EIU Pre-Health Professions

Pre-Medicine

Medical schools are seeking well-rounded students who have demonstrated leadership skills, volunteer experience, knowledge of medicine, a strong academic record with a baccalaureate degree, and a strong score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Since medical schools do not require any specific major, pre-medical students may choose any course of study they desire. In addition to your primary academic advisor in the major of your choice, Eastern Illinois University provides access to a Pre-Health Professions Advisor. By listing pre-medicine as a "second major", you will then be assigned a secondary advisor to aid you through the process to prepare for medical school.

Additional information about the medical school application process may be found at the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine websites.

Advising sheet

Non-Biology Advising sheet

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Students must take the MCAT at least a year in advance of the date they wish to enter medical school. This is an online exam administered at multiple designated testing sites.  You must pre-register and schedule your exam in advance. You should begin preparing for the exam as a freshman. If you hope to go directly to medical school after a four-year undergraduate degree, you should plan take it during the spring semester (April-May) of your junior year or immediately thereafter. Applying to most medical schools is completed through AMCAS (Allopathic Medicine) or AACOMAS (Osteopathic Medicine) ication is done through a centralized service. Be aware of application opening dates and apply EARLY.

In general, applications should be submitted during the summer between your junior and senior years. Do not take the MCAT until you have taken the prerequisite courses and practice exams to ensure you are well-prepared for the exam. Candidates for admission to a medical school must earn a competative score on the MCAT and have a grade point average of around 3.5 or better on a four-point scale to merit serious consideration. Grades in science courses are expected to be especially good.

Preparing for medical school

Timetable for Pre-Med students