Academic Preparation

 

Preprofessional Coursework

Curriculum planning to meet admission requirements for the following schools:

 

Selecting an Undergraduate Academic Major

Upon achieving junior status (56 credits), a preprofessional student will need to declare an academic major. The selection of an undergraduate major should be a carefully considered decision. Students who select a major solely or primarily because they perceive that it will enhance their chance of acceptance to professional school are not making a decision that is in their best interest.

 

A preprofessional student can elect to major in ANY area that is of interest to them. Overall, professional schools are most concerned with the quality and scope of an applicant's undergraduate work, particularly with regard to required prerequisites. Students need to demonstrate strong academic performance in the required preprofessional coursework in order to ensure adequate preparation and favorable consideration by the admission committee.

 

Study Abroad for the Preprofessional Student

While Study Abroad can be a personally enriching and rewarding experience, the preprofessional student must be particularly careful in planning coursework to be taken abroad. Not all medical schools will accept coursework taken abroad as courses which meet admission requirements. Students are wise to plan for all required science coursework to be taken in the United States (or Canada) or to take an equivalent number of semesters of supplemental/upper-level coursework in biology, chemistry, or physics if any is taken abroad.

 

Should a student elect to spend a semester abroad, taking classes other than science courses required for admission to professional school, it is critical to meet with a preprofessional advisor, as this could affect course sequences, timing of the MCAT and application to professional school.

 

While students are certainly encouraged to choose a Study Abroad program that is of personal interest, two MSU Study Abroad programs focus on health care delivery and comparative analysis of health care systems.

 

Preparing for Admissions Examinations

Preparation for professional schools exams should take place with the first college semester. Students are wise to approach their coursework with the ultimate goal of learning and understanding to a level which will allow them to demonstrate this knowledge well after courses are completed.

Following are suggestions for study and learning strategies.

  • Form and/or participate in study groups. Take advantage of opportunities to TEACH concepts to your peers or through paid tutoring positions.
  • Treat exams as learning opportunities. If possible, determine why you answered questions incorrectly as well as the appropriate answer. This provides a reason to visit your professors outside of class.
  • Purchase exam study guides to supplement class materials.
  • Continue to review previously learned concepts.
  • Read outside of classes.

 

Assessing Your Candidacy

Preprofessional students are wise to research and plan for an alternate career path. Admission to professional school is a very competitive process and planning for other career options can not only result in discovery of a rewarding career but also demonstrates maturity and proactive planning to admissions committees.

 

Frequently, this decision involves the assessment of graduate school programs, alternate careers in human health care requiring professional degrees, careers in health care requiring associate degrees or certificate training, and review of strengthening ones candidacy through post baccalaureate programs.

 

Career Planning for the Non-Admitted Applicant

Students who have applied, but not gained admission to a professional school may find the following questions helpful in assessing their candidacy and formulating a plan to make career decisions.

  1. How do my grades and admissions test scores compare to the class average of the professional schools to which I have applied?
  2. How much time and effort am I willing to spend to strengthen my candidacy to professional school?
  3. How have I demonstrated a commitment to this profession? How willing am I to take steps to show further commitment?
  4. How have I demonstrated a foundational knowledge of this profession? Am I willing to build upon this knowledge?

Frequently, the decision to continue to pursue a professional school education involves the assessment of graduate school programs, foreign medical schools, alternate careers in human health requiring associate degrees or certificate training, and review of strengthening one’s candidacy through post baccalaureate programs.

 

Many professional school admissions officers are willing to review a candidate’s application and provide feedback if requested, either personally or via phone. Such feedback is invaluable information to the candidate who intends to reapply.