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Pre-Med Preparation Guide
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Prepared by the MU Pre-Health Professions Office, 210 Lowry Hall,
(573) 882-3893
Marivern Easton and Kristina Wright, Health Professions Advisors
Stuart B. Palonsky, Ph.D., Chief Health Professions Advisor
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This outline follows a traditional four-year undergraduate program. Students may need to modify the timeline to fit their individual plans. Following these suggestions does not guarantee students admission to medical school.
Every Year
- Meet with your health professions advisor to review premedical requirements.
- Take pre-med coursework and strive for academic excellence.
- Develop a balance between your academic and personal goals.
- Develop professional attributes (i.e., teamwork, responsibility, reliability, and time management).
- Participate in the MU Pre-Med Club.
- Learn about developments in the field of medicine.
- Learn about managed care, medical ethics, medical research and other healthcare issues. Read materials which cover these topics.
- Volunteer or work in a healthcare or patient care facility during the regular academic year.
- Get involved in community service activities.
- Utilize your summers wisely (e.g., volunteer or work in a medical related setting for patient care or observational experience).
- Learn about people different from yourself to enhance appreciation for diversity.
Sophomore Year
- Consider volunteer work or employment in a healthcare or patient care facility during the regular academic year. Explore opportunities offered through MU’s Office of Service Learning and Honors College Community Involvement Program.
- Investigate opportunities for research (e.g., Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program).
- Begin to think about instructors and professionals who 1) know you well, 2) can write positive and meaningful letters of recommendation and 3) can give you their highest recommendation. Keep these people in mind for next year when it is time to request letters of recommendation.
Junior Year
- Assume active involvement and/or leadership roles in extra-curricular activities you enjoy and/or the MU Pre-Med Club.
- Meet with your health professions advisor to review application/admissions procedures and to discuss your readiness for application.
- Attend meeting(s) held by the health professions advisors regarding starting your file for your committee interview/composite letter and writing your personal statement.
- Request information from medical schools to which you are interested in applying and consult schools’ web sites.
- Think about MCAT preparation courses or workshops. These courses may assist you in becoming familiar with the exam and help you develop test-taking strategies.
- Develop an MCAT preparation plan.
- Winter Semester) Start your file in the Honors College.
- (Winter Semester) Obtain MCAT practice exams from study guides or those available on the Internet, or check out practice exams available in the Honors College.
- (Winter Semester) Register to take the April MCAT. In rare circumstances, a student may be better served by taking or retaking the August MCAT. Students should consult with their health professions advisor if they have questions regarding test dates.
- (Winter Semester) Carefully prepare, organize and write your personal statement. Ask a few select people to proofread it for you.
- (end of Winter Semester through summer) Complete online AMCAS and/or AACOMAS application.
- (Winter Semester) Request letters from faculty and other professionals.
- (end of Winter Semester) Obtain a copy of your transcript to assist you in completing your application.
Summer After Junior Year and Early Fall of Senior Year
- Apply to medical schools consistent with your medical career goals and other needs.
- Monitor and update your letters of recommendation file.
- Interview with the MU Health Professions Committee (interviews are scheduled from July through mid-November).
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Senior
- Consider taking advanced science, medical ethics, and/or healthcare policy courses.
- Be aware of deadlines for AMCAS/AACOMAS and for each school to which you have applied.
- If you receive a secondary application, complete promptly and remember to proofread.
- Utilize campus resources, (e.g., The MU Career Center), to assist in your preparation for medical school interviews.
- Complete financial aid applications in a timely manner.
- Confirm that schools have received your application and letters of recommendation.
- If denied admission, schedule an appointment with your health professions advisor and contact admissions advisors at the schools to which you applied. Discuss deficiencies in your candidacy and consider whether to reapply.
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