The mission of the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) is to provide constant support to those students planning to seek admission to medical, dental, optometry, veterinary or physician assistant programs. Postbaccalaureate opportunities are also available. For information about the HPAC, please see the sections below that describe the role of the committee and student services provided. The services of HPAC are available to all URI students, regardless of the degree program and following graduation.

Most medical schools and other programs require an official letter of recommendation from the Health Professions Advisor of the university or college at which you received your undergraduate degree (See also What do Medical Schools Want?). At the University of Rhode Island, this letter of recommendation is provided by the Health Professions Advisory Committee. This Committee consists of seven faculty members and staff. The Health Professions Advisor (Dr. Joanna Norris) serves as the Chair of the HPAC.

The members of the HPAC interview prospective candidates and evaluate their portfolio and supporting letters of recommendation. In addition to a comprehensive letter of recommendation summarizing all of the information regarding the student, all of the supporting letters of recommendation from individual faculty and medical professionals are forwarded to the professional programs. Official letters of recommendation from the University of Rhode Island may only be furnished for students who have successfully completed this pre-professional application process. The Health Professions Advisory Committee will make every effort to help a qualified candidate gain acceptance to a professional school. The HPAC office is always available to answer your questions

The University of Rhode Island established the Health Professions Advisory Office to advise students on pre-professional programs that will prepare them for application to medical school, dental school, veterinary school, optometry school or physician assistant graduate programs. Our services include:

• Advising students on appropriate course work in order to satisfy requirements for admission to professional schools. Freshmen should make an appointment with Professor Norris in University College. Other students should call 874-2670 to make an appointment in the Health Professions Office.
• Providing letters of recommendation for students who have completed the interview process with the Health Professions Advisory Committee.
• Helping students acquire necessary interviewing and writing skills.
• Assisting students in developing a personal and academic profile that will be attractive to professional schools.
• Furnishing information regarding upcoming application deadlines and meetings.

Information available in the Health Professions Advisory Office includes:

• Requirements for professional programs.
• Literature and resources for professional school selection.
• Study guides for taking the appropriate admission test.
• Practice MCAT examinations.
• Literature on summer programs.
• Volunteering and internship opportunities.

Competition for admission to medical schools is keen; nationally, only about one of every five applicants is admitted. Hence, students should be prepared to explore other career options, including: allied health professions (clinical laboratory science, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician's assistant programs, dental technology) or admission to appropriate graduate programs in the sciences.

For students interested in Veterinary Medicine, there may be additional options. Please contact: Department of Fisheries, Animal, and Veterinary Sciences, Woodward Hall, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI 02881, Tel (401) 874-2940.

Students registered with the HPAC have permanent access to its services.