Freshmen Checklist

As a freshman pre-med biology major at Wartburg College, you should make sure you:

• Register with Dr. Ed Westen so you can receive notices etc.
• Check into volunteer experiences
• Get some initial clinical experience by shadowing a physician
• Keep good records of these experiences. - write them down in a journal.
• Keep abreast of what is going on in the medical field by subscribing to Medscape. It's free and very informative.
• Look through a sample MCAT test to get an idea of what's ahead. Save your textbooks and notes from your science courses. You will need this information when it comes time to study for the MCAT.
• Look for summer research opportunities and internships
• Go to all your classes, complete your assignments, consult with your course instructors at office hours, and get extra help (SI sessions) if needed. You want to make sure you keep your GPA at 3.4 or better for your freshman year.
• Keep in mind that one or more convictions for breaking the law will be a big black mark on you medical school application. Therefore, THINK TWICE BEFORE you consume alcohol if you are under 21.
• THROW THOSE "PRE-APPROVED" CREDIT CARD APPS AWAY! Bad credit now can really impede your ability to secure student loans etc. in medical school.
• Consider signing up to have a pre-medicine student as a biology major mentor.

In terms of coursework:

• Be sure you take BI 141 and BI 142, for biology majors.
• If you would like a slower paced course in chemistry, enroll in CH 111, 112, 115. If not, take CH 113 and 114. This is faster paced and you complete in 2 terms what the other three courses cover.
• PSY 101 and EN 112 are also strongly recommended your freshman year.
• Take a mathematics course at your level. It is recommended that you eventually take Calculus and Statistics.
• Consult your advisor for major and general education requirements for your degree.

Questions regarding this site or its content should be directed to Dr. Ed Westen