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Student clubs support the educational goals of our future medical professionals.

Student clubs support the educational goals of our future medical professionals.

Pre-Medical/Health

Students who are interested in medical, dental, optometry, veterinary medicine, nursing, or pharmacy school are generally part of Brooklyn College’s Pre-Health Track. Pre-health students spend their undergraduate years at Brooklyn College preparing for application to and study in one of these options. Toward the end of their undergraduate program, students take a standardized exam. This, along with their grades, extracurricular activities, and internships, will be used for consideration by medical and health schools. Students will spend four years at Brooklyn College earning a bachelor’s degree and then apply to and attend a medical or health school relative to their area of study for two to four years. In addition, most medical and health licensing requires a residency of about two to five years, depending on the program, and that students pass a national or state board examination.

Students may choose to major in one of the sciences; however, this is not a requirement for all medical or health schools. In fact, you can major in a subject that you find exciting (other than science) all while earning the best grades possible. Medical and health schools look for students who are well rounded, work hard, and can demonstrate a commitment to things they are passionate about. To identify these qualities, schools look at a variety of things, one of which is your GPA (at least a 3.60 is considered competitive). Medical and health schools are also interested in the grades you earn in a specific group of classes such as General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pre-Calculus and Calculus, General Physics, Advanced Molecular Biology, Bio-Chemistry, Statistics, Intro to Epidemiology, Medical Ethics, Intro to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Intro to Sociology/Anthropology and Human Anatomy/Physiology. Therefore, it is important to get the best grades possible in these classes. Schools are also interested in extracurricular activities such as internships at hospitals as well as any other medical or health-related area or research at a lab or facility.

CSTEP works with its pre-health students to make sure they are making academic progress toward their degree and are successful in their classes and provides guidance to students as they are applying to any health schools or programs. It works with students to find internships and research experiences. CSTEP students are also eligible for a significant discount on Kaplan preparation courses such as the MCAT, PCAT, and TEAS.

Pre-Health File Requirements

The Pre-Health Professions Office requires the following information for your student file:

  • Name
  • E-mail address
  • Phone number
  • Pre-health professions track
  • Current rรฉsumรฉ (update once per year)
  • Signed waiver of confidentiality form

Any missing information will result in delayed processing of recommendation letter packets from the Pre-Health Professions Office.

Also, be sure to give the Pre-Health Professions Office copies of score report(s) and copies of acceptances to health professions school(s) for your student file.

Applying to School

Suggested Timeline (pdf)

Entrance Exam Information

  • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
  • Dental Admission Test (DAT) Guide
  • Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
  • Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Pre-Med FAQ

What should I major in?

Students interested in pre-health professions programs may select any major, as long as they complete the prerequisite courses for their desired pre-health professions program.

What other activities should I be involved in?

Contact hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and health organizations in your area to learn more about the volunteer services, research opportunities, and internship opportunities offered to students. Contact professors or other faculty members to get involved with research on campus. Get involved with student organizations on campus, such as health-related student groups and other student groups that meet your interests.

How many medical schools should I apply to?

Because admission to U.S. medical schools is so competitive, it is important that pre-med applicants face reality and apply to both M.D.-granting (allopathic) medical schools as well as D.O.-granting (osteopathic) medical schools. In Brooklyn College, most pre-meds apply to an average of 30 allopathic medical schools and five osteopathic medical schools.

How many letters of recommendation should I get? Who should I ask to get letters of recommendation?

Pre-med applicants should endeavor to obtain as many letters of recommendation as possible. At a minimum, letters should be obtained from two science professors, one non-science professor, and one physician. Applicants should only ask potential recommenders who know them well.

What are competitive grades/scores to gain admission into medical school?

It is important for the pre-med student to recognize that admission to a U.S. medical school is extremely competitive. Therefore, it is essential that the student strive to obtain the highest grades possible in all courses, but especially in the courses that are pre-med requirements. In order to be a competitive applicant to an allopathic medical school, an overall GPA of at least 3.50 and a science GPA of at least 3.50 are usually required; minimum MCAT scores should be at least the following: Total, 509; Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, 127; Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, 126; Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, 127; and Psychological. Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior, 127. In order to be a competitive applicant to an osteopathic medical school, an overall GPA of at least 3.40 and a science GPA of at least 3.30 are usually required. The respective minimum MCAT scores should be the following: 505, 126, 125, 126, 126.

Should I take courses over the summer?

Pre-med students should try to avoid taking any science classes during the summer or at another school.


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