Beyond Academics

Outside of academics, professional schools expect students to engage in extracurricular activities.  These extracurricular activities help pre-professional students determine their interest and passion for a particular program/field of study and visually communicate that interest and passion to the professional schools on an application.  Extracurricular activities also help develop your skills and strengths.  Professional schools are looking for applicants that have good oral and written communication, leadership, team work, compassion, and a helping and service mindset which can be strengthened through extracurricular activities.  These activities beyond academics can be in the areas of volunteering, job shadowing, involvement in clubs and organizations, work experiences, and research.

Students are encouraged to explore research opportunities to immerse themselves more fully in their areas of interest.  Research opportunities are usually developed with the help of a faculty member.  Pre-Health students often are able to work in labs on campus or in a Summer Research Program. 

Volunteering, shadowing and internships provide an important “reality test” that will help you determine if the professional field you are pursuing is really for you.  Additionally, it will demonstrate that you have direct and applied knowledge about the field you hope to enter.  Finally, it can put you in touch with professionals who can serve as valuable references or contacts for other career or internship opportunities.  The Arts & Sciences Advising Center publishes a list of Pre-Health volunteer/shadowing contacts in the Lincoln area and is available in 107 Oldfather.  The Office of Student Involvement and the Career Services Center can also assist students in connecting with volunteer experiences and internships. 

Most Pre-Professional areas have clubs on campus, such as the Pre-Health Club, NU Meds (pre-medicine club), etc.  Students are encouraged to join such clubs, not only because of the informative programs that are presented, but also to meet other students who have similar pre-professional goals.  The University also has many clubs that are developed around areas of interest (such as the Chess Club, Amnesty International) and honoraries in specific majors (such as Sigma Tau Delta in English or Psi Chi in Psychology).  Students will be able to list their involvement in these types of activities on their professional school applications.  However, professional schools are not simply looking for an extensive list of involvement experiences.  Rather, it is recommended that students choose a small number of activities in which they will have a meaningful leadership experience.