Extracurriculars aren't really "extra" any more.

Increasingly, Healthcare admissions and hiring decisions are based on prior experience, particularly in service to people or directly with patients.  We want our student applicants to be highly competitive, with resumes that go beyond the bare minimum. 

Therefore, beneficial extracurriculars must be planned into the successful PreHealth student's schedule just as surely as classes are.  UW Oshkosh and the surrounding region provide abundant opportunities for students of all interests and stages.

It's often helpful to think about extracurriculars that challenge the student out of his or her "comfort zone". This may involve working with unfamiliar groups of people, or in an unfamiliar geographical location.   The practice of healthcare will bring its own challenges, so learning to overcome them can be a valuable part of the college experience. 

Probably the most important extracurricular of all is the "job shadow". This experience with an actual practitioner ensures that the student knows the realities of the job and can ideally provide a recommendation letter that carries a great deal of weight. 

Click here to see the current campus Healthcare Events Calendar.

Click here to learn about Job Shadows.

Click here to learn about Study Abroad opportunities.

Click here to learn how our Career Services Office can help find jobs and prepare you for them.

Click here to learn about Undergraduate Research opportunities.

Click here to learn about Internships.

Click here to learn about Volunteering in our community and region.

Click here to learn about on-the-job experience with a Healthcare job during college.

Many students have employment and/or family obligations that limit their time for extracurriculars.  Admissions committees and potential employers need to hear about such limitations in order to take them into account.  Additionally, experience caring for an ill family member actually counts as healthcare-related experience.  It's up to the student how much or how little of this private history to share. 

Return to main Healthcare Web Page.