7 answers
Olivia
Student
Aurora, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
309 views
What can I do to increase my chances of getting into a pre-med program?
The ideal pre-med program/ school I would like to be accepted into is CU Denver. Is there any specific way to increase my chances of being accepted?
7 answers
Rita Chuang
Physician
72
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I don't think it's the issue of getting into the premed program. The problem is getting into medical school. Most important are your grades. Next is going to be your SAT scores. You can volunteer and do extracurricular activities to help out.
Thank you so much! I will definitely take that into account!
Olivia
Leah Frusciante
Clinical Medical Assistant
2
Answers
Tallahassee, Florida
Updated
Leah’s Answer
Hello! Typically, undergraduate pre-med programs are not competitive to get into. You might have to complete specific courses before entering into the program if you are transferring to another school during your undergraduate degree (e.g. General Chemistry I and II w/ corresponding labs), but whether or not this is a necessity will depend on the specific program you are trying to get into. Many programs will allow you to take necessary courses after transferring if required. If you haven't already, contact the program advisors for exact information.
If you're planning to attend this university for medical school, conduct research early. Find out average GPAs (both cumulative and science) and MCAT scores. Above everything else, I would strongly prioritize doing well in all of your science/pre req. courses. Take time to shadow and volunteer over holidays or on weekends. If you can, obtaining a license to work in the medical field can showcase your interest and dedication to the career field. Most importantly, you will gain useful insight for yourself.
You can never be too prepared.
Best of luck to you. You got this!
If you're planning to attend this university for medical school, conduct research early. Find out average GPAs (both cumulative and science) and MCAT scores. Above everything else, I would strongly prioritize doing well in all of your science/pre req. courses. Take time to shadow and volunteer over holidays or on weekends. If you can, obtaining a license to work in the medical field can showcase your interest and dedication to the career field. Most importantly, you will gain useful insight for yourself.
You can never be too prepared.
Best of luck to you. You got this!
Thank you so much! I haven’t thought of that before, I will look into that and see what I can do!
Olivia
Bether Gerber
family nurse practitioner
24
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Bether’s Answer
hi olivia.
to get into an undergrad program, go to your local university and ask them what they require for you get in? (or the university where you are most likely to go). you will have to take certain classes in high school and get a certain GPA. once you are in an undergrad program, you can increase your chances of getting into medical school by getting a job (part time is ok) as a medical scribe. you will learn what doctors do and get paid! (this will help you find out if love it or hate it. it's a great time to know if you hate it because you have not invested much and can change your major! this happened to a kid i know. he found out he hated it and didn't waste any time or money on this major). i know they really like seeing scribe work on the university of arizona medical school applications. plus i volunteer at the outpatient homeless medical clinic in tucson as a nurse practitioner, and there are tons of premed students volunteering there so they can put it on their application. plus you get some practical experience. plus there are loads of volunteers there that are already in medical school and you can ask them advice about how they got in. and there are doctors and nurse practitioners who volunteer and you can pick their brains about how they like the field etc., also med schools are looking for well rounded people so get involved in other activities you enjoy that do not have a medical focus. the most important thing is be yourself! every med school applicant has done something amazing. ask yourself what makes you different than the rest? how do you see yourself having an impact on medicine at the micro and macro level that is unique and different from everyone else? that's what admissions boards want to hear. good luck!
to get into an undergrad program, go to your local university and ask them what they require for you get in? (or the university where you are most likely to go). you will have to take certain classes in high school and get a certain GPA. once you are in an undergrad program, you can increase your chances of getting into medical school by getting a job (part time is ok) as a medical scribe. you will learn what doctors do and get paid! (this will help you find out if love it or hate it. it's a great time to know if you hate it because you have not invested much and can change your major! this happened to a kid i know. he found out he hated it and didn't waste any time or money on this major). i know they really like seeing scribe work on the university of arizona medical school applications. plus i volunteer at the outpatient homeless medical clinic in tucson as a nurse practitioner, and there are tons of premed students volunteering there so they can put it on their application. plus you get some practical experience. plus there are loads of volunteers there that are already in medical school and you can ask them advice about how they got in. and there are doctors and nurse practitioners who volunteer and you can pick their brains about how they like the field etc., also med schools are looking for well rounded people so get involved in other activities you enjoy that do not have a medical focus. the most important thing is be yourself! every med school applicant has done something amazing. ask yourself what makes you different than the rest? how do you see yourself having an impact on medicine at the micro and macro level that is unique and different from everyone else? that's what admissions boards want to hear. good luck!
Thank you so much! I didn’t think about getting a job so that I can make sure it’s the right career path, that’s a really good idea!
Olivia
Lesly Beltran
EMT and Medical Assistant
103
Answers
West Palm Beach, Florida
Updated
Lesly’s Answer
Hello! To boost your likelihood of being accepted into a pre-med program, follow these steps: Acquire medical experience for your résumé. Participate in research projects. Dedicate time to helping others. Select a major in which you can excel. Apply to several schools. Prepare frequently and well in advance for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Learn an additional language. Engage in a variety of extracurricular activities.
Kess French
Medical Student
82
Answers
Halifax, Virginia
Updated
Kess’s Answer
To give yourself the best chance of getting into a program of your choosing, maintain a high GPA, volunteer if you can, and explore interests outside of school. Many schools are looking for well-rounded individuals who aren't simply regurgitating book information. Any art, music, history, animal, engineering, etc interests will help set you apart from your peers.
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
Thank you so much for responding! I will hopefully start volunteering over the summer!
Olivia
George Ducach
Podiatry
24
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
George’s Answer
Things may have changed since I went to a University in the 1970's. But, at my University, you selected Pre-Med without having to be "accepted" into the program. I did have a counselor to guide me in the selection of the proper pre-requesite courses like Physics, Calculus, Chemistry, etc. As long as you completed those courses, one chose a particular area of study as their Major. It did not have to be a Science. In fact, some Medical Programs may favor students to study, for example, History or Political Science. The theory is that "well-rounded" people may make better doctors. I did study Biology as a Major and Inorganic Chemistry as a Minor. However, I also chose English Literature as an "unrelated Minor." After you select what University/College you will try to attend, like CU Denver, contact them and see if you have to apply to the Pre-med program or you can just choose it. Once you are there, find a counselor that will guide you. Try to find a person who will be very positive and not discouraging. My further advise is get involved in campus life. I wrote for the University's paper, reported news in Spanish for the school's radio station and played Varsity soccer. As an aside, I also met my future wife there (48 years together so far). Stay focused, study hard but also try to enjoy the four years you will invest in College.
Pamela Neff
Gynecologist
34
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Pamela’s Answer
Olivia,
Grades and test scores are important, but volunteer work and other extracurricular activities including sports, journalism, music, art, hobbies etc are important since they show you are a well-rounded person not just a bookworm. You don’t just need to be impressive ‘on paper’. Some great volunteer opportunities are working for Habitat for Humanity, food banks/pantries, rescue squads, local ERs, homeless outreach, cooking in a shelter, etc. These will show your compassion. Make sure you commit to whatever you settle on - a one-time volunteer gig won’t be as impressive as a consistent commitment. Also brag about your hobbies or sports involvement because this also shows what you have to offer as part of a team and having interests is always a positive on applications. This is true all through your education, especially for med school and residency applications. Hope this helps!
Pam
Grades and test scores are important, but volunteer work and other extracurricular activities including sports, journalism, music, art, hobbies etc are important since they show you are a well-rounded person not just a bookworm. You don’t just need to be impressive ‘on paper’. Some great volunteer opportunities are working for Habitat for Humanity, food banks/pantries, rescue squads, local ERs, homeless outreach, cooking in a shelter, etc. These will show your compassion. Make sure you commit to whatever you settle on - a one-time volunteer gig won’t be as impressive as a consistent commitment. Also brag about your hobbies or sports involvement because this also shows what you have to offer as part of a team and having interests is always a positive on applications. This is true all through your education, especially for med school and residency applications. Hope this helps!
Pam
Thank you so much for your answer! That really helps, I’ve volunteered a few times at a hospital and I was wondering if I should’ve been doing different things, it’s good to know that going to one place is good and show’s consistency!
Olivia
Delete Comment
Flag Comment