Premedical Checklist for Sophomores Majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology (or other majors).

1. Are you eligible for the University of Missouri - Bryant Scholars Program?

• Refer to the Premedical Student Handbook for description and eligibility requirements based on your ACT score and academic achievement during the first year of college. See the chairperson of the Premedical Committee for additional information if you feel you are eligible.

2. Determine your eligibility to apply for the Fulbright-Sawyers Scholarship for premedical students.

• Apply if you are eligible. The deadline is late April.
• Also, look into the possibility of other scholarships. A listing and eligibility criteria are found in the Financial Aid Handbook.

3. Continue to get to know your advisor and begin scouting out one or two other science faculty members who will need to know you well over a period of time. In about two years you will be asking one or both of these faculty to write you a supporting letter of recommendation/evaluation.

• Proposed references should have rank (Assistant Professor and higher) and have been around for a year or two.
• Ask other students about your choices to get a feel for the kind of support potential references provide.
• Remember, the person you ask must know you well in order to be able to write an effective letter in your support.

4. Make efforts to get to know the faculty in your major and physicians in the medical community.

• Keep any negative feelings about any particular faculty member to yourself. You never know what the future situation might be that you would need their support.
• You probably will be taking a class or two with your advisor and the faculty who you are planning to solicit letters from. Earn an "A" and do your best to make the strongest positive impression in the classes of potential references.
• Have a work experience or research experience under faculty who might be references. If this is not possible, volunteer to help them. The experience could be one that you would cite.
• A physician reference will be often required. Consider possible physician references as you begin your interview and shadowing experiences.

5. Explore job possibilities in hospitals, human service organizations, and research laboratories.

• If you have not been successful so far, you need to become more aggressive in seeking out such experiences. Begin volunteer work if you cannot find opportunities.
• Clinical experience in which you interact with patients should have priority.
• Limit shadowing experiences to no more than 2-3 hours per week. It is better to have different experiences with different physicians than to limit yourself to one physician, unless you are in a paid position

6. Continue involvement in the activities of the Missouri State University Premedical Society and other extracurricular organizations.

• Seek leadership opportunities and then carry through with leadership responsibilities to establish a record of leadership accomplishments. Attend meetings and participate in volunteer activities and shadowing opportunities sponsored by the Society

7. Continue to make entries and maintain your career journal/diary.

• The bulk of your entries should be more than in your freshman year.
• Your considerations should be "more perceptive" as your knowledge of medicine increases.

8. Seek out the web sites of those medical schools in which you have an interest in applying to.

• Make sure you are aware of any "residency" preferences and limitations for the schools you are considering to apply to.
• Keep your eye out for Open Houses, Health Fairs, or programs for potential applicants that are often announced on these web sites.
• Your interest in particular schools and your presence at their events are often monitored by medical schools and is taken into consideration in acceptance decisions. If you have a special interest in a particular school, make sure they are aware of that by your actions.

9. It is not too early to begin more serious preparations for the MCAT examination.

• Practice exams and formal and informal MCAT study programs will help identify the types, breadth, and level of knowledge required to perform well on this examination. Visit Preparing for the MCAT if you have not already done so.
• Keep the textbooks and class notes for all of the classes you take. Those required classes covered in the sections of the MCAT are your most efficient resources in reviewing for the examination.
• Knowing the mechanics and format of the MCAT will help develop strategies for getting the most out of supporting course work, particularly in courses such as physics, inorganic, and organic chemistry. Pay particular attention to "MCAT-type questions" available at the end of the chapters of a number of the newer science textbooks.

10. Start thinking about the theme and composition of your personal statement that you will write during your junior year.

• Read the Premedical Guide Sheet entitled: Creating and Writing a Personal Statement.
• Write down ideas in your professional diary for later consideration.

Are you "on schedule" with the activities expected of applicants to medical school? Premedical students should refer to the appropriate timeline checklists below as you proceed through the premedical curriculum.

Premedical Timeline Checklist for Freshman Students

Premedical Timeline Checklist for Junior Students

Premedical Timeline Checklist for Senior Students

Primary Web Sites for Premedical Students

• Information on the 125 allopathic medical schools in the US: http://www.aamc.org/students/start.htm
• American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) for applications to allopathic medical schools.
• Information on the 19 osteopathic medical schools in the US: http://www.aacom.org
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services for applications to osteopathic medical schools

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For More Information

Contact one of the following Premedical Advisors:

Dr. Michael Hendrix* (417) 836-4509, Prof. Bldg, Room 339
Dr. Colette Witkowski* (417) 836-6140, Prof. Bldg, Room 341
Dr. Joanne Gordon (417) 836-7601, Prof. Bldg, Room 335
Dr. Christopher Field (417) 836-5478, Prof. Bldg, Room 352
Dr. Richard Garrad (417) 836-5372, Prof. Bldg, Room 345
Dr. Albert Gordon (417) 836-5730, Prof. Bldg, Room 333

* indicates current member of the Premedical Committee

Department of Biomedical Sciences
Missouri State University
Springfield, Missouri 65897