Dental Hygiene Advising Sheet

Dental hygienists use instruments to clean and polish teeth, take X‐rays, administer local
anesthetics, record and review patient medical histories, and instruct patients in correct
brushing and cleaning habits.

A high school diploma or GED may be required by Dental Hygiene schools. There are both
associate and bachelor degree programs in dental hygiene to prepare for careers in dental
hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be
licensed; requirements vary by state.

The associate degree program leads to a career in a clinic or private office while the bachelor
degree program leads to careers in dental public health, teaching, and makes the individual
more marketable for jobs. Additionally, there are master degree programs which lead to careers
in dental hygiene education. Areas of study include anatomy, medical ethics, and periodontics,
which is the study of gum disease.

Suggested courses for most Dental Hygiene School:

● Chemistry with Lab (Varies according to campus. Some programs require one semester
while others require one year.)
● Anatomy
● Physiology
● Microbiology
● One semester English Composition
● General Psychology
● Introduction to Sociology
● Public Speaking
● Recommended (required at some schools): Nutrition

Suggested GCC courses:

● CHEM 120 and 121

● CHEM 101 and 102
● BIOL 120
● BIOL 121
● BIOL 112
● ENGL 101
● PSYCH 101
 ● SOC 101
● SPCH 101
● NUTR 125

Note: You need a “C” or higher in these courses. All courses should be taken for a letter grade,
not Credit/ No Credit.

Dental Hygiene School Selection Criteria

● Successful completion of all prerequisites with a minimum of "C" in all Dental Hygiene
prerequisite courses.
● GPA of all general prerequisite college courses, prerequisite science courses, and overall.
● Previous dental experience and licenses.

Salary Information
The median wage in 2021 for Dental Hygienists in California was $99,440 annually
(https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1292.00?st=CA). The median is the point at
which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.

Recommended Websites

● List of Board Approved Licensed Dental Hygienist (RDH and RDHAP) Educational
Programs
○ https://www.dhbc.ca.gov/formspubs/rdh_rdhap_edu.pdf
● How to Become a Licensed Registered Hygienist in California
○ https://www.dhbc.ca.gov/applicants/becomelicensed.shtml
● American Dental Association
○ https://www.ada.org
● American Dental Hygienists’ Association
○ https://www.adha.org
● National Dental Hygienists’ Association
○ https://www.ndhaonline.org
 Pre-Dental Advising Sheet

Admission to dental school is highly competitive. Generally speaking, a degree in dentistry

requires four academic years of study. The first two years usually cover the basic sciences and
the last two years, diagnosing oral disease, surgery, and clinical study. At the completion of the
curriculum, students are awarded either a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) or DDS (Doctor of
Dental Surgery) degree.

Choosing an Undergraduate Major

“Pre‐dental” is not a major at universities. You should give careful consideration to your choice
of major and select an area of study that interests you. Most dental schools do not require a
specific degree in order to apply. Instead, they are looking for a well‐rounded applicant who
does well in the dental school admissions requirements. Students should select an appropriate
major that could lead to an alternative career, if necessary. The majority of dental students
possess a bachelor’s degree before they enter dental school. Some have graduate degrees. A
few dental schools will admit a few students through early admissions programs with three
years of undergraduate preparation. However, you should plan to earn your bachelor’s degree
before starting dental school.

Students applying to dental school need to plan carefully and complete not only the dental
school admissions requirements, but also the requirements for their undergraduate major and
the general education required by the undergraduate transfer institution.

Dental School Selection Criteria

● Completion of the prerequisite coursework

● Bachelor’s Degree or 3 or more years of undergraduate coursework.
● GPA in terms of overall college grades and science grades are a major factor in the
selection process. For most dental schools, the average "competitive" applicant has a
cumulative grade point average of above a 3.5
● Score on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). This computerized test measures general
academic ability,comprehension of scientific information and perceptual ability. The
scores are only valid for two years
● Community service/leadership There are endless options for community service work,
College clubs and service organizations, Church involvement, Community centers, Soup
kitchens, Homeless shelters but you should find a project that fulfills you and motivates
you to continue your work in the community. Your passion for community service will be
clear to admissions officers if you genuinely enjoy what you are doing, and this will
ultimately help your application to dental school
 ● Letters of recommendation from science faculty, non‐science faculty, and a supervisor
from relevant clinical experience, research, or relevant work
● Interviews with faculty from the institutions you apply to
● Some programs also require applicants to have a certain amount of hours of dental
shadowing experience

Suggested courses for most Dental Schools:

● One Year of General Biology with Lab

● One Year of General Chemistry with Lab
● One Year of Organic Chemistry with Lab
● One Year of Physics with Lab
● One or more courses in Biochemistry
● Human Anatomy and Human Physiology with Labs
● One Year of English (Comp. and Lit.)
● Recommended (required at some schools):
○ One year of Math (Calculus)
○ One or more courses in Psychology
○ One course in Statistics

Suggested GCC courses:

● BIOL 101 and 102

● CHEM 101 and 102
● CHEM 105 and 106
● PHYS 105 and 106 or PHYS 101, 102, 103
● BIOL 120 and BIOL 121
● ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 or 104
● MATH 103, 104
● PSYCH 101
● MATH 136

Salary Information

In 2021, the California average annual wage was $164,420 for dentists
(https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1021.00?st=CA). The median is the point at
which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.
 Pre-Law Advising Sheet

Admission to law school is highly competitive. Law school prepares students to understand and
work with legal systems by developing their abilities to write and speak persuasively, anticipate
consequences, and use creative and analytical problem solving skills. Most law school graduates
practice law; but a legal education is very flexible, providing training for any number of
professions.

The Juris Doctor, or JD, is the most common degree conferred by law schools. The American Bar
Association (ABA) approved law schools usually require 3 years of full‐time study to earn a JD.
Some law schools also offer part‐time programs that generally take 4 to 5 years to complete. In
addition, many schools offer joint degrees. A JD/MBA or JD/MA may take 4‐5 years to complete,
but generally takes less time to complete than completing the two degrees separately. Students
take the bar exam in the state in which they wish to build their legal practice.

Choosing an Undergraduate Major

“Pre‐law” is not a major at universities. Applicants for admission to most law schools are
expected to have a B.A. or B.S. degree and to have taken the Law School Admission Test. You
should give careful consideration to your choice of major and select an area of study that
interests you. Law schools do not require or prefer any particular major; they look for an
undergraduate educational background that sharpens analytical reasoning and writing skills.
However, students should select an appropriate major that could lead to an alternative career, if
necessary.

Students with good skills before entering law school will be better prepared to manage the
demands of their law school courses. Therefore, take challenging courses that require extensive
writing, reading, research, and critical analysis, regardless of whether these courses are in your
field of study. Participating in extracurricular activities or research projects can also develop
educational experience.

Law School Selection Criteria

● GPA in terms of overall college grades is a major factor in the selection process. The
more competitive law schools are looking for GPAs in the range of 3.5 or higher.
○ You should be cautious of which courses you take on a Pass/No Pass basis as a No
Pass is calculated as a “F” grade by the Credential Assembly Service.
○ Repeated courses are also counted into the GPA. You can find a detailed
description of the GPA calculation on the LSAC website.
 ● All American Bar Association approved law schools require the Law School Admission
Test (LSAT). The LSAT is a standardized test that assesses your reading comprehension,
analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and your writing through a writing sample. This is
a major factor in the selection process. Students are advised to take the test in the spring
semester of their junior year of undergraduate study.
● Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) report standardizes your grades and sends
them as a part of a report to the law schools you want to attend. Almost all American
Bar Association approved law schools require applicants to use the LSDAS. Your LSDAS
subscription is good for 12 months.
● Letters of recommendation from professors, people who know you well, or employers
who can attest to your analytical and logical reasoning skills.
● The personal statement is a sample of your ability to write clearly and consciously. It is
also an opportunity for you to tell the admissions committee about yourself. Most
schools do not conduct interviews; therefore, the statement represents an opportunity
for you to present yourself as more than just a GPA and an LSAT score.

Salary Information

The median wage in 2014 for Lawyers in California was $162,700 annually
(https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/23-1011.00?st=CA). The median is the point at
which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.

Sample Specializations within Law

Business/Corporate: Business law deals with any aspect of the law having to do with industry
and commerce‐‐from taxes and liability to licensing and trade marking. Small‐business law often
focuses on the kind of legal counsel needed during the early years of a business, such as tax
classifications, hiring employees, and the proper zoning and licensing needed to start a
business. Corporate law is more likely to deal with the financial and structural status of an
established company, as well as the provision of daily legal advice.

Criminal Law: Prosecution or defense of cases involving offenses against society or government.

Environmental Law: Environmental law mostly stems from a group of federal enactments that
forced agencies and businesses to take into account the effect of their practices on the
environment, as well as setting into effect laws and standards that would protect the
environment from public and private actions.

Family Law: Annulment, separation, dissolution of marriage, adoption, child custody, estate
planning, living trusts, selling an estate, guardianships, and inheritance tax laws.
Healthcare Law: Healthcare law practice can also cover medical malpractice, licensure, patient
rights, and bio‐ethical policy. Human Rights: Women’s interests, employment discrimination,
welfare rights, legal aid for low income groups, representation of ethnic minorities.

Immigration Law: Matters related to persons from other countries that wish to come to the U.S.
and those who want to become naturalized citizens.

Intellectual Property Law: Intellectual property (IP) law is a general category of law that deals
with the acquisition and enforcement of patents, trademarks, and copyrights, and one that has
seen tremendous growth in the past decade. Intellectual property encompasses the exclusive
rights to a registered idea, product, or name, and includes anything from words and symbols to
internet domain names. Intellectual property law not only deals with unauthorized use of
property and plagiarism, but also with the protection of image and personality through use of
registered property.

International Law: International law consists of rules and principles which govern the relations
and dealings of nations with each other.

Labor Law: The goal of labor laws is to equalize the bargaining power between employers and
employees. The laws primarily deal with the relationship between employers and unions. Labor
laws grant employees the right to unionize and allow employers and employees to engage in
certain activities (e.g. strikes, picketing, seeking injunctions, and lockouts) so as to have their
demands fulfilled.

Resources

● Law School Admission Council

○ https://www.lsac.org
● American Bar Association
○ https://www.americanbar.org
● US News Rankings
○ https://www.usnews.com/education

Law School Websites

● Loyola Law Marymount University: https://www.lls.edu

● Pepperdine University: https://law.pepperdine.edu
● Southwestern Law School: https://www.swlaw.edu
● University of California, Berkeley: https://www.law.berkeley.edu
● University of California, Davis: https://law.ucdavis.edu
● University of California, Irvine: http://www.law.uci.edu
● University of California, Los Angeles: https://law.ucla.edu
● University of Southern California: https://gould.usc.edu
● University of San Francisco: https://www.usfca.edu/law
 Pre-Medical Advising Sheet

Admission to medical school is highly competitive. There are several factors considered when
you apply to medical school:

● Overall grade point average (GPA)

○ All courses should be taken for a letter grade, not Pass/No Pass
● Science GPA
● Score on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
● Three letters of recommendations
● Research experience/community service/leadership
● Interviews with faculty from the institutions you apply to

Educational philosophies and goals, undergraduate course requirements, and other admissions
requirements vary by medical schools. However, they all stress the importance of a strong
background in science, communication skills, and a breadth of knowledge in social science and
humanities. Medical school usually takes four years of college to obtain the M.D. degree of
which two years are dedicated to basic sciences and two years to clinical rotations. Residency
can last anywhere from three to five years for sufficient clinical training. Doctors of Osteopathic
Medicine (DO) see patients, prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and deliver babies in
hospitals, medical centers, and offices across the United States and overseas. Some schools
offer joint degrees such as MD/PhD, MD/MPH, or MD/MBA.

Choosing an Undergraduate Major

“Pre‐med” is not a major at universities. You should give careful consideration to your choice of
major and select an area of study that interests you. Most medical schools do not require a
specific degree in order to apply. Major in whatever you want, and do well in it....if it is science,
fine. If it is non-science that is fine. There is no advantage to any particular major. Instead, they
are looking for a well rounded applicant who does well in the medical school admissions
requirements. However, students should select an appropriate major that could lead to an
alternative career, if necessary. The majority of entering medical students have four years of
college completed and a baccalaureate degree. However, students with only three years of
undergraduate course‐ work could be accepted. Students applying to medical school need to
plan carefully and complete not only the medical school admissions requirements, but also the
requirements for their undergraduate major and the general education required by the
undergraduate transfer institution.

The following advice should be considered:

 ● See a counselor the first semester to select a major and work out an educational plan
● Take English courses early to gain writing skills
● Check prerequisites and complete them before attempting to enroll in required courses
● Carefully choose classes with labs to avoid conflicts

Suggested courses for most Medical School:

One Year of General Biology with Lab

One Year of General Chemistry with Lab

One Year of Organic Chemistry with Lab

One Year of Physics with Lab

One Year of English (Comp. and Lit.)

Math—Almost all schools require one year of Math. Some schools require one year of calculus,
while others require statistics and calculus. Your undergraduate major may also determine your
choice of Math requirements.

Suggested GCC courses:

BIOL 101 and 102

CHEM 101 and 102

CHEM 105 and 106

PHYS 105 and 106 or PHYS 101, 102, 103

ENGL 101, 102 or 104

MATH 103, 104 (Calculus) MATH 136 (Statistics)

Recommended Websites

● American Medical College Application Service:

https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school-amcas/applying-medical-s
chool-amcas
● Association of American Medical Colleges: https://www.aamc.org
 ● MCAT Information:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/prepare-mcat-exam/prepare-mcat-exam
● MSAR Information:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/medical-school-admission-requirements/medical-s
chool-admission-requirements-msar-applicants
● Osteopathic Medicine:
https://www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor/about-osteopathic-medicine
● Medical School Advising: https://www.naahp.org/home
● Resources for Medical School:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/aspiring-docs/aspiring-docs

Some Popular Medical School

● University of California, Davis: https://health.ucdavis.edu/medschool/

● University of California, Irvine: https://www.som.uci.edu
● University of California, Los Angeles: https://medschool.ucla.edu
● University of California, Riverside: https://medschool.ucr.edu
● University of California, San Francisco: https://medschool.ucsf.edu
● University of Southern California: https://keck.usc.edu
● Duke University: https://medschool.duke.edu
● Georgetown University: https://som.georgetown.edu
● John Hopkins University: https://som.georgetown.edu
 Pre-Optometry Advising Sheet

Doctors of Optometry are primarily health care providers who diagnose, manage, and treat
conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system as regulated by state law. They may
practice as independent practitioners, in a group practice, or in a health clinic or hospital.

Most students earn a Bachelor's degree before enrolling in optometry school, but a degree is
not required for admissions at all optometry schools. The schools that accept students after
three years of undergraduate study usually offer a Bachelor of Science degree upon completion
of some portion of the optometry curriculum coursework.

Choosing an Undergraduate Major

“Pre‐optometry” is not a major at universities. You should give careful consideration to your
choice of major and select an area of study that interests you. A discipline in natural science is
often a popular major selected. However, students should select an appropriate major that
could lead to an alternative career, if necessary.

Students applying to optometry schools need to plan carefully and complete not only the
optometry schools requirements, but also the requirements for their undergraduate major and
the general education required by the undergraduate transfer institution.

Suggested courses for most Optometry School:

One Year General Chemistry with Lab

One Year of Organic Chemistry with Lab

One Year of General Biology with Lab

Anatomy

Physiology

Microbiology

One Year of Physics with Lab

One Semester English Composition

One course in General Psychology

One Semester of Calculus

One Semester of Statistics

Suggested GCC courses:

CHEM 101 and 102

CHEM 105 and 106

BIOL 101 and 102

BIOL 120

BIOL 121

BIOL 112

PHYS 105 and 106 or PHYS 101, 102, 103

ENGL 101

PSYCH 101

MATH 103

MATH 136

Note: All courses should be taken for a letter grade, not Pass/No Pass. Optometry school
requirements vary. Check with the individual campus for their specific requirements.

Optometry School Selection Criteria

● GPA in terms of overall college grades or pre‐optometry coursework grades depending

on the school (minimum GPA of 3.0)
● Bachelor’s Degree or 3 or more years of undergraduate coursework. A bachelor’s degree
is not required but it makes a candidate more competitive
● Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is required
● Depending on the school, three letters of recommendation
● Personal Statement (the topic varies every year)
● Shadowing and optometric experience is recommended
● To determine oral and written communication skills, optometry applicants are required
to participate in optometry interviews
 ● Admissions committees expect that you have knowledge of the optometry profession
and that you know some of the issues optometrists currently face. Additionally, the
admissions committee will want to know specifically why you are pursuing a career in
the optometry profession

Recommended Websites

● Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: https://optometriceducation.org

● American Academy of Optometry: https://aaopt.org
● American Optometric Association: https://www.aoa.org/?sso=y
● California Optometric Association:
https://www.coavision.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

Some Well-Known Optometry Schools

● Illinois College of Optometry: https://www.ico.edu

● Indiana University School of Optometry: https://optometry.iu.edu
● Michigan College of Optometry: https://www.ferris.edu/optometry/homepage.htm
● New England College of Optometry: https://www.neco.edu
● Northeastern State University: https://www.nsuok.edu
● Nova Southeastern University: https://optometry.nova.edu
● Ohio State University: https://optometry.osu.edu
● Pacific University Oregon:
https://www.pacificu.edu/academics/colleges/college-optometry
● Pennsylvania College of Optometry: https://www.salus.edu/optometry
● Southern California College of Optometry:
https://www.ketchum.edu/course-catalog/mbku-course-catalog/southern-california-coll
ege-optometry
● Southern College of Optometry: https://www.sco.edu
● State Univeristy of New York: https://www.sunyopt.edu
● UC Berkeley Optometry: https://optometry.berkeley.edu
● University of Alabama at Birmingham: https://www.uab.edu/optometry/home/
● University of Missouri, St. Louis: https://www.umsl.edu/divisions/optometry/index.html
● University of Houston: https://www.opt.uh.edu
● Western University of Health Sciences: https://www.westernu.edu/optometry/
 Pre-Pharmacy Advising Sheet

Admission to pharmacy school is highly competitive. Some pharmacy schools will accept
students upon the completion of a minimum of 60 semester units of pre‐pharmacy coursework.
However, a bachelor’s degree is preferred at many institutions.

A solid understanding of fundamental sciences is essential to study pharmaceutical and

biochemical sciences. A pharmacy degree requires four academic years of study from an
accredited program by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education. The first two years
usually cover the basic sciences and the last two years, pharmacy theory and practice. At the
completion of the curriculum, students are awarded a PharmD degree (Doctor of Pharmacy).
Some pharmacy programs offer joint degrees: PharmD/PhD, PharmD/MBA, and PharmD/MS.
Licensed pharmacists must also complete written and practical examinations given by the
Board.

Choosing an Undergraduate Major

“Pre‐pharmacy” is not a major at universities. You should give careful consideration to your
choice of major and select an area of study that interests you. A discipline in natural science is
often a popular major selected. However, students should select an appropriate major that
could lead to an alternative career, if necessary. Some colleges, such as UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC
San Diego and UC Santa Barbara have baccalaureate degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Pharmaceutical Chemistry or Pharmacology that include the common pre‐pharmacy
coursework requirements. Visit www.assist.org for more information.

Students applying to pharmacy school need to plan carefully and complete not only the
pharmacy schools’ requirements, but also the requirements for their undergraduate major and
the general education required by the undergraduate transfer institution.

Suggested courses for most Pharmacy School:

One Year of General Biology with Lab

One Year of General Chemistry with Lab

One Year of Organic Chemistry with Lab

One Year of Physics with Lab

One or more courses in Biochemistry

One semester of Microbiology

One Year of English (Comp. and Lit.)

One Semester of Anatomy

One Semester of Physiology

Math (Calculus; Most schools require one semester or one year of Calculus.)

One course in Statistics (Some schools require statistics and calculus)

One or more courses in Psychology

Public Speaking/Speech

One Semester of Economics

Suggested GCC courses:

BIOL 101 and 102

CHEM 101 and 102

CHEM 105 and 106

PHYS 105 and 106 or PHYS 101, 102, 103

BIOL 112

ENGL 101, 102 or 104

BIOL 120

BIOL 121

MATH 103, 104

MATH 136

PSYCH 101

SPCH 101
ECON 101 or 102

Note: All courses should be taken for a letter grade, not Credit/No Credit. Most pharmacy
schools prefer that prerequisites be taken at a university versus a community college.
Pharmacy school requirements vary, check with the individual campus for their specific
requirements.

Pharmacy School Selection Criteria

● GPA in terms of overall college grades or pre‐pharmacy coursework grades, depending

on the school. Admissions committees look for trends in academic ability. Indication of
improvement in your last two years of college work is highly noted. To be a compe􏰀􏰀ve
pharmacy applicant, keep your overall GPA above a 3.3.
● Some schools may require admissions tests such as the Pharmacy College Admissions
Test (PCAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) as an admissions requirement. Check
with the pharmacy schools you plan to apply to for information.
● Pharmacy schools expect applicants to have experience in community service. Evidence
of community service demonstrates your interest in serving and helping people, your
willingness to learn from others, and your development of interpersonal communication
skills.
● Pharmacy schools select students who will become leaders in the profession. Leadership
skills can be gained by serving as an officer in a student organization or
fraternity/sorority, taking a leading role in a public service agency,or participating in
competitive sports.
● To determine oral and written communication skills, pharmacy applicants are required to
participate in pharmacy interviews and can be asked to submit a writing sample at the
interview.
● Admissions committees expect that you have knowledge of the pharmacy profession
and that you know some of the issues pharmacists currently face. Addi􏰀onally, the
admissions committee will want to know specifically why you are pursuing a career in
the pharmacy profession.
● Pharmacy experience gained through volunteering, interning, or taking a summer job in
a pharmacy or health care setting.

Salary Information The average wage in 2021 for Pharmacists in California was $155,930
annually (https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1051.00?st=CA).

Recommended Websites

● American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

 ○ www.aacp.org
● Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
○ https://www.acpe-accredit.org
● American Pharmacists Association
○ www.pharmacist.com

Suggested Pharmacy Schools

● Loma Linda University

○ www.llu.edu/pharmacy/index.page
● UC San Diego
○ https://pharmacy.ucsd.edu
● UC San Francisco
○ https://pharmacy.ucsf.edu
● University of Pacific
○ https://pharmacy.pacific.edu/pharmacy
● University of Southern California
○ https://mann.usc.edu
● Western University of Health Sciences
○ https://www.westernu.edu/pharmacy/
 Pre-Physical Therapy Advising Sheet

Physical therapists must receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited
physical therapist program before taking the national licensure examination that allows them to
practice. Other requirements for physical therapy practice vary from state to state according to
physical therapy practice acts or state regulations governing physical therapy.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program is usually three years long. Generally
speaking, the first two years are focused on academic and clinical course work including
relevant clinical rotations. The third year consists predominantly of challenging clinical
experiences as well as advanced courses and seminars.

Choosing an Undergraduate Major

“Pre‐physical therapy” is not a major at universities. You should give careful consideration to
your choice of major and select an area of study that interests you. Biology and Kinesiology are
often popular majors selected. However, students should select an appropriate major that could
lead to an alternative career, if necessary.

Students applying to physical therapist programs need to plan carefully and complete not only
the physical therapist requirements, but also the requirements for their undergraduate major
and the general education required by the undergraduate transfer institution.

Suggested courses for most Physical Therapy School:

One Year of General Biology with Lab— Requirements vary by campus. Some schools require no
courses while other require either 1 semester or 2 semesters

One Year of General Chemistry with Lab

One Year of Physics with Lab

One Semester of Anatomy

One Semester of Physiology

General Psychology

One course in Statistics

One Semester English Composition

Suggested GCC courses:

BIOL 122 or BIOL 101 and 102

CHEM 101 and 102

PHYS 105 and 106 or PHYS 101, 102, 103

BIOL 120

BIOL 121

PSYCH 101

MATH 136

ENGL 101

Lower Division subjects required or recommended by some U.S. Physical Therapy Schools

Public Speaking/Speech

One Year Organic Chemistry with Lab

Upper division Psychology

SPCH 101

CHEM 105 and 106

Abnormal, Developmental, Adolescent or Sports Psy‐ chology course that must be taken at the
university in the upper division level

Note: All courses should be taken for a letter grade, not Credit/No Credit.
Physical therapist requirements vary, check with the individual campus for their specific
requirements.

Physical Therapist Selection Criteria

● A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.

● GPA in terms of overall college grades or pre‐physical therapist coursework grades,
depending on the school.
● Some schools may require admissions tests such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
Check with the individual campus schools you plan to apply to for information.
 ● Physical Therapy schools expect applicants to have volunteer experience in the
profession.
● To determine oral and written communication skills, physical therapy applicants are
required to participate in physical therapy interviews.

Note: Information is subject to change without notice. Check with the individual campus for
the most up to date information.

Salary Information

The median wage in 2021 for Physical Therapists in California was $101,180
(https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1123.00?st=CA). The median is the point at
which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.

Recommended Websites

● American Physical Therapy Association

○ https://www.apta.org

Suggested Physical Therapy School Websites

● Azusa Pacific University

○ https://www.apu.edu/bas/physicaltherapy/
● California State University, Fresno
○ https://chhs.fresnostate.edu/physical-therapy/
● California State University, Long Beach
○ https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-health-human-services/physical-therapy
● California State University, Northridge
○ https://www.csun.edu/health-human-development/physical-therapy
● California State University, Sacramento
○ https://www.csus.edu/college/health-human-services/physical-therapy/
● Chapman University
○ https://www.chapman.edu/crean/academic-programs/graduate-programs/physi
cal-therapy/index.aspx
● Loma Linda University
○ https://alliedhealth.llu.edu/academics/physical-therapy/entry-level-doctor-physi
cal-therapy-dpt
● Mount St Mary’s College
○ https://www.msmu.edu/departments/physical-therapy/
● Samuel Merritt College
○ https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/college-health-sciences/doctor-physical-therapy
● University of California, San Francisco
○ https://ptrehab.ucsf.edu/education
● University of Southern California
○ https://pt.usc.edu
● University of Pacific
○ https://healthsciences.pacific.edu/healthsciences/programs/doctor-of-phy
sical-therapy
 Pre-Physician Assistant Advising Sheet

A Physician Assistant (PA) is a licensed health professional who practices medicine under the
supervision of a physician. Working as members of the healthcare team, PAs take medical
histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x‐rays, make
diagnoses, and in some cases prescribe medications.

PAs must attend a specialized medical training program associated with a medical school that
includes classroom studies and clinical experience. An academic degree and/or certificate is
awarded upon graduation. Admission to PA programs is highly competitive.

Training programs are generally two years in length. PA training begins with a classroom or
pre‐clinical phase that lasts nine to twelve months. Students then spend about a year doing
clinical work in areas such as family practice, inpatient medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and
gynecology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, and pediatrics.

Choosing an Undergraduate Major

For students planning on obtaining a bachelor’s degree prior to applying to the PA program,
“Pre‐Physician Assistant” is not a major at universities. You should give careful consideration to
your choice of major and select an area of study that interests you. However, students should
select an appropriate major that could lead to an alternative career, if necessary.

Suggested courses for most Physician Assistant School:

One Year of General Biology with Lab

One Year of General Chemistry with Lab

One Semester of Anatomy

One Semester of Physiology

One Semester of Microbiology

One course in Math—Requirements vary by campus. Some schools require one semester of
Statistics and others require a semester of Calculus. Your undergraduate major may also
determine your choice of Math requirements.

Suggested GCC courses:

BIOL 101 and 102

CHEM 101 and 102
BIOL 120
BIOL 121
BIOL 112
MATH 136
MATH 103

Lower Division subjects required or recommended by some U.S. Physician Assistant Schools

● Public Speaking/Speech: SPCH 101

● Computer Science: Basic computer knowledge is necessary for almost all physician
assistant schools. Some may recommend Computer Science courses
● 2 courses in Social Science: Psychology, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, Women’s Studies,
Cultural Anthropology
● One year of college level Foreign Language: Knowledge of a foreign language, specifically
Spanish, is strongly recommended

Note: All courses should be taken for a letter grade, not Credit/No Credit.
Physician Assistant requirements vary, check with the individual campus for their specific
requirements.

Note: Information is subject to change without notice. Check with the individual campus for
the most up to date information.

Students applying to Physician Assistant programs need to plan carefully and complete the
Physician Assistant requirements. Those who plan to obtain a bachelor’s degree must also
complete the requirements for their undergraduate major and the general education required
by the undergraduate transfer institution.

Physician Assistant Selection Criteria

● Some schools require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Medical College
Admission Test (MCAT)
● Completion of the prerequisite coursework
● GPA in terms of overall college grades and science grades are a major factor in the
selection process. Most Physician Assistant programs require above a 3.0 GPA
● Demonstration of hands‐on health‐related experience
● Personal statement/narrative
 ● Community service/leadership There are endless options for community service work,
College clubs and service organizations, Church involvement, Community centers, Soup
kitchens, Homeless shelters but you should find a project that fulfills you and motivates
you to continue your work in the community. Your passion for community service will be
clear to admissions officers if you genuinely enjoy what you are doing, and this will
ultimately help your application to Physician Assistant School
● Letters of recommendation (some may require at least one from a practicing physician
or physician assistant; many schools require 3 letters of recommendation)
● Interviews with program faculty and selection committee members

Salary Information
In 2021, the California wage was $130,590 annually
(https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1071.00?st=CA). The median is the point at
which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.

Recommended Websites

● Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC‐PA)

○ https://www.arc-pa.org
● American Academy of Physician Assistants
○ https://www.aapa.org
● National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants
○ https://www.nccpa.net
● Physicians Assistants State of California, Physician Assistant Committee
○ https://www.pab.ca.gov

Accredited California Physician Assistant School Websites

● California Baptist University

○ https://calbaptist.edu/programs/master-of-science-physician-assistant-studies/
● Chapman University
○ https://www.chapman.edu/crean/academic-programs/graduate-programs/physi
cian-assistant/admission.aspx
● Loma Linda University
○ https://alliedhealth.llu.edu/academics/physician-assistant
● University of La Verne
○ https://health.laverne.edu/physician-assistant/admission/
● University of Southern California
○ https://keck.usc.edu/physician-assistant-program/
Note: To check out more universities that offer physician assistant masters programs here is the
link - https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtraining/29-1071.00?st=CA
 Pre-Veterinarian Advising Sheet

Veterinarians are professionals that diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of
animals. Veterinarians also conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for
pets and companion animals.

Veterinarians also:

● Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds,
or performing surgery
● Advise owners about the care and breeding of animals
● Engage in research, food safety inspection and education
● Specialize in epidemiology or animal pathology, thus helping to prevent the outbreak
and spread of animal diseases like rabies
● Play a leading role in government public health efforts by overseeing food production to
ensure its safety
● Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and
interpret the resulting image

According to private practice though there are many others who are involved in preventive
medicine, laboratory animal medicine, research and development, and teaching. Some
veterinarians choose to specialize in small animals, others in large animals, zoological medicine,
and others.

Veterinarian Education

The DVM or VMD (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) program typically takes four years to
complete. Graduate veterinarians may apply for a license to practice. Each state has its own
licensing rules and procedures for practicing within the state. There are 27 schools of veterinary
medicine in the United States. Most veterinary schools give high priority to in-state residents,
and may admit a few out-of-state students.

Veterinarian Selection Criteria

● The more competitive veterinary schools are looking for 3.6 GPA and above
● Most veterinary schools require a bachelor's degree but not all
● Take at least one standardized graduate admissions test depending on what the school
requires (GRE, MCAT, VCAT)
● Letters of recommendation from at least 3 individuals (some schools may want a letter
from a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
 ● Personal statement/narrative: Students must demonstrate ambition and an eagerness
to work with animals
● Veterinary medical colleges weigh heavily a candidate's veterinary and animal
experience in admission decisions
○ Formal experience, such as work with veterinarians or scientists in clinics,
agribusiness, research, or in some area of health science
○ Less formal experience, such as working with animals on a farm or ranch or at a
stable or animal shelter, is also helpful
○ Many schools require experience in more that 1 type of animal setting
● Personal interview (not all schools require)
● Many schools may want you to apply through the Veterinary Medical College
Application Service (VMCAS)

The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)

VMCAS is a centralized service which allows applicants to use a single application process to
apply to multiple veterinary programs. Three of the veterinarian schools do not participate in
VMCAS. It is the responsibility of the applicant to find out which schools participate and send
individual applications to those that do not participate. For more information about VMCAS,
visit their website at:

Suggested courses for most Veterinarian School:

General Chemistry with Lab

One year Organic Chemistry One year Biology
One year Physics
One year English
Statistics

Suggested GCC courses:

CHEM 101 and 102

CHEM 121 or 105 and 106
BIOL 101 and 102
PHYS 105 and 106
ENGL 101 and 102 or 104
MATH 136

Note: Information is subject to change without notice. It is the student’s responsibility to

contact the veterinary schools for exact admissions requirements.
Salary Information

The median wage in 2021 for Veterinarians in California was $121,560 annually
(https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1131.00?st=CA). The median is the point at
which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.

Recommended Websites:

● The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges

○ https://www.aavmc.org
● Veterinary Medical College Application Service
○ https://vmcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Important Sources of Information

● Vet Schools in California:

https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtraining/29-1131.00?st=CA
● National training in veterinary medicine:
https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtraining/29-1131.00?st=