Pre-professional programs
ENVISION Magazine, 2004

The pre-dental field attracts students who tend to work in the healthcare field and to run their own practice, says advisor Mike Woller, professor of biological sciences. He is currently advising three students who are in dental school right now and six others he predicts will be admitted.

“Most of the students I advise with the academic power to succeed in dental school end up going,” Woller said.

Jeff Winn’70, decided upon a career path during his high school days. Influenced by his uncle, James J. Winn, a dentist and 1938 graduate of UW‑Whitewater, and his cousin, James H. Winn ’75, now a dentist in Monticello, Wis., Winn chose the preprofessional route. With a major in biology and a minor in chemistry, Winn graduated from UW-Whitewater and went on to attend Marquette Dental School. Since graduating from there in 1974, he has owned a private practice in Delavan.

Woller also advises the pre-veterinary medicine students, who he says tend to be a diverse group. Many start as freshmen with the goal of becoming a veterinarian, but find they are not able to keep up with the rigor of that academic challenge which requires a 3.8 GPA or better, much volunteer work, research and a strong curriculum.

“The competition of veterinary school can be overwhelming. Thousands apply for 80 seats at UW-Madison alone,” Woller said. “Yet, we have been quite successful in placing pre-vet students – six in the past eight years.” – Jane Provorse