Student in science lab wearing gloves, goggles, and a lab coat

Pre-Health Professions Advising

At the University of San Francisco, Pre-Health Professions Advising is dedicated to encouraging, empowering, and supporting students and alumni as they explore, prepare for, and pursue careers in the health professions.

USF alumni enter into various health professional programs after graduation, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy and more.

Pre-Health Requirements

Planning your pre-health prerequisite coursework is an important first step in preparing for health professional programs. While many students choose to major in biology, it is not required, and it does not provide a specific advantage in the admissions process.

Pre-health is a pathway, not a major. This means you can pursue any academic discipline while completing the prerequisite courses required for your intended health profession. We encourage you to choose a major that aligns with your interests, strengths, and career goals.

Students who are engaged in their coursework and perform well academically are often the most successful applicants. Whether you are passionate about psychology, public health, neuroscience, business, or the humanities, you can build a strong pre-health foundation at USF.

Prerequisite requirements vary by health profession and by individual programs. It is important to research your intended healthcare pathway early to understand the specific courses and expectations required for admission.

Course	Units
BIOL 105 General Biology I Lecture/Lab	4
BIOL 106 General Biology II Lecture/Lab	4
CHEM 111/112 General Chemistry I Lecture/Lab	3/1
CHEM 113/114 General Chemistry II Lecture/Lab	3/1
CHEM 230/232 Organic Chemistry I Lecture/Lab	3/1
CHEM 231/234 Organic Chemistry II Lecture/Lab	4/1
PHYS 100/100L Intro to Physics I Lecture/Lab	4
PHYS 101/101L Intro to Physics II Lecture/Lab	4

Composite Letter

The USF Composite Letter process is designed to support and advocate for University of San Francisco applicants throughout the medical and dental school application process. Students receive comprehensive guidance as they prepare to apply, ensuring their materials reflect their strengths and readiness.

The composite letter itself is an evaluative summary that introduces you to admissions committees and highlights your strengths by synthesizing themes from your letters of recommendation. It provides a cohesive narrative of your academic preparation, experiences, motivation for a career in healthcare, and overall readiness for professional school.

While the composite letter is specific to medical and dental school applicants, comprehensive advising support is available for students applying to a wide range of other health professional programs.