Pre-Medicine Program
Position yourself to gain admission to medical school with rigorous scientific training coupled with vital communication, research, and analytical skills cultivated through a liberal arts curriculum.
Multiple Colleges | On-Campus
Program Options
What interests you? At Drake, you can study it while checking off all medical school application requirements. Many base their preparation on one of the following programs:
Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
Focus your studies at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and physics, exploring the dynamics of living organisms and the analysis techniques used in fields like biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Biology
Examine the complex world of living systems from the cellular level to complete ecosystems. Inquiry-based labs cultivate your research skills, and program affiliations open opportunities for unique off-site learning in marine biology and watershed hydrology.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the bedrock for all applied scientific fields. As you dive into the core areas of the discipline, you’ll develop your laboratory and experimental abilities through hands-on practice with state-of-the-art equipment used in research and industry.
Health Sciences
This major is designed for those aiming for a career in healthcare. In addition to core science courses, you’ll also begin to explore medicine through both coursework and practical clinical experiences, including an extensive senior year internship.
Kinesiology
Kinesiology is a pre-professional program that focuses on anatomy, physiology, and human movement. It provides a particularly appropriate foundation for graduate studies in physical therapy, athletic training, kinesiology, and exercise science.
Neuroscience
Understand the human mind from both biological and psychological perspectives. In this interdisciplinary major, you’ll build a base in the physical and life sciences and pursue topics in cognitive psychology, genetics, and neurochemistry.
Psychology
Delve into the science of behavior. You’ll work from a biological basis to the dynamics of collective action on a societal level. Extensive electives let you shape the curriculum to follow your interests.
Meet the Faculty
Invested in your success, Drake’s dynamic pre-med professors draw out your potential and provide career guidance as you progress through the program.
Outside the Classroom
A compelling med school application requires much more than satisfying the necessary prerequisites. At Drake, opportunities like research, internships, and student organizations help you build a résumé of rich learning experiences and professional skills.
Research
Bulldogs make discoveries, and our pre-med students do so with immersive, state-of-the-art digital visualization systems and advanced sampling equipment. Along with independent study, undergraduates join faculty in ongoing research projects and share results in professional venues.
Internships
Most Drake students complete at least one internship before graduation. Whether in Des Moines or across the world, you’ll find abundant options to gain professional experience directly related to the medical field.
Connection to Des Moines
Des Moines is a hub for healthcare. Drake’s connections with multiple regional centers, including the Broadlawns Medical Center, The Iowa Clinic, MercyOne Medical Center, ChildServe, Blank Children’s Hospital, and UnityPoint Health, provide you with opportunities to engage with local healthcare professionals just minutes from campus.
Personalized Advising and Mentorship
From your first day, you will have a team of faculty mentors and advisors ready to guide you through your four years at Drake. Together, you’ll craft a personalized pathway tailored to your specific career goals.
Student Organizations
Enjoy fellowship with like-minded students and access resources like expert advice on résumé building and application strategy to smooth your path to med school with groups like Phi Delta Epsilon and the Pre-Medical Club.
MCAT Preparation
Drake students score an average of 509 on the MCAT. From your coursework to support and resources through the Pre-Medical Club, you’ll receive intensive preparation for test day.
Careers & Skills
Transformative careers in patient care and research begin with Drake’s Pre-Med program. As the next step toward this level of influence, previous graduates have pursued M.D. degrees at some of the nation’s top medical schools, including the University of Iowa, Yale, and the Mayo Clinic.
But your options can take a number of directions. Leverage your core scientific training and key soft skills to gain entry into other graduate and professional programs, or jump into the job market in a healthcare or research-related role.
Job Titles
- Dermatologist
- Healthcare administrator
- Medical researcher
- Pediatrician
- Physician assistant
- Surgeon
Skills
- Analyze and evaluate scientific research
- Collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Laboratory-based research
- Mathematics and statistics
- Professional communication
Salary & Growth Outlook
The average salary for healthcare occupations in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Take the Next Step
Have your sights set on medical school? Take a proven path to get there, tailored to your goals with Drake’s individualized Pre-Med program.
