• Seton Hall University
• Pre-Professional Advising

Click on each question and read the answer to learn more about the Pre-Professional Advising Center.

General P-PAC FAQs

• What is the P-PAC? »

  The Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC) supports Seton Hall University students and alumni in exploring, preparing for, and applying to professional schools in healthcare and law. We offer professional school advising, workshops, programming, mentorship, and resources to help you become a competitive applicant in your chosen pathway.

• What are Professional Schools? »

  Professional schools are post-graduate programs that train students for careers in healthcare and law. At the P-PAC, we help students explore, prepare, and apply to these pathways, including:

  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Pharmacy
  • Optometry
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Podiatry
  • Physician Assistant (PA)
  • Physical Therapy (PT)
  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Athletic Training
  • Speech-Language Pathology

  These programs are competitive and require a strategic approach to the application process, combining academic excellence, hands-on experience, best practices and guidance for success.

• What services does P-PAC Offer? »

  We provide support for both Pre-Health and Pre-Law students, including:

  • One-on-one advising
  • Professional school application guidance (medical, health and law)
  • Opportunities to explore professions – exploration series, shadowing, school visits, and informational interviews, speakers, events
  • Mentorship connections – pairing students with alumni, faculty, and practicing professionals in their field
  • Skills workshops – study strategies, test preparation, CPR certifications, suturing, interview skills and more
  • Experience building – assistance with finding internships, volunteer work, clinical experiences, and research opportunities
  • Events and networking – guest speakers, alumni panels, professional school admission representatives, and networking mixers
  • Application materials support – personal statement reviews, resume feedback, and mock interviews
• What’s the difference between Pre-Health and Pre-Law advising at P-PAC? »

  • Pre-Health: For students pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and other healthcare fields.

  • Pre-Law: For students exploring legal careers, preparing for the LSAT, researching law schools, and building a competitive law school application.

• Who can use P-PAC services? »

  Any Seton Hall student or alumnus interested in pursuing a career in healthcare or law regardless of major or class year can use P-PAC services.

• Do I have to be a certain major to receive Pre-Health or Pre-Law advising? »

  No. Students from any major are welcome. Professional schools typically require prerequisite courses, not a specific major.

• Do you help with registration or course selection? »

  At the P-PAC, we can help you:

  • Identify prerequisites for your specific professional school goals
  • Identify courses that strengthen your skills and experiences for your future application

  While we don’t provide registration pins, academic advising, or register you for classes, we encourage you to reach out to your student success advisor or academic faculty advisor for help with the registration process. We’re here to make sure your course choices align with your professional school goals.

• What are the P-PAC Community Drop-In Hours? »

  The P-PAC Community Drop-In Hours provide a weekly casual, welcoming space for students to ask questions, explore pre-health and pre-law opportunities, and connect with advisors and peers. Drop-in hours are designed for students at any stage of their pre-professional path, from first-year explorers to juniors/seniors preparing applications.

  We get booked up quick and often, so we’ve introduced these drop-in hours for students who have quick questions or just want to meet others. No appointment is needed!

  During drop-in hours, you can:

  • Ask quick questions about experiences, or applications.
  • Get guidance on next steps in your pre-health or pre-law journey
  • Connect with other students and build your professional community
  • Participate in games and topical conversations

  Feel free to stop by for a quick 15-minute session or schedule a full appointment on COMPASS if you need more in-depth guidance. We’re always here to answer your questions and support your pre-health or pre-law journey.

• Can alumni use P-PAC services? »

  Yes. P-PAC professional school  advising is available to both current students and alumni.

• Can I get help with my personal statement? »

  Yes. P-PAC advisors review personal statements and application materials for both health professions schools and law schools.

• Does P-PAC host events? »

  Yes. We host:

  • Professional school information sessions
  • Skill-building workshops
  • Guest speaker and alumni panels
  • Application preparation series
  • Networking events and school visits
• If I’m in the nursing program, can I use P-PAC advising? »

  P-PAC provides pre-health advising for healthcare fields other than nursing. Nursing students should see their assigned academic advisor for nursing program guidance.

• Do you help with test preparation? »

  Yes. We provide strategies, best practices, flashcards, question banks, timelines, and resources for entrance exams like the MCAT, DAT, GRE, and LSAT. We also connect students with practice materials and faculty-led prep sessions.

• How do I make an appointment? »
  1. Log into PirateNet and click the COMPASS chiclet
  2. Click “Schedule an Appointment”
  3. From the first dropdown, select SHU Services
  4. From the second dropdown, choose the service that fits your needs (e.g., Pre-Dent Advising, Application Review, Pre-Law Advising, etc.)
  5. From the third dropdown, pick a date and time that works for you
  6. Choose whether you’d like your appointment to be In-Person or Virtual

  It’s quick and easy — don’t wait to get the support you need!

• When should I make an appointment at P-PAC? »

  Your journey to medical, law or any other professional school starts on day one of your first year. We encourage you to schedule an appointment at least once a semester to stay on track, explore opportunities, and keep us updated on your progress. The earlier you connect, the more we can help you build a strong foundation for success.

  You don’t need to wait until you’re applying to professional school! Students are encouraged to meet with us early and often. Common reasons to schedule an appointment include:

  • Exploring pre-health or pre-law pathways
  • Creating your professional school application timeline
  • Developing your test prep study schedule
  • Finding shadowing, volunteer, or internship opportunities
  • Preparing for exams (MCAT, LSAT, DAT, GRE)
  • Getting feedback on resumes, personal statements, or applications
  • Practicing interviewing and networking skills

  In addition to scheduling appointments, be sure to attend P-PAC events and read our newsletters to take full advantage of the resources available here at Seton Hall University

Pre-Health FAQs

• What is “Pre-Health”? »

  Pre-Health is a self-identified track, not a major. It represents choosing to pursue a health profession and actively taking the steps to become a competitive applicant for professional school. This includes:

  • Completing prerequisite courses
  • Preparing for admissions tests (MCAT, DAT, OAT, etc.)
  • Gaining relevant experiences that demonstrate your motivation, passion, commitment, and readiness for the field

  The term “Pre-Health” is often used interchangeably with specific tracks, such as Pre-Med or Pre-Dent, and serves as an all-encompassing description for students on track to pursue a career in patient-centered healthcare.

• When should I start preparing for professional school? »

  Preparation should begin as early as your first year. Starting early gives you time to:

  • Complete prerequisite courses
  • Gain clinical, research, and volunteer experience
  • Build relationships with faculty for letters of recommendation
  • Develop strong study habits for entrance exams

  Be sure to schedule appointments at least once a semester and attend P-PAC events to take full advantage of the resources available to you.

• What health professional schools does P-PAC help students prepare for? »

  We help students explore, prepare for, and apply to a variety of health professional pathways, including:

  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Pharmacy
  • Optometry
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Podiatry
  • Physician Assistant (PA)
  • Physical Therapy (PT)
  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Athletic Training
  • Speech-Language Pathology

  If you’re interested in another healthcare field, we’re happy to help you explore any healthcare career path and provide guidance on preparation and applications.

• Do I have to major in biology to go to medical school or any other health professional school? »

  No. Professional schools require specific prerequisite courses, not a particular major. You can pursue any major as long as you complete the required coursework.

  Majors like biology and chemistry often align closely with these requirements, making them popular choices. However, many students with a wide array of majors still successfully pursue medical school and other health professional programs.

• When should I take entrance exams (MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.)? »
  • Ideally by spring of the year before you plan to apply
  • This allows time to retake exams if necessary and submit early applications
• How do I get strong letters of recommendation? »
  • Build relationships with professors, supervisors, and mentors early
  • Participate in class, attend office hours, and engage in research or volunteer work
  • Give recommenders plenty of notice and provide them with your resume, personal statement draft, and deadlines
• Does P-PAC review personal statements and application documents? »
  Yes. We provide personal statement reviews, mock interviews, and application feedback to help you present yourself as the strongest candidate possible.
• What makes a competitive application for medical, dental, or other health professional schools? »
  • Strong academic record (GPA + science GPA)
  • Competitive entrance exam scores
  • Consistent clinical and service experiences
  • Leadership roles and campus involvement
  • Meaningful research or shadowing experiences
  • Strong, personalized letters of recommendation
  • A compelling personal statement
• What classes count toward my science GPA? »

  Courses with these subject codes count toward your science GPA:

  • BIOL – Biology
  • CHEM – Chemistry
  • PHYS – Physics
  • MATH – Mathematics
• What student organizations at Seton Hall are for pre-health students? »
  • Active Minds
  • Aspiring Latinos in Medicine Alliance
  • Biology Society
  • Exercise Science Club
  • Global Medical Brigades
  • Hands-On Healthcare
  • Health Sciences Amplified
  • HOSA – Future Health Professionals
  • MEDLIFE
  • MedicZero
  • Medical Humanities Club
  • Minority Association of STEM Collegians
  • Physical Therapy Student Association
  • Pre-Dental Society
  • Pre-Med Connect
  • Seton Hall Organization of Physical Therapy Students
  • Seton Hall University Blood Initiative
  • The Health Herald
  • Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Organization
  • Women in STEM
• How do I make an appointment with the P-PAC Pre-Health Advisor? »

  You can schedule an appointment with the Pre-Health Advisor at the Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC) through COMPASS, Seton Hall’s online appointment system.

  Click here to schedule an appointment through COMPASS.

  If you have any additional questions or need assistance, feel free to email the P-PAC team at [email protected].