Pre-Medicine Year by Year Checklist for UTK Students

Pre-Medicine Year by Year Checklist for UTK Students

The checklist below will help you plan the activities each year which will help you as you prepare for your successful application to medical school.  Be sure to meet with your pre-health advisor regularly to create a schedule that works best for you.

Freshman Year

  • Begin completing pre-requisites for MCAT and medical school.
  • Explore careers in the medical field through volunteer work or shadow a physician (see pre-health website for options).
  • Participate in student organizations relevant to the health professions: Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Academy of Student Pharmacists (ASP), Student Dental Association (SDA), Health Occupations Student Association (HOSA) and Clinic VOLS.
  • Meet with a pre-health advisor to discuss admissions requirements for medical school and major options.
  • Identify extra-curricular activities and community service projects to meet your personal interests.
  • Start keeping a journal of all your medicine related activities to chronicle your exposure to medicine and to record your impressions about the experiences.
  • Enroll in Interdisciplinary Studies (INPG) 100, Introduction to Health Care Delivery (fall only). Call 865-974-4481 for more information.

Sophomore Year

  • Continue completing pre-requisites for MCAT and medical school.
  • Apply for AED. Pick up applications online at http://aedutk.wix.com/aed-utk/ or in Advising Services in 313 Ayres Hall.
  • Establish relationships with professors in preparation for undergraduate research and/or requesting academic evaluations.
  • Continue volunteer work in a variety of clinical settings.
  • Become actively involved in extra-curricular activities and community service work.
  • Begin organizing a resume of all activities, volunteer work, and employment.
  • Continue making entries in your journal regarding your medically related experiences.
  • Meet with a pre-health advisor in 313 Ayres Hall.
  • Declare major and be assigned faculty advisor in department of major.

Junior Year

  • Attend a Pre-Professional File Group Meeting to set up pre-professional file.
  • Complete pre-requisites for the MCAT.
  • Begin preparation for the MCAT (i.e., develop study plan, take practice tests, and register online at www.aamc.org).
  • Engage in undergraduate research.
  • Explore a variety of medical school programs (i.e., utilize the internet, participate in AED tours of health professions schools or tour on your own, and review medical school admissions requirements).
  • Continue volunteer work.
  • Continue making entries in your journal regarding your medically related experiences.
  • Create first draft of personal statement in anticipation of medical school application.
  • Complete the AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) application (available online at www.aamc.org) and/or the AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine) application (available online at www.aacom.org). AMCAS and AACOMAS usually begin accepting applications in early June.
  • Request official transcripts from all schools attended to be sent to AMCAS and/or AACOMAS.
  • Check on status of pre-professional file, and if complete, sign release form to have it sent to AMCAS, AACOMAS, or other medical schools.
  • Meet with pre-health advisor in 313 Ayres Hall and meet with faculty advisor in major.

Senior Year

  • Consider taking upper-level science courses in preparation for medical school.
  • Complete degree requirements.
  • If not previously completed, sign release form to have your pre-professional file sent to AMCAS, AACOMAS, or other medical schools.
  • Complete supplemental applications according to the deadlines set by the medical schools.
  • Prepare for medical school interviews (i.e., attend Center for Career Development interview skills workshop, read current literature on health issues, participate in a mock interview, and review your medical school essay and application).
  • Upon acceptance to medical school, contact the pre-health assistant to inform the university of the program you will be attending.
  • If you are not accepted to medical school, schedule an appointment with a pre-health advisor to discuss options.