The Health Professions Scholars program is a selective merit-based program for academically strong students interested in pursuing a health-related major. Students selected to participate in the Health Professions Scholars program spend two years working closely with faculty mentors learning about the many health-related professions. The program prepares students to pursue interests in a variety of professional paths, including medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant, nursing, physical therapy and veterinary programs. Health Professions Scholars are part of the pre-health track that includes a community of peers from various majors.

Student Experience

Year One

In the first year, students deepen their understanding through engaging opportunities with a variety of medical professionals, learning about their educational and professional experiences.

Health Professions Scholars will:

  • Enroll in Elon 1010 with other Health Professions Scholars
  • Work closely with the director of Pre-Health Advising to develop a four-year plan to fit their career goals
  • Enjoy a lecture and a meal with an expert speaker on a health-related topic, including a workshop on curricular issues specific to the health professions
  • Meet with Kernodle Center for Civic Life staff to learn about specific health-related opportunities
  • Participate in discussions about important issues in health-related fields
  • Attend a panel of health professionals who will explore different career pathways through discussion of a case study
  • Meet faculty in Elon’s School of Health Sciences and tour the state-of-the-art Gerald L. Francis Center
  • Attend SURF (Spring Undergraduate Research Forum) to learn about the variety of research carried out by other Elon students

Year Two

The second year of the program is devoted to “medicine in action,” highlighted by student collaboration on community-based, service-learning opportunities.

  • Share first-year experiences at a Health Professions Scholars welcome back event
  • Collaborate with fellow Scholars and identify community-based organizations, to identify health-related service opportunities
  • Engage with Elon’s Student Professional Development Center staff to discover health or science focused summer research and internship opportunities
  • Complete a health professions plan in collaboration with an advisor from the Health Professions Advisory Committee

Ready to Apply?

Students with substantial and broad leadership experiences in their high school and/or communities and who have a 3.8 GPA or higher are competitive candidates for the program. Fifteen Health Professions Scholars are selected in each first-year class.

The Health Professions Scholars application is due January 10 and available in the first-year application.

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