Medicine

Whether providing care directly to patients, conducting research, developing policy, teaching or administering the delivery of services, the ultimate goal of a role in this field is to promote health and well-being. 

In addition to clinical practice, Princetonians working in healthcare and medicine are in roles in health policy, research, public and community health, advocacy, veterinary science, pharmaceuticals and more. Students interested in health fields will need to plan their classes and activities at Princeton and begin to consider options for post-graduate education relatively early. 

While there is not a rigid pre-health curriculum at Princeton, there are common courses that all students interested in healthcare and medicine should take as an undergraduate. There is plenty of opportunity for you to explore related interests, and often students find other causes through coursework and activities that deepens their interest in specific healthcare fields.

Gaining experience

In addition to classes, clinical experience, independent work (like senior thesis) and leadership opportunities are critical in building skills and demonstrating experience to post-graduate institutions and potential employers. Clinical experience can come in many forms, including shadowing medical professionals, work and volunteer experience in medical settings or as an EMT, as well as internships in healthcare. 

Most recent graduates take a year or two between graduation and when they apply to medical school to gain additional clinical or professional experience. 

Professional organizations and associations

Professional organizations and associations are membership-based groups comprised of people working in a similar field. They can be helpful resources for students to learn more about a field, develop connections and discover related opportunities. You can search for related organizations and associations using a database provided by the Princeton University Library

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