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Prepare for a career in medicine

We will help you choose the right mix of courses and experiences medical schools look for.

Pre-Medicine Path

Students of many different majors are on the pre-med path at SUNY Plattsburgh and the PHPAC helps to make sure that you are prepared to apply to medical school.

Academics

If you are a biology or biomedical sciences major you will take all of the important prerequisite classes for medical school application as part of your major. If you are not one of these majors, it is important to take the following classes:

  • General Biology (BIO101 and 102, 8 credits including lab)
  • General Chemistry (CHE111 and 112, 8 credits including lab)
  • Organic Chemistry (CHE 241 and 242, 8 credits including lab)
  • Physics (PHY103 and 104, 8 credits including lab)
  • English (ENG101 and AWR, 6 credits)

Some medical schools will also require calculus, biochemistry or other classes. Look up the specific requirements for the programs you are interested in to be sure.

The Honors Program at SUNY Plattsburgh is an important way to show academic excellence. You should take advantage of this opportunity if possible.

Extracurricular Activities

In addition to excellence in academics, medical schools will expect you to show excellence in other areas of your life. Extracurricular activities that previous premed students have done include:

Internships, Volunteering & Shadowing

Medical schools will expect that you have some experience in the medical environment, even if it is just shadowing a doctor. We have relationships with several facilities within walking distance of the campus. You can find a list of our current internship sites.

Applying to Medical School

Application to allopathic medical schools (M.D.) is through the AMCAS system. The AMCAS system opens for the each application cycle in early May and the application review process begins May 31. AMCAS will require an official copy of your transcripts, letters of recommendation (including one from the PHPAC), MCAT score, and a list of schools that you want your application sent. When your file is complete, AMCAS will send your application to the schools on your list.

Applications to osteopathic medical schools (D.O.) are similar but go through the AACOMAS system.

Both types of school use rolling admissions, which means that they begin to review and accept students as soon as their application is complete. It is best have your application complete as close to the beginning of the opening review date as possible.

Recent Graduates

Willy Corely, Class of ‘23

  • B.S. Biomedical Sciences at SUNY Plattsburgh
  • Hofstra School of Medicine

Mairead Lawliss, Class of ‘21

  • B.S. Biomedical Sciences at SUNY Plattsburgh
  • SUNY Update Medical University

Eric Acosta, Class of ’20 & Kevin St. Fort, Class of ’20

  • Both earned a B.S. Biology at SUNY Plattsburgh
  • SUNY Downstate Medical School

Sneha Mohan, Class of ‘20

  • B.S. Biology at SUNY Plattsburgh
  • William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine
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