9 answers
Olivia
Student
Aurora, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
871 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?
9 answers
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
Rita Chuang
Physician
189
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
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
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
Lesly Beltran
EMT and Medical Assistant
102
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.
Pamela Neff
Gynecologist
38
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
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6183
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Olivia!
Ever wondered if you can march straight into medical school without doing pre-med in college? As an 11th grader with a keen interest in the medical field, it's a question that might be on your mind. Well, the good news is, yes, you can! But there are a few things you'll need to think about if you choose this route.
Let's start with the basics - the prerequisites for medical school. Most medical schools want you to have done certain pre-med courses like biology, chemistry, physics, and math. These are important because they set you up with the knowledge you'll need to handle the tough stuff in medical school. Even if you haven't done these as part of a pre-med program, you can still tick these boxes by taking them as standalone courses or as part of other college programs.
Next, you need to be aware that getting into medical school is pretty competitive. Having a strong academic record, especially in pre-med, can give you an edge. But don't worry if you don't have a pre-med degree. You can still impress the admissions folks by showing how committed you are to medicine, maybe through volunteer work, research, or other activities outside school.
Lastly, it's worth noting that pre-med programs do offer some perks. They often come with extra support like academic help, research opportunities, and networking events. These can be really helpful in setting you up for success in medical school.
So, to sum it all up, yes, you can get into medical school without doing pre-med in college. But you'll need to make sure you've done the necessary courses and show your commitment to medicine in other ways.
For more information, you might want to check out these resources:
- American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC): They have lots of info and advice for students thinking about a medical career.
- AAMC MedEdPORTAL: This online resource is packed with information on medical school admissions, including tips for those without a pre-med background.
- AAMC Careers in Medicine: This site has loads of information on how to become a doctor, including advice for students who haven't done pre-med.
Also, don't forget to check out the 'About James Constantine' section in my autobiography. It includes a list of foods that provide all the nutrients needed to support brain activity for academic studies and exams.
Take care and God bless!
James.
Ever wondered if you can march straight into medical school without doing pre-med in college? As an 11th grader with a keen interest in the medical field, it's a question that might be on your mind. Well, the good news is, yes, you can! But there are a few things you'll need to think about if you choose this route.
Let's start with the basics - the prerequisites for medical school. Most medical schools want you to have done certain pre-med courses like biology, chemistry, physics, and math. These are important because they set you up with the knowledge you'll need to handle the tough stuff in medical school. Even if you haven't done these as part of a pre-med program, you can still tick these boxes by taking them as standalone courses or as part of other college programs.
Next, you need to be aware that getting into medical school is pretty competitive. Having a strong academic record, especially in pre-med, can give you an edge. But don't worry if you don't have a pre-med degree. You can still impress the admissions folks by showing how committed you are to medicine, maybe through volunteer work, research, or other activities outside school.
Lastly, it's worth noting that pre-med programs do offer some perks. They often come with extra support like academic help, research opportunities, and networking events. These can be really helpful in setting you up for success in medical school.
So, to sum it all up, yes, you can get into medical school without doing pre-med in college. But you'll need to make sure you've done the necessary courses and show your commitment to medicine in other ways.
For more information, you might want to check out these resources:
- American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC): They have lots of info and advice for students thinking about a medical career.
- AAMC MedEdPORTAL: This online resource is packed with information on medical school admissions, including tips for those without a pre-med background.
- AAMC Careers in Medicine: This site has loads of information on how to become a doctor, including advice for students who haven't done pre-med.
Also, don't forget to check out the 'About James Constantine' section in my autobiography. It includes a list of foods that provide all the nutrients needed to support brain activity for academic studies and exams.
Take care and God bless!
James.
George Ducach
Podiatry
35
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.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6183
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Olivia!
Boosting Your Odds of Securing a Spot in CU Denver's Pre-Med Program
Securing a spot in a pre-med program, especially at a competitive school like the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), demands careful planning and unwavering commitment. Here's an all-inclusive roadmap to bolster your chances:
1. Academic Prowess
Keep Your GPA High:
Your academic record is a pivotal element in your application. Strive for a GPA of 3.5 or more, particularly in science disciplines like biology, chemistry, and physics. This will exhibit your ability to tackle demanding coursework.
Opt for Rigorous Courses:
Sign up for Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are accessible. These classes not only enhance your GPA but also indicate your readiness to push your academic boundaries.
2. Standardized Exams
Gear Up for the SAT/ACT:
Most pre-med programs necessitate standardized test scores for admission. Allocate sufficient time to prepare for these exams to attain scores that stand out within CU Denver’s pool of applicants.
Think About Taking the MCAT Early:
Although the MCAT is usually taken post-undergraduate studies, an early grasp of its content can aid in better preparation during your pre-med years.
3. Pertinent Experience
Acquire Clinical Experience:
Engage in volunteer work or internships in healthcare environments like hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes. This practical experience will not only fortify your application but also validate your dedication to the medical field.
Participate in Research Opportunities:
Participation in scientific research can differentiate you from other candidates. Look for opportunities at nearby universities or research institutions where you can contribute to ongoing projects.
4. Outside-the-Classroom Activities
Become a Member of Health-Related Clubs:
Involvement in clubs associated with health and medicine can exhibit your interest and dedication to the profession. Consider taking up leadership roles in these groups to highlight your initiative and teamwork abilities.
Serve Your Community:
Community service mirrors your character and commitment to assisting others—traits vital for a medical career.
5. Powerful Letters of Recommendation
Forge Relationships with Professors:
Build connections with faculty members who can provide persuasive letters of recommendation. Participate actively in class discussions and pursue mentorship opportunities with professors who know you well.
6. Personal Statement and Application Essays
Compose a Captivating Personal Statement:
Your personal statement should mirror your enthusiasm for medicine, experiences that have influenced your decision to follow this path, and what sets you apart as a candidate. Be genuine and eloquent about why CU Denver is the perfect match for you.
7. Interview Readiness
Hone Interview Skills:
If chosen for an interview, prepare meticulously by rehearsing common medical school interview questions with peers or mentors. Displaying confidence and clarity during interviews is key.
8. Grasp CU Denver’s Specific Prerequisites
Study Program Details:
Acquaint yourself with CU Denver’s specific pre-med program prerequisites, including prerequisite courses, application deadlines, and any unique features of their curriculum or philosophy that align with you.
9. Networking
Link Up with Current Students or Alumni:
Connect with current students or alumni from CU Denver’s pre-med program via social media platforms like LinkedIn or university forums. They can offer valuable insights into the application process and what it takes to thrive there.
By diligently adhering to these steps, you will markedly boost your odds of gaining admission into CU Denver’s pre-med program while also equipping yourself for a prosperous career in medicine.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC): Provides guidelines on medical school admissions processes.
University of Colorado Denver Admissions Office: Offers specific information regarding admission requirements and processes.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Contains resources about research opportunities relevant for aspiring medical students.
God Bless You!
JC.
Boosting Your Odds of Securing a Spot in CU Denver's Pre-Med Program
Securing a spot in a pre-med program, especially at a competitive school like the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), demands careful planning and unwavering commitment. Here's an all-inclusive roadmap to bolster your chances:
1. Academic Prowess
Keep Your GPA High:
Your academic record is a pivotal element in your application. Strive for a GPA of 3.5 or more, particularly in science disciplines like biology, chemistry, and physics. This will exhibit your ability to tackle demanding coursework.
Opt for Rigorous Courses:
Sign up for Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are accessible. These classes not only enhance your GPA but also indicate your readiness to push your academic boundaries.
2. Standardized Exams
Gear Up for the SAT/ACT:
Most pre-med programs necessitate standardized test scores for admission. Allocate sufficient time to prepare for these exams to attain scores that stand out within CU Denver’s pool of applicants.
Think About Taking the MCAT Early:
Although the MCAT is usually taken post-undergraduate studies, an early grasp of its content can aid in better preparation during your pre-med years.
3. Pertinent Experience
Acquire Clinical Experience:
Engage in volunteer work or internships in healthcare environments like hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes. This practical experience will not only fortify your application but also validate your dedication to the medical field.
Participate in Research Opportunities:
Participation in scientific research can differentiate you from other candidates. Look for opportunities at nearby universities or research institutions where you can contribute to ongoing projects.
4. Outside-the-Classroom Activities
Become a Member of Health-Related Clubs:
Involvement in clubs associated with health and medicine can exhibit your interest and dedication to the profession. Consider taking up leadership roles in these groups to highlight your initiative and teamwork abilities.
Serve Your Community:
Community service mirrors your character and commitment to assisting others—traits vital for a medical career.
5. Powerful Letters of Recommendation
Forge Relationships with Professors:
Build connections with faculty members who can provide persuasive letters of recommendation. Participate actively in class discussions and pursue mentorship opportunities with professors who know you well.
6. Personal Statement and Application Essays
Compose a Captivating Personal Statement:
Your personal statement should mirror your enthusiasm for medicine, experiences that have influenced your decision to follow this path, and what sets you apart as a candidate. Be genuine and eloquent about why CU Denver is the perfect match for you.
7. Interview Readiness
Hone Interview Skills:
If chosen for an interview, prepare meticulously by rehearsing common medical school interview questions with peers or mentors. Displaying confidence and clarity during interviews is key.
8. Grasp CU Denver’s Specific Prerequisites
Study Program Details:
Acquaint yourself with CU Denver’s specific pre-med program prerequisites, including prerequisite courses, application deadlines, and any unique features of their curriculum or philosophy that align with you.
9. Networking
Link Up with Current Students or Alumni:
Connect with current students or alumni from CU Denver’s pre-med program via social media platforms like LinkedIn or university forums. They can offer valuable insights into the application process and what it takes to thrive there.
By diligently adhering to these steps, you will markedly boost your odds of gaining admission into CU Denver’s pre-med program while also equipping yourself for a prosperous career in medicine.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC): Provides guidelines on medical school admissions processes.
University of Colorado Denver Admissions Office: Offers specific information regarding admission requirements and processes.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Contains resources about research opportunities relevant for aspiring medical students.
God Bless You!
JC.
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