Explore Your Future in Health Careers at Siena
At Siena, we’re dedicated to helping you build a meaningful and impactful career in healthcare. Whether you dream of becoming a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, or public health expert, Siena offers a variety of pathways to get you there. With personalized advising, hands-on learning opportunities, and strong connections to leading graduate programs and healthcare organizations, you’ll have the tools you need to succeed in this dynamic and growing field.
Discover the details of Siena’s health career pathways — this is your starting point to explore the possibilities, gain real-world experience, and make a difference in the lives of others.
Pursuing a career in medicine offers the opportunity to make a profound impact on patients’ lives by diagnosing and treating illnesses. Medical school requires a strong academic foundation, clinical experiences, and a passion for lifelong learning. Explore how to prepare, from completing prerequisites to excelling on the MCAT, and gain tips for standing out as a competitive applicant — MD and DO.
Note: The following course requirements should serve as a general guideline since program requirements vary.
Common Course Requirements
● General Biology w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Organic Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Physics w/labs: 2 semesters
● Statistics/Calculus: 1-2 semesters
● English Composition: 1-2 semesters
Additional Courses
(Depending on the program)
● Biochemistry
● Microbiology
● Genetics
● Cell biology
● Psychology, Sociology, and Social Psychology (new section on MCAT 2015)
Common Admissions Requirements
● Official MCAT test scores (January-June is the preferred time to take the test)
● Pre-health committee interview and evaluation is highly recommended for most medical schools
● Four letters of recommendation
o Two letters from science faculty
o One letter from humanities or social science faculty
o One health care experience
● Minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher
● Volunteer and/or work experience in a health care setting
A career in dentistry combines science, artistry, and patient care to maintain oral health and restore smiles. Dental school admissions prioritize strong academics, manual dexterity, and a demonstrated commitment to the profession. Learn about prerequisite courses, DAT preparation, and shadowing opportunities that can set you apart.
Note: The following course requirements should serve as a general guideline only since program requirements vary.
Common Course Requirements
● General Biology w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Organic Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Physics w/labs: 2 semesters
● Statistics/Calculus: 2 semesters
● English Composition: 2 semesters
Additional Courses
(Depending on the program)
● Biochemistry
● Microbiology
● Genetics
● Cell biology
● Anatomy
● Social sciences/humanities coursework
Common Admissions Requirements
● Official Dental Admission Test (DAT) test scores (May-June is the preferred time to take the test)
● Pre-health committee interview and evaluation is highly recommended for most dental schools
● Three to four letters of recommendation (at least one from a dentist)
● Minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher
● Community service and volunteer/work experience in a health care setting (including dental practice or clinic)
Optometrists play a vital role in eye care, from prescribing glasses to detecting serious eye conditions. Optometry school requires a strong background in sciences, the OAT exam, and experience shadowing optometrists. Discover how to strengthen your application and prepare for a rewarding career in vision care.
Common Course Requirements
● General Biology w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Organic Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Physics w/labs: 2 semesters
● Statistics/Calculus: 1-2 semesters
● English Composition: 1-2 semesters
Additional Courses
(Depending on the program)
● Biochemistry
● Microbiology
● Public Speaking
● Psychology
● Sociology
Common Admissions Requirements
● Official Optometry Admission Test (OAT) test scores
● Pre-health committee interview/evaluation is highly recommended for most optometry schools
● Three to four letters of recommendation (at least one from an optometrist)
● Minimum GPA of 3.00 or higher
● Community service and volunteer/work experience in a health care setting
Physical therapists help patients regain movement and manage pain through personalized treatment plans. Admission to PT programs emphasizes a strong GPA, GRE scores, and experience in physical therapy settings. Learn how to fulfill prerequisites, gain relevant experience, and build a competitive application.
Common Course Requirements
● General Biology w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Anatomy and Physiology I & II w/labs: 2 semesters
● Physics w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Psychology: 1 semester
● Statistics: 1 semester
● English Composition: 1 semester
● Other Biology (Cell biology, Genetics): 1 semester
● Other Psychology (child, abnormal, lifespan): 1 semester
Additional Courses
(Depending on the program)
● Advanced Math (calculus, college algebra)
● Medical Terminology
● Exercise Physiology/Kinesiology
● Biochemistry
● Computer science
● Microbiology
Common Admissions Requirements
● Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test scores
● Three to four letters of recommendation
● Minimum GPA of 3.00 or higher
● Significant physical therapy volunteer/work experience w/licensed physical therapist
Occupational therapists enable individuals to lead independent and fulfilling lives by developing adaptive strategies. OT programs seek students with a background in health sciences, observation hours, and a commitment to patient-centered care. Explore how to prepare academically and professionally for this meaningful career.
Common Course Requirements
● General Biology w/labs: 2 semesters
● Anatomy and Physiology I & II w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Psychology: 1 semester
● Psychology of Child Development: 1 semester
● Abnormal Psychology: 1 semester
● Statistics: 1 semester
● Intro to Sociology/Anthropology: 1 semester
● Sociology of Aging (or Lifespan Development): 1 semester
Additional Requirements
(Depending on the program)
● Medical Terminology
● Ethics/Philosophy
● English Composition/Literature
● General Physics w/lab: 1 or 2 semesters
● Exercise Physiology/Kinesiology
● Research Methods
● Chemistry
Common Admissions Requirements
● Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Test Scores
● Two to three letters of recommendation
● Minimum GPA of 3.00 or higher
● Significant volunteer, shadowing, work experience in patient care
Physician assistants are versatile healthcare providers who work closely with doctors to deliver patient care. PA programs value clinical experience, strong academic performance, and leadership skills. Learn how to gain patient care hours, excel in prerequisites, and shine during interviews.
Common Course Requirements
● General Biology w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry: 1 semester
● Anatomy and Physiology I & II w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Psychology: 1 semester
● Statistics: 1 semester
● Intro to Sociology: 1 semester
● Microbiology w/lab: 1 semester
● English Composition: 1 semester
Additional Requirements
(Depending on the program)
● College Algebra
● Genetics
● Cell Biology
● Other Social/Behavioral sciences
Common Admissions Requirements
● Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
● Two to three letters of recommendation
● Minimum GPA of 3.00 or higher
● Patient care experience is a major part of the application to PA programs. Programs require 1,000 – 3,000+ hours of direct patient care experience (hands-on, contact experience with patients in a medical care setting) prior to applying.
Veterinarians care for animals of all shapes and sizes, combining a passion for animals with scientific expertise. Veterinary school requires strong academics, GRE or CASPer scores, and significant animal care experience. Find out how to prepare for this challenging and rewarding career path.
Common Course Requirements
● General Biology w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Organic Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Physics w/labs: 2 semesters
● Statistics/Calculus: 1-2 semesters
● English Composition: 1-2 semesters
Additional Courses
(Depending on the program)
● Biochemistry
● Microbiology
● Genetics
● Public Speaking
● Humanities/Social Sciences
Common Admissions Requirements
● Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test scores (should be taken by October 1st)
● Three to four letters of recommendation (at least one from a veterinarian or research scientist)
● Minimum GPA of 3.00 or higher
● Significant volunteer/work experience w/animals in a hospital, clinic, kennel, shelter, lab, zoo, etc.
Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. Podiatry programs require a solid foundation in the sciences, completion of the MCAT, and exposure to the field through shadowing or clinical experience. Learn how to prepare for this unique and impactful career in healthcare.
Note: The following course requirements should serve as a general guideline since program requirements vary.
Common Course Requirements
● General Biology w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Organic Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Physics w/labs: 2 semesters
● Statistics/Calculus: 1-2 semesters
● English Composition: 1-2 semesters
Additional Courses
(Depending on the program)
● Additional Biology coursework such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetics
● Communication courses
● Psychology
● Sociology
Common Admissions Requirements
● MCAT test scores are accepted by most podiatry schools, but some schools will accept the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or DAT test scores, so please check with each school.
● Three to four letters of recommendation (at least one from a podiatrist)
● Minimum GPA of 3.00 or higher
● Community service and volunteer/work experience in a health care setting
Chiropractors focus on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders, emphasizing hands-on spinal adjustments and overall wellness. Chiropractic programs look for students with a background in health sciences, experience in patient care, and an understanding of holistic health. Explore how to prepare academically and gain insights into this dynamic field.
Note: The following course requirements should serve as a general guideline since program requirements vary.
Common Course Requirements
● General Biology w/labs: 2 semesters
● General Chemistry w/labs: 2 semesters
● Organic Chemistry w/labs: 1-2 semesters
● Physics w/labs: 2 semesters
● Statistics/Calculus: 1-2 semesters
● English Composition/Literature: 1-2 semesters
Additional Courses
(Depending on the program)
● Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry II w/lab
● Microbiology
● Genetics
● Psychology
● Humanities/Social Sciences (15 credit hours)
Common Admissions Requirements
● Personal statement
● Three letters of recommendation (at least one from a Doctor of Chiropractic)
● Minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher
● Shadowing or volunteer experience (especially in a chiropractic office)