The medical school application process is rigorous. Our pre-med program combines big-school resources with small-school benefits, such as personalized advising and MCAT prep.
Our virtual reality stations allows pre-health students to explore human anatomy up close.
Small class sizes mean our students will get to know their professors, which is especially helpful when it comes time for medical school recommendation letters.
Our "Introduction to Health Careers" class lets students practice suturing, taking blood pressure and other health provider basics early in their academic careers.
Preparation for medical school is an individual path for each student. Our faculty and pre-health advisers help blaze the trail that fits each student best. By pursuing a pre-medical track, students are well-prepared for the academic rigors of medical school with a strong foundation in the sciences, as well as the problem-solving and communication skills provided by a liberal arts education.
You’ve got options
Most Pre-Med students choose to major in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, or neuroscience because those programs have the most overlap between requirements for the major and medical school prerequisites. As long as students satisfy appropriate prerequisites for medical school applications, they can choose the major that fits their interests.
Medical schools of recent graduates
Solid academic preparation is critical, but we also help students outside of the classroom
We help students find internships and shadowing experiences that match their interests and help them explore what type of career in medicine they want to pursue. Faculty and advisers work closely with each student to determine their passions and goals. Research experience begins as early as a student’s first year. Many of our students feel well-prepared for medical school because of their experiences in our labs.
Kate Saulcy '19 at the University of Illinois College of Medicine white coat ceremony.
Mackenzie Gillund ’15 celebrates her graduation from the dctor of osteopathic medicine program at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Missouri.
Brad Dulee ’17 with his family, including his sister Laura Dulee ’20, far left, at his University of Illinois College of Medicine white coat ceremony.
Meet Class of 2025 Admiral’s and Goldsborough scholars: Emily Canterbury of Orion, Illinois (1:43) and Ilese Rodeffer of Bushnell, Illinois (6:59); and Godlsborough Scholars Michelle Gutierrez of Chicago (14:11) and Emma Romano of Wilmington, Illinois (19:10).
The LeSuer Nature Preserve provides opportunities for field classes and research.
Rolling hills split by a small stream offer upland grassland, forest, riparian, and aquatic habitats for study. Restoration of the entire area to pre-settlement conditions, hello native prairie grass, provides abundant opportunities for student research. Water quality monitoring and aquatic ecology studies are also possible in the stream.
The Educational Garden uses sustainable gardening techniques to produce vegetables, fruits and honey. From spring through summer, the garden crew plants, tends and harvests the food. They share their bounty at local farmers markets and u-picks with faculty, staff and community members.
The seven-acre Educational Farm gives students hands-in-the-dirt experiences on crop rotation, conservation and infrastructure. U-pick events are held at the farm and the garden.
