Pre-Med Advising Program

GPA advice

The mean GPA (science & non-science courses) for students accepted into medical school in 2016 was 3.70. Generally, MCAT scores are the most important factor considered. 

Year One

• Begin prerequisite coursework - typically Gen. Chem. I and II (CHM107 and 109, lab and lecture) and Biology (BIO143 and BIO144, lecture and lab) and Calculus I (and possibly Calculus II) courses.
• Attend Pre-Health Advising meetings in the fall and spring, and the Health Careers Fair in the spring.
• Become involved with pre-health organizations (Pre-Med Club, for example) and extracurricular activities.
• Gain clinical experience in the health field (shadowing, volunteering, employment during the school year and the summers). Meet with Career Development for local opportunities.
• Consider becoming involved in faculty research programs on campus.
• Become familiar with the admissions process and statistics of your chosen field by exploring the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Aspiring Docs program.
• Apply to summer enrichment programs or research programs.

Year Two

• Continue completing prerequisite coursework (typically Organic Chemistry I and II lecture and lab and social/behavioral sciences courses; complete the Calculus courses appropriate for you).
• Meet with the pre-health advisor to discuss curriculum, activities, and admission exam preparation.
• Continue to attend Pre-Health Advising meetings in the fall and spring, and the Health Careers Fair in the spring.
• Continue to gain clinical experience (shadowing, volunteering, employment)
• Build relationships with faculty, advisors, and health care professionals.
• Stay involved in pre-health clubs, community service, summer research, volunteering, internships, enrichment.
• During the summer, investigate the med school application process, the Medical College Admission Test, & the Fee Assistance Program.

Year Three: Fall

• Continue prerequisite coursework, typically this would include Biochemistry and Physics
• Meet with the pre-health advisor to ensure you are on track. Strategize about your application timeline, whether it will be to begin medical school after graduation or after one or more gap years. Develop a backup plan.
• Continue to gain clinical experience and volunteer.
• Begin serious preparation for the MCAT exam and determine when to register for the MCAT exam in the spring.
• Begin to work on your personal statement.
• Consider which faculty, advisors and mentors you will approach to write letters of recommendations.
• Investigate medical schools in the US and Canada.

Year Three: Spring

• Meet with the pre-health advisor early in the spring semester to prepare for spring interview.
• Request letters of recommendation from faculty, advisors, and/or health care professionals that know you.
• Decide which schools you want to apply to & complete your personal statement & take the MCAT exam.
• Submit all materials to the pre-health committee and schedule an interview with the committee for May.
• Complete Chatham's pre-health committee interview process and receive feedback from the committee.
• APPLY: Submit all application materials, including transcripts, to the American Medical College Application Service.
• Submit supplemental application materials to each school & periodically verify your application status.

Year Four

• Medical school interviews & acceptance. If rejected, consider reapplying and/or taking a gap year.
• Complete all coursework required for medical school and for your major. Don't let your grades slip.
• Continue meaningful clinical, volunteer and research activities.