Lori Richard* and her colleagues write in the NACADA journal of the value of high impact practices (HIPs) on professional school acceptance in the health sciences. Traditional measures such as GPA to scores on standardized exams provide insight into a student’s potential. Equally important are other activities that can further prepare a student for advanced education and the acquisition of vitally important skills.
Richard et al (2021) emphasizes the value of HIPs including internships, practicum, and capstone for professional school admission. Students who gain proficiency in a setting that includes direct experience along with the chance to apply their knowledge with a final project, are better prepared for admission to a professional school based on their analysis of 378 graduates. Experience matters.
As gerontologists, our role is to provide students with a multitude of opportunities to interact with aging adults. Contrary to popular opinion, most older adults do not live in nursing homes but are thriving in the community. From interviews in GERO 200/Introduction to Gerontology (an ACE 6) to creating a special project for classes such as GERO 494/Practicum, students are gaining the sort of HIP experiences that can be impactful to their future career trajectory.
When advising students who want to achieve their goal of schooling after graduating from UNL, consider offering the gerontology certificate or the gerontology minor as an option for gaining experience with the future. Even those wanting to work with children will find their days somehow intersecting with aging adults. Whether in their own home or in their professional life, understanding the aging experience is invaluable to their educational preparation at UNL. Gerontology matters.
*Richard, L.H., Plaisance, J.M., Scott, B. & Poche,’ R.J. (2021). High Impact Practices and Professional School Acceptance in Health Science Concentrations. NACADA Journal, 41 (2), 18-26.
For more information or if students have questions about the minor or certificate please contact:
Mollie George (advisor)
molliegeorge@nebraska.edu
527 Nebraska Hall (5th floor)
901 N. 17th St, Lincoln NE 68588-0562
Office: 402-472-0756
More details at: https://gerontology.unl.edu/