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Pre-med resources
If you’re considering a career in medicine, it’s never too early to prepare.
In addition to coursework, the research, extracurricular, and volunteer experiences you gain as an undergraduate are heavily considered as part of your medical school application.
Many colleges and universities offer career guidance and counseling programs for students interested in applying to medical school.
If you are passionate about a career in medicine, reach out to an academic advisor at your undergraduate institution. Advisors can help guide you towards the programs and classes you should take that will help prepare you for medical school, and set you up for a successful application process.
Review the resources below, then learn about the specific academic prerequisites necessary for medical school.
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Events for
Prospective Students
Each year, hundreds of enthusiastic prospective students attend our information sessions, seminars, tours, and other activities designed to showcase the University of Minnesota Medical School experience.
Each year, hundreds of enthusiastic prospective students attend our information sessions, seminars, tours, and other activities designed to showcase the University of Minnesota Medical School experience.
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Student National Medical Association
Mentor Program
This program encourages and supports under-represented minority pre-med students in pursuing medicine. It provides encouragement by helping you build relationships with current medical students.
This program encourages and supports under-represented minority pre-med students in pursuing medicine. It provides encouragement by helping you build relationships with current medical students.
By exposing you to the application process and medical school life, you’ll learn important skills and find resources designed to fully prepare you for future acceptance into medical school.
Program applicants are typically accepted between July and October of each year.
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On the Topic of Medicine
reading list
The Office of Admissions offers a suggested reading list on the topics of medicine, medical education, and health care reform. It includes medical memoirs and histories, and some medical-based fiction.
The Office of Admissions offers a suggested reading list on the topics of medicine, medical education, and health care reform. It includes medical memoirs and histories, and some medical-based fiction.
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Minnesota’s
Future Doctors program
This Medical School program serves Minnesota's diverse urban and rural communities by recruiting college students under-represented in medicine. It’s designed for those who have successfully completed their first year at a college or university and are interested in becoming a doctor.
This Medical School program serves Minnesota's diverse urban and rural communities by recruiting college students under-represented in medicine. It’s designed for those who have successfully completed their first year at a college or university and are interested in becoming a doctor.
Over the course of 3 years in the program, you’ll explore the profession and prepare for applying to medical school. With the help of your advisor, you’ll pick an undergraduate major, get involved with pre-med or science extracurricular activities, and find a volunteer opportunity in a health or medical setting.
Hear current students discuss how Minnesota's Future Doctors helped them.
Learn more about how to apply to the Minnesota's Future Doctors Program.
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Office of Minority Affairs
& Diversity
The Medical School’s Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity supports under-represented students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. It offers a seminar series, mentorship program, student organizations, and other resources.
The Medical School’s Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity supports under-represented students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. It offers a seminar series, mentorship program, student organizations, and other resources.
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Center of American Indian
and Minority Health (CAIMH)
From the Anishinaabe to the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota is home to 7 Anishinaabe (Chippewa, Ojibwe) reservations and 4 Dakota (Sioux) communities. In fact, more than 68,000 Native Americans call Minnesota home.
From the Anishinaabe to the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota is home to 7 Anishinaabe (Chippewa, Ojibwe) reservations and 4 Dakota (Sioux) communities. In fact, more than 68,000 Native Americans call Minnesota home.
The Medical School attracts Native American students from Minnesota and around the country because CAIMH provides the personal support students need to succeed in being accepted to medical school and through culturally sensitive medical education. For more than 30 years, the CAIMH has raised the health status of the Native American population by educating Native American students in the field of health care and Indian health. As early as middle school, the CAIMH reaches out with encouragement, providing programs to support you throughout your education.
Learn more about the Center of American Indian and Minority Health.
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Academic Health Center
Health Careers Center
The Health Careers Center provides career exploration resources for prospective or current University of Minnesota students interested in medicine and other health fields. Attend a career-focused information session, participate in an online workshop or work with a career counselor to explore volunteer and research opportunities in health and medical settings.
The Health Careers Center provides career exploration resources for prospective or current University of Minnesota students interested in medicine and other health fields. Attend a career-focused information session, participate in an online workshop or work with a career counselor to explore volunteer and research opportunities in health and medical settings.
Opportunities often exist such as assisting in University laboratories and helping researchers conduct work that will determine the future of health care.
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AAMC
Tomorrow’s Doctors
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) represents all 133 accredited medical schools that grant MDs, and more than 400 major teaching hospitals in the United States. It also administers the MCAT exam and manages the application process for medical schools.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) represents all 133 accredited medical schools that grant MDs, and more than 400 major teaching hospitals in the United States. It also administers the MCAT exam and manages the application process for medical schools.
AAMC’s Tomorrow’s Doctors program helps present you at your best! It offers reliable tools, information, and the support you need to explore whether or not a career in medicine is right for you. AAMC also offers resources that can help students prepare their applications to medical school.
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Aspiring
Docs
A free resource from AAMC, Aspiring Docs works to change the face of medicine to address the needs of diverse communities. Aspiring Docs can help you prepare your medical school application, help you learn what medical school is really like, and offers tips for first-year medical students.
A free resource from AAMC, Aspiring Docs works to change the face of medicine to address the needs of diverse communities. Aspiring Docs can help you prepare your medical school application, help you learn what medical school is really like, and offers tips for first-year medical students.
Aspiring Docs even helps students determine the most competitive coursework, ensuring your application stands strong beside all others. Ask questions of expert panelists, learn about upcoming events and hear from current students like you.
The need for more African American, Latino, and Native American doctors is especially important. Today, while these groups make up 25% of the population, they account for only 12% of U.S. medical school graduates.
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Volunteer
Experience
Working or volunteering in a medical setting is an ideal way to gain the experience you need to apply to medical school. Possibilities abound nationwide, so be diligent when searching for an opportunity that is a good fit for you.
Working or volunteering in a medical setting is an ideal way to gain the experience you need to apply to medical school. Possibilities abound nationwide, so be diligent when searching for an opportunity that is a good fit for you.
Volunteer options in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area:
- University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview
- Regions Hospital
- Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC)
- North Memorial Medical Center
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital
- Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
- Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC)
- United Hospital
Volunteer options in the Duluth area
Quick Links
- Department head directory
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- Employee Benefits
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- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Finance Office
- Graduate Assistant Office
- HRMS Payroll Calendar FY 2013
- Human Resources
- Medical School Cluster
- Online I-9 System
- Payroll
- Performance Management
- RECESS Program Information
- Workers' Compensation
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