Students will have a chance to learn about pre-professional options at an open house Tuesday hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Academic Services.

Students, faculty and staff can learn about these programs, which include areas such as law and medicine, from 3:30 — 5 p.m. in the lounge of the Jischke Honors Building.

“It’s to promote awareness that the [pre-professional] program does exist on campus and for them to meet other students interested in the same areas as they are,” said Bruce Allen, coordinator of the pre-law program and liberal arts and sciences academic adviser.

Advisers from the three main pre-professional areas — pre-medical/pre-health, pre-law and pre-veterinary sciences — will be at the open house to answer questions about the programs. Refreshments will also be served.

Jennifer Owens, coordinator of the pre-medical/pre-health programs and liberal arts and sciences academic adviser, stressed that pre-professional services, which include mostly advising, is available to any student in any major with an interest in pre-professional studies.

“I’ve seen students from every college who are planning on careers in human health areas,” Owens said. “They can get advice on preparing for professional entrance tests, class work and being accepted into professional schools.”

Owens also said advisers try to provide activities for pre-professional students. For example, last year she took a group of students to the University of Iowa for a pre-med conference and another group went to Drake University for a pre-law conference.

Owens estimated at least 1,000 ISU students are interested in one of the pre-professional areas. Of those 1,000 students, 650 are interested in pre-med/pre-health programs.

Ashley Glade, junior in biology, is a student in the pre-med program.

“[My pre-health sciences adviser] has been a great resource for my questions concerning class selection, MCAT preparation and the medical school application process,” Glade said. “She is always willing to lend an ear when I have a question or concern about getting into medical school.”

Molly Walker, junior in exercise and sports science, is in the pre-optometry program. Being in a pre-professional program has a slight effect on some of the classes Walker chooses to take.

“Within the exercise and sports science area, I take courses required by that major, and I also take courses that are prerequisites for optometry school,” Walker said.

Walker also said she receives a pre-professional newsletter each week that has information about club meetings and other activities. She said Iowa State offers clubs like the pre-optometry club and pre-physical therapy club that help students learn about a particular field.

Owens said the pre-professional programs at Iowa State are not a substitution for a student’s major.

“Students still have their own academic major for a bachelor’s degree, but they can use our services,” Owens said.

“Being in a pre-professional program doesn’t show up on a transcript; it’s just a way we identify students on campus who have that interest.”