Pre-Medicine

Explore the categories below to learn more about academic preparation, the application process, and experiential opportunities that can enhance your pre-medical experience at UCCS. 

Choosing a Major 
Upon starting your undergraduate education, 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. 

In addition to selecting a major of your choice, you have the option to select the UCCS Pre-Medicine Track. Click Here to access the Program Catalog for the Pre-Medicine Track Information

IMPORTANT: The Pre-Medicine Track 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: http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/

Other medical schools may have different requirements.  Students should check admissions requirements for all schools to which they plan to apply. For more information about medical school and osteopathic school requirements, visit: Required Premedical Coursework and Competencies | Students & Residents and Choose D.O. Explorer | AACOM

Completion of requisite coursework does not guarantee acceptance into any professional degree

 

Coming Soon! 

 

Medical schools differ in their testing requirements. Most medical and osteopathic schools require the MCAT, and many also require the CASPer Exam. The AAMC PREview Exam is also required by some medical schools. 

  • The Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) exam is a situational judgment test designed to assess one's personal and professional attributes, including: Collaboration, Communication, Empathy, Equity, Ethics, Motivation, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Resilience, and Self Awareness. 
     
    • It is a virtually proctored assessment. Each section contains a video-based and word-based scenario and open-ended questions.
    • For more information, visit: About Casper - Take Casper 

       

 

 

Shadowing 

  • Shadowing provides an opportunity to follow and observe a physician as they perform their jobs and to gain a “day in the life” perspective. 

  • When identifying a physician to shadow, many students select a general practitioner of family medicine or internal medicine to gain an overall perspective. If you find yourself interested in a particular field, you can opt to seek out physicians that specialize in that area or similar fields. 

  • To learn more about shadowing, visit: Shadowing a Doctor | Students & Residents

 

Clinical Experience 

 

 

 

Conducting research is another way to enhance your 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. A good way to find out about research opportunities is to reach out to the faculty.

Community Engagement and Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Volunteerism is another way to strengthen your medical school application. Numerous nonprofit and community organizations in the Colorado Springs area offer volunteer opportunities. 

UCCS Student Clubs and Organizations: