What is Health Professions Advising at VMI?

Health Professions Advising at VMI is designed to help cadets confidently navigate their pathway toward careers in medicine and other health fields. Whether a student aspires to become a physician, dentist, veterinarian, physical therapist, pharmacist, or another health professional, this program provides the support, guidance, and opportunities needed to succeed.

Through one-on-one advising, cadets receive personalized academic and career planning, assistance with course selection, and preparation for standardized exams and professional school applications. The program also connects students with valuable hands-on experiences, including shadowing, internships, research, and mentoring opportunities.

Health Professions Advising maintains partnerships and articulation agreements with institutions such as EVMS, VCU, Mary Baldwin, and Texas A&M’s Military Medicine Program, creating clear pathways to professional schools. In collaboration with Washington and Lee University, the program hosts joint pre-health seminars and events that broaden cadets’ exposure to the health sciences.

Above all, the program is committed to helping VMI cadets build the skills, knowledge, and professional network they need to become strong applicants and future leaders in healthcare.

Are there qualifications or requirements to join?

No—there are no formal qualifications or application requirements to participate. The Health Professions Adviser is available to support any cadet who is interested in pursuing a career in a health-related field, whether you’re just beginning to explore options or are ready to prepare your professional school applications.

Cadets are also encouraged to join the Pre-Health Club, which is open to students from all majors. This organization provides opportunities to network with fellow cadets, connect with professional programs and alumni, learn about application requirements, build strong study strategies for standardized exams, and gain valuable shadowing experience.

Participation is designed to be accessible, supportive, and flexible—helping cadets at every stage of their pre-health journey.

What are the attributes of a successful candidate for post-graduate health professions programs?

Successful candidates for health professions programs demonstrate both strong academic performance and meaningful experiential learning. Most programs look for applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, along with competitive scores on standardized entrance exams. These may include the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for medical school, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for certain allied health programs, or other discipline-specific exams depending on the field.

Beyond academic excellence, applicants are expected to show a clear understanding of their chosen profession. This typically involves shadowing or clinical experience to demonstrate familiarity with the scope and responsibilities of the field. Many programs also value volunteer service, which highlights an applicant’s ability to work collaboratively, show compassion, and engage with their community.

Overall, competitive candidates present a well-rounded application that reflects intellectual ability, professional readiness, and a genuine commitment to serving others through a career in healthcare.

For more information, contact Maj. Alison Burke, burkeak@vmi.edu.