📢What's new this year

This year, our services have shifted to focus on application mentoring. Registration holds are handled by your college or faculty advisor, with the exception of Mr. Worthy. We're still happy to talk about coursework, especially when it comes to planning your prerequisites, timing your standardized test, and general "how is it going" conversations. Our goal is for our conversations to center on how you're building your résumé, developing test-preparation strategies, and developing the professional school competencies that will make your future application shine.

Think of this season as a team effort: your professors can help with current progress, your college or department advisor can help with next semester's schedule and beyond, and your prehealth advisor can help you build toward your professional school application. We're excited to partner with you, and your collaboration in these conversations makes it work!

🙋‍♀️OPMA Prehealth Advising: November 3 - November 13

We'd love for you to meet with your college or department advisor first, so during this window, we're offering virtual Pre-Health Mentoring Check-Ups. These appointments are 15-minutes, but we will be able to cover a lot! These are meant to complement your departmental advising and give us time to talk through prerequisites, catch up on your activities, and map out your next steps together.

You can book a prehealth check-up on our advising website or stop by 200 Clark Hall, and our student assistant will be glad to help you find a time that works for you. When booking your appointment, select "Prehealth (no pin clear)" as the appointment reason, and add what you want to discuss in the comments to help your prehealth advisor prepare.

Drop-in advising will pause during this timeframe and will resume on Monday, November 16.

📋OPMA P.H.A.S.E. 2028 Application Support Program Now Open

The Office of Pre-Professional Mentoring and Advising (OPMA) is excited to launch OPMA P.H.A.S.E. (Pre-Health Application Support and Education) for the Cycle 2028 application season on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM CST. Over 200 students have already enrolled, and applications remain open for eligible students.

Students interested in participating may apply for admission to the OPMA P.H.A.S.E. program through the registration link. Applications will remain open until December 2 at 4:00 PM CST. To secure participation, students must complete P.H.A.S.E. I by this deadline. No extensions or exceptions will be granted.

Students who participated in and completed OPMA P.H.A.S.E. during a previous application cycle and plan to apply to professional school next summer should use the same registration link. The application form includes an option to indicate previous participation.

**OPMA P.H.A.S.E. is intended only for students on the pre-medical, pre-dental, or pre-optometry tracks who are actively planning to submit professional school applications during the Summer 2027 cycle with the goal of beginning professional school in Fall 2028**

🩺Belmont University College of Medicine Information Sessions

Interested in learning more about the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University? Join Jerome Hill, Student Recruitment and Pathway Programs Coordinator, for one of two information sessions designed for pre-medical students.

Mr. Hill will share information about Belmont COM, its curriculum, admissions process, and opportunities available to future physicians.

Small Group Session 1 RSVP here 
 📍 115 Woods
 🕛 Noon on Tuesday, November 3

Session 2
 Hosted by our campus AED chapter
 📍 159 Russell Hall
 🕖 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3

🩺Alice L. Walton School of Medicine Information Session

Join Gina Britton, Senior Admissions Counselor at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, for an information session on one of the Southeast’s newest medical schools.

Ms. Britton will discuss the school’s mission, curriculum, admissions process, and what students can expect during medical school. This is a great opportunity to learn directly from an admissions professional and ask questions about preparing for a career in medicine.

📍 329 Lloyd Hall
 🕑 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 5

💊Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy Information Session

Thinking about pharmacy school? Join Mallory Hawkins, Director of Recruitment at Auburn University’s Harrison College of Pharmacy, for an informative session designed for pre-pharmacy students.

Learn more about Auburn’s PharmD program, the pharmacy school application process, and what life in pharmacy school is really like from one of Alabama’s leading in-state pharmacy programs. This event is co-hosted by our Pre-Pharmacy Society.

📍 337 Lloyd Hall
 🕠 5:30 PM on Monday, November 9

💡The 2026-2027 BIG Ideas Contest is Here! Submit Your Idea TODAY!

For pre-health students, innovation is about more than treating illness. It is about improving lives. The BIG Ideas Contest challenges students to develop creative solutions to real-world problems and turn their ideas into actionable projects. Whether your passion is patient care, public health, healthcare technology, mental health, or improving access to care, BIG Ideas provides mentorship, workshops, feedback from judges, and the opportunity to compete for funding. No prior entrepreneurship experience is required, making it a great opportunity to explore how your ideas can create meaningful impact in healthcare and beyond. 

Interested in making a difference? Form a team, develop your idea, and submit your proposal for the 2026-2027 BIG Ideas Contest. Visit the BIG Ideas website below for details.

💰Bank on Your Future: Money Talks

Thinking about a health professions graduate school? Somewhere along the way, you’ve probably wondered how you’ll manage the costs. You are not alone, and it’s never too early to start building confidence with your money!

Topics include your “money personality” and what it says about you, small habits that make a big difference, budgeting and saving, making smart big purchases, and building credit and handling debt without the stress. Stick around for dinner and a chance to connect with other pre-health students who are on the same journey. 

Registration is required, so be sure to save your seat on Handshake using the QR code on the flyer below. 

📍 UA Student Center Ballroom
 🕠 4:00 PM on Monday, November 9

**Business casual attire is recommended**

✈️Discover, Learn, and Explore in Seville, Spain!

If you are interested in studying abroad but are concerned about the cost, the Roll Tide Worldwide Scholarship may provide the support you need. Designed to assist students who might otherwise be unable to participate due to financial constraints, this scholarship awards $5,600 toward a CEA CAPA Study Abroad Program in Seville, Spain.

Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to broaden your perspective, immerse yourself in a new culture, and develop skills that can enhance both your personal and professional growth.

Please see the flyer below for additional details and application information.

**Although the Roll Tide Worldwide Scholarship Kickoff was held on October 14, 2026, the scholarship remains open and will close on December 1**

🛜Virtual Shadowing Opportunity 

Pre-Health Shadowing invites you to participate in upcoming free virtual shadowing sessions open to all students, including both undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to learn directly from healthcare professionals while exploring various career paths. Participants can earn a certificate documenting their shadowing hours, which can be a valuable addition to résumés, graduate school applications, and professional portfolios.

Here are the upcoming sessions for November:

👩🏻‍⚕️ Mary Salvatore, MD, MBA, FACR

📅Monday, November 9
⏰ 4:30 - 6:00 PM (PST)

 👨‍⚕️Arkady Komsoukaniants, MD

📅Tuesday, November 10
⏰6:00 - 7:30 PM (PST)

🔢Volunteer with Math Allies! 

Looking for a meaningful way to give back that fits your schedule? Math Allies connects UA students with local Tuscaloosa high schools, where they provide academic support to 9th- and 10th-grade students in Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, Geometry, and ACT Math.

The commitment is just one hour per week, and you can choose from four available time slots. While flexibility is built into the program, consistent participation is strongly encouraged.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the community while developing communication, mentoring, and leadership skills that are highly valued by health professions schools. Please see the flyers below for additional details and application information.

🔬Medicine Meets Research: Exploring MD/PhD Training

Interested in combining medicine and research? Join the Northwestern University Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) on November 17 at 6:00 PM CST for an engaging webinar featuring current MD/PhD students.

You will learn about the physician-scientist career path, what MD/PhD training entails, and how to determine whether this unique and rewarding pathway may be the right fit for you. This session is ideal for students exploring careers in academic medicine, biomedical research, or translational science.

Register today to reserve your spot and see the flyer below for additional details.

🫶🏼Participate in Hands-On Global Learning Experiences in Peru

Interested in gaining international healthcare experience while making a meaningful impact? Hands On Peru offers students opportunities to engage in global health, healthcare, community outreach, and cultural immersion in Trujillo, Peru.

Participants work alongside local professionals to support community-based health initiatives, develop practical skills, and gain valuable insight into healthcare delivery in a global setting. This experience can help broaden your perspective, deepen your commitment to service, and strengthen your preparation for a future career in the health professions. 

Opportunities are available during winter break and spring break, as well as through flexible internships that can span several months. 

Please see the flyer below for more information. 

👩🏾‍🔬Engage in a Summer of Learning and Service

Summer can be an excellent time to strengthen your preparation for a career in the health professions. Whether through research, clinical shadowing, volunteering, leadership experiences, internships, or enrichment programs, these opportunities can help you develop valuable skills, explore your interests, and gain meaningful experiences beyond the classroom.

Apart from enhancing your professional school application, these experiences demonstrate qualities such as curiosity, service, initiative, and a commitment to learning and helping others. 

In addition to the summer opportunities listed below, visit the OPMA Summer/Gap Year Opportunities page to explore opportunities available to students across all pre-health tracks. Be sure to review application requirements, deadlines, and funding information carefully.

🥼Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Summer Academic Enrichment Program (SAEP)

SAEP is a six-week summer enrichment program that gives aspiring health professionals a realistic preview of the first year of dental, medical, pharmacy, or physical therapy school. Through intensive coursework, professional development activities, coaching, and community engagement, participants build the skills and confidence needed for success in professional school. A readiness assessment is provided upon completion.

Applications opened October 15, 2026, with deadlines of February 1, 2027 (Early Decision) and March 15, 2027 (Regular Decision). 

Please visit the VCU Summer Academic Enrichment Program page for more information and to apply. 

🙆‍♀️VCU OT Academy - Occupational Therapy 

OT Academy is a program that promotes knowledge and understanding of the profession of Occupational Therapy (OT) while preparing for applications to OT programs. Through participation in presentations, discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will gain the skills required to be competitive applicants and successful professional students in a rigorous graduate program.

Applications open November 15, 2026, and close on April 15, 2027.

Please visit the VCU OT Academy - Occupational Therapy page for more information and application details. 

🙆🏾‍♂️Duke DPT Summer Discovery Program (SDP)

The Summer Discovery Program (SDP) provides undergraduate students with a hands-on introduction to the profession of physical therapy. During this intensive week, participants explore multiple practice areas, learn about the DPT admissions process, and connect with leading faculty, current DPT students, clinicians, and admissions specialists. By the end of the program, students are better prepared to pursue and successfully transition into a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

For more information on application and deadlines, please visit the Duke Summer Discovery Program page in early 2027. 

🐾Vet Up! College at Purdue University 

Vet Up!® College provides aspiring veterinarians with a six-week immersive experience that offers a realistic look at veterinary school and the profession. Students participate in coursework, clinical skills training, industry visits, and study groups before completing a two-week local clinical placement to gain practical veterinary experience. The program is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and exposure needed to become stronger applicants to veterinary school.

Applications close on February 1, 2027. Visit the Vet Up! College page for details. 

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