Sample Schedule

Your Undergraduate Program of Study

At Rosemont, you will benefit by meeting faculty and academic staff that will work with you to help you prepare for medical school. This mentoring begins with your First Year seminar instructor, and continues throughout your academic major.

In general, medical schools require the following science courses:

However, at Rosemont we believe this list will not give you the edge you need to be competitive when applying to medical school. Therefore we also ask you to take courses in Genetics, Microbiology, Anatomy, and Physiology (I and II), and even recommend a semester of Calculus, regardless of what discipline you choose to major in.

First Year

In order to get all your requirements in, you need to begin taking your science courses your first semester at Rosemont. You should be enrolled in Life Science I, General Chemistry I and a math course at or above the level of College Algebra. These are tough classes and you need to keep your GPA up. Go to review sessions, attend study groups, and ask for tutoring. Get to know the professors teaching your classes. They will be your mentors and they may well be the faculty members writing letters of recommendation for you as you apply to medical school. You will also begin taking courses that fulfill general education requirements during your first year at Rosemont. If you qualified for the Honors Program, take those general education courses. Strive for Freshman Honors. You also need to get involved in campus life; consider joining a club, playing a sport or volunteering on campus. Meet with the Coordinator of Experiential Learning and your faculty mentor to discuss opportunities to volunteer at a clinic or to shadow a physician.

Summer

Volunteer at a clinic, shadow a practicing physician. Keep a journal of your experiences. Don’t identify any patients (remember HIPPA rules) but keep a record of what you have seen, reflect on your experiences and comment on how this experience has changed you. This journal can prove invaluable as you complete your application to medical school.

Sophomore Year

Keep taking classes that fulfill requirements. If you decided to participate in Rosemont’s Honors Program, sign up for an honors seminar. Take a service learning class. Consider taking a one-credit student leadership course. Medical schools consider leadership potential in their applicants! Continue to build your participation in campus community. If you are considering study abroad during your junior or senior year now is the time to start to plan for this experience. This will help you stay on track with your science courses.

Summer

Volunteer at a clinic, shadow a practicing physician, get involved in a research project or consider an internship. Keep writing in your journal.

Junior Year

Keep taking classes that fulfill requirements. If you decided to participate in Rosemont’s Honors Program, sign up for an honors seminar and make sure you are taking courses in your major for honors as well. (We don’t do this until senior year) Narrow down the list of medical schools you will be applying to. Ask faculty to write letters of recommendation for you. Take the MCAT exam in the spring semester. If you are considering applying for a NSF REU summer research program, start researching the programs and where you would like to go in the fall semester. Make sure you meet the spring application dates.

Summer

Get involved in a research project or consider a summer internship at a clinic. Keep writing in your journal. Depending on your MCAT scores, you may consider taking the MCAT exam a second time in the summer. If you are planning to attend medical school right after graduation, now is the time to start your applications. Make sure someone reads your personal statement or admissions essay.

Senior Year

Good luck! Your interviews for medical school will start later in the fall semester. Finish up all the requirements for your major. Start working with your faculty mentor to formulate the project for your senior thesis and present your senior thesis project to your fellow classmates. Plan to graduate from the Undergraduate College at Rosemont.