Pre-Medicine

Opportunities for medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathy (DOs) are diverse. Besides the variety of areas in which a physician may specialize, there are numerous job possibilities. Most physicians provide direct patient care in private practices, clinics, or hospitals.

However, physicians may also work at universities, either teaching or researching. In industrial settings, they may conduct medical research and help with the invention and testing of medical products. Employment opportunities also exist in government organizations (e.g., The Centers for Disease Control or public health officers).

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Why Be a Pre-Med Student at Goshen College?

Goshen College’s pre-med program provides a strong background for entry into medical school and related professions for students interested in medicine. As one of the best undergraduate schools for a pre-med major, Goshen College offers many unique opportunities for medical experience before entering medical school. Many pre-med students find plenty of opportunities for academic studies and research within the pre-med track, and also gain experience in programs linking GC with local healthcare providers.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Per capita, Goshen College alumni have the second-highest rate of Ph.D. completion in Indiana. The average acceptance rate to med school for our graduates typically falls between 80-100 percent. Students applying for the pre-medical program will gain a well-rounded education along with excellent pre-med courses to meet your medical school requirements.

Goshen College will provide you with a grounding in your major and each traditional academic discipline. You’ll be pushed to think critically in all aspects of life and exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking. Small class sizes foster the most productive interactions between students and professors. Additionally, Goshen College pre-medical students learn about and volunteer in healthcare systems across the globe as they practice communicating across cultures in the Study Service Term (SST) program.

The pre-medical education from GC prepares med school applicants to get accepted and attend medical school and pursue their career goals.

EXCELLENT FACILITIES

The Science Building and Schrock Annex provide modern laboratory and research facilities for all the sciences, including medical science and pre-med classes. The comfortable and safe research labs are spacious, well-ventilated, and well-equipped for basic research in the genetic, cellular, molecular, vertebrate, aquatic, and marine areas.

OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH FACULTY

Pre-med students can interact personally with science faculty in classes, labs, and research activities.

• The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, allowing you to interact directly with their professors.
• Pre-med students can participate in various undergraduate research projects directed by faculty members. Faculty Research
• Many pre-med school students work with professors as teaching and lab assistants.
• Pre-medical students are encouraged to participate in Goshen College’s Pre-Health Club, which provides support and information to students interested in medicine. Events typically include visiting a medical school, hearing from visiting physicians, and organizing volunteer events in the community.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN EXPERIENCE

You will find many opportunities to gain valuable experience (paid or volunteer) in and around GC.

• Most Goshen College students spend a semester abroad in GC’s unique Study-Service Term (SST). Most pre-medical students spend their six-week period of service volunteering in a health-related assignment, such as a hospital or clinic.
• Students are encouraged to shadow a physician or volunteer in the emergency room at Goshen Hospital (across the street from GC). You may also seek employment at Greencroft, a large nursing home/ assisted living center (within walking distance of GC), or Oaklawn, a psychiatric hospital (a 10-minute drive from GC).

APPLYING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL

Many students choose to complete their pre-medical courses by April of their junior year before taking the MCAT and applying to medical school. Interviews would then typically occur in the fall of your senior year. However, many students also take a gap year to engage in other activities, such as completing a post-baccalaureate research program, before entering medical school. Goshen College continues to support its pre-medical students after graduation so they can tailor their career paths to their needs and interests.

SUGGESTED PRE-MED PLAN OF STUDY AND MEDICAL SCHOOL PREREQUISITES

The following courses meet the prerequisites for almost all medical schools.

• Biology Core classes – Ecology & Evolution, Organismal Biology, Cell Biology & Genetics
• Advanced Cell Biology & Advanced Molecular Genetics
• Calculus I
• General Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• General Physics
• Developmental Biology and/or Vertebrate Physiology
• General Psychology
• Principles of Sociology

Plan carefully to complete your required courses on time. This suggested schedule ensures that the students complete all the required courses before taking the MCAT.

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

*Take the math placement exam before beginning classes.

**Because of the need to finish required courses before taking the MCAT, it is usually advisable to take SST during the summer after the student’s sophomore year.

Goshen College offers many other beneficial courses for students entering the medical field. Among other recommended courses are:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Economics
• Epidemiology
• General Zoology
• Global Health
• Health Care Ethics
• Healthcare in Diverse Communities
• Human Nutrition
• Microbial Biology