Undergraduate Checklist
HIGHSCHOOL
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Consult with your high school counselor about pursuing a career in the health sciences and developing an academic plan.
To prepare for a more demanding college-level curriculum, take Advanced Placement (AP) math and science subjects.
Take elective classes that will help you get a foundation in the health sciences and improve your communication abilities.
Maintain a competitive grade point average.
Develop effective time management and study techniques. This is a critical point.
Volunteering with health-related groups is a great way to give back to the community. (hospitals, the American Red Cross, nursing homes, hospices, etc.).
Request assistance from your high school counselor, family members, or family physicians to schedule job shadowing opportunities.
Research health professions career-opportunities through explorehealthcareers.org.
Research and attend summer health programs offered by colleges.It is never too early
Join or develop a student organization that is geared toward a health professions career.(HOSA)
Freshman year
Meet with your university’s health professions advisor to discuss the overall premedical curriculum.So you need to stand out and make sure the advisor gets to know you personally. If your college does not have a health professions advisor, view resources at the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions. A word of warning, however: Don’t necessarily believe everything you hear coming from a premed advisor. Learn how to get into medical school for yourself. Use online resources
Start taking prerequisite coursework, which typically begins with the Biology and/or Chemistry sequence.
Maintain a competitive GPA and reach out to on-campus academic resources, such as the tutoring center, for assistance. (See General Admissions Requirements for the average GPA for entering students.)
Develop strong study skills by forming study groups and using on-campus academic resources.
Review the Student Guide to Osteopathic Medical Colleges to assist with your medical school research.
Begin researching medical schools online. Focus on admissions requirements and average entering student statistics (average GPA, MCAT, etc.).
Join online mailing lists of programs of interest and start following them on social media.
Participate in campus pre-health groups and extracurricular activities. Keep a journal of your adventures.
Visit your science faculty members during office hours, participate in extracurricular events, and so on to build a relationship with them.
Begin shadowing in health-care sectors to obtain clinical experience.
Make a request for help from a health professionals advisor.
Discuss how upperclassmen got expertise in the health professions or their medical school admission process with upperclassmen.
Sophomore Year
Maintain a healthy balance between your academic and personal objectives.
Continue to model the qualities of a good doctor.
Continue to improve your professional qualities.
Keep researching the medical field.
Learn about managed care, medical ethics, medical research, and other aspects of health care. Enroll in a sociology or philosophy course that covers health-care issues if feasible. Read materials on these subjects.
During the normal academic year, consider volunteering or working in a health care or patient care institution. We recommend at least four hours each week per semester.
​Contact doctors and think about shadowing a doctor at a hospital or clinic.
Participate in extracurricular activities that you enjoy.
Participate in your pre-medical group and/or other student organizations related to medicine and/or science. Consider positions of leadership within these organizations.
Maintain your involvement in community service activities.
Continue to make good use of your summers. Consider gaining extra medical experience, summer enrichment, or research opportunities.
Junior Year
Continue meeting with your pre-med advisor.
Start thinking about the type of medical school you want to attend. Begin to investigate medical schools and request information.
Begin informally preparing for the Medical College Admission Test by utlilizing various study guides and with pre-medical course materials.
Set up a letter of recommendation file with your pre-medical advisory committee, placement or advising office.
Begin to identify instructors and professionals who:
Know who you can ask to write positive and meaningful letters of recommendation
Can give you their highest recommendation
Begin to request letters of recommendation from faculty and other professionals.
Continue to balance academic and personal goals.
Continue to emulate the characteristics of a good physician.
Continue to develop professional attributes.
Develop a financial plan to minimize debt.
Continue to research the medical field.
Continue to learn about health care issues.
Continue volunteer work or employment in a medical-related facility or organization.
Continue to talk with doctors and/or shadow physicians.
Get involved in extracurricular activities that you enjoy and add to your personal development.
Assume active involvement and/or leadership within your pre-medical organization.
Continue to be involved in community service activities.
Consider getting involved in a research project during the academic year.
Continue to utilize your summers wisely. Consider additional medical experience, summer enrichment or research programs.
Take MCAT practice exams.
Develop an MCAT preparation plan.
Register to take the MCAT in April or August.
To assist in completing your application, request all of your college transcripts.
Carefully prepare, organize and write your personal statement. Ask someone to proofread it for you.
Complete the online American Medical College Application Service application.
Apply to medical schools consistent with your medical career goals and other needs.
Continue to request letters from faculty and other professionals.
Monitor and update your letters of recommendation file.
Senior year
Enroll in advanced science classes such as genetics.
Physiology
Embryology or comparative anatomy
Biochemistry
Cell biology or molecular biology
Consider becoming a tutor or supplemental instruction leader to help reinforce scientific knowledge.
Continue to balance academic and personal goals.
Continue to emulate the characteristics of a good physician.
Continue to develop professional attributes.
Continue to research the medical field.
Continue to learn about health care issues.
Continue volunteer work or employment in a medical-related facility or organization.
Continue active involvement and/or leadership in campus organizations.
Consider getting involved in a research project during the academic year.