WKU Pre-Med Timeline
This should be considered a general guide for pre-medical students. It is crucial that students considering medical school consult with their pre-health advisor to devise a timeline that works for the individual.
For more sample timelines, visit these sites:
AACOM Timeline for Premedical students
AAMC Timeline for Application and Admission to Medical School
College Year 1
Fall Semester
Fall Semester
- Investigate the advisory program and meet your assigned pre-health faculty advisor as well as the dedicated pre-health professions advisor in the dean's office
- Maintain a competitive GPA and reach out to free on-campus tutoring and other resources for assistance
- Successfully complete first semester required pre-medical coursework and other degree requirements
- Look into WKU's pre-health related student organizations
- Familiarize yourself with WKU's pre-health website: http://www.wku.edu/wkuhpa
College Year 1
Spring Semester
Spring Semester
- Start gaining clinical experience in health care fields through shadowing, volunteering, employment (CNA, EMT, etc.), and internship opportunities. Keep records of your experiences.
- Begin researching medical schools online. Focus on admissions requirements and average entering student statistics (average GPA, MCAT, etc.).
- Attend monthly Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) meetings
- Meet with your assigned advisor(s) and discuss summer plans and next fall's coursework
- Successfully complete second semester required pre-medical coursework and other degree requirements
College Year 1
Summer
Summer
- Complete summer employment/volunteer medically related experience
- Consider participating in a summer program (eg. SHPEP, PEPP Scholars) if possible
- Attend summer school if necessary
College Year 2
Fall Semester
Fall Semester
- Attend monthly AED meetings
- Investigate employment/volunteer clinical or research opportunities
- Meet with your pre-health advisor(s) and discuss clinical and volunteer experience and next spring's coursework
- Successfully complete third semester required pre-medical coursework and other degree requirements
College Year 2
Spring Semester
Spring Semester
- If eligible, join AED
- Participate in volunteer/paid medically relevant clinical or research activities
- Identify summer employment/volunteer medically related activities
- Meet with your assigned advisor(s) to discuss summer plans, next fall's coursework, and to begin thinking about preparation for the MCAT.
- Successfully complete fourth semester required pre-medical coursework and other degree requirements
College Year 3
Fall Semester
Fall Semester
- Attend monthly AED meetings
- Continue participation with employment/volunteer clinical and/or research opportunities
- Meet with your pre-med advisor and discuss clinical and volunteer experience, MCAT preparation, med school option and next spring's coursework
- Successfully complete fifth semester required pre-medical coursework and other degree requirements
- Begin preparation for spring/summer MCAT administration
- Familiarize yourself with:
- MCAT (https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/)
- Med school options, tour schools
- AAMC's "Applying to Medical School" web-site: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/
College Year 3
Spring Semester
Spring Semester
- Consult with pre-health advisor regarding evaluation committee and med school options
- Continue participation with employment/volunteer clinical and/or research experience
- Meet with your pre-health advisor and discuss clinical and volunteer experience, MCAT preparation, med school options and next fall's coursework
- Successfully complete sixth semester required pre-medical coursework and other degree requirements
- Take MCAT
- Begin Personal Statement and AMCAS (https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/) and/or AACOMAS (https://www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor/how-to-apply-to-osteopathic-medical-college) application.
College Year 3
Summer
Summer
- After MCAT scores are received, consult with pre-health advisor about medical school applications
- Complete and submit AMCAS and/or AACOMAS application
- Complete summer employment/volunteer medically related experience
- Assemble and Interview with pre-medical Evaluation Committee
- Attend summer school if necessary
College Year 4
Fall Semester
Fall Semester
- Complete supplementary application materials (secondaries) for schools applied to
- Apply for Degree and pay graduation fee (Registrar)
- Interview at medical schools
- Continue participation with employment/volunteer clinical and/or research experience
- Successfully complete seventh semester required pre-medical coursework and other degree requirements
- Investigate financial aid planning process (https://www.aamc.org/services/first/)
- Share news of upcoming interviews and acceptances and thank those who helped along the way—health professions advisors, professors, physicians, family, and friends.
College Year 4
Spring Semester
Spring Semester
- Make medical school choice
- Notify medical schools that you will NOT be attending
- File financial aid forms as early as possible
- Successfully complete all required pre-medical coursework and other degree requirements
- Graduate from WKU
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.