Resources for Families | PreMed and PreHealth Advising Program

Our Dedication to Families

At the Northeastern University PreMed and PreHealth Advising Program, we deeply acknowledge the pivotal role families play in the journey of aspiring healthcare professionals. We recognize the profound impact that familial support and guidance can have on a student’s academic and personal development.

Our program strives to provide comprehensive support not only to students but also to their families as they navigate the complex path toward applying to health graduate programs. We understand that the application process can be daunting and unfamiliar, which is why we aim to offer resources, guidance, and assistance to both students and their families alike.

By fostering open communication and collaboration between students, families, and our advising team, we aspire to create a supportive network that empowers students to reach their fullest potential.

Ultimately, we believe that by recognizing and embracing the importance of family involvement, we can enhance the overall experience of our students and facilitate their success as they embark on their journey toward a fulfilling career in healthcare.

The PreHealth advising relationship is centered on the student and their advisor. While families provide essential support throughout the student’s journey, it is crucial for students to build independence in managing their academic, extracurricular, and professional endeavors. The aim is to empower students to take full ownership of their PreHealth Pathway, while fostering open communication and transparency with their families.

Below, we’ve outlined the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the PreHealth advising relationship.

Advisor Responsibilities

Guidance and Mentorship: Advisors will offer individualized academic and career guidance to students, helping them explore career pathways in health professions.

Goal Setting: Encourage students to reflect on their motivations and commitment to the health professions, helping them make informed decisions about their future careers.

Fostering Independence: Encourage students to take ownership of their academic and professional development by prompting them to schedule appointments, complete paperwork, and initiate discussions.

Resource Provision: Provide students with resources related to academic support, research opportunities, internships, clinical shadowing, and volunteer work.

Confidentiality: Encourage students to update their families but recognize the student’s right to privacy in their educational and career development.

Accountability: Hold students accountable for meeting deadlines, completing prerequisites, and following through on commitments.

Student Responsibilities

Ownership of Advising Process: Participation in premed/prehealth advising is voluntary. Students should proactively schedule meetings with their advisor, with a recommended frequency of at least once per academic year.

Preparation for Advising Sessions: Come to advising sessions prepared with questions, academic plans, and goals for the meeting. Students should reflect on their personal, academic, and career progress and be ready to discuss their challenges, achievements, and evolving goals with their advisor.

Follow-Through: Act on the guidance provided during advising sessions. This includes staying on top of academic requirements, deadlines, and experiential opportunities (e.g., internships, shadowing, volunteering).

Communicating Changes and Challenges: If a student’s academic or personal circumstances change (e.g., struggling with coursework, needing to take time off), it is their responsibility to inform their advisor and seek appropriate support or guidance.

Personal Responsibility: Students are expected to take full ownership of their prehealth journey, including decision-making related to course selection, extracurricular involvement, test preparation, and applications. While advisors offer guidance, the final decisions rest with the student, and they must accept responsibility for their choices and outcomes.

Family Responsibilities

Support Autonomy and Independence: Families are important stakeholders in a student’s journey, but the advising process is a relationship between the student and advisor. Advising appointments are intended to be private, and students should be encouraged to engage with their advisor independently. Encourage your student to take ownership of their academic and career planning. Allow them to lead discussions about their academic progress, career goals, and challenges.

Confidentiality: Understand that advisors are bound by privacy laws (e.g., FERPA) and ethical guidelines, meaning that they cannot discuss a student’s academic or advising details without the student’s consent.

Offer Support: Be a source of encouragement and provide emotional support during the challenging premed/prehealth journey.

Encourage Resilience and Realistic Expectations: The premed/prehealth pathway can be competitive and demanding. Encourage resilience in your student and help them set realistic goals and timelines.