Preparing for medical school is challenging. It requires hard work, patience, determination, and resourcefulness. Therefore, you must utilize all the available resources to maximize your pre-med journey.
This is where pre-med advisors come to your aid. Your university may have hired pre-med advisors to help you with your upcoming applications to medical schools.
However, since there are many of them, it can be difficult for you to choose the best ones.
This article is here to help. We are compiling a list of the best pre-med advising resources you can consult during your pre-med journey.What are Pre-med Advisors?
Premedical advisors significantly impact your decision to pursue a medical degree. Different types of advisors work at colleges and universities.
At some colleges, you are assigned an advisor who will (ideally) assist you in developing your course of study and making critical choices.
Once you have chosen a major, some colleges allow you to select your departmental advisors. For example, pre-med advisors are titles used by some schools for advisors who specialize in advising pre-med students.
It is crucial to keep in mind that an advisor is someone who can support you but is not in charge of helping you be accepted to a medical school.
Pre-med Advisors: Pros and Cons
Pre-med advisors assist medical students on their unique routes to medical school. They should help you by giving the best advice, trustworthy resources, and tools on medical school admission requirements, financial aid, the application process, and more.
However, while it is beneficial to have a pre-med advisor, it can also have its drawbacks.
Enumerated below are the pros and cons of having pre-med advisors.
The Pros of Pre-med Advisors:
Pre-med Advisors Can Give You the Support You Need
Pre-med advisors are encouraging, health-focused individuals who can help pre-medicine students build their networks from the very beginning. In addition, they are familiar with the health career graduate programs.
You might also get their assistance regarding the right mindset during your pre-med journey. Premed is a challenging journey; having expert support and guide you every step makes it less stressful.
Pre-Med Advisors Help You Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses
When entering the admissions process, the majority of students have distinct worries. For example, perhaps your extracurricular activities fall short of expectations, or your MCAT score is below average.
An advisory service is perfect for you if you have recognized these weaknesses. Addressing these worries while highlighting your strengths — which you have — will be possible. A committed advisor will assist you in taking on your shortcomings with bravery and tact while maximizing your muscles.
Pre-med Advisors Know How To Navigate the Medical School Process
The timing for applying to medical school is well-known to pre-med advisors. They can assist you in determining precisely which premedical courses you should take when to begin preparing for and taking the MCAT, and much more.
Depending on specific career objectives, such as whether a student wants to enroll in an osteopathic or conventional medical program, pre-med advisors can assist in navigating the process.
Pre-med Advisors Can Help You Stand Out From the Rest of Other Applicants
Pre-health advisors can assist you in understanding the application process. In addition, they can help you position yourself as the most desirable candidate, starting as early as possible, preferably in your first year.
Pre-med advisors can assist you in understanding the courses and activities you should take to meet the prerequisites and further distinguish yourself on applications. They can also help you figure out what possibilities there are for careers.
Pre-med Advisors Have Strong Networks and Connections
Pre-med advisors have developed a network of alums, physicians, and individuals dedicated to assisting future medical professionals in their success. So it is because they frequently work only with those in the medical industry.
They can assist you in finding shadowing opportunities, which are essential for entrance to medical school. In addition, an experienced professional mentor who understands how challenging the application process may be can be found through a strong network. This mentor may also be a good candidate to write a reference letter for you.
The Cons of Pre-med Advisors:
Pre-med Advisors Are Not Free.
Pre-med advisors are sometimes promoted as a free service open to all students. However, this is not entirely true.
The majority of pre-med advisors at schools are paid. It is included in your high tuition fees and other student expenses, as you might expect.
You Cannot Hold Premed Advisors Accountable for Your Failures.
Just because pre-med advisors get a portion of your money does not mean you have to hold them responsible for your mistakes. By giving you advice, they might directly affect your chances of being admitted to med school.
But their employment and income will not be in danger if you aren't. In other words, they will not suffer any consequences if you fail. The institutional structure of the school frequently includes the appointment of these advisors.
Some Pre-Med Advisors Lack Credentials and Qualifications
Some pre-med advisors lack any academic education. They may also lack first-hand experience with admittance to medical schools and do not have a formal degree to help them prepare for their medical school journey.
They might have majored in art, history, or commerce. Yet, after they are employed as pre-med advisors, they will encounter tough questions about medical school for the first time. So why would you genuinely listen to advice from someone as knowledgeable about applying to medical school as you are?
Some Pre-Med Advisors Lack a Personalized Approach
Following their appointment with their pre-med advisors, some students experience disappointment. One of the most frequent concerns is that the advisor, who should support the student's professional objectives, needs to offer more moral support.
Some pre-med advisors base their recommendations on broad information about medical school requirements they find online rather than the specific circumstances and abilities of the student.
The path you take to medical school is different. Without considering your unique circumstances, generalizing advice for a student's application can only work against you.
5 Tips for Finding the Best Pre-Med Advisors
As a pre-med student, you must know how crucial it is to maintain your academic schedule. But it might be challenging to know where and how to begin. You should seek out a pre-med advisor for this reason.
To ensure you are on track for medical school, your advisor can help you plan your curriculum. Along the route, they can also provide advice and assistance.
For your reference, here are the best tips for finding the best pre-med advisors.
8 Best Pre-med Advising Resources
Your pre-med advisor plays a crucial role in your medical school journey. Therefore, you must select the best ones to ensure success.
Here are the ten best pre-med advising resources you can check out as you start your medical school route.
Association of American Medical Schools
Source: AAMC Official Website
The AAMC offers various services for pre-med students, such as details on the application procedure for medical schools, guidance on selecting a career in medicine, and information on financial aid.
You will find what you need to know on your pre-med journey on the AAMC website. In addition, the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), a standardized test necessary for admission to most medical schools, is also administered by the AAMC.Cornell University Pre-Health Resources
Source: Cornell University Official Website
There isn't a "pre-med" major at Cornell University. Instead, you enroll in several necessary and advised courses to get ready for medical school. Then, when you are prepared to affiliate, which is often by the end of your sophomore year, apply to your chosen major.
It is at this stage that you can speak with a pre-med advisor. Set an appointment with your advising dean to create an academic plan to explore your interests and get ready for medical school.
Medical Aid Consulting
Source: Medical Aid Consulting Official Website
Medical Aid Consulting is a process-driven organization founded by medical school alums. They are committed to assisting students in pursuing careers as healthcare providers. Their staff of medical school admissions consultants has helped thousands of students in getting into the best MD, DO, and PA programs.
More than 92% of their applicants are admitted to medical school for the first time. Their medical school admissions advisors have guided students for more than 25 years. They graduate from prestigious universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins.
In addition to strategy meetings, primary and secondary application reviews, interview practice, and advice for non-traditional/post-baccalaureate students are all included in their medical school admissions advising services.
Oregon State University Pre-Med Advising
Source: Oregon State University Official Website
Oregon State University Pre-Med Advising program is intended to assist students in completing the pre-med requirements. The advising team is made up of seasoned professionals who are conversant with all aspects of applying to medical school.
From selecting appropriate courses to taking the MCAT, they provide a variety of materials to assist students at every stage of the procedure. The pre-med advising office also offers classes and events all year long to aid students in staying on course.
Oregon State University Pre-Med Advising
Source: Robertson Pre-Medical AdvisingOfficial Website
Robertson Premedical Advisors can assist pre-med students with anything they require, including course selection, MCAT preparation, and medical school applications.
The website also has a forum where pre-med students can post queries and seek guidance from other students. So no matter what kind of advising resource you are looking for, Robertson Premedical Advising has you covered.
Stanford University
Source: Stanford University Official Website
Stanford University provides a range of pre-med advising options to assist you if you desire to pursue a career in medicine. Information on course requirements, summer programs, research opportunities, and other topics is available through the Office of Undergraduate Advising.
You can study several medical specialties with the aid of the Office of Career Services, which can also assist you in finding internship and employment possibilities. To help you with the medical school application process, the Stanford Medical School Admissions Office also hosts activities and workshops all year round.
The University of California, Berkeley
Source: The University of California Official Website
To assist students in succeeding, the University of California, Berkeley, offers many advising options. Students can get assistance from several academic advisors with degree planning, course selection, and other relevant duties.
The university also employs some financial assistance counselors that can assist students in financing their studies. There are also many student support services accessible, including tutoring and counseling.
University of San Diego Career Center
Source: University of San Diego Official Website
Pre-med students will find many resources at the University of San Diego Career Center. Their website includes pre-med advice materials, such as significant selection, the MCAT, and medical school applications.
Additionally, they provide a range of workshops and activities, including a fair for medical schools and a discussion panel on medical professions. Further, the Career Center staff can meet with students one-on-one to discuss their professional aspirations.
Final Thoughts: Are Pre-Med Advisors Worth It?
Deciding whether or not to work with a pre-med advisor during your pre-med is challenging. It isn't free and, most of all requires commitment. You must weigh your options very carefully.
Concentrating on the immediate and obvious advantages of advisory services is excellent, but let us not overlook the potential adverse effects of being a pre-med student on your mental, physical, and emotional health. The pressure to succeed, application anxiety, and late-night studying are all genuine and shared feelings.
An advisory service provides assistance that increases your level of comfort with your strategy and reduces stress. It can give you the boost you need to know that you have some top doctors by your side during the entire process.
Remember that you don't have to tackle it by yourself and that it is okay to ask for assistance.
That said, while working with a pre-med advisor requires additional expenses and a commitment, it is better to have an expert guide you as you tackle medical school.
Additional Reading: Best Resources for PreMed Students