative GPA, admissions committees often review it separately to evaluate a student’s performance in scientific coursework.
Different professional programs may categorize science courses differently, so it is important to review the requirements for the specific programs you are interested in.
GPA Considerations for Law School
Law schools primarily focus on a student’s cumulative GPA when evaluating academic performance.
Because law school admissions are highly competitive, maintaining a strong academic record throughout your undergraduate career is essential.
How to Calculate my GPA
Understanding your GPA early in your academic career can help you make informed decisions about your preparation for professional school.
For students pursuing health professions, calculating both your cumulative GPA and science GPA can help you better evaluate your academic competitiveness.
One useful resource is the AAMC GPA Calculator, which helps students organize coursework and calculate GPAs used in medical school applications.
For students pursuing law school, the Credential Assembly Service on the LSAC website automatically calculates your LSAC GPA.
Do I have a Competitive GPA?
Determining whether a GPA is “competitive” depends on the specific professional program and institution you plan to apply to. Professional schools often publish average GPA statistics for admitted students, which can provide general benchmarks.
Because every student’s journey is unique, the best way to evaluate your competitiveness is to meet with a PPAC advisor to review your academic record and experiences.
Finding Your Path to a Health Professional School
There is no single path to law school or health professional school.
Students arrive at professional programs through many different academic majors, experiences, and timelines. Some apply immediately after graduation, while others gain additional work, research, or service experience before applying.
Your journey may look different from others—and that is completely normal.
The Pre-Professional Advising Center is here to help you:
- Explore career options
- Develop a preparation timeline
- Identify key milestones
- Build a strong and competitive application
Our advisors and peer mentors are available to help you design a path that fits your goals, interests, and experiences.