Other Resources

Thomas Haider Program and Early Assurance Program

Built upon the foundation established by the UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences, the UCR School of Medicine has established the Thomas Haider Program at the UCR School of Medicine. The program maintains its original charter to recruit, admit, and support students who are from UC Riverside, including those from groups underrepresented in medicine. The Thomas Haider Program at the UCR School of Medicine provides a unique pathway into medical school for up to 24 qualifying UC Riverside undergraduate students.

Learn more about the Thomas Haider Program
Learn more about the Thomas Haider Early Assurance Program

The UCR School of Medicine and the Health Professions Advising Center hosted two workshops regarding the Thomas Haider Program during fall quarter. For any UCR students who were unable to attend these events, a recording is available below:

Watch the Thomas Haider Early Assurance Program Information Session

Academic Resource Center (ARC)

One of the first steps to becoming a competitive applicant for a doctorate-level health program is building a strong academic foundation (i.e., strong GPA). We, in HPAC, regularly hear from our most high-achieving students that ARC services, such as Supplemental Instruction (SI) and Tutoring, are instrumental in their transition to UCR/college-level coursework and ability to build strong academic skill sets. These same high-achieving students also report engaging with ARC services early in their college career (as early as the Fall quarter of their Freshman year) and often (continuing using academic services into Upper Division courses).

Check out some of our favorite ARC services below!

Career Center

HPAC partners closely with the UCR Career Center to support pre-health students. The Career Center staff are dedicated to connecting, inspiring, and empowering current students/alumni on their career path by offering career assessment tools, employment and internship opportunities, resume building workshops, career fairs, interview resources, and the R'Professional Career Closet for free business attire.

Check out some of our favorite resources below:

Students who work with HPAC are accepted into health professions programs throughout the country!

Find out where some of our HPAC students went!

Medicine (M.D./ D.O.)
- Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Albany Medical College
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- A.T. Still University - AZ
- Boston University
- Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Campbell University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Columbia University
- Cornell Medical College
- Creighton University
- Dartmouth
- Des Moines University
- Drexel University College of Medicine
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Harvard University
- Howard University College of Medicine
- Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Indiana University School of Medicine
- Kansas City University of Medicine
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine
- Loyola University
- Meharry Medical Collge
- Midwestern University of Osteopathic Medicine
- Michigan State University
- Northwestern University
- Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Quinnipiac University
- Rocky Vista University
- Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine
- Rush Medical College
- Saint Louis University
- Stony Brook University School of Medicine
- Temple University School of Medicine
- Texas Tech University
- Touro University - CA
- Touro University - NV
- Touro University - NY
- UC Davis
- UC Irvine
- UC Los Angeles
- UC Riverside
- UC San Francisco
- University of Colorado
- University of Central Florida
- University of Iowa
- University of Miami
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Toledo
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
- University of Hawaii at Manoa
- University of Southern California
- Vanderbilt University
- Wayne State University
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Western University of Health Sciences
- William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dentistry (D.D.S.)
- Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health
- A.T. Still University - AZ
- Boston University School of Dental Medicine
- Case Western Reserve University
- Harvard University
- Lake Erie College of Dental Medicin
- Loma Linda University
- Midwestern University
- Ohio State University College of Dentistry
- Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry
- Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
- New York University
- Nova Southeastern University
- Roseman University of Health Sciences
- Temple University
- Tufts University
- Touro College of Dental Medicine - New York
- UC Los Angeles
- UC San Francisco
- University at Buffalo
- University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
- University of Kentucky College of Dentistry
- University of Las Vegas
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
- University of New England College of Dental Medicine
- University of the Pacific
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Southern California
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry
- Western University of Health Sciences
Nursing
- Azusa Pacific University
- California State University, Los Angeles
- California State University, San Marcos
- Johns Hopkins University
- Riverside Community College
- Western University of Health Sciences
Optometry (O.D.)
- Illinois College of Optometry
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
- Midwestern University College of Optometry - AZ
- New England College of Optometry
- New York State University College of Optometry
- Pacific University College of Optometry
- Salus University
- Southern California College of Optometry
- UC Berkeley
- University of Missouri
- Western University of Health Sciences
Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Albany College of Pharmacy
- Belmont University
- California Health Sciences University
- California Northstate
- Campbell University
- Chapman University
- Loma Linda University
- East Tennessee State University
- Keck Graduate Institute
- Marshall B. Ketchum University
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Mercer University
- Midwestern University
- Notre Dame of Maryland University
- Oregon State University
- Pacific University
- Purdue University
- Regis University
- Roseman University of Health Services
- Saint Joseph
- Touro University - CA
- UC San Diego
- UC San Francisco
- University of Colorado
- University of Hawaii at Hilo
- University of Kentucky
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota
- University of New Mexico
- University of Southern California
- University of the Pacific
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Utah
- University of Washington
- University of Wyoming
- Washington State University
- West Coast University
- Western University of Health Sciences
Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
- Azusa Pacific University
- Boston University
- Chapman University
- Clarkson University
- Indiana State University
- Loma Linda University
- Marshall University
- Mount St Mary's University
- University of New England
- University of Southern California
- Washington University - St. Louis
- West Coast University
- Western University of Health Sciences
- Winston-Salem State University
Physician's Assistant (PA)
- Arizona School of Health Sciences
- Butler University - Indianapolis
- California Baptist University
- Charles Drew University
- Dominican University of California
- Hardin-Simmons University
- Sacred Heart University
- Samuel Merritt University
- Southern California University of Health Sciences
- Touro University - California
- Touro University - Nevada
- UC Davis
- University of Dubuque
- University of New England
- University of Southern California
- Western University of Health Sciences
Public Health (M.P.H.)
- Boston University
- Emory
- George Washington University
- Loma Linda University
- New York University Global Institute
- San Diego State University
- UC Davis
- UC Irvine
- UC Los Angeles
- University of Southern California
- University of Washington
Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M)
- Colorado State University
- Cornell University
- Midwestern University
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
- Royal Veterinary College
- St. Georges University
- University of California, Davis
- Western University of Health Sciences

Resources for Undocumented/DACA Students

The Health Professions Advising Center (HPAC) is a safe place for all students to discuss their interest and goals of becoming a future health provider.

DACA vs. CA Dream Act

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) 2012:

Federal DHS policy (not law) announced by the Obama Administration. DHS program that will defer the removal of certain eligible undocumented youths and allow them to apply for work authorization if they are granted DACA. If accepted for DACA, applicants will receive a work permit, social security number and protection from removal (deportation) for 2 years.

CA Dream Act 2011:

The California Dream Act of 2011 consists of two Assembly Bills, AB 130 and AB 131. Together, these bills allow undocumented students to apply for an receive private scholarships (AB 130) and state financial aid, university grants, and community college fee waivers (AB 131).
Pre-Health Dreamers

Pre-Health Dreamers (PHD) is a rapidly growing network and community of over 800 health career bound undocumented students across 42 different states, representing various career interests. PHD investigates and shares information on career pathways for pre-health undocumented students as well as advocates for more progressive institutional and governmental policies for undocumented students.

The Pre-Health Dreamers was developed by the Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) which is a fiscally-sponsored project of Community Initiatives.

The PHD website highlights the success and hard work of PHD members who have been accepted to graduate and professional schools across the nation. PHD provides undocumented future scientists and educators under several departments including medical school, doctor of dentistry, master of science, doctor of philosophy, doctor of Osteopath, physician's assistant, and doctor of pharmacy.

Website: https://www.phdreamers.org
Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC)

Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) gives resources and support to the undocumented communities. With these resources, undocumented young people are able to get an education, pursue careers, and build a brighter future for themselves and our country.

E4FC develops the leadership capacity of undocumented young people through career training, mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to educate and empower the undocumented community through Community Educators, Pre-Health Dreamers, and Legal Advocates.

Website: www.e4fc.org
DACA-friendly Medical Schools

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has published a list of allopathic (MD) schools regarding their policies on reviewing applications from DACA applicants. It is advised that student review this list PRIOR to applying to any U.S. allopathic medical schools.
FAQ - Pre-Health Dreamers
Can undocumented students take the MCAT?
- Yes! For those who are unfamiliar with the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), it is an exam that all prospective medical school applicants must take. The exam tests you on a variety of science subjects as well as verbal reasoning. Residency status has nothing to do with the taking or scoring of the test.
What are medical schools' policies on accepting undocumented students?
- Some medical schools accept undocumented students and others do not. Finding out whether you qualify for admissions may be burdensome. Most of the time you will not get a simple "yes" or "no" answer. The answer you receive greatly depends on the person you ask and many medical schools do not have a "policy" as they might not have heard of undocumented students entering their medical school before. Many admissions officers are not familiar with legal policies affected undocumented students and thus are not informed about the options available to you.
Should I talk about or reveal my undocumented status in my application?
- If being undocumented has played a significant role in your desire to pursue medicine, then it can be advantageous to discuss relevant experiences in your personal statement. In doing so, you will be able to fully explain what experiences have shaped you and allowed for personal growth and the experiences that have made you prepared for and devoted to pursuing a career in medicine. There is a possibility that you may be discriminated against by revealing your status if it is done in a way that presents more questions than answers for the Admissions Committee members. Oftentimes, these administrators will tend to think ahead and think cautiously about the implications that an individual's undocumented status produces.
How about revealing your status on other parts of the application?
- We will discuss further below how we advise applicants to fill out the AMCAS application, but for now, we have one rule about filing out your application - do not lie about your immigration status. Do not indicate that you are a permanent resident or U.S. citizen or are a visa holder unless you actually are one of these. Lying can also have many unforeseen consequences.
Does my DACA status change my ability to pursue medical school?
- Certain eligible individuals can now apply for work authorization (which will come in the form of an employment authorization card), that can then be used to request a Social Security Number. DACA recipients are also protected from being placed into deportation proceedings. With these two items, undocumented DACA approved medical students are eligible to apply to residency programs and become licensed physicians.
Are there any programs that will help me cover medical school application fees?
- For the primary medical school application, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has a Fee Assistance Program (FAP), for families with income levels of 300% or less of the Federal Poverty Line.
On-Campus Resources
1. Undocumented Student Programs (USP)
  - R'Dream Scholarship
  - California Dream Act and DACA Assistance
  - Book Grants
  - Textbooks and calculators from the USP Lending Library
  - Leadership Opportunities
  - Internships and Fellowships
2. Providing Opportunities, Dreams, and Education in Riverside (PODER)
3. UC Immigrant Legal Services Center
4. Medical Scholars Program
5. Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA+) at UCR
National Resources

COVID-19 Resources for Health Professions Students

COVID-19 has impacted the preparation, application, and interview process for health professions programs for the 2020-2021 cycle. Below are resources to aid and support your preparation and planning process. Due to the ever-changing nature of this pandemic, the resources on this page may change, therefore, check back regularly for updates.

If you are currently applying to a health professions program, it is advised that you also work directly with a Health Professions Advising Center advisor.

Pre-Health Engagement Opportunities During A Pandemic Provided by the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP)