Pre-med is not a major course of study. It is simply your stated intention to prepare for a health career. Pre-med is the totality of your undergraduate preparation for your journey to a health career. In everything you do as an undergraduate, you will be preparing to be a strong applicant to your health program.
Pre-health advisement is a supplemental support system to facilitate your admission to health programs by identifying required coursework, suggesting appropriate extra-curricular opportunities for your chosen field and providing other enrichment activities. We are here to help you navigate admissions processes with mock interviews and letters of recommendation. How Pre-health advisors can help you (PDF)
Pre-Health Handbook (PDF 6/3/22)
Characteristics of a Successful Medical School Application
(excerpts from: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/how-medical-schools-review-applications)
Strong grades and MCAT score: “Many schools look for students who demonstrate an ability to handle challenging coursework. It is important for applicants to show that they’ve done well in upper-level science courses, and ‘doing well on the MCAT® exam shows that you can handle medical school coursework.’”
However, “Outstanding grades and MCAT scores do not guarantee that an applicant will be invited to interview. Just as important are extracurricular activities and life experiences, essays and personal comments in AMCAS, and letters of recommendation.”
Personal initiative: “Such initiative may take the form of leadership, creativity, research, community service, motivation, or other life experiences.”
Personal qualities: “Schools also look for evidence that an applicant has demonstrated good judgment, compassion, and selflessness— qualities every physician should embody. Applicants can show evidence through their involvement in extracurricular activities, letters of evaluation, and their personal statement.”
Motivation: “Each applicant needs to be as sure as possible that this is what they want to do with their life. That motivation can be demonstrated through academic achievement and also through exposure to clinical medicine and community service.”
