Pre-Professional Advising Center: Cultivating Future Healthcare Leaders

The Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC) is one of Seton Hall University’s unique new initiatives to support career advancement in the pre-medicine and pre-health community. Serving as a hub for advising and programming aimed at students aspiring towards healthcare careers, P-PAC is an integral initiative aligned with Interim President Katia Passerini’s strategic vision for the University. Under the guidance of Inaugural Director, Chantal Vergara, the P-PAC addresses the increasing interest in medicine among incoming Seton Hall students.

Under Director Vergara’s guidance, the number of students matriculating into MD and DO medical schools has doubled in just one year. P-PAC offers a wealth of resources to supplement the great work of faculty, from MCAT test questions to hands-on workshops, ensuring students are well-prepared for their academic journeys.  Director Vergara's initiatives, such as the Pre-Health Advisory Committee and personalized letter collection service, simplify the medical school application process and facilitate students' transition.

P-PAC thrives as a bustling community hub, hosting over 40 engaging programs annually. From peer advisors to seasoned medical mentors, students find a supportive network and invaluable connections. Vergara’s emphasis on community-building shines through initiatives such as health professions huddles, bite-sized learning sessions and casual drop-in hours.

In the busy halls of P-PAC, Seton Hall University does more than prepare students for careers. It ignites passions, cultivates dreams and propels the next generation of healthcare visionaries forward.

Beyond the statistics and programs lie the real heart of P-PAC; the stories of our future healthcare leaders:

"Before the P-PAC, I felt confused and lost while navigating the path to medical school, and I even had doubts if I wanted to go. But, because of the continuous conversations with Ms. Vergara and the multitudes of resources the P-PAC has offered since its inception, ranging from medical panels to the MCAT prep, I felt prepared and excited to go into medicine again." - Milan Patel, M1, First Year Medical Student, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Seton Hall Class of 2022. 

"The P-PAC is a true gem at Seton Hall University, providing a structured and thorough framework for students like myself to prepare a successful medical school application. From personalized advising with constructive feedback to hosting mock interviews (both traditional and MMI), workshops, and meetings with medical school admissions teams, the PPAC truly does it all." - Russell Cook, M1, First Year Medical Student, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Seton Hall University Class of 2022. 

"I am very thankful for the guidance and support I received from the P-PAC during my medical school application cycle. By the time AMCAS opened in May, my entire application was already completed and reviewed. I also appreciated that the P-PAC collected and submitted my Letters of Recommendation for me. The mock interview I had with the P-PAC helped me feel more confident about my upcoming medical school interviews. When I talk about my experience with the Seton Hall University P-PAC, my medical school classmates are jealous and wish their undergraduate universities offered something similar! I truly can’t say enough good things about the P-PAC team! I’m proud to be a pirate!" - Kellyanne Murphy, M1, First Year Medical Student, Albany Medical College, Seton Hall University Class of 2021.

"Having access to the P-PAC and its resources was extremely helpful during my time at Seton Hall University. The workshops and advising that were offered helped me complete my application to medical school ahead of time and ensured I was a prepared applicant. Even in medical school, many of my peers were shocked to hear about how involved the P-PAC was in supporting premed students! I am grateful for the P-PAC and all the help they provided while I was at Seton Hall." - Radha Patel, M1, First Year Medical Student, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Seton Hall University Class of 2022. 

“The support and opportunities I received from the P-PAC were an integral part of getting me to where I am today,  living out my dream of becoming a physician! The P-PAC team provided me with constructive application advice individualized to my personal experiences and strengths. In addition to mock interview preparation, they also provided a space for me to conduct my virtual interviews in a private, professional setting. The various networking opportunities provided by the P-PAC, especially the annual Health Professions Expo, were a great way for me to make connections within the field of medicine before even entering professional school. Thank you to everyone at the P-PAC for helping me turn my dreams into reality!" - Jillian Lazzara, OMS1, First Year Medical Student, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Seton Hall Class of 2023. 

Categories: Education, Health and Medicine