The preparation for medicine (pre-med) program is specially designed for women interested in attending medical, dental, veterinary, nursing, or public health school. In 2014, 47 percent of accepted U.S. medical students were woman according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) .
The Science Center for Women, along with the student’s pre-med faculty advisor, counsels students on academic programs, preparation for professional school and ways to enhance acceptance into health programs. The SCW compiles a committee letter of evaluation for the medical school application service (AMCAS) for each student registered with the office. The SCW provides supplemental workshops, guest speakers, tutoring and other support services for STEM students.
The pre-med track is a preparatory program that works in conjunction with the student’s choice of major. Typically, students major in biology; chemistry; neuroscience; or physics, although Agnes Scott students have gone to medical school having majored in psychology or a humanities discipline.
Students may make many different course choices, but courses primarily focus in the sciences, including study in biology, chemistry and physics. Most medical, dental and veterinary colleges require a full-year course with laboratory in biology, physics, inorganic (general) chemistry and organic chemistry. Biochemistry, statistics, and social sciences are now required for the MCAT exam. Some medical schools require calculus. These courses should be in progress or completed by the spring of a student’s junior year in order to do well on the MCAT, DCAT or VCAT examinations, required for entrance. Students are responsible for knowing the admission requirements of the professional schools to which they wish to apply.