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UND offers excellent preparation for any medical school.  The Pre-Med Program offered through the College of Arts and Sciences sets guidelines and timetables for UND students to successfully complete the prerequisite coursework and other requirements relating to medical schools.

This program is not a major and does not lead to a degree from UND!  In order to graduate with a degree from UND, students must:
  1. Choose a Major and complete the specific requirements of that major as determined by the department responsible for that major
  2. Complete Essential Studies Requirements
  3. Complete 125 semester credits (36 of which must be upper divisional credits)
       
In order to join the Pre-Med Program at UND, freshmen students (planning to finish in 4 years) must:
  1. Officially declare Pre-Med in the main office of the College of Arts and Sciences (Montgomery Hall 125)
  2. Activate and use their UND e-mail account
  3. Attend all freshmen group advising meetings during fall semester
  4. Attend one freshmen group advising meeting during spring semester
  5. Complete the following courses, with a C grade or better, before the start of sophomore year:
   
=>
Bio 150-151, with labs
   
=>
Math 103 (may test out of this with an ACT Math score of 26, or UND Math ALG Test score of 18)
   
=>
Chem 121-122, with labs
  6. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  7. Visit with their major advisor
       
In order to stay in the Pre-Med Program at UND, students must:
  1. Complete the prerequisites for medical school(s) as advised
  2. Maintain a competitive cumulative GPA (3.0 minimum)
  3. Take the MCAT
  4. Visit with the Health Sciences Advisor regularly
  5. Visit with their major advisor regularly


Current or prospective UND students are encouraged to meet with the Health Sciences Advisor, Mrs. Kimberly Ruit, as early in your undergraduate education as possible.  Mrs. Ruit can help in all aspects of your undergraduate preparation for medical school:  from scheduling to study skills, to MCAT preparation, to interview preparation.  Together, you can plan the undergraduate curriculum that is right for you.

 

Competitive Applicant Profile
No matter what medical school a student chooses to attend, there are 6 areas that will be scrutinized by any Admissions Committee when reviewing applications.  It is therefore very important that the student is well prepared in order to present his/her best possible application.  The table below summarizes these areas:

Academics Degree needed?  Most medical schools require or prefer a degree.

Major?  Any major, science or non-science, is fine - schools want well-rounded and broadly educated applicants.

GPA?  National average of students accepted into med schools in 2009 was 3.66.

MCAT Scores

National average of students accepted into med schools in 2009 was:
BS: 10.8
PS: 10.3
VR: 9.8
WS: P

Letters of 
Recommendation
Required, although numbers and authors vary from school to school. At least one science and one non-science professor/instructor are needed.
Relevant 
Life Experiences
Essential!!!!!  Especially experiences that include contact with patients in a hospital or medical setting.
State of Residency Most state supported schools will only take state residents.  Students must present stronger GPAs and MCAT scores than required by the school if they plan to apply as out-of-state residents or to private schools. 
Legal record

Keep your legal record and personal image squeaky clean!!

1. Background checks

a. More and more health professional schools are now doing background checks on all matriculants and/or applicants.

=> If you have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor of a violent or sexual nature, you will be prohibited from professional health care practice in many states, so health professional schools will not accept you.

=> All other misdemeanors (underage drinking, drug possession, etc.) will also show up on background checks (even if they happened before you were 18). Having just one of these can definitely hurt your chances of acceptance into a health professional school!

b. UND's medical school will ask you to list any violations beyond a simple parking ticket on their application! You will have to disclose everything – no matter how old you were!!

The legal drinking age in North Dakota is 21. Illegal drugs are just that – illegal at any age. Stay away from alcohol and illegal drugs and any activities or instances where they may be present!! Why risk it? Is it worth ruining your future?  

2. MySpace, Facebook, etc.

a. As more and more companies and schools use the internet to research potential employees and students, it is essential that you make sure comments posted by you and about you are wholesome, reflect good character, and show maturity.

=> Limit visitors to your site to friends only.
=> Regularly check and remove any unwanted postings by others

b. Be sure pictures are in good taste and not incriminating.

=> Regularly check and remove any unwanted postings or tags by others.
=> At UND, students may be written up by their RA's for university conduct violations with evidence provided by just a picture!

Remember...admission to medical school is highly selective and competitive.
It is imperative that you take your studies very seriously from the first day of your freshman year!!



Pre-Med Handouts

Sample Pre-Med Schedule
  All medical schools have required coursework that must be completed successfully by prospective students.  This handout suggests a schedule for the most commonly required classes, as well as the best time for taking the MCAT for the first time and submitting medical school applications.  Classes with question marks may be required by certain schools.  Recommended science and non-science electives are also listed.
 
ND, MN Medical Schools Prerequisites and Accepted Student Profiles
   
Medical Schools Accepting Non-State Residents
  As a general rule, state supported medical schools accept mostly residents of their own states. Out of state residents applying to state schools must present higher academic credentials (GPA and MCAT scores) than in state residents to have any chance of getting into these state schools. There are, however, a number of medical schools that do not have the residency restrictions on applicants. This handout lists the schools that take a substantial number of out of state students, comparing GPA and MCAT scores.
   
UNDSMHS Application Point System for Determining Interviews
   
Possible Interview Topics and Questions from Admissions Committees
 
AAMC's 35 questions I wish I had asked during my interview

 

Bulletin Board


Welcome New and Returning Students!

Don't forget to check in with Mrs. Ruit this year to make sure you are on track with your program!  
 

 

Freshman Pre-Health Student Orientation Meetings
Dates: August 22, September 12, and October 17, 2011
Time: 8:00pm
Place: Reed Keller Lecture Hall, UND Medical School

Come meet Mrs. Ruit, the Health Sciences Advisor, and find out what you need to know to be a successful Pre-Med student!

 

 

Pre-Med Day 2011
University of North Dakota
School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Date: October 29, 2011

9:30-10:00am Registration, juice, muffins and coffee
10:00-10:30am Pre-Med Curriculum Kimberly Ruit
Health Sciences Advisor
UND College of Arts and Sciences
10:30-11:10am Welcome and History of the Medical School Gwen Halaas, MD, Senior Associate Dean, UNDSMHS
  The "Patient-Centered" Curriculum Thomas Hill, PhD, Director of the Office of Medical Education, UNDSMHS
11:10-11:20am Slide Show of Student Activities  
11:20am-12:10pm Question and Answer Time UNDSMHS Medical Students
12:15pm Lunch  
1:15-2:25pm Life as a Physician Panel of Local Physicians
2:15-4:00pm Admissions Overview and Mock Interviews Susan Splichal, PhD, Interim Director Admissions and Financial Aid, UNDSMHS

Please note: A tour of the Medical Facilities is available after the program.

Students should feel free to attend any or all events.

 

 
MCAT 2012
 

2012 MCAT Orientation Meeting
Date: TBA (October 5, 2011)
Time: 7:30pm
Place: United Lecture Hall (UNDSMHS)

If you are planning to take the MCAT in 2012, you should be at this meeting.  Mrs. Ruit will cover the following:

MCAT format, scope, content and registration
Prep strategies and options
Kaplan MCAT 2012 Review Course information

 
 
 

2012 Kaplan MCAT Review Course
January 10, 2012 - April 26, 2012
Tuesday/Thursday Evenings
6:00pm – 9:00pm
United Lecture Hall (Room 1360) UNDSMHS


2012 Kaplan Course Registration Information
:
*
Kaplan Course Code is MRVL 12349

Current or former UND students
must register by phone (1-800-kaptest)
In order to get the UND discount course fee, they need to get a promo code from Mrs. Ruit.

Students not currently or formerly enrolled at UND may attend the course,
but must register by phone (1-800-kaptest) and will be charged the full course fee.

The registration deadline for the UND discount fee is December 1, 2011.
Any registration after Dec 1 will be charged the full price.

 

 

The CBT MCAT

The August 2006 MCAT was the last ever administered in the familiar paper-and-pencil format. Beginning in the Spring 2007, the MCAT has been administered exclusively by computer. The switch to CBT (computer based testing) meant other changes to the MCAT as well. They include:

1. Shorter test (they cut approximately 1/3 of the material):

Physical Sciences section: 52 questions, 70 minutes
Biological Sciences section: 52 questions, 70 minutes
Verbal Reasoning section: 40 questions 60 minutes
Writing Sample: 2 essays, 30 minutes each

2. Shorter test day (1/2 day instead of a full day)

3. Multiple testing dates (approximately 20 test dates, spread thoughout the year with some morning and afternoon testing appointments available).

4. Multiple testing sites

5. Scores will be returned in 30 days instead of 60

MCAT Test dates, registration deadlines and online registration instructions may be found on the AAMC website listed in the links section below.

Registration for a given test date opens up approximately 120 days before that test date. Be sure to register as early as possible once registration for your preferred test date opens up - the test sites will fill up quickly!

 

 

Here's an idea......

Visit the Kaplan Website Pre-Med page to sign up for some of their free services:

Kaptest Membership: Gives you access to a full range of test info, prep tools and exclusive deals.

The Pre-Med Edge: Kaplan's exclusive, e-mail newsletter containing MCAT strategies, med school admissions tips, science review and more.

 

 

Did you know there is a pre-med club on campus??

2011-12
Undergraduate Medical Association


For more information on the UMA,
or
to be added to the UMA list serve,
please contact

Ryan Mischel (president) by e-mail at:

Ryan.Mischel.2@und.edu

 


 
 

Pre-Med Links
Check out these links to sites of interest for pre-med students:

AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)
This site provides:
      -Links to all US and Canadian medical schools
      -MCAT information
      -AMCAS information and application for downloading

On-line MCAT registration through AAMC

UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences

UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences INMED Program
If you are a member of a federally recognized Native American tribe, check out the opportunities for you through INMED (Indians Into Medicine).

UM School of Medicine, Twin Cities

UM School of Medicine, Duluth

Kaplan
A source for review courses and preparation for the MCAT.

Princeton Review
    -Another source for MCAT review and prep - take a practice MCAT on-line!
    -Lots of info on applying to med schools, financial aid, and other medical links.

Examkrackers
Source for the Examkrackers Audio Osmosis CD's that UND students have found extremely helpful!

Mrs. Ruit's Office Hours for 2011-12

August 22, 2011-
December 15, 2011
January 9, 2012-
March 8, 2012
March 19, 2012 - May 17, 2012
Summers
(Out of the Office)
Tuesdays
9am - 2pm
9am - 2pm
9am - 2pm
None
Wednesdays
12 - 2pm
None
12 - 2pm
None
Thursdays
9am - 2pm
9am - 2pm
9am - 2pm
None

Mondays
(During Early Registration dates)

9am - 12pm
(Oct 31-Nov 18, 2011)

 

9am - 12pm
(April 2012)
**

Pre-Health Advising is by appointment only. Appointments with Mrs. Ruit can only be made by calling 701-777-2749 during regular weekday business hours.

No e-mails for scheduling appointments please!

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University of North Dakota
Pre-Health Programs
College of Arts and Sciences
PO Box 8038
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8038
Toll Free: 1-800-CALL-UND
Tel: 701-777-2749
Fax: 701-777-4397
E-mail (school year only): kim_ruit@und.nodak.edu