If you’re serious about a career in medicine but want a path that respects your time, Athens State University offers a streamlined bridge to professional school. We help you tailor your degree plan in order to prepare for further study in the fields of medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, psychiatry, exercise science or other related disciplines.
A Strategic Approach to Your Medical Career
Success in the medical field requires more than just high marks; it requires a purposeful strategy. Whether you are a transfer student, a post-bac looking to pivot, or a high school student with extensive college credit, we provide situation-based guidance that integrates your professional background and prior coursework into a competitive narrative for admissions committees.
The Pre-Health Certificate: A 1-Year Fast Track Pre-Health Certificate
- Our 3-semester certificate is an intensive program designed to make you application-ready by focusing on high-yield prerequisites.
- Curated Curriculum: Complete the necessary coursework for most pre-health programs, while simultaneously preparing for required standardized tests, like the MCAT, DAT, or PCAT.
- Beyond the Classroom: You’ll work directly with an advisor to build a robust portfolio, find clinical shadowing, get involved with community-based volunteerism, and build a Committee Letter.
- Seamless Transition: Transfer after completing your basic Chemistry and Physics sequences and hit the ground running in the Fall, Spring or Summer Semesters.
Own Your Narrative
Don’t settle for a generic pre-med track. Contact our coordinating Pre-Health Advisor, Sara Cline ([email protected]), to develop a roadmap that actually reflects your professional potential.
Special Pre-Med Advice
Students interested in attending Medical School can get a jump-start on the application process by preparing during their Junior year. See a generic timeline below. Other health allied program application deadlines can vary.
If you are interested in applying to Professional Schools, and we will work with you to develop a course load and timeline. Example information for medical school application preparations:
Courses typically required for medical school admission (requirements vary):
- Two Biology courses with labs
- Physics I & II
- General Chemistry I & II
- Organic Chemistry I & II
- English Composition I & II
Students should begin studying MCAT content during their Junior year. Test Content includes:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
In addition to the required courses, there are several courses we offer at Athens State that can help with MCAT Prep:
- Biochemistry
- Statistics With Advanced Topics In Behavioral Science or Applied Probability and Statistics
- Cell Structure and Function
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Human Structure and Function
- Animal Physiology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Gender and Multicultural Studies
- Social Analysis
- Majority/Minority Group Relations
- Histology
- Immunology
Generic Timeline
This timeline is a guideline. Please check with the medical school you would like to apply to for specific details.
Junior Year
Fall Semester
1. Study for & Schedule MCAT
2. Complete Shadowing hours, if still needed
Spring/Early Summer Semesters
1. MCAT
2. May: Medical School Application Opens for Incoming Class of Fall after Next (AMCAS or AACOMAS)
3. By end of June: Submit application
a. Organize Committee Letter
b. Write Personal Statement
c. Request Transcripts
Senior Year
Fall Semester
1. First Round Interviews
2. Deposits Due
Spring Semester
1. Second Round Interviews
2. Commit to Enroll for the following Fall