Top 7 Selective Pre-Med Programs for Aspiring Medical Professionals

We all know that getting accepted to a top pre-med program can be a steep climb, even for the most outstanding students. But if a future in medicine is where you see yourself, and if you believe you’ve got what it takes to make it happen, let’s take a look at some of the most select pre-med programs for college students to consider. But first this question:

What does it take to qualify for pre-med?

Rather than a college major, a pre-med program is simply a college track that is comprised of relevant courses that are required to prepare you for medical school. General pre-med programs require the following:

• One or two semesters of biology, chemistry, and physics
• One year of organic chemistry
• One semester of biochemistry
• Organic chemistry with lab
• One year of English
• One year of math
• Behavioral sciences (not a requirement of all schools, but a must if you’re applying to Harvard, so it is essential to know the requirements of your chosen schools as you prepare for your pre-med future)

Seven of the best pre-med programs

The best pre-med universities offer a diversified education with rigorous coursework, experiential learning options, and personalized mentorship from experienced faculty. Here are seven that fit that criteria; four of which are Prelum partner universities:

1. Harvard University: Ranked highest by U.S. News & World Report, Harvard has one of the best pre-med programs in the nation. And their medical school is one of the nation’s best. For students interested in pre-med, Harvard offers respected programs in biology and biochemistry. Plus, students have opportunities to engage in research, access to nearby hospitals, and access to advisors who help students who aspire to have medical field careers.

1. Wake Forest University: WFU's School of Medicine is among the top 50 research universities in the nation. The Wake Forest Health Professions Program is designed to ensure that students are aware of what it takes to be a competitive applicant in any variety of health professions programs. The program assists students in choosing the right coursework, tailored to how they envision their future. 
   Teens looking to explore Wake’s medical  program while still in high school may want to check out the Wake Forest Pre-College Online Program. This online pre-med college prep program for teens features courses in a host of medical fields. These include: cancer medicine, medicine, sports medicine, and women’s medicine. 

1. The University of Pennsylvania: This Ivy League school serves pre-med students through their Office of Career Services, helping students set up a course that starts with pre-med requirements all the way to study practices for the MCAT. The university also offers a post-baccalaureate program to help students make up for any requirements they may need.

1. Stanford University: Stanford is a highly respected university with a world-class medical school. Another feature is Stanford’s Pre-Medical Association, which prepares students for med school and on into careers in the field. Stanford also provides access to advisors who help with internships and in applying for research opportunities. 

1. Georgetown University: Another Prelum partner school, Georgetown is known for medical school excellence. Each pre med student has access to two advisors during all four years to help them to stay on track: an academic advisor and a faculty advisor. Even better, as a Prelum university partner, Georgetown’s Pre-College Online STEM Program includes courses designed for motivated high school students who can experience subjects like medical research, medicine, nursing,  surgery, and more.

1. University of Notre Dame: This prestigious school offers a pre-health supplementary major that provides students with the skills they need to apply to medical school. It is part of an Arts and Letters major that together rounds out the student’s multidisciplinary thinking. As one of Prelum’s newest university partners, they also offer online courses for high school students. If you’re looking to get a glimpse before applying to their pre-med program, you now have the option to take Notre Dame college prep courses online before even graduating high school!

1. Case Western Reserve University: A top 25 medical school for research, as reported by U.S. News and World Report, CWRU’s pre-med students study in one of the country's top medical communities. With nationally-ranked hospitals within walking distance from  campus, students will learn alongside renowned healthcare professionals who welcome undergraduate participants on their research teams, and help them gain the knowledge and experience they need to prepare for medical school. 

What are acceptance rates for medical school?

According to Med School Insiders just over 55,000 people applied to medical school in 2022. On average, they sent out 18 applications each; a total of over 990,000 applications. Of those, just over 22,000 were accepted to med school. That means 41% of applications earned a med school acceptance that year. You will no doubt read that the national acceptance rate is just under 2%. But don’t be put off. Applying to the right schools, including out-of-state universities, testing out your interests in medicine via pre-college online programs, and doing the upfront pre-med work can make all the difference. So, don’t wait. Get your pre-med future started now!

If you’re interested in going into the medical field, Prelum’s Pre-Med Resources and STEM Resources are where you can find endless information about different college tracks, potential careers in the field, and high school enrichment programs to give you a jumpstart on the future.. Prelum also partners with many universities that offer an array of online pre-med and STEM courses for high school students interested in going pre-med in college.