From left: Jared Reichenberg and Nikhil Jain say the Health Professions Office helps keep premed students on track.

Health Professions Office guides students on the road to medical school and health professions. Read more.

Rutgers University has a diverse student population, and with five different campuses, a variety of environments and living options. With an excellent library system, state-of-the-art recreational facilities, NCAA and intramural athletics, museums, student music and drama groups, and easy access to New York City and Philadelphia. There is much to do. The Rutgers University Community has many student organizations available to students interested in the health professions. There is much to do.

To be a successful applicant to any health profession school, a student must show a strong academic performance with good curricular choices. They must have exposure to their chosen profession and be knowledgeable of the practical issues facing it. Finally, they must develop extracurricular interests. Rutgers University is well prepared to help students meet those needs.

Academics

The high quality of a Rutgers education is recognized nationwide. The University regularly ranks in the top 25 of the Nation's Public Universities and is a member of the prestigious American Association of Universities. A number of departments rank in the top 10 and the faculty is internationally recognized. The University offers a number of excellent majors for prehealth students. For those seeking a strong science background, majors in Biological Sciences, Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Genetics, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Exercise Science, Chemistry, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Engineering are available. With an excellent choice of majors in the Humanities and Social Sciences, and the ability to design your own major, there is something for everyone. 

Clinical Experiences

The HPO, working with the Career Services Office, can help locate internships, shadowing, and volunteer experiences at St. Peter's Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital, and The Dental Pavilion in New Brunswick. The HPO also supports students' applications to the Gateway to Dentistry Program at RSDM and the summer Biomedical Careers Program at RWJMS to gain additional hands-on experience.

Extracurricular Activities

The Rutgers University Community has many student organizations available to students interested in the health professions. The HPO provides information about and coordinates applications to a number of specialized programs including the BA/MD Programs with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) and  New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), and the BA/DMD Program with Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM). The Rutgers University Community has many student organizations available to students interested in the health professions. These include:

  • The New Jersey Gamma Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, The National Pre-Health Honors Society
  • Phi Delta Epsilon
  • The American Medical Student Association
  • The Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Societies
  • Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC)
  • Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
  • Major Clubs for Biology, Neuroscience, Chemistry, Biochemistry; and Kinesiology
  • Pre-Optometry Professions Society (RUPOPS)

These organizations, working with the HPO sponsor many annual events which are informative or raise funds for the community and national causes.

Research

As a major research university, Rutgers provides many opportunities for students to conduct independent research. On the Busch campus these include the research centers and faculty laboratories in the Division of Life Sciences (W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neurosciences, the Human Genetics Institute, New Jersey Stem Cell Center, Cell & DNA Repository; Departments of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Genetics, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry), Chemistry, Alcohol Studies, Psychology, and Biomedical Engineering. Also, on the Busch Campus, students can work at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology & Medicine, the Waksman Institute for Microbiology, the research tower of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the School of Public Health, the Susan Lehman Cullen Laboratory for Cancer Research, and the Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOSHI). On the Cook Campus, students can work in the Nabisco Center for Advanced Food Technology, the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, and in the Departments of Animal Science, Biochemistry & Microbiology, Environmental Sciences, and Plant Biology. In New Brunswick, Rutgers students can work at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the clinical laboratories of Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. Research can be done for credit at all these locations, and may be extended to a Senior Honors Thesis.

Accelerated Programs

The following competitive programs are open to all high-achieving students enrolled at Rutgers University.  Most require a minimum GPA of 3.5, well developed extra-curricular activities, minimum admission test scores, and letters of support. Applicants are required to sit for formal interviews.

  • BA/MD - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
  • BA/MD - New Jersey Medical School
  • BA/DMD - Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
  • BA/MS - School of Health Related Professions, Physician Assistant Program

These programs are open to high achieving college students. They are not designed for high school students or incoming students. Traditionally, students complete 2 years at Rutgers before applying.