Pre-Health
Connect With UsThe Piper Center supports all pre-health students and graduates on a variety of career paths as they develop into future healthcare professionals. We work holistically with students at all stages of their career exploration, encouraging self-reflection and stressing the importance of intellectual development, personal integrity, and professionalism. Through individual coaching appointments, workshops, and opportunities to explore interests, skills, and goals, Oles build a strong foundation for a competitive application and a meaningful future career.
Acceptance rate of *competitive candidates to medical (MD) schools in 2021-22
Overall acceptance rate to dental schools in the past two years (2020-21, 2021-22)
MD and DO schools where Oles matriculated in the past year (2021-22)
* competitive candidates are defined as having a GPA of 3.7 or above, and an MCAT score of 510 or higher
Internships and Research in Pre-Health
The 2024 Health Scholars at Mayo Clinic.
Nursing at St. Olaf
The St. Olaf College Nursing Program takes a holistic approach to the field of nursing; integrating development of the whole person, a commitment to lifelong learning, and service to others. Ole nurses are well prepared for professional practice and/or graduate school to earn advanced degrees. After four years of study, students are eligible to complete the RN licensure examination offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
(Image on the right) Ole nursing majors using the new nursing department simulation for class.
View Current Nursing Events & Opportunities in Handshake
Click here to see current events and opportunities for students to gain experience in nursing.
Coaching and Resources
St. Olaf has a range of pre-health internships from structured shadowing during interim to cohort summer internships at hospitals. The Piper Center has collaborated with organizations from a small private business to a destination medical center to encourage students to explore a range of medical settings.
Please stop by the Piper Center anytime during business hours to have an initial conversation with a Peer Advisor. When you are ready to go further and meet with our Pre-Health career coach, Dana Rechtzigel, please schedule an appointment through Handshake. To meet with Kevin Crisp, Chair of Health Professions Committee, please schedule an appointment for his office hours in the Piper Center through Handshake.
Piper Center Events
Dana L Rechtzigel (she, her, hers)
Associate Director, Career Development and Coaching, Pre-Health
Office Hours: Fall Semester: M,T,W,Th,F by Appointment in Handshake; Drop In's: Fridays 3-5pm
View Profile →Paul Edwards (he, him, his)
Associate Director of Career Development and Coaching, STEM
Kevin Crisp
Professor of Biology; Director of Health Professions Committee
Office Hours: Drop-in office hours in RNS 220 M 10-11, Th 9-12; Use this link for scheduling appointments to meet me in the Piper Center
View Profile →Alumni in the Spotlight
The Pain Managers
The patient was a young man, an assistant at a school for troubled youth. One day, a situation at the school got out of hand. A student attacked him, crushing his left hand and breaking his fingers.
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A perfect place to prepare for dental school
Annika Johnson ’18 came to St. Olaf College knowing that with just 66 schools of dentistry in the nation, the application process is extremely competitive — even more so, in many ways, than medical school.
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Opportunities That Have A Real Impact: Rockswold Health Scholars Program
Neurosurgeon Gaylan Rockswold ’62 created a program that gives current St. Olaf students hands-on medical and research experience — and an incredible mentor.
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St. Olaf announces 2018 Alumni Award winners
St. Olaf College recently announced its 2018 Alumni Award winners: Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Wendy Helgemo ’91, Alumni Achievement Award recipient Craig Hella Johnson ’84, and Outstanding Service Award recipient Jon Hallberg ’88.
Jon Hallberg ’88 is the medical director of the University of Minnesota Physicians Mill City Clinic and associate professor of family medicine and community health. He recently ended a 21-year tenure as medical director of the Minnesota Twins Employee Assistance Program and has been the regular medical commentator on Minnesota Public Radio’s regional “All Things Considered” since 2003.
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A career in research that has made a difference for patients and public health
St. Olaf EMTs win national awards for second consecutive year
Student View: How I Saved A Stranger’s Life
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