Pre-Medical

Preparing for professional school starts year one at Carthage, and we are here to help you each step of the way! We recommend that you reach out to your advising team as soon as possible regarding your plans so they can help you start preparing. Carthage also has many articulation agreements that can assist you in reaching your professional goals.

Medical School Applications
Carthage students usually apply to around 15-20 schools total and apply 14 months before starting medical school. There is a financial commitment associated with application fees. You should only apply to schools you would genuinely consider attending.

Applications will be submitted through the AMCAS platform. This opens in the spring, and if you plan on attending right after your undergraduate degree, you should apply in the summer of your junior year. It is recommended that you have all materials ready when the platform opens and submit them in June. Your application will be most competitive if you submit it before Sept.1. Below is the list of application materials.

• Shadowing hours
• Healthcare experience hours
• Volunteer hours
• MCAT scores
• Personal statement
• Committee letter
• Transcripts (official copy)

Shadowing/Volunteering Amount/Location
We recommend you shadow within two different fields and specialties. Volunteering is not usually required but is highly recommended — you need to have experiences that give you meaningful stories you can reflect upon and which show your commitment in your medical school applications. Overall, patient care opportunities are highly valuable and important for students to experience. Medical schools want to see your dedication to medicine, patient care, and desire to improve healthcare within the community.

Required Entrance Exam Information
The MCAT is required for admission into medical school. Preparing for the MCAT largely depends on you and how you study. It is normal to study for the MCAT for over four months. However, to feel fully prepared and to make sure you give yourself the best possible chance to do well, the study process may take a full year. Taking into account all these factors, studying and preparing as early as you can is best. Most people take the MCAT during the winter/spring of their junior year or 1.5 years before they go to medical school.

Personal Statement
You will need to submit a personal statement with your application. To help craft your personal statement, attend our Personal Statement Workshop, typically held in the fall semester. In order to receive a committee letter, you must complete the personal statement workshop.

Letters of Recommendation
At Carthage, we recommend our students receive a committee letter in addition to two-three individual letters of recommendation. A committee letter is a letter authored by a pre-health advising team. It offers evaluation and advocacy on your behalf by highlighting your background and accomplishments, contextualizing challenges, and outlining your overall preparation and motivation for pursuing a career in medicine. In order to receive a committee letter, you need to attend the information session, typically held in the winter of your junior year or the semester before you apply to medical school. The process will begin in the winter, and you will receive the letter at the end of May/early June.

In addition to the committee letter, you will need two-three individual letters of recommendation for your application. You will need at least one of those letters from a science course professor and one from a healthcare provider you have worked with or shadowed under. Ideally, you should ask for a letter of recommendation at least two-three months before your application deadline, although give as much time as possible. This way, they have adequate time to reflect upon their experience and write the best possible letter they can. If you are participating in an experiential role, it is suggested that you ask for a letter a month or two before the close of that experience.

Pre-medical students at Carthage can apply to early admission for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Early Acceptance Program at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Learn more about the LECOM program

Please note that different professions require different degrees and levels of education.

Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists administer anesthesia during surgeries and medical procedures, monitor patients’ vital signs, and ensure comfort and safety during the perioperative period.

Cardiologist
Cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating heart-related conditions, including heart disease, arrhythmias, and hypertension, often performing diagnostic tests and procedures.

Dermatologist
Dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and skin cancer, and may also perform cosmetic procedures like Botox injections.

Family Medicine Physician
Family medicine doctors provide comprehensive primary care for patients of all ages, managing everything from routine check-ups to chronic disease management.

Paramedic/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Paramedics and EMTs provide emergency medical care and transport patients to medical facilities, often gaining hands-on experience with critical care.

Pediatrician
Pediatricians focus on the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents, diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries, and developmental issues.

Surgeon
Surgeons perform operations to treat diseases, injuries, and deformities, often specializing in particular areas like orthopedics, neurosurgery, or cardiothoracic surgery.