Science Degrees: Pre-Med Preparation
Pre-Med Preparation at the Utah Valley University College of Science.
The College of Science at Utah Valley University provides students with the essential academic foundation, hands-on research experience, and leadership opportunities needed to build a strong medical school application. Our rigorous degree programs cover the key subjects required by medical schools, while our faculty-mentored research, extracurricular activities, and small class sizes foster critical thinking and professional development.
Students pursuing degrees in the College of Science gain:
By combining academic excellence with real-world learning experiences, our programs empower students to excel in their medical school journey.
Your counselor is there to guide and advise you on classes and how to best prepare for Grad school applications. Meeting regularly with your counselor will give you a higher chance of achieving your goal.
Denise Fullmer
Advisor
Message Denise FullmerResponsibilities:
Pre-Medical - Doctor (F-Z), Anesthesiologist Assistant
Heather Bullock
Advisor
Message Heather BullockResponsibilities:
Pre-Medical - Doctor (A-E)
Medical schools determine their own individual requirements. It is your responsibility to research the specific requirements for each school you are interested in applying to.
Most schools commonly look for classes in:
It is important that you stay in touch with your Pre-Medical counselor to guide you in which courses to take.
Admissions Test:
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam that assesses knowledge in the following areas:
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam designed to assess your problem solving, critical thinking and knowledge of scientific concepts and principles. Many medical schools do not accept MCAT exam scores that are more than 3 years old. Be sure to have completed all MCAT prerequisite courses, and only take the MCAT when you are ready.
To be competitive for medical school admission, students should participate in extracurricular activities, including research, leadership, and community service. The College of Science offers multiple opportunities in these areas.
Research
"Being involved in undergraduate research at UVU has been a game-changer for my academic journey. I’ve gained hands-on experience, developed critical thinking skills, and built strong relationships with faculty mentors. This experience has not only strengthened my grad school applications but has also given me the confidence to contribute meaningfully to my field." -Chloe
Leadership
Club Leadership: The College of Science hosts multiple student clubs, each offering leadership opportunities.
Science Outreach Leadership: The Science Ambassador program provides students with leadership roles in STEM outreach, including events at public schools and STEM fairs.
"Serving in a leadership role within the College of Science has pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me develop essential skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. These experiences have prepared me for the rigors of medical school and given me the ability to lead with confidence in high-pressure environments." -Haylee
Community/Volunteer Service
The College of Science provides diverse volunteer opportunities, including:
For More Opportunities Look at UVU Career Services Page
"Engaging in volunteer opportunities through the College of Science has reinforced my passion for serving others while helping me develop the empathy and interpersonal skills needed for a career in healthcare. Admissions committees look for well-rounded candidates, and my community involvement has made me a stronger, more compassionate future medical professional.”-Zach
Excellent letters of recommendation are essential part of your application. The best letters come from professionals who have spent time with you and have gotten to know you well. The number and type of letters vary from one medical school to the next.
You should ask individuals who can objectively assess things such as: Academic Ability, Maturity, Team Work, Compassion, Leadership, and Communication skills. You should avoid asking family members, clergy/bishops, and lab instructors. If you do not think someone will write you a strong letter of recommendation, do no ask them for one. A bad letter can kill your application even if the rest are stellar.Strong letters of recommendation require faculty members who know the student well.
The College of Science fosters strong faculty-student relationships through:
These experiences help faculty members write detailed and personalized letters of recommendation for medical school applications.
Utah Valley University uses a letter service called PrivateFolio which allows you to send all LOR’s electronically to your chosen schools. Your PrivateFolio account if free for one year. For further questions about this process you can either call or email our office.
Personal Statement
The personal statement is a personal essay explaining your motivation to seek a career in medicine. Use personal experiences to illustrate the characteristics you possess, things that have done to prepare, and reasons you want to be a physician. This is your time to describe who you are and your journey to medical school.
Application
Most medical schools have rolling admissions. Offers for interviews and admission are made throughout the application cycle, the longer you wait to apply the fewer seats you will be applying for. Applying early is important, but does not make up for a poorly prepared application, apply when your application is ready. The following are links to the online service systems used to apply to MD, DO, and Texas schools.
