Cornell University

Exploring Health Careers

There are many sites containing extensive information to help you explore and prepare to enter one of the health career areas:

Click a link category to expand. | expand all

Health Careers
  • Health Professions Websites (NEAAHP)

    NEAAHP is committed to providing resources for our membership to stay informed about the various professions available to our students interested in Careers in the Health Professions.

  • HealthCorps

    An AmeriCorps program, Community HealthCorps is the largest health-focused, national AmeriCorps program that promotes health care for America's underserved, while developing tomorrow's health care workforce.  Community HealthCorps members (through AmeriCorps) perform a variety of activities associated with health services and programs for patients and community, often by functioning as community health workers. Benefits include living allowance, health care, education award. Must be U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.

  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Research Listings

    A database of HHMI-funded summer research experiences in the sciences. Search by location and test.

  • Loyola University Summer Undergraduate Research Program

    A 10-week biomedical research internship in molecular microbiology, immunology or virology. Chicago. Under the guidance of a selected faculty member, the student will actively participate in an ongoing research project. He or she will learn basic research skills, attend various scientific seminars and journal clubs, participate in a series of special summer workshops and present his or her results to the department. Open to sophomores and juniors.

  • Mabelle Arole Fellowship

    For pre-meds – must be accepted to medical school but not begun. Fellows live, work, and learn in Jamkhed, India for one year and gain experience in the hospital (in-patient and out-patient and in the field) and work on a project. Funding provided for housing, living expenses, and airfare.

  • Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

    Each year, 120 sophomores and juniors from around the U.S. come to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to work beside both young and established scientists on a broad range of biomedical research questions. A limited number of fellowships are also available the Mayo Clinic campuses in Jacksonville, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona.

  • Military Social Work

    Information on the field of military social work.

  • National Association of Free Clinics

    Directory of Free Clinics throughout the U.S.

  • National Cancer Institute Summer Fellowship

    A paid, eight-week summer research experience in Washington DC for students (freshmen - recent grads) interested in exploring careers in cancer epidemiology, biostatistics, and genetics. Stipend provided.

  • Overlook Hospital Summer Internship (Volunteer)

    A four-week program in Summit, New Jersey. Interns observe and participate in rounds, lectures, and peer meetings to learn about the variety of fields of medicine. There is a $500 fee.

  • Pasteur Foundation Summer Undergraduate Internships

    Provides U.S. rising seniors the opportunity to conduct summer biomedical and bioscience research at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. Stipend, internship lasts ten weeks. Deadline in January.

  • Peterson's Guides

    Comprehensive guide to college information. (Also accessible through CCNet.)

  • Travelers Summer Research Fellowship Program

    Gives 25 premedical sophomores, juniors, and seniors deeper insights into the field of medicine, including issues that greatly affect the health of traditionally underserved groups. Through laboratory or clinical research, students learn how one pursues a specific research problem under the supervision of a faculty member, thus providing an early education into basic research techniques that could be applicable to any area of medicine.

  • Unite for Sight Global Impact Fellows

    Through hands-on, structured training, Global Impact Fellows gain a comprehensive understanding about the complexities and realities of global health, and they learn about best practices in volunteerism, global health, social entrepreneurship, and international development. Programs are available in Ghana, India, and Honduras. There are minimal costs for lodging and food. Global Impact Fellows can participate from seven days to multiple months, up to a full year or more.

Human Medicine
  • AAMC Graduate/MD Programs

    As you explore the MD-PhD career option, this site enables you to ask good questions and to make informed decisions. You should also contact individual MD-PhD programs for answers to specific questions.

  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

    AANP is a professional membership organization in the United States for NPs of all specialties.

  • American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

    The American AAPA is a national organization that represents physician assistants in all specialties and all employment settings.

  • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)

    The AACOM represents the administration, faculty, and students of the nation's osteopathic medical schools.

  • American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)

    The AACPM is a not-for-profit educational association consisting of six colleges of podiatric medicine and over 200 hospitals and institutions that offer graduate or postdoctoral training in podiatric medicine.

  • American College of Physician Executives (ACPE)

    ACPE is the AMA-recognized specialty society representing physicians in health care leadership.

  • American Health Care Association (AHCA)

    The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is a non-profit federation of affiliated state health organizations, together representing more than 11,000 non-profit and for-profit nursing facility, assisted living, developmentally-disabled, and subacute care providers that care for approximately one million elderly and disabled individuals each day.

  • American Heart Association Summer Fellowship - Midwest

    Encourages juniors and seniors from all disciplines to consider research careers while supporting the highest quality scientific investigation broadly related to cardiovascular disease and stroke. Various Midwest locations.

  • American Medical Association

    Since 1847 the American Medical Association (AMA) has had one mission: to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

  • American Nurses Association (ANA)

    The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation's 3.1 million registered nurses through its constituent member nurses associations and its organizational affiliates. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

  • American Physician Scientists Association (APSA)

    Addresses the needs of future physician scientists, their training and career development.

  • Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)

    The AAMC is a non-profit association representing the nation's accredited medical schools, nearly 400 major teaching hospitals, faculty in academic and scientific societies, many medical students and residents.

  • Discover Nursing

    Search for schools and specialties.

  • Gooznews

    A health wonk's newsletter and blog.

  • Health + Medical + Jobs

    Search for healthcare jobs and medical employment opportunities from across the U.S.

  • Health Professions Websites (NEAAHP)

    NEAAHP is committed to providing resources for our membership to stay informed about the various professions available to our students interested in Careers in the Health Professions.

  • MD/PhD Training and Resources

    The GREAT Group provides professional development to, and fosters the exchange of information and ideas among, the faculty and administrative leaders of biomedical PhD, MD-PhD, and postdoctoral programs. The Group functions as a national forum to help these programs achieve their goal of educating successful biomedical researchers.

  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences

    Information on research for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

  • National Institute of Health Training Programs

    The OITE offers comprehensive career/professional/personal development activities for trainees at all educational levels.

  • National League for Nursing

    The National League for Nursing promotes excellence in nursing education to build a strong and diverse workforce to advance the nation's health.

  • Peterson's Guides

    Comprehensive guide to college information. (Also accessible through CCNet.)

  • Student Doctor

    The Student Doctor Network (SDN) is a nonprofit website, dedicated to the pre-health and health professional student community. Includes med school interview reports.

  • Summer Medical and Dental Education Program

    Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) is a FREE (full tuition, housing, and meals) six-week summer academic enrichment program that offers freshman and sophomore college students intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation.

  • The Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars Program (FICRS)

    FICRS was initiated in 2003 as the Fogarty International Center/Ellison Program. The FICRS program is a one-year, mentored training experience which provides opportunities for U.S. graduate students in the health professions to participate in clinical research and have hands-on experience at top-ranked, NIH-funded research centers across the globe.

  • The Next Generation

    Reveals the inner workings of medicine and the medical life. Includes selected materials from The New England Journal of Medicine.

  • Weill Cornell Medical College

    Weill Medical College is a clinical and medical research center offering degrees in medicine, and Ph.D. programs in biomedical research and education.

Back to top

Veterinary Medicine

Back to top

Dentistry
  • American Dental Association (ADA)

    The ADA is the professional association of dentists that fosters the success of a diverse membership and advances the oral health of the public.

  • American Dental Education Association

    ADEA is a national organization for dental education. Members include all U.S. and Canadian dental schools, advanced dental education programs and hospital dental education programs.

  • Health + Medical + Jobs

    Search for healthcare jobs and medical employment opportunities from across the U.S.

  • Health Professions Websites (NEAAHP)

    NEAAHP is committed to providing resources for our membership to stay informed about the various professions available to our students interested in Careers in the Health Professions.

  • Peterson's Guides

    Comprehensive guide to college information. (Also accessible through CCNet.)

  • Summer Medical and Dental Education Program

    Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) is a FREE (full tuition, housing, and meals) six-week summer academic enrichment program that offers freshman and sophomore college students intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation.

Back to top

Nursing and Physician Assistant
  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

    AANP is a professional membership organization in the United States for NPs of all specialties.

  • American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

    The American AAPA is a national organization that represents physician assistants in all specialties and all employment settings.

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing

    Comprehensive site with information on the profession, schools, and financial aid.

  • American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

    The AANA is the professional organization for more than 44,000 nurse anesthetists. As advanced practice nurses, CRNAs administer more than 32 million anesthetics in the United States each year. CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia is available and are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America. They administer every type of anesthetic, and provide care for every type of surgery or procedure, from open heart to cataract to pain management.

  • American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)

    ACNM is a women's health care organization that provides research, accredits midwifery education programs, administers and promotes continuing education programs, and establishes clinical practice standards.

  • American Health Care Association (AHCA)

    The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is a non-profit federation of affiliated state health organizations, together representing more than 11,000 non-profit and for-profit nursing facility, assisted living, developmentally-disabled, and subacute care providers that care for approximately one million elderly and disabled individuals each day.

  • American Nurses Association (ANA)

    The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation's 3.1 million registered nurses through its constituent member nurses associations and its organizational affiliates. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

  • BestNursingDegree.com

    This is a directory of over 2,300 nursing schools. Their goal is to help the seeker find the best nursing degree for his/her needs.

  • Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

    The common application used by many PA programs.

  • Discover Nursing

    Search for schools and specialties.

  • Health + Medical + Jobs

    Search for healthcare jobs and medical employment opportunities from across the U.S.

  • Learn How to Become

    The guide begins with a comprehensive view of the larger nursing landscape, and then dives deeper into the field's many specializations, including registered nurses, licensed practical and vocational nurses, nurse practitioners, neonatal nurses and more. For each specialization, the guide examines the following elements: 1. Roles and responsibilities 2. Essential skills 3. Common and recommended educational paths 4. Career advancement 5. Salary by state and level 6. Related careers

  • National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist

    The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), founded in 1995, exists to enhance and promote the unique, high value contribution of the clinical nurse specialist to the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities, and to promote and advance the practice of nursing.

  • National League for Nursing

    The National League for Nursing promotes excellence in nursing education to build a strong and diverse workforce to advance the nation's health.

  • Nursing Career Center

    Trying to figure out which fields of nursing to pursue, or simply finding the perfect nursing job, can be a difficult and often time consuming endeavor. Nursingcareercenter.info was established to help nursing students as well as seasoned nursing professionals make better, more informed career and job choices by providing them with the most relevant, reliable and up-to-date occupational, career development, and job search information available.

  • NursingExplorer

    Are you new to nursing? Find out what it takes to become a nurse and the endless possibilities of nursing career, education requirements, job outlook, salary information and more.

  • Peterson's Guides

    Comprehensive guide to college information. (Also accessible through CCNet.)

  • Peterson's Nursing Programs

    Comprehensive nursing school information.

  • Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)

    Lists information on PA programs across the country.

  • Physician Assistant Program at Weill Cornell

    Cornell's PA Program is based at Weill Cornell Medical School in NYC.

Back to top

Fields Related to Health

Back to top

Exploring Other Health Fields

Back to top

Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • AAPS-AFPE Gateway Scholarships

    Funding to encourage outstanding pre-doctoral students, who have completed at least three semesters of graduate study and have not more than three and a half years remaining, to continue their studies and earn the Ph.D. in the pharmaceutical sciences at a U.S. school or college of pharmacy. Deadline in March.

  • American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)

    The Student Center has information on requirements, application, financial aid, etc.

  • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

    The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is the membership organization that works on behalf of pharmacists who practice in hospitals and health systems.

  • Pharmacy College Application Service - PharmCAS

    How to choose schools to apply to, the difference between pharmacy and pharmacology, the PharmD curriculum and more.

  • Virtual Library - Pharmacy

    Virtual Library provides links to information on pharmacy schools, pharmacy jobs, pharmaceutical companies, and other pharmacy-related internet resources.

Back to top

Bioethics and Other Health-Care Issues
  • Amercian Medical Association: Virtual Mentor

    Virtual Mentor is the American Medical Association's online ethics journal. The journal is open-access and advertisement-free—we strongly believe that ethics education for physicians and physicians-to-be is in the public's interest and should be made available without charge. Founded in 1999, Virtual Mentor (VM) explores the ethical issues and challenges that students, residents, and other physicians are likely to confront in their training and daily practice.

  • American Association for the History of Medicine

    The professional organization for historians of medicine.

  • American Medical Association: Advocacy

    Advocacy issues and links on the American Medical Association website.

  • American Society for Bioethics and Humanities

    Resources for locating information on bioethics and humanities education.

  • Center for Studying Health System Change

    The Center provides analysis about changes in the health care system with the goal of contributing to better health policy.

  • Community Catalyst

    Works to build consumer and community participation in shaping the U.S. health care system.

  • Environmental Health Information Service

    The Environmental Health Information Service is a source for current, peer-reviewed research and news on environmental factors that affect human health.

  • Global Health Education Consortium (GHEC)

    Founded in 1991, Global Health Education Consortium (GHEC) is a non-governmental agency consisting of faculty and health care educators dedicated to global education in health professions schools and residency programs. GHEC members are active in more than 70 health profession schools and training programs in the United States, Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.

  • Gooznews

    A health wonk's newsletter and blog.

  • Hastings Center

    Reflection on the ethical and social issues of medicine and medical science.

  • Health Affairs

    A policy journal of the health sphere.

  • Health Care for All - Western Europe

    An NPR series details the varied universal coverage health care systems of Western Europe.

  • Health Policy - Robert Wood Johnson Fdn.

    Policy, costs, disparities, prevention, and may other topics explored.

  • Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba

    Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba (MEDICC) is a non-profit organization working to enhance cooperation among the US, Cuban and global health communities aimed at better health outcomes

  • National Rural Health Association

    A national membership organization, whose mission is to improve the health and health care of rural Americans and to provide leadership on rural issues through advocacy, communications, education and research.

  • Office of Minority Health

    The mission of the OMH is to improve and protect the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will eliminate health disparities.

  • Physicians for a National Health Program

    A not-for-profit organization of physicians, medical students, and other health care professionals that support a national health insurance (NHI) program.

  • Physicians for Social Responsibility

    A public policy organization representing the medical and public health professions and concerned citizens, working together for nuclear disarmament, a healthful environment, and an end to the epidemic of gun violence.

  • Public Citizen Health Research Group

    A national, nonprofit advocacy organization founded by Ralph Nader in 1971 to pursue health care interests in Congress, the executive branch and the courts.

  • Science Daily

    News and articles on research in health and medicine, mind and brain, and other topics.

  • Street Medicine

    Providing health care to people who live on the streets around the world.

  • Student Doctor

    The Student Doctor Network (SDN) is a nonprofit website, dedicated to the pre-health and health professional student community. Includes med school interview reports.

  • The Next Generation

    Reveals the inner workings of medicine and the medical life. Includes selected materials from The New England Journal of Medicine.

  • The Pump Handle

    A "water cooler" for the public health crowd.

  • The Social Medicine Portal

    A blog and news source calling itself "an alternative to corporate health."

  • U.S. National Library of Medicine

    View historical collections, journals, and videos.

  • University Coalitions for Global Health

    Career profiles, fellowships, and related information on global health work.

  • What is Public Health?

    The place to start when contemplating a career in public health.

Back to top

Resources for Diversity Candidates

Back to top

Application Services

Medical/Dental.Veterinary

Back to top

Financial Aid Resources
  • AAMC Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools

    Develop your strategy for financing your medical education and locate funding sources.

  • AAPS-AFPE Gateway Scholarships

    Funding to encourage outstanding pre-doctoral students, who have completed at least three semesters of graduate study and have not more than three and a half years remaining, to continue their studies and earn the Ph.D. in the pharmaceutical sciences at a U.S. school or college of pharmacy. Deadline in March.

  • Access Group

    An organization whose mission is to provide financial support and solutions to help aspiring professionals achieve success.

  • Air Force Financial Assistance Program

    The Air Force offers full medical school scholarships for active-duty airmen, civilian employees, Guardsmen and Reservists.

  • All-USA College Academic Team

    Recognition program for exceptional full-time undergraduates at four-year institutions in the U.S. and its territories. Deadline: Late November. E-mail: allstars@usatoday.com Ph: 703-854-5890.

  • Army Health Professions Program

    Army Health Corps Scholarships for dental, medical, nursing, veterinary, education, etc.

  • BestNursingDegree.com

    This is a directory of over 2,300 nursing schools. Their goal is to help the seeker find the best nursing degree for his/her needs.

  • College Scholarship Service Financial Aid PROFILE

    The financial aid application service of the College Board -- a national, not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity.

  • CollegeScholarships.com

    Scholarships are available for high school, undergraduate, graduate and international students attending a college or technical school.

  • Fastaid.com

    The world's largest and oldest private-sector scholarships, graduate scholarships, worldwide scholarships, fellowships, grants and free undergraduate college scholarship database.

  • Fastweb

    Fastweb is the premier online resource for paying and preparing for college.

  • Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    Free application for Federal Student Aid.

  • FRESCH

    Free scholarship search engine.

  • Funding Resources for Practicing in Underserved Areas

    Contains information on and databases for accessing these resources. Do search using "underserved areas" to locate state programs.

  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute

    Year long Research Training Fellowships for Medical Students – Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. medical, dental, or veterinary program. The fellowship research may be conducted at any academic or nonprofit institution in the U.S., except the National Institutes of Health. Research may be conducted abroad if the fellow's mentor is affiliated with a U.S. institution. Deadline: Early January. Ph: 301-951-6708. E-mail: medfellows@hhmi.org

  • King Faisal Foundation Scholarship

    Awarded to outstanding Muslim students from any country to pursue postgraduate studies in medicine, science, or engineering at an American, Canadian, or European university or an institution of higher learning in any other industrially advanced country, such as New Zealand or Australia. Full tuition for 2-3 years of study, plus a generous monthly stipend.

  • Minorities - College Scholarships, Graduate Fellowships, Research Internships

    A database searchable by keyword, designed specifically for minority students.

  • National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

    Educational scholarships for those seeking to serve America's underserved communities.

  • Navy Health Professions Program

    Financial Aid for Navy Medical School.

  • NellieMae EDvisor

    Private education loans are available to make up the difference between other available funds and school costs. Nellie Mae offers one of the most popular private loans, the Smart Option Student Loan®.

  • NHSC Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program

    Serve with the NHSC while a professional student and receive financial assistance.

  • NIH's Common Fund's Global Health Program

    Supports biomedical research and training in chronic, non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, maternal-child health, mental health, emergency medicine, as well as in infectious diseases. The program includes two primary initiatives.

  • Project MedSend

    Develops funding and provides financial counsel to repay loans for healthcare workers who, "minister among the underserved at home and abroad."

  • Public Servcie Loan Forgiveness

    Loan forgiveness programs for health-care professionals working in public service (e.g., emergency management, public health, public safety, government, active duty military, medical school, and teaching hospitals).

  • SallieMae

    Private student loans to cover up to 100% of the cost of your education.

  • Scholarships4School

    Scholarships4School is a completely free resource provided by Graduate Educational Information Service (GEIS) to help those who are currently enrolled in college, or thinking about attending college, by providing them with a comprehensive guide to scholarships.

  • The Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars Program (FICRS)

    FICRS was initiated in 2003 as the Fogarty International Center/Ellison Program. The FICRS program is a one-year, mentored training experience which provides opportunities for U.S. graduate students in the health professions to participate in clinical research and have hands-on experience at top-ranked, NIH-funded research centers across the globe.

  • The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid

    FinAid was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools -- on or off the web.

Back to top

Alternative Routes

Pstbac, Foreign Medical School

Back to top

International Students and U.S. Medical Admissions

Back to top