Welcome back for the third post in my series Pre-Med Timeline Junior Year. Junior year is the most important year if you are planning on matriculating into medical school immediately after college. If you are interested in taking a gap year, then these items are still important. They just don’t have the strict time limits on them.
Junior year is fun because you finally are taking classes in your major. However, it can be overwhelming because you need this year to go well so your application is on time. I made a big mistake waiting so late into my junior year to start thinking about my medical school application. That is why I am writing this post so you don’t make the same mistakes I did (you’re welcome).
This post will be different from the last two in that it will be in chronological order of what you should do from fall to spring semester. This is because you are finishing your courses in the fall, but not taking the MCAT until the spring/summer. Therefore, you want to plan out your year so your application is ready in May or June. Remember, the earlier the better (with the caveat that you are applying with a strong application). So keep reading for 5 things you must do for your pre-med timeline junior year.
Finish required classes
The very first thing you must do for your pre-med timeline junior year is finish taking your required classes. Your required class list can be found in the freshman timeline post. At this point, you’ll have probably finished general chemistry, biology and hopefully physics. This leaves organic chemistry, if you didn’t take it sophomore year, and biochemistry. Biochemistry is not required at most schools, but it is the most helpful class for your MCAT (in my opinion).
Other classes you should take are sociology and psychology. Aside from just be interesting and useful classes for everyday life (bias of a psych major here!) they will help you on those MCAT sections. The MCAT is not really a test of what you know, but of your ability to take the test. The caveat to that, in my own personal experience, is the psych/soc section. It tests your ability to remember and apply the terminology. Taking introductory classes can really provide you with a solid foundation for taking the MCAT.
Your English and math requirements should also be taken care of at this point. You should be deep into your major and need to ensure both your overall GPA and science GPA are above 3.0 at least. I highly encourage you to get them both above 3.5, even if that means taking science classes that aren’t required, but that will help boost your GPA. Do this during the fall so you can focus on your MCAT during the spring.
Secure leadership positions
It is very difficult as a freshman or sophomore to get into leadership positions. You are still navigating your classes, plus other members don’t know you every well, and may not vote you in. However, as a junior, you are an upperclassman. This is the time to get into leadership positions. Those organizations of which you’ve been a part for two years, it’s time to run for exec board. Perhaps your into student government and want to run for vice-president. Whatever it is, just run for it and try to secure those positions.
Leadership positions can even be secured in academic settings. Being a TA for an introductory class, or the lead research assistant can help provide you with more responsibility and a leadership role for your resume. Greek life provides many leadership opportunities with fraternity/sorority president, vice-president and committee chairs. Just because these are social positions, doesn’t mean the leadership experience doesn’t count. Talk with your mentor to see what leadership role is the best for you.
The most important part of choosing a leadership role is to choose something that best fits you. If you are not someone who likes to be in the spotlight, don’t run for student body president. If you have no interest in a particular class, don’t volunteer to be the TA for them. You want to do something that you can succeed in, and perhaps, get a letter of recommendation for later. Do this early in the year so you can have one or two semesters in that role before preparing your application.
Attend a conference
Your fall or spring semester of your pre-med timeline junior year is a great time to attend a conference. Many conferences happen in the spring, so it may be better to shoot for an attendance then. However, when you attend a conference really depends upon your research and abstract deadlines. Presenting research at a conference is absolutely not expected, but could really help you stand out on your medical school application.
Conference attendance is also great for networking. That is where everyone in your field of interest gathers, including program directors, faculty members, and friends of friends who can make a simple phone call. Again, a lot of medical school is not what you know, but who you know. If you can meet the right people at these conferences, that could be the difference between an acceptance and rejection.
Talk with your research lab advisor about the work you’re doing in the lab. Then find conferences that are relevant to your work, your advisor/faculty and you. See if they would support you attending that conference, and potentially even presenting your research. Once you get the green light, you can begin working on an abstract and project submission. If you are accepted, definitely attend and write down the names of individuals whom you meet and could possibly interact with again later if you decide to apply to their medical school.
Shadow or get clinical hours
Your pre-med timeline junior year should definitely include shadowing or clinical hours. If you followed the timeline in the sophomore timeline post, then you should already be on your way with clinical or shadowing hours. However, if you haven’t, then spring of your junior year is definitely the time to log them. You are preparing your medical school application, and shadowing and/or clinical hours is a must!
Both experiences are important for separate reasons. Shadowing gives your the opportunity to just watch and learn from different specialties. Clinical hours, however, are normally jobs or volunteer hours in which you are working. They both are great for exposure to medicine, however, shadowing gives you more opportunities to learn by watching. Clinical hours gives you the opportunity to learn by doing.
Either way, you are working with patients and creating a stronger medical school application. I did not have any shadowing or clinical hours when I applied the first time and it tanked my application. Don’t be like me. Start reaching out to local hospitals and clinics and find out if they allow students. Be persistent and reach out to your own doctors to see if they can help. Do whatever you need to because without this experience, medical school is going to be a far reach.
Start studying for the MCAT
Playtime is over your junior year. It’s time to start planning MCAT studying time in your pre-med timeline junior year. The MCAT and your GPA are the two single most important factors for getting into medical school. Even holistic reviews depend on the MCAT and GPA to filter through applications. Medical schools are overwhelmed by applications. They have to find some way to get through the noise and find the applications that have the best chance at succeeding.
If you have a low GPA and/or a low MCAT, that signals some red flags to the school. One, if you have a low GPA, then you either don’t work that hard, can’t handle college material, or both. Either way, you will struggle in medical school if you struggled with that. If you get a low MCAT, then that signals you may not be a strong test-taker, you don’t understand the material, or both. The MCAT, however, is just the first of many standardized exams you will take in your medical career, so it’s important to learn how to take the test and succeed.
If you want to submit your application by June, then you should take your MCAT in April or May. This means you should start studying in December or January, especially if you have a full course load. Don’t let your grades suffer because you’re studying for the MCAT. Choose the best resources for you, create a study schedule, and stick to it. I have actually created a template study schedule that automatically populates once you enter dates. Don’t forget to schedule your exam far in advance, like 3-4 months. Spots fill up quickly, and you don’t want the MCAT to delay your score.
Bottom line
Your pre-med timeline junior year is extremely important. If you are serious about medical school, this is the year to get your ducks in a line. You’ve done the fun things, but now it’s time to get down to business. Follow this timeline, and I promise you will have a strong application. I did not follow this timeline, and I definitely could have done a better job. Work hard, be organized, and stick to your plan even through trials and tribulations. You’ve got this!
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