Introduction
There are multiple paths to medical school (or any other health professional program, for that matter) which is why our highly personalized approach at Lawrence can give you a real advantage. Our pre-health advisory committee (5 professors and a staff member) will work with you one-on-one to craft a curriculum that incorporates medical school requirements while meeting your academic and co-curricular interests—participating in off-campus programs, gaining relevant experience in health care delivery, facilitating service experiences, gaining research experience, and more. The committee sponsors programs and workshops for pre-health students—including speakers, physician shadowing, and a retreat with alumni physicians at Bjorklunden campus in Door County, Wisconsin.
You might enjoy this if you're interested in
Doctor (M.D. or D.O.) or Dentist
Pharmacist (PharmD)
Physical or occupational therapist
Veterinarian
Nurse/Nurse Practitioner/PA
Genetic counselor
Medical or pharmaceutical researcher
Pre-med/Pre-health students often major in
Biochemistry
Biology
Neuroscience
Physics
Chemistry
History
Anthropology
Psychology
Music
Life After Lawrence
Lawrentians can earn advanced degrees as
Cardiologists, family medicine physicians, internists, OB/Gyn, neurosurgeons, physician assistants, physical therapists, pharmaceutical researchers, oncologists, medical researchers, orthopedic surgeons, dentists, genetic counselors, veterinarians, public health directors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, occupational therapists, and nurses.
At places like
Medicine: Johns Hopkins (MD and MD/MPH), Mayo (MD and MD/Ph.D.), Ohio State, University of Chicago, Northwestern, Rush University, University of Colorado, Boston University, University of Minnesota, University of Utah, University of Wisconsin, University of Washington, Medical College of Wisconsin
Dentistry: Marquette University, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, UNC-Chapel Hill
Genetic Counseling: Case Western, University of Cincinnati, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Veterinary MD: Cornell University, University of Minnesota, Oregon State, University of Wisconsin
MS-Nursing: DePaul, George Mason University, Rush University, UC-SF, Vanderbilt, Yale
PharmD: Purdue, University of California-San Francisco, University of Michigan, University of South Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill, University of Texas, University of Wisconsin
Public Health: Columbia University, Duke, Emory, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins, UC-Berkeley, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, UNC-Chapel Hill
Physician's Assistant: Duke, George Washington, Marquette, Northwestern, SUNY, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Occupational Therapy: Boston University, Washington University, University of Washington, University of Wisconsin
Do well at Lawrence, and you will do well in medical school
More than 90% of our pre-med students who meet typical med school baseline metrics (e.g., 3.5 GPA, 80th percentile on the MCAT) get into medical school.
Study global or public health abroad
Through our programs in Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Amsterdam, you can incorporate significant public and global health theory and practice by working on solutions to health problems.
Get certified as a nursing assistant while you prepare for medical school
We partner with a local technical college twice a year to offer a 2-week CNA classroom and clinical training, which will enable you to get hands-on health care experience in an Appleton-area hospital or nursing home. (You can also volunteer or work as a CNA or emergency scribe at one of our three local hospitals.)
Tap into our alumni network of doctors
Lawrence undergrads work in the labs of Lawrence physicians around the country, including human genetics work with a pediatric oncologist, and lung development in premature babies with a neonatology researcher. One of our alumni who is an award-winning teacher for Kaplan’s MCAT test prep program regularly speaks to our pre-med students, and we host a retreat for pre-med students with alumni physicians.
Develop leadership skills while participating in two great pre-med communities at Lawrence
The American Medical Student Association meets to share tips, discuss readings, host speakers and panels on medically-related topics, and take field trips to nearby medical schools. GlobeMed partners with an NGO in India to work on public health issues, and sends two Lawrentians each summer to work there.
Build experience (and your portfolio) with internships or LU-RF
We have funded internships in bioethics, as well as our Lawrence University Research Fellows program, an intensive summer or December research program in the labs of Lawrence professors.
Lawrence-Supported Volunteer Experiences Recommended for Pre-Health Students
Pre-Health students need to build empathy, compassion, cultural competency, and skills in face-to-face communication leadership. Volunteering with vulnerable populations allows students to build these skills, and also (and importantly!) to learn whether they enjoy serving others. The following volunteer programs are particularly well suited for students planning a career in health care but don’t feel limited to these alone.
Brewster Village, nursing home services
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley
Homeless Connections, transitional shelter
Fox Valley Literacy CouncilSt. Elizabeth’s Hospital
LARY Buddy, mentoring for K-6 youth
Harbor House, domestic abuse shelter
Hospice Services, end-of-life care
VITAL tutoring, weekly tutoring to K-12 students
We encourage you to serve where you are most called to do so.
Get to know current Lawrence students
If you would like to talk directly to a current student about their experiences, we have international student interns available to talk or keep in touch over social media. Read about our students below and contact us with your questions or to find a time to talk with them.
Sheldon Xie
Studying Government, East Asian Studies, History
Involved in: President of Chinese Students Association (CSA); Mentor of International Student Services (ISS); Assistant in LU Government (GOVT) Department; Assistant in Innovation-Entrepreneurship (I-E) Department; Secretary of Food Recovery Network (FRN); Involved in Build Inter-generation Relations (BIR) volunteering activities
Ask me about: Social sciences or humanities, or study abroad in London!
College search advice: Lawrence on Instagram (@lawrenceuni) or LU YouTube Channel would be your good friend! Also, please talk to us, the enthusiastic and friendly group of current students in the International Admission who will love to share Lawrence stories with you!
April Nguyen
Studying Biochemistry
Involved in: Community Advisor
Favorite spot to study: My signature spot in the library! It is a single desk on the second floor, by the window, and behind all bookshelves. I love this spot since it is perfect for me: quiet, peaceful, light, and it has a stunning view to the main grass-land during the fall!
College search advice: I highly recommend following Lawrence on Instagram (@lawrenceuni) since it is usually updated about life and events on campus and has interactive Q&A sessions for prospective students.
Alec Nguyen
Studying Economics, Psychology
Involved in: Lawrence International, JCEC - Japanese Culture Exchange Club.
Favorite Spot on Campus: The green in front of Main Hall is absolutely the best place to wind down and relax. You can set up a hammock and read a book under the shade or take a nap. I personally prefer the latter.
Ask me about: The best routes for running or anything about snowboarding.
College search advice: LU instagram page (@lawrenceuni) has "Student Take over" stories that would definitely help you get to know the college better from a student's viewpoint.
Caleb Yuan
Studying Psychology, English and Educational Studies
Involved in: News writer in The Lawrentians Student Newspaper, VITAL Tutoring program, Lawrence International, and the Chinese Student Association (CSA). I'm also interested in Psychology, lifting, badminton, and deep thoughts!
Ask me about: I always enjoy playing basketball in the morning and start off my morning with a tasty sausage-egg-and-cheese sandwich and a cup of raspberry ice tea (at the Cafe)!
College search advice: Start the application early so you will have enough time to struggle through things such as Recommendation Letters and Essays. Remember to consider your choice in terms of financial aid, school size, surrounding area, school culture, specific programs, etc.
