Pre-Med 

Prepare for Medical School Acceptance

At UT Tyler, rigorous coursework and expert advising prepare you for the demanding and competitive process of applying to medical school.

If considering this pathway, understand that the pre-medical program does not constitute a major but rather signals your intentions. Students entering this track and participating in the UT Tyler Academy of Future Health Professionals work closely with a pre-health advisor to discuss related majors and minors, class selection and co-curricular activities to fulfill medical school prerequisite requirements.

What to Expect in UT Tyler’s Pre-Med Program

UT Tyler strives to recruit and train East Texas’ next generation of physicians, medical researchers and healthcare professionals.

The UT Tyler Academy of Future Health Professionals expanded education initiatives include:

• Hands-on Experience: Pre-med students shadow medical professionals and have access to research opportunities — both critical for medical school acceptance.
• Specialized Events: Workshops prepare students for job shadowing, community service, developing core competencies, writing personal statements, completing applications and interviewing.
• Expert Advising: Experienced advisors guide students in planning their classes and extracurricular activities in preparation for applying to medical school. Students receive support from their first day to taking the MCAT to medical school acceptance.
• Small Classes: Our 19:1 average student-to-faculty ratio ensures a high level of attention and interaction in the classroom.
• Student Involvement: The UT Tyler Academy of Future Health Professionals sponsors student organizations, such as the Pre-Health Student Association and the American Medical Student Association, which facilitate connection through service, community, networking and events helping all participants become better healthcare professionals.
• Community Activities: Access enriching opportunities for leadership and service through student government, community service, athletics and other organizations. Medical school admissions committees look favorably upon these kinds of meaningful involvements.

Curriculum

Medical schools do not recommend any one major for students planning to attend. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, just over half of all prospective students majored in the biological sciences. The others selected a course of study in the humanities, math, social sciences or physical sciences.

For your application, a rigorous arts and sciences education shows you have the sharpened skills and values essential for success in medical school. In this direction, we recommend you choose a major you enjoy that demands excellence in critical thinking, writing, oral communication, close reading, research and organization.

You may want to consider one of the following majors: biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, english, health and kinesiology, history, mathematics, music, art, political science, psychology, sociology, Spanish or speech communication. You then complete all prerequisites through this program of study and by possibly adding a minor.

While each medical school has its own requirements, expect to take at least one year of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics (all with labs), along with biochemistry, upper division biology, math and english classes.

Learn More About Completing Medical School Prerequisites at UT Tyler

See Prerequisite Requirements for Texas Medical Schools

What Does Pre-Med Training Prepare You For?

A pre-med program covers all the science and laboratory requirements needed for acceptance into medical school.

However, a pre-med track is not only for students who want to become a doctor. Due to its comprehensive overview of scientific knowledge and lab work, it also prepares candidates to apply to a variety of health-care-related careers and professional programs, from biomedical research or biotechnology to public health or health administration.