Applicant Resources
Applying to health professional school involves much more than submitting an application. Taking time to understand the application timeline, required components, and your readiness to apply can help you prepare for a successful application cycle. Navigate your way through each of the drop-downs below to familiarize yourself with the application process and how PMPH can support you along the way!
Applying to a health professional program is an exciting milestone, but timing matters. The best time to apply is when you are most competitive across all aspects of your application.
There is no single “right” timeline. While some Northeastern students apply before graduation and matriculate immediately afterward, most applicants (approximately 85%) take at least one gap year before entering their health professional program. Your timeline should reflect your individual goals, experiences, and readiness.
Application Readiness Flowchart
This readiness flowchart is designed to help you reflect on your preparedness across multiple domains: academic metrics, experiential preparation, and more. This tool is not prescriptive, nor is it a checklist to rush through. Rather, it’s a guide to help you determine when you are most likely to be a competitive AND confident applicant.
Application Readiness Assessment
After reviewing the flowchart, we encourage you to complete the Application Readiness Assessment to evaluate your preparedness for the application cycle.
Take the Application Readiness Assessment
Based on your responses, you’ll receive personalized guidance on your readiness to apply and recommendations for next steps. If additional preparation may strengthen your application, PMPH is here to help you develop a plan and identify the best application timeline.
Remember, delaying your application is often a strategic decision—not a setback. Many successful applicants, including most Northeastern students, take at least one gap year before matriculating. Our advising services are available throughout your time at Northeastern and beyond to support you in achieving your long-term goals.
If you plan to apply to a health professional program within the next year, you are eligible to attend Applicant Drop-In appointments.
These are brief, 10-minute advising sessions intended to support technical or logistical questions related to your application.
Please note:
Drop-Ins are exclusively for candidates applying in the current application cycle.
- Applicant Drop-Ins are available annually from September through July. While Drop-Ins are not offered in August, regular advising appointments remain available year-round.
You may meet with any PreHealth Advisor, regardless of your assigned caseload.
Each session is limited to 10 minutes.
If you are looking for individualized guidance on your overall PreHealth Pathway or application readiness, we encourage you to schedule a 30-minute appointment with your assigned PreHealth Advisor.
If you graduated or completed your post-bacc certificate program more than one year ago (and no longer have access to EAB Navigate), please contact your individual PreHealth Advisor directly to schedule an appointment.
Applicants from Northeastern University who work with the PreMed and PreHealth Advising Program have demonstrated outstanding success in gaining admission to US health professional programs. Our medical school candidates have an acceptance rate that is approximately double the national average, while dental and physician assistant (PA) applicants often secure 90+% interview rates and similarly high acceptance rates. However, please keep in mind that each person’s journey to a career in healthcare will be unique; therefore, the data provided is intended to be informative rather than prescriptive for your own PreHealth Pathway.