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The office for the Premedicine Major is located in 107A Gravely Science Building. Besides visiting this office for advice and consultation, students should take advantage of the catalogues, brochures, pamphlets, and career information located in 106 Gravely. Premedicine students should also be aware of the list of relevant books in the NCWC Library. A particularly useful resource is the handbook called "Medical School Admission Requirements", which is published annually by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). This publication contains a wealth of information concerning each of the medical schools in the United States and Canada. It also contains sections which are devoted to premedical planning, the application and selection processes, the MCAT exams, and financial aid for medical students. To purchase this handbook, write to AAMC, Membership and Publications Orders, 2540 N Street, Washington, DC 20037-1129. This catalog may also be ordered directly by accessing AAMC through the Premedicine Major in the Wesleyan home page. AAMC may also be accessed through the World Wide Web at: http://www.aamc.org. Additional useful reading for premedical students may be found in the December Index issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. This issue includes a summary of statistical information for both the undergraduate and graduate medical training, i.e., admission data, faculty size, financial status of the medical schools, etc. Also in this issue is information on foreign medical school training, residency programs, continuing education and allied health professions. To keep abreast of current issues and developments in medicine and medical education, one should be interested in publications such as New Physician, New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Medical Education and American Medical News.

North Carolina Wesleyan College has a Premedical Advisory Committee to assist students in obtaining a compiled Preprofessional Evaluation in support of their medical school application. Instructions and forms for the process can be obtained in 107A Gravely Science. One should think early about requesting faculty letters of appraisal (on our forms) which are needed as a part of the evaluation process. It obviously helps to become known by faculty, particularly in the sciences, upper level courses, and laboratory courses. Professors can do a more competent job of writing an appraisal if they have been forewarned and can follow a student's progress. Individual faculty letters of recommendation can be prepared at anytime during a student's career, then kept on file in the Premedical Office until the time of application. One should not wait until the last minute and then expect faculty to rush to get letters prepared.

It is important that premedical students demonstrate interests and abilities outside the classroom. More impressive than simply being a member of numerous organizations is the student who accepts a leadership position and makes a significant contribution to one or more organizations. Also, extracurricular activities do not necessarily have to involve participation in organized student groups. Many students make meaningful contributions or develop out-of-class skills in other ways, such as Independent Study on research projects, volunteer work in a health care setting, part-time employment or development of serious hobbies.

The cumulative grade point average (GPA), and especially performance in the science courses, is one of the most important factors considered by admission committees in medical schools. If one has less than a 3.2 science GPA at the end of the sophomore year, it is unlikely that there can be enough improvement during the next year to meet the stiff competition for medical school acceptance. The average GPA for students accepted to medical school is about 3.5. Admissions data for U.S. medical schools can be found in the handbook of the Association of American Medical Colleges. During the past three years about 80% of all Wesleyan students who have applied for admission to professional schools in the health sciences, including schools of Veterinary Medicine, have been accepted. However, one does not have to be a Premedicine Major to prepare for medical school. Other than premedicine, the two most common science majors which prepare students for admission to medical school are biology and chemistry. Students may find that other majors, such as those in the liberal arts and psychology, can also prepare them for a career in medicine.

It is never too early to select particular medical schools suited to one's unique goals. There might be special recommendations for particular undergraduate courses or studies which one should schedule as part of an elective program if not already met by required courses.

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) required by medical schools is usually taken during the spring of one's junior year, although it can be taken earlier if one has completed all required courses in biology, chemistry (general and organic) and physics. It not a good idea to take the test for "practice." One should give their best effort the first time. Applications for the exam are available in the Premedicine Office.

Students should not overlook a possible career in osteopathic medicine. However, before considering application to osteopathic schools, one should be certain that they have a clear understanding of the differences between osteopathic and allopathic medicine. To learn more about osteopathy, one is encouraged to access schools of osteopathic medicine through the World Wide Web.

Many other careers in the health professions are as challenging and rewarding as those of a physician. Dentistry, nursing, dietetics, medical social work, research, hospital administration, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician's assistant, to name a few, are demanding and satisfying careers.