Pre-Med Timeline

 

Prior to starting college you should find out which one gives you a better chance of being accepted to medical school.  ALL SCHOOLS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.  For example, did you know that Xavier University of Louisiana is #1 in placing minorities into medical school?  In 2001, Spelman was #2, Harvard was #3, Howard and Morehouse were tied for #4.  Click here for more information.

 

 

Things you should do during your freshman year:

  1. Meet with your advisor and ask about joining a premed club
  2. Take a Biology course with lab
  3. Develop good study habits (lack of discipline is the #1 cause of failure)
  4. Try to make A’s in all of your classes
  5. Explore summer options (i.e. summer enrichment or research opportunities)

Hint: USE YOUR SUMMER TIME WISELY!!  These programs will increase your chances of getting into medical school.

 

Things you should do your sophomore year:

  1. Take General Chemistry with lab
  2. Keep getting A’s in all of your class (*perfect attendance is important- see below)
  3. Do volunteer work at a local hospital or clinic
  4. Explore summer options (i.e. summer enrichment or research opportunities

 

Things you should do your junior year:

  1. Take Physics with lab
  2. Take Organic Chemistry with lab
  3. Research Medical Schools you are interested in. 
  4. Start studying for the MCAT.  (A review course like Princeton Review would be a plus.)
  5. Request an AMCAS application in late January and be ready to submit it in June. (Be sure to have your Essay reviewed by an English professor.)
  6. Get an MCAT registration packet from your advisor in early February and plan to take the MCAT in April.  If you don’t do well you can always retake it in August.
  7. Request Letters of Recommendation.

 

Things you should do your senior year:

  1. Enjoy your last year in college.
  2. Turn in secondary applications.
  3. Prepare for interviews.

 

Things you should do after you graduate from college:

If you get into med school:

  1. Thank your premed advisory committee for their support.
  2. Find out about scholarships and grants
  3. Find out what classes you will be taking during your first semester.  If you can get the books early, start reading early so you wont be overwhelmed by all the work you will have.

If you did not get into medical school:

  1. Consider doing a Post-Baccalaureate program to help pull your average up, and to help you prepare for the MCAT. Or,
  2. Take a review course (i.e. Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc.)
  3. Re-take the MCAT
  4. Re-apply

 

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