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It is important for you to understand that there is no single
"right" way to prepare for medical school. Your goal should be to discover
the way that is best for you--the one that allows you to demonstrate your full potential.
The best advice we can give you is to begin working with a premedical advisor as
soon as you can. Together, you can craft and customize a premedical career that
is appropriate for you.
To be a successful premedical student, you must be aware of what medical schools
are looking for in a successful applicant. They want to see evidence of:
As you organize your premedical career, keep these things in mind and try to structure
your activities accordingly. Also be sure to consider your own background, skills,
outside interests and commitments when you plan your curriculum. Using this timeline,
you complete all of the requirements for medical school admission, graduate, and begin your medical school training immediately after earning your degree. However,
this may not be the timeline that is best for you. Another option is to take a full
four years, or even more, to complete all of the premedical requirements and apply later, after earning the degree. You can then spend a valuable year or more
after college engaged in a number of rewarding work, study, or volunteer activities.
This extra time may make you an even stronger candidate.
Freshman Year
Fall
Consult with your premedical advisor prior to selecting courses. In most
cases, you should enroll in at least one of the basic science courses required for
medical school admission--typically biology and/or general chemistry. Although you
must take science coursework to be eligible to apply to medical school, keep in mind
that while you need to excel in the sciences you do not need to be a science major.
Join clubs such as a premed science club and others that relate to medicine and science.
Participate in both minority and non-minority clubs; this allows for both support
systems and greater exposure to the diversity of a college campus.
Develop good study habits. If you need help, see your professors, academic advisors,
or members of the counseling center. They are there to help you succeed.
Start to think about what you want to do for the summer. Investigate opportunities
to do research, work in a health care setting, or participate in special summer programs.
Spring
This will be a continuation of what you began during the fall semester. Continue
your relevant coursework and your involvement in extracurricular activities, and
continue to consult your advisor.
Start to finalize your plans for summer. Check out the deadlines, complete applications,
and make arrangements for necessary letters of recommendation. Do not procrastinate,
or opportunities will pass you by.
If you are not doing as well as you would like, discuss some options with your advisor,
such as summer school or meeting regularly with a tutor. The transition from high
school to college can be tough! Under no circumstances does this mean you cannot
become a physician!
The first summer is often a good time to regroup after your first year of college.
Most students will be involved in some type of employment situation, which is good.
Employment helps the financial situation, but as importantly, it promotes the development
of other attributes such as team-work, time management, responsibility, and reliability.
Consider doing some volunteer work during your free time. Do something to give yourself exposure to the health profession, or something to benefit your community.
This may be a good opportunity to spend some time with a medical practitioner. This
"shadowing" experience will give you a good idea of at least one type of
medical practice.
Sophomore Year
Fall
Check in with your premedical and academic advisors as soon as you return.
Make sure that the curriculum you have selected is appropriate. It should be challenging,
but also interesting and enjoyable. Continue your basic science coursework with
such courses as organic chemistry and/or physics. Remain involved in extracurricular
activities. Consider leadership roles within these organizations. Again, give some
thought to the coming summer. This may be a good time to consider a research position,
particularly if you are interested in MD/PhD degree programs. There are many different
programs that are designed to meet specific student needs. You must decide which
one is right for you. Do you need an enrichment program (for advanced students) or
a remedial program (to help reinforce the basic science course)? There are also programs
that are strictly research-based or provide MCAT preparation.
Spring
Continue with the course requirements for your degree program and continue
to complete the basic premedical courses. Submit all applications for summer programs
or employment positions. Meet those deadlines!
Summer
Whether you participate in a special program, conduct research, or work at
a job for money, continue to explore the entire field of medicine. Read as much as
you can. Talk with people and shadow physicians. Volunteer your time, and discover
the benefits of helping others. In between all that, get some rest! You are about
to enter the most challenging year of your undergraduate career.
Junior Year
Fall
As before, check in with your advisors and assure yourself that you are
on the right track with your education. Make sure that you understand how the medical
school application process works at Miami U. Find out when the meeting for juniors
will be held (late October or early November).
Continue with the completion of the premedical course requirements. By the end of
this year, you should have taken, as a minimum, a full-year courses in biology, chemistry,
organic chemistry, physics, and math. You will take the MCAT in April of this year,
so begin preparing for it. Commercial courses are available (Kaplan and Princeton
Review). A "prep" course may help develop your test-taking skills and will
help you become familiar with the exam. Some programs offer scholarships or discounts.
Continue your participation in extracurricular activities. Hopefully you are honing
your leadership skills through these activities.
Contact and get information from schools to which you are interested in applying.
Schedule meetings with medical school admissions personnel that visit your school,
and consider attending special programs offered by local or regional medical schools
for minority students.
Start making decisions about the type of medical school you want to attend:
As before, consider all of the options for summer work and begin making preparations.