Premedical Student Checklist

Year One

  • Meet with pre-health advisor to discuss overall premedical curriculum
  • Begin prerequisite coursework - this typically begins with the Biology and/or the Inorganic Chemistry sequence
  • Become involved in pre-health organizations and extracurricular activities on campus
  • Gain clinical experience in health fields through shadowing, volunteer, employment (i.e. CNA, EMT), and internship opportunities - keep records of your experiences
  • Seek out opportunities to do service to the underserved (e.g. Vista Health Corp, Peace Corp, Community Health Center volunteer, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, etc)

Year Two

  • Meet with pre-health advisor to discuss current coursework, activities, and to begin thinking about preparations for the MCAT exam
  • Continue prerequisite coursework
  • Continue to gain clinical experience
  • Focus on building relationships with professors, advisors, and medical professionals - they are future sources for evaluations
  • Attend Health Professions fairs in your area to learn more about schools of interest
  • Stay involved in pre-health organizations and continue community service work - look for leadership opportunities
  • Continue to keep records of experiences

Year Three - Fall

  • Consult with pre-health advisor regarding letters of evaluation (inquire about the availability of a pre-health committee)
  • Continue prerequisite coursework
  • Continue to gain clinical and community service experience
  • Explore available research opportunities
  • Stay involved in pre-health organizations, volunteer experiences, and extracurricular activities
  • Begin serious preparation for the MCAT exam (offered in April and August each year)
  • Set aside time to work on personal statement - revisit and rework statement over a period of time

Year Three - Spring

  • Meet with pre-health advisor to review the details of your application
  • Contact those who will be writing evaluations for you - give them plenty of time to write a quality letter
  • Research medical schools that are of interest to you - contact each school to inquire about their specific admissions criteria and, if possible, schedule a time to visit campus
  • Continue prerequisite coursework
  • Continue to gain clinical and community service experience and stay involved in pre-health activities
  • Take MCAT exam
  • Start the AACOMAS application process and arrange to have your transcripts sent

Year Three - Summer

  • Apply to AACOMAS as early as possible - applications can be submitted in June for the fall of the following year
  • Submit secondary application materials upon receipt
  • Periodically contact each school to verify your application status
  • Continue community service
  • Meet with pre-health advisor to prepare for upcoming interviews - if possible, complete a mock interview
  • Review www.studentdoctor.net for current and past feedback on your schools of interest
  • Complete prerequisite coursework - if possible, enroll in upper-level science courses such as Biochemistry and Gross Anatomy
  • Continue to gain additional clinical and/or research experience
  • Stay involved in pre-health organizations and volunteer activities
  • Continue community service
  • Periodically contact each school to verify your application status
  • Share news of upcoming interviews and acceptances with those who helped along the way - pre-health advisors, professors, physicians, family, and friends