Q. I’ve never heard of the Pre-Health Academy. When did it start?

  • The Johns Hopkins University Pre-Health Academy launched its inaugural class in spring 2023 – “Medical School Secondary Essays – What to Do to Get Them Right.” On the heels of its resounding success, the small PHA team started creating a more robust and comprehensive course selection. The PHA will be formally launched in fall 2024, marking the beginning of a new era of innovation at Hopkins.

Q. Are these “real” classes? Will I be graded?

  • The Pre-Health Academy does not offer graded courses at this time, and no credit towards your degree completion is available to participating students. However, our courses are structured like “real” courses to give you the information you need and help you apply what you learn. This is accomplished through a thoughtfully-designed curriculum that utilizes many of the standard practices you experience in a typical classroom setting. We establish and teach important foundational content and leverage in-class exercises and homework assignments to help you learn and apply the skills covered in the course. We focus heavily on skill-development and practical steps students can implement to successfully tackle the tasks at hand. Course assessment is also a part of every course to ensure that we are doing the best job we can to support your journey.

Q. Will these classes appear on my transcript? Will I be graded?

  • No, this course is not graded and will not appear on your transcript.

Q. How do I attend? Is there a selection process?

  • Wonderful! We’d love to have you join us! Because the PHA courses are only available to Hopkins students and alums, there is a process for verifying eligibility. While there may be other eligibility requirements specific to individual courses, they are clearly stated in the course description. Some courses may also be capped based on the room requirements or way the course is designed, so interested students are encouraged to pay close attention to the info released for upcoming courses and apply early to secure their seat!

Q. Will I get individual advising support through the Pre-Health Academy?

  • The Pre-Health Academy only offers pre-health advice in a classroom setting and related resources (like office hours, etc.), and we will work hard to personalize and target the content we offer in class. However, no individual one-on-one advising is available through the PHA.

Q. What happens if I don’t attend class or complete the assigned homework?

  • Other than missing all the benefits of the class, nothing will happen. Your success in your pre-health journey depends on your ability to make smart decisions during your preparation and while applying. We can help you achieve this goal, but only if you’re willing to do your part. Whether you decide to take advantage of the resources we offer is entirely up to you.

Q. How do I make the most out of the classes or resources offered?

  • As with most courses, if you want to get a lot out of class, you have to put a lot into it. Our courses are no different. Show up prepared and ready to work, be fully present in class (not working on other homework), be thoughtful about how you apply the content provided, and complete the homework given. If you have questions, ask them. If you have comments, share them.

Q. Is there a way to suggest topics for classes or workshops?

  • Yes! We are open to your feedback and suggestions! On the “About Us” page of this website, there is an easy way to submit ideas or thoughts. We’d love to hear from you.