Pre-med timeline

  

Pre-med Timeline

College of Health

Consider the following timeline of activities so you’re well-positioned to achieve your goal of attending medical school.

In addition to the list below, you might also consider a post bacc program or gap year if you want or need more time before beginning medical school or adding a medical humanities certificate.

Your advisor can talk you through this timeline in more depth, including specific dates.

First year

  • Develop good study habits and time management skills.
  • Meet your advisor.
  • Explore joining a club.
  • Take BI 109 in winter term.
  • Look for volunteer work or shadowing opportunities for summer to connect with others, explore your interests and build leadership and communication skills.

Second year

  • Get involved in extracurricular activities.
  • Volunteer or work in health care.
  • Research study abroad experiences.
  • Continue progress in courses.
  • Engage in a summer experience.

Third year

  • Finish pre-med prerequisite courses, including KIN 343 (pre-therapy/allied health seminar) in fall term.
  • Participate in study abroad and/or a research experience (optional).
  • Shadow a physician, volunteer or somehow participate in health care work.
  • Consider taking the MCAT. Prep for at least three to six months.
  • Obtain letters of recommendation for your medical school application.
  • Apply to medical school early summer for admission after fall graduation.

Fourth year

  • Complete anything not accomplished during your third year.
  • Apply to medical school after graduation if taking a gap year.

Gap or “glide” year

  • Work or volunteer in health care.
  • Participate in community service.
  • Consider joining the Peace Corps or teaching abroad.
  • Complete a research fellowship.

Are you a current College of Health student interested in pursuing medicine? Please complete the Pre-med Initial Interest form.