Pre-Health Resources

Rockhurst pre-health students are encouraged to identify resources to help them plan their path into a health profession. A list of professional websites and other pre-health resources is shown below. 

Professional Websites

Association of American Medical Colleges:  www.aamc.org
American Osteopathic Association:  www.osteopathic.org
American Dental Association:  www.ada.org
American Academy of Physician Assistants:  www.aapa.org

Other Resources

Composing a Personal Statement:  http://web.jhu.edu/prepro/health/Applicants/personal.statement.html
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU):  http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp

MCAT testing information

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/

Recommended Pre-Health Reading

http://web.jhu.edu/prepro/health/recommended_reading.html

Advising Timeline

Students take many different paths to medical school.  Below is our typical four year timeline.  Many different factors can influence this timeline, so please see a pre-health advisor for more information.

Rockhurst University Traditional Pre-Medical Student Timeline

Freshman Year

Fall

  1. Gain clinical medical experience by shadowing and volunteering.  Reflect upon and record your experiences.  Volunteering and service over a long period of time (at least a year) at one community partner is highly recommended by both KCUMB and Saint Louis University. 
  2. Make an appointment with the Annie Lee, Ph.D., in chemistry (annie.lee@rockhurst.edu)  or Laura Salem, Ph.D., in biology laura.salem@rockhurst.edu and let them know that you are interested in Pre-Medicine.
  3. Consider joining the Pre-Med Club; become active in other campus activities.
  4. Improve studying and learning techniques.
  5. Complete general biology I and general chemistry I (or Honors sections of these courses).
  6. Consider taking calculus I as a recommended pre-med course.
  7. Learn how to calculate your own science and overall grade point average (GPA) – set a target goal for your own GPA.
     

Spring

  1. Continue shadowing/gaining medical clinical experience and completing written reflection of your experiences.
  2. Complete general biology II and general chemistry II.
  3. Consider joining the Pre-Medical Fraternity.
     

Summer

  1. Continue shadowing/gaining medical clinical experience.  Continue written reflection on your experiences.
  2. Read books related to health professions.  Examples can be found at http://staff.washington.edu/jstock/prehealthwireframes/explore/readinglist.php
  3. Evaluate your science and overall GPA. 
  4. Begin composing your personal statement explaining why you want to be a physician. 

Sophomore Year

Fall

  1. Continue with shadowing/volunteering activities and reflection.
  2. Make an advising appointment with Dr. Lee or Dr. Salem to discuss your progress.
  3. Explore on campus leadership opportunities. 
  4. Complete organic chemistry I and general physics I.
  5. Consider research experiences on campus.
     

Spring

  1. Continue with shadowing/volunteering activities and reflection. 
  2. Declare your major.
  3. Complete organic chemistry II and general physics II.
     

Summer

  1. Evaluate science and overall GPA
  2. Read books related to health professions.  Examples can be found at http://staff.washington.edu/jstock/prehealthwireframes/explore/readinglist.php.
  3. Investigate MCAT materials and begin studying.  Make timeline for MCAT preparation.
  4. Compose another draft of your personal statement for medical school. 

Junior Year

Fall

  1. Continue with shadowing/volunteering activities and reflection.
  2. Consider taking biochemistry I as a recommended pre-med course.
  3. If applying to medical school the following summer, begin working on your Rockhurst Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Advisory group application for a committee interview and letter.  Applications will be available online or from Dr. Lee or Dr. Salem. 
  4. Continue MCAT preparation and studying.  Make a plan for your final preparation.
  5. Consider applying for summer undergraduate research opportunities (SURF or other funded programs).  Applications for summer research internships are typically due in January.
     

Spring

  1. Complete your application to the Rockhurst Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Advisory Group.  Applications will be due the first week of classes in January. The deadline will be listed on your application.  Late application will not be accepted.
  2. After submission of your application to the Rockhurst Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Advisory Group, an interview will be scheduled.
  3. Before interviewing with the Rockhurst Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Advisory Group, consider an appointment with the career center for a mock interview to practice your communication skills. 
  4. After completion of your Rockhurst Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Advisory Group interview, make a list of things to improve upon for your official medical school interview.   
  5. Continue with shadowing/volunteering activities and reflection.
  6. Consider taking biochemistry II and general physiology as recommended pre-med courses
  7. Continue to study for the MCAT and take the MCAT in spring or summer. 
     

Summer

  1. Take the MCAT if you did not take it in the spring.
  2. Evaluate science and overall GPA, shadowing/volunteering hours for breadth and depth, MCAT score and other factors to determine if you are as well prepared as possible to apply – if not, consider waiting.
  3. Complete AMCAS/AACOMAS application(s). 
  4. Provide letter writers with AMCAS/AACOMAS ID #(s) and letter request as soon as possible.
  5. Complete secondary applications if received during the summer.

Senior Year

Fall

  1. Continue with shadowing/volunteering activities and reflection.
  2. Turn in your Bachelor's Degree Application to the Registrar.
  3. Complete any secondary applications.
  4. Interview with medical schools.
     

Spring

  1. Complete degree and graduation requirements
  2. If waiting a year to re-apply to medical school, consider working in a research or biotechnology setting or gaining more clinical experience during your gap year.