There is not a “pre-med studies” track or a “pre-med major” at UVM. Medical and dental schools are looking for candidates who are passionate about learning. They seek candidates who fully engage in an academic discipline of genuine interest. Most people who enter college considering medicine as a career end up pursuing another path (in or out of healthcare). Your major should allow you to develop knowledge and skills that will provide a solid foundation for other potential careers of interest, too.

Find a major that excites you, whether it be from the sciences, humanities or social sciences, and approach it with intellectual curiosity. Since the practice of medicine is both art and science, medical schools are eager for students who have studied a range of subjects. They are seeking evidence that you have chosen coursework that will enhance your ability to think critically and understand the human dimensions of caring for patients.

Take care to plan out a curriculum that allows you to complete courses necessary for your major requirements as well as recommended medical school or dental school pre-requisites and MCAT/DAT preparation. When determining a timeline for taking your classes, remember that the vast majority of applicants from UVM do not apply to medical school until after completing their senior year. This approach gives the applicant a full four years of college for completing the necessary coursework while also providing the benefit of having a minimum of one (and often 2 or more) growth years for gaining increased experience and maturity before matriculating into medical school.