Health Professions

Pre-Medicine

Here to help

Our health specialists are here to guide you from entering Gustavus through acceptance to graduate school.

Prerequisite Requirements

Requirements for professional schools vary from school to school and can change year by year, students must carefully examine the pre-requisite requirements of the schools they are interested in to be current and accurate when registering for courses at Gustavus.

 

Consult the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) guide for requirements and admission statistics to the 130+ Medical Schools for the most accurate information, medical school admission requirements.

Four Year Plan pre-requisite courses required for the MCAT and for regional MD programs:

Medicine: Four Year Plan

 

Four Year Plans for common majors of MD students @ Gustavus:

ANY undergraduate major is acceptable, as long as you fulfill the MD programs pre-requisite requirements.

Consult the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) guide for requirements and admission statistics to the 130+ Medical Schools for the most accurate information, medical school admission requirements.

Opportunities to Gain Experience

Applicant information

The American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) is the AAMC's centralized medical school application processing service. Regardless of the number of medical schools to which you apply, you submit just one online application to AMCAS. Most U.S. medical schools use AMCAS as the primary application method for their entering classes.

AMCAS Centralized Application Timline

  • First week in May AMCAS centralized application opens
  • First week in June AMCAS centralized application opens for submission
  • End of June AMCAS centralized application data to medical schools

AMCAS Centralized Application site

AMCAS Application Grade Conversion Guide

 

 

 

 


 

 

The Medical College Admission Exam (MCAT) is a standardized test that is part of the admissions process for many medical schools. 

Official website for the Medical College Admission Exam (MCAT)

 

MCAT Study resources

 

Additional information

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is collaborating with medical schools to make the AAMC PREview exam available for their applicants in support of a holistic admissions strategy.

What is measured on the PREview exam?

PREview is a standardized exam that presents a series of hypothetical scenarios and asks examinees to evaluate the effectiveness of a series of behavioral responses to each scenario. Examinees’ responses provide insight into their knowledge of effective and ineffective behaviors across nine professional competencies for entering medical students: interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, cultural humility, empathy and compassion, teamwork and collaboration, ethical responsibility to self and others, resilience and adaptability, reliability and dependability, commitment to learning and growth.


Find information about the AAMC PREview exam, including more detailed information about:

If you have any questions, please fill out the “Contact Us” form on the website, email at %20askpreview [at] aamc.org (askpreview[at]aamc[dot]org), or call 202-828-0600.

Successful Applicant Workshop Series

Gustavus Letter of Recommendation Online Form

 

If you are requesting a letter of recommendation from a Gustavus faculty or other employee, you need to complete the online form. All pre-health applicants need to complete the form to request letters. 

 

How many letters do I need?

You need to review the particular health profession programs that you plan to apply and letter requirements for each particular program. The number of letters accepted may vary and whom the letters need to be written by may also vary by program.

Allopathic Medicine MD — AMCAS centralized application (10 total allowed)
Recommend three or four total: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Physician (MD), work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Osteopathic Medicine DO — AACOM centralized application (Unlimited allowed; not yet in centralized application)
Recommended three or four total: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Doctor of Osteopathic medicine preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Physician Assistant — CASPA centralized application (3 total allowed)
Recommended: one science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Physician assistant preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Dental — AADSAS centralized application (4 total allowed)
Recommended: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Dentist preferred/or or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Pharmacy — PharmCAS centralized application (4 total allowed)
Recommended: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Pharmacist preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Veterinary — VMCAS centralized application (3 VMCAS evaluations allowed)
Recommended: one science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Veterinarian preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Physical Therapy — PTCAS centralized application (4 total allowed)
Recommended: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Physical Therapist preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Occupational Therapy — OTCAS centralized application (3 total allowed)
Recommended: one science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Occupational Therapist preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc.

 

Selecting who should be a letter writer

Develop a relationship and connect with your faculty and supervisors EARLY in your college career. It is important that you start building relationships early in your college career (freshman year). Waiting until your junior or senior year to start making connections will result in a forced and shallow relationship. Making a strong connection early on will allow potential letter-writers to get to know you on a personal level, witness your growth over a period of time and ultimately develop the basis for writing a more compelling letter.

Selecting who will write your letters is an important decision. While it is important who the letter writer is, it is equally important what the writer has to say. The writer needs to offer additional information to complete and complement what you have already shared through your application materials. Do not select a writer simply because they hold an important position, "like you" or you "like them." Rather, select a writer that has a basis (evidence) for being able to write a letter that can make a strong case for the strengths you exhibit. Have a balanced approach to selecting your writers; select writers that know you from different areas to give the selection committee a well rounded look at you as an applicant.

 

Asking for a letter

When asking for a letter, make an appointment to meet in person (if at all possible).

Before designating your writers, schedule an appointment with each potential writers to let them know why you want to go into this particular health field and explain to them why you think their perspective of you as an individual will best support yours application. Be sure to share when the letter is needed, and ask if they would be able and willing to write a strong letter of recommendation.

Give letter writers plenty of advance notice, recommended (a month or even two).

Make sure that your writer knows your timeline for applying and when you are hoping to have their letter submitted.

Allow the person the option of saying NO. You need a strong letter and if the person is hesitant or uncomfortable or does not have enough time, you will NOT get a strong letter. Most likely it will be generic, short and weak. LISTEN to what the person is telling you. It is much better to have them be honest and to avoid a weak letter, so that you can identify someone different to write you a strong letter.

 

Etiquette after asking someone to write

  • Complete the Gustavus Letter of Recommendation Online Form
  • During the Centralized Application process print off or email the Letter Request Form to your letter writers with directions and information about how to upload and submit the letter.
    • For Medical School Applicants: AAMC Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation
  • Friendly reminders about your letter are helpful, but do not pester/annoy them. Interpersonal interactions and effective communication skills are things that your writer will most likely be referencing.

Waiving your right to access the letter

Highly recommended you waive your right to access the reference letter. If you mark, "I do NOT waive my right to access this reference letter," the person writing the reference will know that you will be able to view the letter. Waiving your right indicates to programs that your reference will be more honest and candid in their remarks. If you choose to NOT waive your right, you may be asked to explain your decision during interview(s).

Follow-through expectations

Write a thank you note to each letter writer. Email, call or stop by and let your writers know when you get accepted and where you have decided to attend school and thank them again for their assistance, support, encouragement and overall effort.

 

Individual Letters vs. Pre-Health Committee

Gustavus does not have a pre-health committee or pre-health advisor that writes a committee letter. Three different types of letters can be sent to AMCAS; at Gustavus the method used is an individual letter written by one author. Below is a description of the types of letters that can be forwarded to AMCAS on your behalf.

Individual Letter: An individual letter refers to a letter authored by, and representing, a single letter writer. (Method at Gustavus- Individual Letter. Typically one science faculty, one non-science faculty, and one "other").

Committee Letter: A committee letter is a letter authored by a pre-health committee or pre-health advisor and intended to represent your institution's evaluation of you. A committee letter may or may not include additional letters written in support of your application.

Letter Packet: A packet or set of letters assembled and distributed by your institution, often by the institutions career center. A Letter Packet may include a cover sheet from your pre-health committee or advisor; however, in contrast to a Committee Letter, a Letter Packet does not include an evaluative letter from your pre-health committee or advisor.

Personal Statements are an important part of a graduate and professional school application. A personal statement is your opportunity to bring your individual voice and personality to your application, and its purpose is to convince the reader that you are an ideal candidate to enter the program.
You need to show evidence that you have the research skills, mindset, and scholarly interest to succeed.

Learn more about writing your personal statement.

Interviewing preparation

 

There are many online resources available to help you prepare for your graduate school interview.

Gustavus partners with the University of Minnesota to provide interactive online workshops that include helpful advice, video clips, and short exercises to help you best prepare your health professional program application. 

Frequently asked questions

Yes, and we think it is a great idea. Being pre-med and studying abroad is possible and Gustavus pre-med students have been able to successfully fit a semester abroad into their undergraduate experience with careful planning.

In order to spend a semester abroad you need to plan your timeline for application and map out your four-year plan. Timeline for studying abroad matters. If you are planning to apply to medical school directly following graduation from Gustavus, the application process opens in May of your junior year and the interview window is typically from September to mid-March of your senior year.

Many of the science courses are sequenced at Gustavus and the first two years you most likely will be enrolled in sequenced biology and chemistry courses that are required for the MCAT and admission to medical schools. During the junior year is typically when students take physics and biochemistry. Medical schools do not accept pre-requisite courses taken internationally.

Yes and no.

This is a question that needs to be researched and directed at the specific medical school programs you are interested in applying to because policies vary.

For example, if you are a Minnesota resident and planning to apply to the University of Minnesota, below are the guidelines for the University of Minnesota's Medical School.

University of Minnesota Medical School guidelines:

  • Requirements cannot be fulfilled with College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits.
  • Requirements cannot be fulfilled by AP credits. If you received AP credit for courses such as general chemistry or biology, you’ll still need 1 semester of chemistry and biology with labs. This can be an advanced chemistry, organic chemistry, or any advanced biology course. Do not re-take coursework for which you already received AP credit.

 

We recommend that you take two math courses:

  • MCS 121 or MCS 118/119
  • Stats

There are 164 U.S. accredited medical schools and pre-requisite math requirements do vary. Looking at the specific programs you are applying to will help to clarify this further.

Q: “I love math and already took Calculus in high school, now what?”

A: Take Calculus II and Stats

Q: “I hate Math and I heard some medical schools only require one math class can I just take stats?”

A: Yes and NO. Where are you applying? This might be possible, but it may limit some of the medical programs you will be eligible to apply to. You do not need to take calculus right away, focus on your science pre-requisite course. When it is time for application you can decide to take calculus at that time.

Both MDs and DOs are physicians that practice medicine and choose a specialty. The main difference betweena MD and DO is that DOs have additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine, which is a unique type of manual therapy. Osteopathic physicians also work with the patients to help them have a high level of wellness by focusing on health education, disease prevention, and injury prevention.

Although there is a difference in the definitions of a MD and a DO, studies show that DOs are becoming more and more similar to MDs in their practices.

The application process to Osteopathic Medical Schools utilizes a different common application site and the GPA and MCAT requirements are slightly less competitive than that of medical schools.

Source 

Gustavus does not have a pre-health committee or pre-health advisor that writes a committee letter. Three different types of letters can be sent to AMCAS; at Gustavus the method used is an individual letter written by one author. 
 

Below is a description of the types of letters that can be forwarded to AMCAS on your behalf.

  • Individual Letter: An individual letter refers to a letter authored by, and representing, a single letter writer. (Method at Gustavus- Individual Letter. Typically one science faculty, one non-science faculty, and one "other").
  • Committee Letter: A committee letter is a letter authored by a pre-health committee or pre-health advisor and intended to represent your institution's evaluation of you. A committee letter may or may not include additional letters written in support of your application.
  • Letter Packet: A packet or set of letters assembled and distributed by your institution, often by the institutions career center. A Letter Packet may include a cover sheet from your pre-health committee or advisor; however, in contrast to a Committee Letter, a Letter Packet does not include an evaluative letter from your pre-health committee or advisor.

Source

Scribes are typically recent college graduates that do the medical documentation who assist a medical provider throughout his or her shift. They serve as a personal assistant to the provider to help make them more efficient and productive. The primary function of a scribe is the creation and maintenance of the patient's medical record, which is done under the supervision of the provider. The scribe will document the patient's story, the provider's interaction with the patient, the procedures performed, the results of laboratory studies, and other pertinent information. This is accomplished by using a laptop or tablet computer, which the scribe takes with him or her throughout the shift.

Additional functions of a scribe may include assisting with the patient's disposition, documenting consultations, and notifying the provider when important studies are completed.

Source: Elite Medical Scribes

Scribe Companies in Minnesota:

A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, helps patients or clients with healthcare needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Things to consider for CNA training:

Community College: Hours/schedule are more full-time in nature and college credit is also awarded along with certification. Therefore, cost might be higher for credit/certification.

Other Organization: Course offerings tend to be more part-time in nature to accommodate working/students schedules. Cost might also be slightly lower because of no academic credit earned.

Learn more

Salary and job outlook

Learn more about pay ranges and job outlook.

Occupational outlook salary information

Aspiring doctor resources

Facts, stories, and videos for aspiring doctors from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

AAMC resources

How many people apply to medical school?

Association of American Medical Colleges data on applicants & martriculants.

Applicant data

Anatomy of a successful applicant 

Association of American Medical College's profiles of accepted applicants and how they met the core competencies

Accecpted applicant competencies

Reach far. Dig deep.
Go Beyond.