Advising Track Pre-Med

The road to becoming a physician or surgeon includes significant education and hands-on training that starts at the undergraduate (and sometimes even high school) level. For individuals wanting to apply to medical school, pursuing specialized coursework and extracurricular opportunities in the medical field will help to build a strong resume for the medical school admissions process. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) provides many great resources for students interested in applying to medical school, including this helpful Timeline for Application and Admission to Medical School, which outlines a plan beginning 4+ years before you start medical school. This includes:

• Working with a pre-health advisor and building relationships with faculty and mentors
• Taking the required coursework for pre-med students
• Getting involved in campus activities for pre-med students
• Seeking out work and volunteer opportunities in the health field
• Leveraging the AAMC’s resources for aspiring medical school applicants
• Studying for and taking the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT Exam
• Securing the necessary letters of evaluation and/or a committee letters
• Completing and submitting the AMCAS application (or AACOMAS for DO schools) and any secondary applications
• Take part in admissions interviews and campus visits

There are many resources at Randolph-Macon College to help pre-med students navigate the rigorous process of preparing and applying for medical school–especially our Pre-Medical Advisory Committee, which is made up of faculty advisors from RMC’s biology, chemistry and physics departments. Our Director of Health Careers, Josh Quinn, from RMC’s nationally-ranked Edge Career Center provides invaluable knowledge and career advice for students interested in the medical field. What’s more, our Pre-Health society provides great networking opportunities for current students and alumni.

No, pre-med is not a specific major that you’ll find at most colleges or universities. Instead, students are encouraged to pursue a major of their choice while also completing requisite coursework (generally a year of biology, a year of english, two years of chemistry, up through organic chemistry, and a year of physics) and other activities to prepare themselves for medical school.

At RMC, students interested in medical careers are encouraged to engage in a specialized advisory track to help them prepare them for medical school.

Broadly, “pre-med” describes the path that undergraduate students take as they pursue entrance into medical school. As described above, pre-med generally isn’t a specified major but rather a track that students can elect to pursue to access special advisory and networking resources at their college or university.

At Randolph-Macon College, pre-med students work with our dedicated Pre-Medical Advisory Committee to create a personalized academic plan, find opportunities for hands-on medical experiences (i.e., internships and volunteer work), and prepare their application for medical school. This specialized support ensures RMC pre-med students are well-positioned when they apply to medical school, and can even open the door for early acceptance into medical school.

Contrary to popular belief, the American Association of Medical Colleges reports that there’s no “best” undergraduate major for students pursuing a medical degree. In fact, the AAMC and many medical school admissions representatives advise that whatever major a student feels best showcases their unique interests and strengths is the right pre-med major. Nearly 40% of students who take the MCAT report a major outside of the biological sciences, and selecting a specific major does not appear to increase a student’s chances at admission to medical school.

Many pre-med students prefer to pursue a math- or science-related major because many of the pre-requisite courses for medical school fall within these departments, and they feel a solid understanding of these topics will provide a stronger foundation to succeed on the MCAT and at medical school. Others prefer a humanities major to bolster their communication and critical-thinking skills. At the end of the day, major choice is a personal decision that should be discussed with your pre-med advisor.

Nearly all American medical schools require applicants to successfully complete a set list of pre-med coursework along with their undergraduate degree, as well as the MCAT Exam–in addition to the primary medical school application and school specific supplemental applications, of course. Medical school admissions officials are also often looking for further health-related activities on applicants’ resumes, such as school clubs, clinical experience, internships, and volunteer work. Some schools require letters of recommendation and (often virtual) admissions interviews as part of the application process, as well.

Because specific requirements vary from school to school, it’s best to proactively familiarize yourself with the application requirements of the medical schools in which you’re interested in applying. Pre-med students at Randolph-Macon College can rely on our Pre-Medical Advisory Committee to help them identify potential medical schools and ensure they’re meeting–and often exceeding–the expectations of admissions committees.

According to the AAMC, two-thirds of of matriculants into medical school reported that a year or more had passed since graduating from college.

There are multiple reasons for students to pursue a gap or bridge year after completing their undergraduate career. It could be that a student needs to improve GPA or MCAT score. Or that a student needs to engage in more direct patient care contact and community service. Whatever the reason, RMC and the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee will continue to work with RMC alumni until they reach their goals.