Sample Timeline for PreMed Students

Below is a timeline of things to keep in mind (see also 'getting into medical school' and 'applying to medical school') that is typical for most of our Geneseo applicants who are biology/biochemistry majors. This is not the only schedule that is possible. In particular, if you are majoring in something other than biology/biochemistry you are probably NOT 'doubling up' on required science courses during your first two years and consequently would not take the MCAT's before your junior year. Some biology (but not biochemistry) majors also choose this schedule. Also, students who do not plan to attend medical school in the year following their Geneseo graduation would interview on Study Day of their senior year.  

Freshman Year

  • Take general biology and chemistry
  • Get to know some faculty members, so they might write letters of recommendation.  (NOTE:  You will need two science and one non-science recommendations)
  • If you have a faculty member willing to write you a confidential recommendation letter, setup your file in Interfolio
  • Get involved in extra-curricular activities
  • Get some medically related experience, i.e. Teresa House, Geneseo First Response
  • Attend PreMed Meetings; get to know PreMed Committee members

Sophomore Year

  • Take organic chemistry and physics
  • Get to know some faculty well so that they might write letters of recommendation
  • If you have a faculty member willing to write you a recommendation letter, setup your file in Interfolio
  • Continue involvement in extra-curricular activities
  • Get some medically related experience
  • Attend PreMed Meetings; get to know PreMed Committee members

Summer Between Sophomore and Junior Year

  •  Take MCAT exam  

Junior Year

  • Get to know some faculty well so that they might write letters of recommendation.
  • If you have a faculty member willing to write you a recommendation letter, setup your file in Interfolio; you must notify Dr. Charlebois when your recommendation letters have all been submitted in Interfolio.
  • Continue involvement in extra-curricular activities.
  • Get some medically related experience.
  • On Study Day in May, do your required Premed Mock Interview with members of the Premedical Advisory Committee.  No premed mock interview = no Premed committee letter!  This is a mock interview for your benefit.  Getting into medical school and becoming a good doctor requires many skills in addition to doing well in classes.  Among other things, getting into medical school requires paying attention to details, meeting deadlines, and being respectful of others trying to help you in your journey.  With that said, we'll mention what should be obvious.  Be sure that you start off on the right foot with the committee by:  signing up for an interview when notified to do, submitting your materials on time, dressing appropriately for the interview, and being on time!  Please don't call or write in the summer saying you weren't able to come to the interview; and please don't come to the interview unless you have submitted all required materials.  You should dress for a medical school interview --  NO shorts, capris, flip flops, sneakers, T-shirts, jeans, etc.  Finally, all of the following documents must be submitted to Cheryll Reynolds in ISC 332 before NOON on Friday, April 20, 2018.  You will be contacted at your SUNY Geneseo email address the week of Study Day with the exact time and location of your Mock Interview.
    1. a draft of your resumé
    2. a draft of your personal statement -- The part of the application that takes the most time is your ‘personal statement,’ an essay about you and why you want to be and would be a good physician.  For most applicants, including applicants who write well, this is a difficult task because you need to strike the right balance between being too boastful and being too unassuming.  Most of all, the essay should be personal and revealing.  This is the part of the application that requires the most preparation, and in order to apply in the summer, you need to start working on the personal statement in the spring.  It is a document that needs to be both inspired and well edited.  While inspiration may come for some ‘in a flash,’ it is much slower for others and good editing always takes time. 
    3. your unofficial SUNY Geneseo transcript (KnightWeb -- Student, Student Records, Academic Transcript)
    4. your signed waiver statement (NO copies or scanned documents; original signature only in black ink)
    5. your completed interview form
    6. A recent photograph of yourself
    7. Finalize your personal statement for medical school application.

Summer Before Senior Year

  • Complete and submit medical school applications.
  • Prepare for medical school interviews.

Senior Year

  • Interview at medical schools.
  • Notify Dr. Charlebois premed@geneseo.edu where you have been aceepted to and finally, where you have selected to attend.

August After Graduating

  • Start medical school.

Additional Resources