Best Pre Med Schools Illinois - Level Medicine Blog

For students interested in attending the University of Illinois at Chicago for pre-med, they must declare an educational goal as an internal selection for their academic plan. These goals accompany the majors selected by students and are designed to support their pre-professional careers.

Pre-Medicine Program

At Illinois Wesleyan, pre-medicine students receive the strongest science preparation possible.

As at most universities, students at Illinois Wesleyan University do not major in pre-medicine. Instead, students will major in their primary field of interest, while also working to complete the courses required by the pre-medicine program.

Pre-Medicine at Illinois Wesleyan — Our Advantages

Close interaction between students and faculty, which is critical for the development of strong candidates for admission into professional schools.
The Medical Extern Program pairs students with a local physician, often an Illinois Wesleyan alum, as a mentor you can observe at work.
Many opportunities for lab experience, working with top-quality scientific equipment and pursuing independent research projects under the supervision of Ph.D. professors.
Our Pre-Medical Advisory Committee assists students in all aspects of applying to professional programs, including advising, in-depth interviews and the writing of thoughtful, thorough letters of evaluation.

As a result, we have had great success in placing many of our students into a large variety of medical schools

Curriculum

Courses Required for Pre-Medicine:

General Biology
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
General Physics

Additional Courses Recommended:

Anatomy and Physiology
Histology
Microbiology
Topics in Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Electricity, Magnetism and Optics
Microbiology
Experimental Zoology
Molecular Genetics
The Microbial World
Biostatistics and Experimental Design
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Neurophysiology
Calculus

Michele Darnell, Biology and Pre-Health Career Advisor

A sampling of the medical schools admitting our recent graduates includes:

Baylor University
Case Western Reserve University
Creighton University
Dartmouth College
Duke University
Indiana University
Loma Linda University
Loyola University Chicago
Medical College of Wisconsin
Michigan State University
New York Medical College
Northwestern University
Penn State University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Rush University
Saint Louis University
Southern Illinois University
University of California-Davis
University of Chicago
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Florida
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Missouri
University of Nebraska
University of New Mexico
University of Southern California
University of Texas Southwestern
University of Toledo
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University
Washington University in Saint Louis

Pre-Medicine: Biochemistry Major Course Plan

Pre-Medicine: Biology Major Course Plan

Pre-Medicine: Chemistry Major Course Plan

Pre-Medicine: Non-science Major Course Plan

Pre-Medicine: Physics Major Course Plan

Pre-Medicine: Biology Major Course Plan

The course plan below outlines the courses students need to successfully complete prior to taking the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test). Your faculty advisor will work with you to complete each semester’s schedule.

As an IWU student, it is your responsibility to track your progress each semester towards completing graduation requirements using the MyIWU degree evaluation tool.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Fall Semester

Choose one of the following*:
- PHYS 101 (lecture and lab) General Physics I(PSL)
- PHYS 105 (lecture and lab) Physics I: Mechanics(PSL)
Spring Semester
- Choose one of the following*:
  - PHYS 102 (lecture and lab) General Physics I(PSL)
  - PHYS 106 (lecture and lab) Physics II: Electricity Magnetism and Optics(PSL)
  - CHEM 317 Survey of Biochemistry (if CHEM 414 was not taken in the Fall)
  - CHEM 415 Biochemistry II (if BIOL/CHEM 414 taken in the Fall)
  *Either Physics sequence (101-102 or 105-106) is acceptable; however, in addition, MATH 176 is required for PHYS 105, and MATH 177 is required for PHYS 106.
  
  Study Abroad
  
  For students interested in studying abroad, the fall semester of the third year is recommended for students who plan to apply to medical school at the end of their junior year and fall semester junior or senior year for students planning to apply in their senior year. It is highly recommended that students consult with Dr. Walker as early as possible if they plan to study abroad.
  
  Additional Information
  - Once enrolled, all students will have a degree evaluation tool available to them on MyIWU. This will help students determine what courses are required to graduate on time.
  - The courses listed in the template must be completed prior to taking the Medical College Admissions test (MCAT) which is taken in the May/June of junior or senior year.
  - In addition to the courses listed in the template, students must also take a one semester psychology course (PSYC 100), a one semester sociology course (SOC 101), and must have familiarity with basic statistics-thus an introduction to statistics may be required.
    - PSYC 100 also fulfills the Life Science Issues (LSI) general education requirement.
    - SOC 101 also fulfills the Contemporary Social Institutions (CSI) general education requirement.
    - Any of the following statistics courses would be sufficient – ECON 227, PSYC 227, SOC 227 or BIO 209.
    - With the computer version of the MCAT, there are many possible dates. Consult a member of the pre-med advisory committee with any questions.
    - Premedical/Predental Advisory Committee – The chair of this committee is Dr. Loni Walker.
    - Premed Listserv – Students should be told to subscribe to the premed listserv. The premed committee uses this listserv to disseminate important information throughout the academic year and summer. Students can subscribe to the list through the MyIWU portal.
    - Career Center – The career center has a wealth of information concerning the health professions.
    The 10 Best Pre-Med Schools In Illinois
    
    For students looking to pursue a career in medicine, the first course of action can be participating in a pre-med program. These programs are designed to prepare candidates with the foundations of medicine and to expose them to the various specializations within the field.
    
    Pre-med is not a major but rather an advising track for students who intend to go onto medical school.
    
    Depending on the intended area of focus, students may want to assess each school’s specializations before beginning the arduous application process.
    
    While selecting a top pre-med program can be overwhelming, it’s a matter of knowing what to look for. As an initial search criterion, students should consider the resources, support, reputation, clinical experiences, and advising these schools offer.
    
    Whether students are looking to become physicians, doctors, dentists, or medical specialists, choosing the right pre-med program can guide applicants towards their destined study path.
    
    Here are our picks for 10 of the best pre-med schools in Illinois.
    
    Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL)
    
    With a 71% acceptance rate for medical and dental schools, Wheaton provides pre-health tracks to help students fulfill their prerequisites for their majors. Students will have the opportunity to specify their intended career paths, which will assist them in personalizing their academic experience.
    
    With an emphasis on personalization, students will have access to support and career planning services. One-on-one advising is offered to help students throughout their coursework and internship opportunities.
    
    Students applying to this program can also expect to find resources for the medical school application process, such as mock interviews with medical professionals in the area.
    
    A unique feature of the school is the Health Professions program, which allows students to learn about current issues within the healthcare field. Students can discuss and shape their medical career paths based on this insightful forum.
    
    Augustana College (Rock Island, IL)
    
    Augustana College has a medical school placement rate above 50% for its students, preparing them to enter a diverse and in-demand industry. With a foundation in sciences, Augustana equips students with a well-rounded experience before entering the medical field.
    
    Utilizing the local partnerships in the area, students can gain real-world experience at nearby hospitals, clinics, and care facilities. With access to fully equipped resources, undergraduate students can experience a glimpse of medical school with laboratories dedicated to anatomy, genetics, cell biology, and physiology.
    
    Through research assistantships, students can build their experience and portfolios with notable institutions. A summer internship at the prestigious Texas Medical Center in Houston is offered exclusively to pre-med students.
    
    The program also encourages students to pursue their studies in non-medical-related fields. Subject areas that expose students to cultural awareness and communication skills can make for a more promising and well-rounded medical school candidate.
    
    Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, IL)
    
    Leading in the highest acceptance rate with 80% for pre-med graduates, Illinois Wesleyan has a wide selection of pre-med tracks. Pre-med is not offered as a major but instead a track of listed courses that prepare students for their intended medical career path.
    
    With over nine listed specializations, students can prepare themselves for the future medical tracks they plan to pursue. The school emphasizes that students choose a major of their interest, whether that relates to the healthcare field or not, as they have a better chance of excelling in those courses.
    
    A foundational part of the program, students will have the opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals to assess the area of focus they’re interested in. If aligned, students may be able to secure internships at the institutes they shadowed.
    
    Dominican University (River Forest, IL)
    
    Known as a leading pre-med institution, Dominican University is well equipped with the resources and technology to help students achieve a career in medicine. Students will get exposure to cutting-edge technology and receive precise one-on-one advising to build their path towards their dream medical school.
    
    Personal advisors assist students in building a personalized academic plan. Whether it’s through courses or internships, students can expect to build a professional resume of medical experiences.
    
    For students pursuing a path towards dentistry, the school has cultivated a program specific to following this track. Advisors are available to not only help students prepare to take the MCAT, but for the DAT as well, which stands for the Dental Admission Test.
    
    With state-of-the-art labs and equipment, students will acquire the most recent experience as pre-med students.
    
    DePaul University (Chicago, IL)
    
    While many schools have traditional four-year pre-med programs, DePaul University offers students options as to how they can complete their prerequisites. Students can build a pre-health track that meets their academic needs.
    
    For students with exceptional academic marks, the Pathways Honors program was established to provide exclusive resources. Students within this program will gain access to the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and the internship opportunities offered at the institution.
    
    With the Accelerated Degree option, pre-health students have the chance to complete their studies within three years. By partnering up with other accredited medical institutions in the state, students receive streamlined paths towards their desired healthcare professions.
    
    Regardless of the degree program pre-health students choose, the school is committed to assisting students to build their knowledge and experiences towards a career in the healthcare field.
    
    University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, IL)
    
    For students interested in attending the University of Illinois at Chicago for pre-med, they must declare an educational goal as an internal selection for their academic plan. These goals accompany the majors selected by students and are designed to support their pre-professional careers.
    
    These educational goals allow for advisors in the pre-med track to assist students in curating an academic plan that aligns with their objectives. Students will be alerted when opportunities and resources within their educational goals are made available through periodic academic newsletters.
    
    Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, IL)
    
    The pre-health program at Loyola University is dedicated to assisting students on their paths to medical professions. Even though the school doesn’t offer a specified pre-med major, it does carry a unique set of programs to prepare students to apply to medical school.
    
    The Early Assurance Program (EAP) was designed to prepare undergraduate students attending Loyola to secure a spot at Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine. Students who apply to EAP can receive early admission and get a head start in exploring the opportunities made available to pre-med students.
    
    For more traditional paths, the Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee assists Loyola students and alumni in their pursuit of applying to medical school. The committee provides essential resources to help first-time applicants along their journey.
    
    Recently matriculated undergraduates who are interested in applying to medical school can apply to the Post-Baccalaureate Program. This program is designed for students to complete the science prerequisite courses needed to apply to medical school.
    
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL)
    
    Ranked 4th in the top 20 best pre-med programs in the country, students at the University of Illinois have the option to major in molecular cell biology as a pre-health major. As an MCB major, students looking to pursue pre-med, and other pre-health-related tracks, will be equipped with the necessary prerequisites before applying to the medical school of their choice.
    
    MCB students will have access to the Pre-Health and Professional Mentorship Program, where students are paired up with alumni from the MCB program. Students will be able to receive insights and guidance from healthcare professionals from the program throughout their academic journey.
    
    As a part of extracurricular opportunities, students can apply to internships, job shadowing, and volunteer positions through the program’s extensive network. With a 4-year pre-med guide laid out, students have a clear path to follow on their journey to medical school.
    
    Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)
    
    With Northwestern being a leading institution in the medical field, students have many pre-health track options to choose from. Each track is paved with incredible resources, advisors, and coursework.
    
    Having a framework to assist any student along their pre-med journey, Northwestern has organized itself as the ultimate resource for those curious about joining the medical field. Students can explore traditional and alternative paths to medical school that fit their interests.
    
    Similar to many schools on this list, Northwestern is dedicated to providing students with hands-on experiences in the healthcare field. These experiences fall under five categories: research, shadowing and clinical, non-clinical, summer programs and post-graduation programs.
    
    Another experience offered by the school are student groups. Pre-med students with similar interests are highly encouraged to connect and share opportunities and insights regarding the application process.
    
    University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
    
    With an emphasis on the timeline, the University of Chicago urges students to consider their four years as a roadmap to prepare them for the medical school application process.
    
    A year-by-year guide shows students which courses to build into their schedules as the prerequisites needed for their respective fields of interest.
    
    Unique to the school, students have the chance to apply to the Accelerated Medical Scholars Program.
    
    In partnership with the Pritzker School of Medicine, students accepted to this program in their third year would have the opportunity to begin medical school the following year.
    
    The 10 Best Pre-Med Schools in Virginia Few college career tracks are as difficult as going to medical school. Most of the…
    
    The Best Pre-Med Schools in Ohio Colleges and universities approach premedical studies in different ways, as the subject is not always…
    
    Here Are the 10 Best Pre-Med Schools in Texas They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes opportunities to thrive studying pre-med.…