First-Year Students

As a first-year student at Rensselaer, your primary focus should be on building a strong academic foundation. A solid academic record not only ensures a smooth path to your preferred medical school but also provides the knowledge base necessary for success in future coursework and entrance exams.

If you're confident in your academic progress, your secondary focus should be on gaining volunteer and clinical experiences. Competitive medical school applicants demonstrate a commitment to service through their longevity in volunteer roles and healthcare settings. The following experiences can provide valuable insights and enhance your understanding of the field:

• Shadowing: Observe medical professionals in action to gain firsthand insights of the field.
• Direct Patient Work: Explore certification-based roles such as certified nursing assistant (CNA), emergency medical technician (EMT), or phlebotomist, or non-certification roles such as medical assistant.
• Volunteering: Engage with local organizations or hospitals to contribute to your community and gain exposure.

Second Year Students

In your second year, confirm you are meeting the academic prerequisites for your chosen pre-health path and continue maintaining a strong academic commitment to your coursework. This is also the time to: 

• Explore research possibilities, participate in labs on and off campus, and pursue publication opportunities with principal investigators.
• Cultivate relationships with advisors, mentors, and faculty who can support your journey and provide future letters of evaluation.
• Seek additional clinical experiences to broaden your understanding and engagement with the medical field.
• Plan for your Arch semester by identifying opportunities that align with your goals.

Third Year Students

In your third year, unless you opt for a gap year, you will participate in the Pre-Health Committee process and submit your application to medical schools. Here is a timeline to guide you:

• Fall
  • Decide if you would like to apply for immediate enrollment in medical school or opt for a gap year
  • Create a list of institutions you would like to apply to
  • Begin contacting your letter of evaluation writers
  • Acquire admissions exam study materials (e.g. MCAT, DAT, PA-CAT, etc., or GRE if applying to postbac programs)
• Spring (for those not taking a gap year)
  • Apply to participate in the Pre-Health Committee process
  • Write your personal statement
  • Study for your admissions exam
  • Take your admissions exam before the end of May
  • Take supplemental admissions exams (CASPer, PREview), if needed
• Summer (for those not taking a gap year)
  • Submit your medical school application in June
  • Begin drafting material that could be used in secondary essays
  • Complete your secondary applications within two weeks of receiving them
  • Prepare for initial interviews

Fourth Year Students

In your fourth year, you will be communicating with schools as they progress through their admissions process. If you opted for a gap year, you will be applying to graduate schools and possibly positions of employment. Here is a timeline to guide you:

• Fall
  • Interviews begin
  • Admission offers are provided on a rolling basis
  • Review any admission decisions you receive
• Spring
  • Interviews continue
  • Admission offers continue on a rolling basis; review any decisions you receive
  • Mid-February: Of the offers you receive, select the school you "plan to enroll" in. Feel free to change this selection as you receive additional offers
  • April/May: Select the school you "commit to enroll" in; withdraw your applications from other schools
• Summer
  • Matriculate at your chosen school!

If you have questions about the timeline, feel free to email prehealth@rpi.edu or Schedule a Pre-Health Advising Appointment.