Pre-Med

Choosing a Major 
Upon starting your undergrad years, one of the first decisions you are faced with is choosing a major. It is important to choose a major that you both enjoy and can excel in academically. To prepare for medical school, you will be on a Pre-Med Track. The Pre-Med track is not a major or minor, but simply a list of coursework that medical schools require in order to apply to medical school and are also necessary for the MCAT. If your passion lies in a non-science major that you will excel in, by all means major in it, but recognize that science classes will always be a big part of your class schedule.

IMPORTANT: UCCS does not have a medicine program. Pre-Medicine Prep is not a major or a minor but a listing of prerequisite courses and recommendations needed to be eligible for admission to the University of Colorado School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO.

A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 120 credits from an accredited college or university is required to be completed prior to matriculation to the program.

Other schools may have different requirements.  Students should check admissions requirements for all schools to which they plan to apply. Completion of requisite coursework does not guarantee acceptance into any professional degree.

Application Information for the School of Medicine, including contact information, application materials, deadlines, and testing, can be found at: http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/

Click Here to access the Program Catalog for the Pre-Medicine Track Information

MCAT Score(s) 
What it is: The Medical College Admission Test is a standardized multiple-choice test designed to assess your problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles. 

What it communicates: The MCAT exam tests the skills and knowledge that medical educators, physicians, medical students, and residents have identified as key prerequisites for success in medical school and beyond. The MCAT exam is one tool that medical school admissions officers use in combination with application materials (e.g., transcripts and personal statements) and interviews to select future medical students. 

Shadowing 

Shadowing is considered observation without direct patient contact. Shadowing consists of following and observing one or a few physicians around as they perform their jobs to gain a “day in the life” perspective. Shadowing is more than just a requirement for admission into medical school. It allows you to get a clear sense of what it’s like to be a practicing doctor. 
In choosing a physician to shadow, it may be best to pick a general practitioner of family medicine or internal medicine for an overall perspective. If you find yourself interested in a particular field, explore it by seeking out physicians that specialize in that or similar fields. If you have a relationship with your own doctor(s), or know any doctors, start by asking them. Use your network- friends and family and you can also ask your teachers, professors, and advisors if they know any doctors that other students have shadowed in the past. It’s also okay to contact hospitals through their volunteer office, or search online for local doctors with specialties that interest you. 

Healthcare and Clinical Experience 
Clinical Experience is clinical interaction with patients. As long as who you are interacting with are patients, then it’s clinical and does not always have to occur in a clinical setting. Clinical experience is with trained professionals, whether in a hospital, surgical center, physician’s office, or similar environment. Clinical experience can be paid employment. Consider clinical experience a key requirement. General Healthcare experience is working on a healthcare team or in a healthcare environment, but not working hands on with patients. 

Research  

Research can look very good on a medical school application. You should not pursue research just to ‘check a box’ but rather because you are interested in the competency of scientific inquiry. There are a variety of ways to get involved in research but most directly is to reach out to the faculty in your department. 

• Department of Biology: Find research or internship opportunities through their website: https://biology.uccs.edu/research 

• Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry: https://chemistry.uccs.edu/undergraduate/chemistry-and-biochemistry-research 

• Human Physiology and Nutrition: Go to your faculty members directly for research interest. Check their website here for current internship opportunities: https://johnsonbethel.uccs.edu/hpnu-programs 

• UCCS Center for Student Research: https://studentresearch.uccs.edu/ 

• CU Anschutz Opportunities for Undergraduate students: https://www.ucdenver.edu/lynxconnect/undergraduate-research/other 

Research and Course Credit: 
In some instances, you can line up academic and/or laboratory research with course credit. Students can enroll in a Research Practicum with a faculty mentor to earn credit for research.  You can also earn credit for your Research or Creative Work and Register for 9499. The course will appear as ‘Undergraduate Research’ on your transcript. Reach out to the UCCS Center for Student Research at: email- CSR@uccs.edu 

Why Research? 

Research, internships, and other special projects can provide the following positive contributions when seeking medical school admission: 
Experiences to list in the Work/Activities section of your med school primary (and sometimes secondary) application(s) for admission. May provide you with insight into future career choices (what you are interested in, what you have found not to be for you, etc) Projects involving teaching experience can prepare you for future patient interaction. 
Demonstrate your sincere interest, working knowledge, and independent learning skills in your field. 

Extracurricular Preparation: 
Participation in extracurricular activities is an important aspect of a premed’s undergrad years through your involvement in social and community activities, athletics, volunteer work, social impact, clinical experiences, shadowing and employment. Choose experiences that you enjoy and consider the AAMC Core Competencies as a guide. Think of extracurricular activities as absolutely required.

Social Activities and Athletics 
Involvement in athletics or in undergrad activities/organizations like clubs, student orgs or other interests can give you an opportunity to: 
1. Explore your own personal interests. 
2. Demonstrate to med schools what is important to you (other than just being admitted to med school). 
3. Embrace your college experience by surrounding yourself with activities that mean something to you and are valuable to your well-being. Not only will you feel personally fulfilled, it will be reflected in your application to med school (in the work/activities or essay sections of the application, or in your interview discussion). Prioritize your mental health, self-care, social, physical and emotional well-being by being involved in personal interests too.  

UCCS Student Orgs to consider: 
Pre-Health Society 
Global Medical Brigades 

Community and Volunteer Involvement 
As a physician, you will serve the needs of others, and community and volunteer involvement can indicate that you are devoted to that cause. It is also important to show consistency in this area. Even if you do a few hours a week over a few years, that looks better than short term experiences. 

Civic engagement in other settings: tutoring, coaching kids, helping the elderly, are also valued.