Public talk by Dr. Rana Awdish, author of In Shock: My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope
September 28th @ 7 pm EST | McKenna Hall Auditorium
Sophomore Pre-Health Session | Preparation for Careers in the Health Care Professions
October 3rd, 2023 | 5:30 to 6:30 pm EST | 101 Jordan Hall of Science
Kick Off Meeting | Juniors & Seniors Applying to a Health Profession in the 2024-2025 Cycle
Join us to Kick Off the 2024-2025 Health Professions Application Cycle! November 2nd | 5:30 to 6:30 pm EST | 105 Jordan Hall of Science
How Should I Be Preparing?
First Year
Students will be assigned a first year advisor within their respective college. First Year students planning to apply to medical school sign up for our Pre Health Listserv. We have recommended readings for your first year to prepare you for your Health Professions journey.
Sophomores
Students officially declare majors. Sophomores will meet with advisors to make sure they are on track with grades, research, service hours, etc. Will often want to talk about summer experiences and opportunities. In addition, students accepted into various study abroad programs will make appointments to ensure that they are meeting requirements for Pre Health and their major during their semester away. Sophomore 2022 Presentation
Juniors & Seniors
Students will decide between attempting to enter a Health Professions school immediately after graduation, or if they will be taking a gap year. Advising meetings are typically scheduled with either Fr. Foster or Dr. Kolberg. Those who intend to matriculate immediately after graduation will initiate the process during their second semester of junior year, and will apply during the summer before senior year. Those taking one or multiple gap years will complete this process a year later, as seniors.
Graduate & Alumni
Graduate students and ND alumni can also utilize the advising services in our office. Those not located at ND can schedule phone interviews with our advisors and conduct the process remotely.

Bailey Perczak
Accepted into Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine '27
One of the biggest things that I have taken away from my experience as a pre-medical student at Notre Dame is the immense amount of incredible mentors that exist within the University. The Center not only directly provided mentorship from individuals like Dr. White and Father Foster, but also connected me with other faculty that were fundamental to my undergraduate career and pre-medical journey. While the pre-professional process can be stressful, the Center has a comprehensive list of resources and extensive expertise about how to best navigate your way to the finish line. I am so incredibly grateful to have attended a University that not only emphasized compassion, outreach, and service in their pre-professional preparations, but that also fostered a true community along the way. It made all the difference both in my applications and in who I want to be as a future provider as well.
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Bailey Perczak
Accepted into Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine '27
One of the biggest things that I have taken away from my experience as a pre-medical student at Notre Dame is the immense amount of incredible mentors that exist within the University. The Center not only directly provided mentorship from individuals like Dr. White and Father Foster, but also connected me with other faculty that were fundamental to my undergraduate career and pre-medical journey. While the pre-professional process can be stressful, the Center has a comprehensive list of resources and extensive expertise about how to best navigate your way to the finish line. I am so incredibly grateful to have attended a University that not only emphasized compassion, outreach, and service in their pre-professional preparations, but that also fostered a true community along the way. It made all the difference both in my applications and in who I want to be as a future provider as well.
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Quinn Retzloff
Accepted into the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine '26
Before I even attended Notre Dame, I asked an upperclassman his best advice for a future Pre-med. He said, “make the Center for Health Sciences Advising your second home under the Dome.” Do just that! Applying to medical school can seem daunting, but my help from the advising team eased that pressure. The Center’s faculty are accessible, knowledgeable and timely with how to prepare for any health profession. Perhaps most importantly, the advising team allowed me to highlight attributes that will serve me well in medicine: compassion, commitment to excellence, and service. For this help, I’m truly grateful.
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Jessica Igiede
Accepted into Rush Medical College '26
During my time at Notre Dame, the advisors at the Center for Health Sciences Advising were extremely helpful and supportive in assisting me to apply to medical school. From my sophomore year, the advisors were there to answer any questions I had as well as encourage me along the journey. Something that they emphasized to me early was to do things that I was passionate about and would allow me to grow, not just activities that I thought would look good on an application. This advice permitted me to enhance my application while allowing my pre-med journey to still be enjoyable. I appreciated how very available the advisors made themselves to me whether that was to assuage any concerns I had or to advise me on how I could continue to grow at each step of my journey. I am beyond grateful for their investment in my growth as an individual and success as a future physician.
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Kellen Round
Accepted into Thomas Jefferson Medical College '25
From the first day of Welcome Weekend to moments before I walked across the stage at graduation, the health professions counseling staff saw through my development as a person and future physician. With hundreds of health professions students matriculating from Notre Dame each year, I was both grateful and impressed by the level of individual attention I received across my four years. Most importantly, the advisors continuously emphasize the importance of becoming an appealing applicant through personal growth rather than simply checking the boxes – a demonstration of clear alignment with the values of our school.
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Emma Mazurek
Accepted into IU School of Medicine (Early Decision Program) '26
Throughout my undergraduate time at Notre Dame, the Center for Health Sciences Advising was there to answer any questions and alleviate anxieties about applying to medical school. As a science preprofessional studies major, I am thankful for the unique opportunity to have been in class with the advisors and benefit from getting to know them academically and personally. The advisors recognize and work to understand the uniqueness of each student. Moreover, the advisors have supported me throughout my gap year and continue to be an invaluable resource. The Center for Health Sciences Advising helps students achieve their collegiate and graduate goals with candor, compassion, and commitment. I am forever grateful to the Center for Health Sciences Advising for helping me achieve a lifelong goal of attending medical school.

Pre-Med Minute
Dr. Kathleen Kolberg, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Notre Dame, shares her tips she gives as Adviser to students preparing for admission to health profession schools.