MCB is an excellent choice for pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, and other pre-health career students. Our curriculum is proven to successfully prepare students for health-related careers including medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.
Typical four-year plan for pre-health
The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ranks fourth in the Top 20 Best Pre-Med Colleges according to the website Online College Plan.
Typical four-year plan
This plan is to be used only as a guideline. There are many factors that may affect the sequence and timing of courses. Course selections are best made in consultation with an MCB Advisor.
Students who are not taking a gap year, typically take the MCAT or other pre-professional exam during the spring of their junior year and apply in during the summer following their junior year. Most prerequisite courses should be completed by the end of junior year with grades of C or better. Visit The Career Center Health Professions Website for additional information.
Semester-by-semester plan
FIRST YEAR
SEMESTER 2 |
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Intro Bio: MCB 150 or IB 150 (4 hrs) Gen. Chem: CHEM 101, 102/103, or 202/203 (3-5 hrs) Begin MATH sequence per placement* (3-5 hrs) or Composition I (3-4 hrs) First Year Enrichment Course: LAS 101 or LAS 122 (1 hr) Options: Total Credit Hours: 14-16 |
Intro Bio: MCB 150 or IB 150 (4 hrs) Gen Chem: CHEM 102/103, 104/105, or 204/205 (4-5 hrs) Begin or continue MATH sequence per placement* (3-5 hrs) or Composition I: (3-4 hrs) Options: Total Credit Hours: 14-16 |
SECOND YEAR
SEMESTER 3 |
SEMESTER 4 |
Molecular Genetics & Lab: MCB 250 & MCB 251 (5 hrs)*** Chemistry: Finish gen chem or begin organic (4–6 hrs) Choose 1–2 of the following: (1–6 hrs)
Total Credit Hours: 14–17 |
Cells, Tissues & Develop. & Lab: MCB 252 & MCB 253 (5 hrs) Chemistry: Finish CHEM sequence, if necessary (2–6 hrs) or Choose 1–2 of the following: (1–6 hrs)
Total Credit Hours: 14–17 |
THIRD YEAR
SEMESTER 5 |
SEMESTER 6 |
Biochemistry: MCB 354 (3 hrs) Physics: Begin or continue PHYS sequence (4–5 hrs) Choose 2–3 of the following: (5–10 hrs)
Total Credit Hours: 14–18 |
Approved Advanced MCB course or lab: See approved list**** (2–4 hrs) Physics: Continue PHYS sequence, if necessary (4–5 hrs) or Choose 2–3 of the following: (6-10 hrs)
Total Credit Hours: 14–18 |
FOURTH YEAR
SEMESTER 7 |
SEMESTER 8 |
1 or 2 Approved Advanced MCB courses or lab: Choose 2–3 of the following: (6–10 hrs)
Total Credit Hours: 12-18 |
1 or2 Approved Advanced MCB courses or lab: Choose 2–3 of the following: (6–10 hrs)
Total Credit Hours: 12-18 |
* Statistics is highly recommended to prepare for the MCAT and medical school.
** At least one course in psychology and sociology should be taken. Three social/behavioral science courses are recommended.
*** General Chemistry 1 and 2 (CHEM 102 and CHEM 104) must be completed before beginning MCB 250.
+ Anatomy & Physiology courses are required for many allied-health professions, but not MD programs.
++ Approved advanced courses can be found at /undergrad/courses/advanced/. Courses that may be of particular interest to pre-med students include, but are not limited to, cell biology, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology, neurobiology, and physiology.
Volunteering, summer, and post-bacc opportunities
Universities, government agencies, clinics, and foundations offer a variety of opportunities for pre-health students who wish to hone their research skills, learn more about healthcare professions, participate in workshops and professional development activities, and prepare for medical school.
Summer programs
The National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions provides a list of current Student Opportunities on its website.
The School of MCB also compiles a list of opportunities from a variety of programs that have expressed an interest in our students. It includes listings for the current year and most recent year in an effort to provide information about which institutions have offered summer programs in the past.
Summer 2022
Post Date | Institution — Program — Location — Application Deadline |
---|---|
Feb 24, 2022 | Keck Graduate Institute — Multiple — Claremont, CA — June 10, 2022 |
Nov 6, 2021 | University of Detroit Mercy — The Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) New York, NY — Feb 15, 2022 |
Dec 5, 2022 | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — Molecular Imaging Summer Program & Chemical Biology Summer Program — New York, NY |
Summer 2021
Post Date | Institution — Program — Location — Application Deadline |
---|---|
March 28, 2021 | University of Deroit Mercy— The Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) New York, NY — March 1, 2021 |
March 28, 2021 | University of Illinois Chicago— 2021 Summer Pharmacy Institute (SPI) Chicago, IL — April 1, 2021 |
March 28, 2021 | SUNY College of Optometry— Eye-CARE Camp New York, NY — June 25, 2021 |
March 28, 2021 | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center— Molecular Imaging Summer Program and Chemical Biology Summer Program New York, NY — February 1, 2021 |
March 28, 2021 | University of Michigan— UM-SMART Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2021 February 1, 2021 |
March 28, 2021 | University of Michigan— Michigan Health Sciences Summer Institute February 3, 2021 |
March 10, 2021 | Bristol Myers Squibb — Various summer internships — Several locations |
March 1, 2021 | Campbell University — Ransdell Family Health Professions Readiness & Enrichment Program (HPREP) — Buies Creek, NC — March 15, 2021 |
Jan 19, 2021 | Texas A&M University — Summer Undergraduate Research in Genetics and Genomics (SURGe) Program — College Station, TX — February 15, 2021 |
Jan 14, 2021 | The University of Alabama at Birmingham — Clinical and Research Undergraduate Summer Programs — Birmingham, AL — February 12, 2021 |
Jan 13, 2021 | Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine — Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program — Athens, OH — February 1, 2021 |
Jan 11, 2021 | SENS Research Foundation — SRF Summer Scholars Program — Several locations — January 15, 2021 |
Jan 11, 2021 | Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Technology — Repperger Research Intern Program — Several locations — February 15, 2021 |
Dec 22, 2020 | The Ohio State University — Discovery Prep — Columbus, OH — Rolling admissions (roughly the beginning of Apil 2021) |
Dec 10, 2020 | Loyola University — Loyola Adventures in Urobiome Data Summer Research — March 1, 2021 |
Nov 30, 2020 | UC Davis — Neuroscience Initiative to Enhance Diversity (April 22-23) — January 31, 2021 |
Nov 20, 2020 | City Internships — Summer 2021 Programs |
Nov 18, 2020 | University of Chicago Pritzer School of Medicine — Summer Pathway Programs — Feb 8, 2021 |
Nov 18, 2020 | UW-Madison — Biological Interactions: Phenotype, Genotype, and Environment Research Program — Feb 15, 2021 |
Nov 18, 2020 | Johns Hopkins Medicine — Summer Internship — Nov 8, 2020 |
Nov 18, 2020 | Memorial Sloan Kettering — Chemical Biology Summer Program — February 5, 2021 |
Nov 18, 2020 | Summer Health Professions Education Program — February 5, 2021 |
Oct 28, 2020 | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences — Summer Internship — March 1, 2021 |
Oct 28, 2020 | Office of Intramural Training and Education — Summer Internship in Biomedical Research |
Oct 28, 2020 | National Science Foundation — Research Experience for Undergraduates |
Oct 23, 2020 | U.S. Department of Energy Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists — Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship — Jan 12, 2021 |
Oct 20, 2020 | University of Pennsylvania and Washington University St. Louis — Center for Engineering Mechanobiology — Feb 1, 2021 |
Oct 10, 2020 | Mayo Clinic — Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship — Nov 8, 2020 |
Oct 10, 2020 | Stowers Summer Scholars — Medical Research Experience — Kansas City, MO — February 1, 2021 |
Oct 2, 2020 | University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine — Summer Undergraduate Opportunities — Iowa City, IA |
Medical volunteering
Carle Foundation Hospital Volunteer Opportunities
OSF Healthcare Volunteer Opportunities
Avicenna Commmunity Health Center Volunteering
Thinking of participating in a medical mission trip abroad? Make sure to watch this YouTube video on medical volunteering to protect yourself and the people you are interacting with. If you aren't allowed to perform a procedure in the U.S., you should NOT perform it abroad.
Post-baccalaureate premedical opportunities
The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) has a free post-baccalaureate premedical opportunities database where students can use specific filters to search for programs.
Post Date | Institution — Program — Location |
---|---|
May 10, 2023 | Drexel University - Intensive Medical Sciences (IMS) Program - Philadelphia, PA |
May 10, 2023 | Drexel University - Medical Science (MMS) Program - Philadelphia, PA |
May 10, 2023 | Drexel University - Biomedical Studies (MBS) Program - Philadelphia, PA |
May 10, 2023 | Drexel University - Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (IHS) Program - Philadelphia, PA |
May 10, 2023 | Drexel University - Evening post-baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program (PMED) - Philadelphia, PA |
April 4, 2023 | University of Pennsylvania - Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Programs - Philadelphia, PA |
Nov 14, 2022 | Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush — Gap Year Research Opportunity — Chicago, IL |
Nov 30, 2022 | Hinsdale Orthopaedics and the Illinois Center for Orthopedic Research and Education — Gap Year Research Opportunity — Chicago, IL |
Where do our students go?
Learn more about the top professional schools attended by graduates of the School of MCB.
Medical Schools
Allopathic
University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medicine
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Rush Medical College
Osteopathic
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Physician Associate Schools (formerly Physician Assistant)
Midwestern University - Downers Grove
Dominican University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine
Southern Illinois University
Butler University
Dental Schools
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry
Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
Marquette University School of Dentistry
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Pharmacy Schools
University of Illinois at Chicago
Midwestern University - Downers Grove Campus
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Optometry Schools
Illinois College of Optometry
Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry
Southern College of Optometry
The Ohio State University College of Optometry
University of Houston College of Optometry
Title
MCB professional mentoring program
MCB's professional mentorship program connects motivated MCB students with accomplished physicians, pharmacists, dentists, and other health professionals across the country. Our mentors, many of them alumni, provide valuable insight to students through our formal mentoring program and multiple online or in-person events held during the year.
Pre-Health Organizations
Allopathic and Osteopathic Medicine
Allopathic
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Osteopathic
Choose DO
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
Watch this video dedicated to Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)
Optometry
Podiatric Medicine (Podiatry)
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
Step into Podiatry
Dentistry
Pharmacy
Nursing
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How to prepare for the MCAT
Students who have been through the process offer their insight on studying and taking the Medical College Admission Test.