Premedical Studies
Premedical students gain a strong foundation on which to build their studies at a medical school, leading to successful careers in the burgeoning health industry.
Students are admitted directly into this program.Program Overview
Medical schools accept students with various majors; premedical students at GVSU commonly choose biomedical sciences, biology, biochemistry, or behavioral neuroscience. Students are assigned an advisor to guide them in preparing for professional school and completing the prerequisite coursework to score well on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Grand Valley students are exceptionally competitive. Since 2011, 65 percent of Grand Valley students with a 3.4 GPA or higher were accepted to medical school, with 56 percent on their first application. This is well above national statistics, where 40 percent of applicants to M.D. programs are typically accepted.
The preprofessional advising team in the CLAS Academic Advising Center is prepared to help students achieve their dreams of medical school.
- Doctor (MD or DO) in various specialties
- Physician assistant (if admitted to a PA graduate program)
- Medical examiner
- Biochemist
- Research assistant
- Laboratory assistant
- Hospital administrator
- Clinical research associate
- Health care recruiter
Why Pursue Premedical Studies at Grand Valley?
- Premedical students at GVSU have access to state-of-the-art labs,
including a cadaver lab, that provide unique and rigorous
preparation for medical school.
- The advising team maintains a robust preprofessional website to help students find various resources and connect to shadowing and volunteer opportunities. The team also coordinates various workshops and events throughout the year to support premedical students, in coordination with Michigan medical schools and the GVSU Career Center. Such events include a suture clinic led by local medical students, a healthcare experience panel comprised of local employers, professional and graduate school fairs, personal statement workshops, and medical school interview preparation.
- Students can join the PreMed Club which connects students with medical school admission representatives, current medical students (GVSU alumni), and volunteer and networking opportunities.
- Premedical students are provided with a high level of support through the medical school application process, one-on-one advising, webinars/workshops, and application review services.
- GVSU has partnerships with five of the seven Michigan medical schools, where students can apply through Early Assurance Programs or the WMedStart program.
Location & Format
Undergraduate students in this major study at the Grand Valley Allendale Campus.
- Face To Face
Coursework
Grand Valley offers all the courses necessary to gain admission to medical school and prepare fully for the MCAT, including:
- Anatomy & physiology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Cadaver lab
- General chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Physics
- Social sciences/humanities
Career Options
Premedical students who graduate from GVSU and are successful in being admitted to medical school or other professional schools go on to hold positions such as:
Those not going on to medical school find careers as a:
Combined Degree Programs
Most undergraduate majors that premedical students pursue can be combined with a master's degree if a student decides they would like to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree before starting medical school. On average, students save $8,500 in our combined degree programs and take up to four fewer classes than if earning the degrees separately.
You can even build your own combined degree from programs in different disciplines to further personalize your education and meet specific career goals.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Hands-on learning and other fieldwork not only deepen your mastery of your discipline but also give you the edge employers seek. Visit our experience matters page to see the work GVSU students are doing in their co-ops and internships.Admission Requirements
Visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements.
Helpful Links
For More Information
CLAS Academic Advising
gvsu.edu/clasadvising
C-1-120-MAK
(616) 331-8585
[email protected]