May 2, 2024
New certificate program will give recent UChicago graduates a competitive edge in medical school admissions.
For some students, the desire to pursue a career in medicine was the goal from the first day they set foot on campus; for many, though, that decision comes much later, sometimes too late to complete the array of coursework needed to fulfill the basic requirements of a standard medical school application prior to graduating. The new Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate Program seeks to provide UChicago students and alumni an opportunity to effectively extend their clock or return to campus to complete those requirements, strengthening their overall candidacy.
In addition to essential scientific coursework with UChicago’s world-class faculty, this program offers students personalized guidance on course selection and study, mentoring in medical school application preparation, and access to additional resources and support as students seek research and clinical opportunities on our Hyde Park campus and beyond.
Housed in the Department of Chemistry, Scott A. Snyder, Professor of Chemistry and Deputy Dean for Professional Programs in the Physical Sciences Division, will serve as the program’s inaugural director. “I’m extremely excited and honored at the opportunity to further guide our students and alumni in their efforts to be admitted to the best medical schools in the country,” said Snyder. “Having previously taught at institutions that had such programs, I’m excited that we can launch such an offering here at the University of Chicago. And, in particular, I think a key and unique strength of our offering is the degree to which the program can be individually tailored for each student, as opposed to merely offering a set sequence of study as is typical of many other programs.”
To complete the basic certificate in premedical sciences, students need to finish the standard set of coursework required for most medical school applications. For those who wish to garner an advanced certificate, an additional six science-based courses are required. Members of the program pay tuition per course desired. And, with effective planning, opportunities to incorporate both research and clinical time alongside coursework can lead to a significant body of experience that medical schools often view as essential elements in any application.
“With these types of programs, the Physical Sciences Division and the University of Chicago continue to be at the forefront of scientific education while continuing to prioritize the needs of our students in an ever-changing higher-ed ecosystem,” said Ka Yee C. Lee, Interim Dean of the Physical Sciences Division. “We are looking forward to providing the solid scientific foundation we are known for to future medical practitioners.”
The new Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate Program at the University of Chicago will begin accepting applications very soon. If you have any questions in the meantime, email inaugural director, Scott Snyder.