Pre-Medical Program - NMU Bulletin

1. Students pursuing this program are assigned to the premedical adviser who assists them in selecting the courses required and recommended for admission into medical school and with general advisement on other required premedical activities. The choice of major is not restricted and students should choose a major that will interest them and provide a possible career opportunity for them upon graduation. Regardless of the major, students must take the science courses required by medical schools for admission. It is also recommended that other upper level biology courses be taken to enhance preparedness for medical school success. Please see the course listings below. A premedical handbook is available from the adviser.

2. Northern Michigan University has a premedical advisory board made up of practicing physicians and professors from the university. While the premedical adviser provides the student with information on the process of working towards acceptance into medical school, the board may interview students who are in the application process and the chair of the board (the premedical adviser) will then write a letter of evaluation (the board letter) that assesses the suitability of a student for the profession. This letter is provided to the medical schools to which the student is applying. Selection for the board interview is based on GPA, MCAT scores, references, and demonstrated participation in premedical activities throughout the undergraduate career, particularly in the areas of volunteer work and observation experiences with physicians.

3. Premedical students at the junior level and above who have completed at least one-half of the medical school course requirements and have demonstrated activity in volunteer work and the premedical club can participate in the preceptorship program under which they are assigned to a physician. This experience provides them with valuable observation experiences during the academic year while they are on campus at NMU. Students should also get additional experiences in their hometown during the summer break.

4. The course listing below shows those courses which are required by all medical schools for admission and also lists recommended courses. It should be noted that all the courses in the list are part of a biology/physiology or biochemistry major. Medical schools may require an additional course or two for entry so students should investigate medical schools at an early stage in their undergraduate careers.

Minimum course requirements for U.S. medical schools. All of these science courses have an associated laboratory component.

For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Pre-Professional Programs department page.

Bulletin Year: 2008 - 2009 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.