If you’re thinking about a career in medicine and want to pursue a pre-med track, it’s never too early to set yourself up for admissions success. (Not to stress you, but when you apply to medical school, you’re applying alongside thousands of other applicants.)
But don’t sweat it. We’re here to help you plan your path, and set you up for med school admissions success. Here’s 6 tried-and-true steps you can take to help you on your pre-health journey:
- Discover your passions
Before making your final decision to pursue med school, consider gaining a pre-health certificate. Healthcareer CERTS’ pre-health programs give you the additional boost you need to design your path to med school. Not only will you get individual attention and guidance from our advisors, we’ll also help you with the medical school application process. What’s more, medical schools are always looking for students who have made a commitment and are passionate about a career in medicine. Gaining a certificate says a lot about your drive and willingness to pursue a career as a doctor, according to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA).
2. Know why are you pursuing a career in medicine
Medical school admissions committees are going to ask: “Why do you want to go into medicine?” Make sure you have reflected deeply on that question and have a very strong answer.
3. Build your pre-med experience
Have you been volunteering at a hospital or clinic? Shadowed a doctor? One of the most important things for you to do as a pre-med student is to gain real-life experience, according to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). Experiences come in all shapes and sizes—but through HealthCareer CERTS you can set yourself up for success in real clinical environments. Through interactive online simulations, you can familiarize yourself with what it’s actually like to work in a clinical setting. You’ll practice clinical tasks, decision-making, and patient interactions. You also can partner with our Career Services team which is dedicated to building partnerships with healthcare organizations to connect you with shadowing and hands-on learning experiences. This will give you a better understanding of what a doctor’s typical day is like, and give you good experience to talk about in your applications and interviews for medical school.
4. Seek mentorships
Our career services team is dedicated to building partnerships with healthcare organizations. Our professional mentors will give you guidance and motivation. Check out services for a personal Student Success Advisor.
5. Prepare for the MCAT early
The MCAT is not just another standardized exam. The primary function of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is to determine how you will perform in medical school. Begin preparing well in advance and consider using resources like practice exams to familiarize yourself with the test format. The HealthCareer CERTS’ offers free MCAT sample tests, along with free access to myriad online resources to help support your successful pathway through your medical studies.
6. Understand you are pursuing an amazing, impactful career.
As a pre-med student you are tomorrow’s physicians and you are the change agents.
Discover more about how you can boost your academic resume with a medical certificate through HealthCareer CERTS.
