Junior Checklist

Your junior year is extremely critical in terms of keeping track of deadlines and managing your time. As a junior pre-med biology major at Wartburg College, you should make sure you:

• Have a study plan in place to prepare for the MCAT exam! If possible you should have begun studying the previous summer. If not, don't put it off any longer and begin studying now!
• Look over the MCAT site thoroughly for study guides and registration dates. It is best to register and take the MCAT in April of your junior year.
• Identify and approach individuals who would be able to write letters of recommendation [LINK TO PDF] for you. These individuals should be professors, advisors, employers, volunteer supervisors, and physicians you have gotten to know in your previous clinical experiences.
• Reassess your progress. Make sure you are prepared with a Plan B in the event you don't get in to medical school.
• Identify which medical school you want to apply to.
• Keep up your GPA, volunteer, and clinical experiences.

SUMMER AFTER YOUR JUNIOR YEAR:

• Continue studying for the MCAT if you feel you didn't do well and want to retake it in August.
• Consider engaging in a research program this summer. This is also a link to all summer REU programs in Biology.
• Fill out your AMCAS (M.D. schools) or AACOMAS (D.O. schools) application.
• Here are some links to tips on writing a good personal statement:

http://www.geocities.com/premedsource/amcas.html
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/apessay.html

• Send in your application as soon as possible after June 1. DO NOT wait until fall! You can always send in August MCAT scores later.
• Retake the MCAT if necessary.

In terms of coursework, most pre-med juniors at Wartburg College take:

• Physics I and II (PHY101, PHY102).
• Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BI311-312)
• Biochemistry (CH325) and Statistics (MA214).
• Continue consulting with your advisor regarding graduation requirements.
• Be sure and keep your coursework flexible for your Plan B.

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