Lori Meadows
Aspiring pre-med students should consider several factors when choosing a university. Firstly, they should assess their academic interests and goals, as majoring in a field they are passionate about can set them apart during the medical school admissions process. While science majors are common among pre-med students, humanities subjects can also make a strong impression, especially when paired with higher-level science courses. Additionally, pre-med students should seek universities that offer robust advising and support services, including career centres, health professions advising offices, and pre-med societies or clubs. These resources can provide guidance, networking opportunities, and access to internships, volunteer positions, and research projects. It is also beneficial to consider the university's acceptance rate, which can indicate the strength of its pre-med program and advising. While GPA and MCAT scores are crucial, medical schools also value well-rounded candidates with diverse extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and hands-on experience in healthcare settings. Ultimately, pre-med students should aim for a supportive academic environment that aligns with their interests and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth.
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What You'll Learn
Advising and mentorship
Premed students should consider the advising and mentorship opportunities available at a university before applying. Premed is not a major itself at most schools but a grouping of courses that prepare students for medical school. These include chemistry, biology, math, and lab work.
Advisors and mentors can help guide premed students in choosing their class schedule and planning their coursework strategically to ensure they fulfill all major and premed requirements. They can also help students find extracurricular activities and research positions.
Many universities have premed clubs and fraternities where students can get paired with an upperclassman mentor. There are also premed societies where undergraduate students can network with other premeds and gain access to resources and guidance.
When choosing a university, premed students should look for both formal and informal advising opportunities. This includes checking if the college has a formal career center and health professions advising office. Medical school advisers can provide valuable guidance during the application cycle, such as writing letters of recommendation and sending premed opportunities like internships and scholarships.
Additionally, premed students can seek advice from fellow premed students, upperclassmen, and alumni networks. They can also look for academic opportunities that pique their intellectual curiosity, such as conducting research for academic credit or writing a senior thesis.
It is important for premed students to build relationships with professionals and faculty who can serve as mentors and provide letters of recommendation. Shadowing physicians and seeking out laboratory experiences can also provide valuable mentorship opportunities.
Ultimately, premed students should aim to find a university with strong advising and mentorship resources to support their academic and career goals.
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Extracurriculars and clubs
When it comes to extracurriculars and clubs, pre-med students should look for opportunities that will help them stand out from other applicants and showcase their passion for medicine. While it's important to maintain a high GPA and MCAT score, extracurricular activities can set you apart in the medical school application process.
Relevance and Variety:
Look for extracurriculars that are relevant to the medical field and showcase a variety of skills and experiences. This could include volunteering, research, student government, or clubs related to medicine. Try to hold positions of leadership within these clubs, such as President or Vice President, as this will demonstrate your organisational and communication skills.
Hands-on Patient Care:
Seek out opportunities that provide hands-on patient care or clinical experience. This could include volunteering as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), working as a Medical Scribe in emergency departments, or becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). These experiences will not only provide you with valuable patient exposure but also help you develop essential skills for a career in medicine.
Shadowing Physicians:
Physician shadowing is a key extracurricular activity for pre-med students. Aim for 25-50 hours of shadowing different specialists in various settings, including clinics and hospitals. This will give you insight into the daily life of a doctor and demonstrate your commitment to the medical field.
Longitudinal Commitment:
Medical schools value longitudinal commitment to extracurricular activities. Rather than joining many clubs and spreading yourself too thin, focus on a few activities that you are passionate about and commit to them for the long term. This demonstrates dedication and a genuine interest in those areas.
Leadership and Mentorship:
Seek out leadership opportunities within your extracurriculars and clubs. Whether it's founding a new club, coordinating events, or serving as a mentor to fellow students, these experiences will enhance your resume and showcase your ability to take initiative. Additionally, seek out mentors within your extracurricular pursuits who can guide and inspire you in your medical career.
Personal Growth and Interests:
Don't forget to pursue extracurriculars that align with your personal interests and hobbies. Medical schools want to see well-rounded applicants who have a life outside of academics. Whether it's playing a sport, teaching guitar, or volunteering for a cause you're passionate about, these experiences can set you apart and showcase your unique character.
Remember, the extracurriculars you choose should be enjoyable and meaningful to you. While it's important to strategize and select activities that will enhance your application, passion and commitment are what will truly make you stand out as a pre-med student.
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Major and minor subjects
When it comes to choosing a university as a pre-med student, it's important to consider the range of major and minor subjects available. Premed is typically not a major itself but a grouping of courses that prepare students for medical school. These courses can vary slightly between universities, but they generally include chemistry, biology, math, and lab work.
While many pre-med students anticipate majoring in the sciences, it's not a requirement for medical school as long as you fulfil the pre-med requirements. Some universities offer traditional science majors, while others have more interdisciplinary options like human biology, public health, nutritional science, and health public policy. If you're interested in a humanities major, such as languages, literature, or philosophy, you can still pursue pre-med by strategically planning your coursework to include higher-level science courses.
When choosing a major, it's essential to consider your interests and goals. Any major is fine as long as you take higher-level science courses and maintain a good BCPM GPA. You can also look for opportunities to conduct research, engage in extracurricular activities, and gain hands-on experience in healthcare settings.
Additionally, consider the support and resources offered by the university. Seek out academic advising, pre-med clubs, and mentorship opportunities to guide you through your pre-med journey. Remember to plan efficiently and maintain a balanced lifestyle to avoid burnout during your pre-med studies.
In summary, when choosing a university as a pre-med student, explore the range of major and minor subjects offered, fulfil the necessary pre-med requirements, follow your interests and goals, and take advantage of academic support and extracurricular opportunities to enhance your medical school application.
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GPA and MCAT scores
When it comes to choosing a university as a pre-med student, one of the most important factors to consider is the academic environment that will allow you to achieve and maintain a good GPA. GPA is a significant metric in med school admissions, and candidates with lower GPAs may need to compensate with strong MCAT scores and relevant extracurricular activities or life experiences.
While there is no prescribed "right" GPA for admission to medical school, a GPA of 3.2 or higher is recommended. Maintaining a good GPA in the sciences, particularly in biology, chemistry, and math, is essential, as these subjects are typically required for pre-med students.
If you are interested in a humanities major, it is still possible to pursue medicine, but you will need to strategically plan your coursework to fulfil all the pre-med requirements. Taking some higher-level science courses and considering a natural sciences minor will strengthen your application.
In addition to your GPA, preparing for and achieving a good MCAT score is crucial. The MCAT is a standardised exam that assesses your knowledge and skills in scientific concepts and principles. It is recommended that you aim for a score of 501 or higher. To achieve a good score, it is advisable to start preparing early, typically in your sophomore year of undergraduate studies. This includes taking practice exams, enrolling in preparatory programs, and devoting several months to focused study.
While GPA and MCAT scores are important, medical schools also consider your overall application, including extracurricular activities, research experience, clinical exposure, and letters of recommendation. Therefore, it is beneficial to seek out opportunities that align with your interests and demonstrate your passion for healthcare.
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Clinical experience
Premedical students can gain clinical experience through various avenues, including shadowing, volunteering, and paid positions. Shadowing physicians or other healthcare professionals allows students to observe the daily responsibilities and dynamics of healthcare teams, offering a behind-the-scenes look at medical decision-making and patient interactions. This can be a great way to understand a doctor's daily routine and how they interact with patients. Many pre-med students also pursue volunteering opportunities in healthcare settings, such as hospital volunteering or community outreach programs, to gain exposure to different areas of medicine. Volunteering in illness-related summer camps or health screening organisations can provide valuable experience and confirm an interest in medicine.
For those seeking paid positions, becoming an EMT or a CNA can offer hands-on clinical experience. EMTs are often first responders, providing immediate and life-saving care, and allowing students to work in high-pressure situations and interact closely with patients. CNA training programs offer flexible hours and the opportunity to gain hands-on practice in clinical environments.
In addition to these options, pre-med students can also consider research opportunities, either as paid research coordinator positions or through involvement in clinical research projects. Clinical research allows students to contribute to advancing medical knowledge while improving patient care.
When choosing clinical experiences, it is important to consider time commitments, areas of interest, and passions. There is no set number of hours required, but demonstrating dedication by committing to an experience for a longer period is beneficial. Accumulating a diverse set of experiences can showcase adaptability and provide a holistic understanding of healthcare.
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Frequently asked questions
Research, volunteering, part-time work, and shadowing are common extracurricular activities for pre-med students. These activities are not required for academics, but they can strengthen your resume when applying for medical school. Many colleges offer pre-med advising to help students find extracurricular activities.
There is no particular major that will make a student a more competitive applicant for medical school. As long as you take higher-level science courses and maintain a good BCPM GPA, any major is fine. Be guided by your interests and goals.
The most important thing to remember is that pre-med is a means to an end, and your ultimate goal is medical school. Unlike business school, medical schools care less about the prestige of the institution you attend. Instead, consider factors such as GPA requirements, the academic environment, and the support you will need.
Many students start to prepare for medical school in their sophomore year of undergrad and apply to MCAT preparatory summer premed programs. You can also seek opportunities to shadow physicians, join clubs or organizations, gain laboratory experience, and get letters of recommendation from mentors.
