Post-Baccaulareate Pre-Med Program

WHY OUR PROGRAM EXISTS

Kentucky has approximately 80 health professional shortage areas (HPSA) hpsafind.hrsa.gov that include entire counties or portions of counties throughout the state that do not have enough health care professionals to meet the health care needs of their population. There is also local and national need for more primary care physicians; family and general practitioners, internal medicine practitioners, pediatricians and obstetricians/gynecologists.

The first step to become a physician is going to medical school. Medical schools have limited class sizes available each year which makes admission very competitve. Admissions offices are seeking competitive applicants who have completed their pre-medical requirements, are academically strong, have scored well on the MCAT, have had clinical exposure (shadowing), are well rounded, have a sincere compassion for others through community service involvement, make a great impression during their interview, have solid letters of recommendation and have a genuine interest in medicine.

There is a lot involved in preparing for and applying to medical school. Many students get discouraged or lost in the shuffle without the professional guidance to help them navigate through the preparation process. The University of Louisville School of Medicine and the College of Arts and Sciences has established a Post-Bac Pre-medical Certificate Program for career changers interested in going to medical school. This program is designed specifically for post-bac students who want to go to medical school but haven't fulfilled the pre-medical requirements for medical school admission. Our program serves as a navigation system for its students.

WHAT OUR PROGRAM CAN DO FOR YOU

Each academic year 20 applicants are selected to participate in our certificate program.  Ten are selected for the fall and ten for the spring semester.  Although our program generally takes two years to complete, some students may require the entire two years while others may complete the program at an accelerated pace.  Each participant has a program plan tailor made just for them based on course offerings each semester. Our program does have a preferred sequence; however, it can be modified to meet the individual need of the student.  Our students have a guaranteed support system that will guide them through the entire pre-medical process; from pre-med coursework to their medical school interview. Our students don't have to compete with undergraduate pre-medical students for advising or for the services necessary for medical school preparation. They have the same advisor for the duration of the program; a small student support group, MCAT preparation, enrichment and research opportunities, assistance in writing their personal statement and completing their medical school application and a mock interview. They receive personalized attention while earning their Pre-medical Certificate and a committee letter of recommendation for medical school from the Program Advisory Committee.

Our ultimate goal is for our students to successfully matriculate into medical school and become the physician they always wanted to be.