Courtney Klipp, director of Health Professions Advising at the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering at Loyola Marymount University, has been named one of the 50 best pre-health advisors in the country by Inspira Advantage.
For more than eight years, Klipp has guided students through the complex journey to medical and other health professions schools, providing individualized advising that goes beyond test scores and applications. “I was truly honored by this recognition,” Klipp said. “It’s always meaningful when your work with students is seen and valued.”
Klipp’s approach to this work is rooted in personalized, one-on-one connections with students. “Every student is unique, with different strengths and challenges,” she said. “My goal is to ensure that each student feels heard and supported in the way that works best for them.”
Over the years, she has helped students navigate the admissions process for medical, dental, and other health professions schools, often providing mentorship that extends far beyond standard advising. Her work reflects a deep commitment not only to individual students but also to underrepresented populations. “As a first generation college graduate myself, it’s especially meaningful to empower students to overcome obstacles and realize their potential,” Klipp said.
For Klipp, the ultimate goal is to help students maintain confidence throughout the demanding process of pursuing a health profession. “I want students to believe in themselves. If they can maintain or build their self-confidence, it makes a tremendous difference in their journey,” she said. Her support extends beyond academics to professional development, teaching students how to approach recommenders thoughtfully and build genuine relationships that strengthen their applications.
Klipp’s dedication to individualized support has yielded countless success stories. One post-baccalaureate student, after multiple attempts at the MCAT and facing a lifetime limit on test attempts, “completed our program, took the MCAT, and was admitted. It was incredibly rewarding to mentor a student on their application at such a critical moment in their journey.”
For Klipp, that experience has no expiration date. She provides advising to undergraduate and post-bac alumni who come through her programs, with the advantage of creating a long-term relationship tailored just to them.
One student, years after they began working with Health Professions Advising at LMU, sent an email with good news. The subject line? “We did it.” For Klipp, it was deeply rewarding to see her long-term guidance help a student achieve their goals and touching to be considered part of the larger team that contributed to that student living their dreams.
Klipp has also expanded opportunities for LMU students through partnerships with institutions like Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where students gain research and observership experience with residents. “It’s a highly competitive program, but students who participate gain invaluable experience and mentorship from faculty and residents,” she said.