Public Health & Pre-Med at Dartmouth

Written By Kourtney .

This resource is for Dartmouth students pursuing public health, pre-med, or somewhere in between. Whether you're committed to med school, passionate about policy, or figuring out what you love about health equity, this guide is here to help you explore, connect, and thrive.

Start Here: Know Your Why

Reflect:

  • What draws you to health and healing?

  • Do you want to work directly with patients, behind the scenes in systems, or both?

  • What communities do you want to serve, and how?

Use this reflection to guide which experiences to say yes to (and which to skip!).

 Pre-Med at Dartmouth

Academic Support

  • Health Professions Program (HPP): Offers pre-med advising, mock interviews, AMCAS help, and more.

  • Office of Undergraduate Advising & Research (UGAR): Guidance on faculty advising, research, and independent projects.

Classes

  • Core pre-med courses are offered across Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math departments. Check the Pre-Health Course Timeline on the HPP website.

Clinical Exposure

  • Dartmouth-Hitchcock Shadowing: Opportunities at DHMC arranged through HPP.

  • Dick’s House Student Health Services Internships

  • Nathan Smith Society Clinical Shadowing

Student Orgs

  • Nathan Smith Society (NSS): Dartmouth’s hub for pre-health students.

  • Dartmouth Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS): A student-led organization for underrepresented students in medicine.

Research

  • Dartmouth Undergraduate Research Association (DURA)

  • Guarini School Research Assistant Roles

  • Ask professors in Biology, Chemistry, or Geisel for lab opportunities.

Funding & Fellowships

  • WISP (Women in Science Project) – Paid first-year internships.

  • UGAR Research Grants – Fund independent or mentored research.

Public Health Pathways at Dartmouth

Key Departments & Institutes

  • Geisel School of Medicine – MPH Program: Strong alumni pipeline and possible fifth-year MPH track for Dartmouth undergrads.

  • The Dartmouth Institute (TDI): Public health research, internships, and policy-focused projects.

  • Global Health at Dartmouth: Coordinates research and global internships.

Courses to Explore

  • PBPL 45: Health Policy and Clinical Practice

  • ANTH 12: Human Evolution and Adaptation

  • SOCY 75: Social Determinants of Health

  • AAAS/SOCY/GEOG offerings on race, place, and health disparities

Public Health Fellowships & Programs

  • Eichler ’57 Health Care Leaders Fellowship

  • Dartmouth Cancer Scholars Program

  • Dartmouth Global Health Fellows

  • Tucker Center Public Health Internships

Clubs & Student Orgs

  • GlobeMed at Dartmouth

  • Dartmouth Coalition for Global Health

  • Dartmouth Health Justice Society

Internships & Experiential Learning

  • Rockefeller Center Policy Research Shop

  • Dickey Center for International Understanding (global health work!)

  • Center for Technology and Behavioral Health (CTBH): Student roles in digital health research

Additional Fellowships & Grad Pathways

Grad School & Summer Programs

  • Health Career Connection Internship Program

  • Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)

  • Geisel Health Sciences Programs (MPH, MS, etc.)

National Opportunities

  • Amgen Scholars

  • NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)

  • CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS)

Funding & Mentorship

  • Tucker Center: Grants for community-based work

  • Stamps Scholars Program

  • Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (for public health & race-based research)

Pro Tips for Navigating Dartmouth as a Pre-Health/Public Health Student

  • Build relationships with faculty early. Ask questions, attend office hours, and share your interests.

  • Say yes to opportunities—but protect your peace. Not every resume line is worth your joy.

  • Use UGAR and HPP. They exist to help you.

  • Find your people. Whether through MAPS, GlobeMed, or a study group, support matters.

  • Track your experiences. Keep a journal or spreadsheet to log hours, insights, and reflections.

  • Don’t be afraid to pivot. Pre-health isn’t a one-lane path. If you find joy in policy, research, or business, follow it.

You Got This.

Whether you're headed to med school, working on health equity, or still figuring it out, your journey is valid. Let this guide remind you: you belong in every room of health leadership. And at Dartmouth, you’ve got a whole network of support to help you thrive.

Explore with confidence. Lead with care.

Love,

Kourt


Kourtney .
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