Cornell University Pre-Med Experience?

Hi! I'm currently a sophomore considering pre-med at Cornell University. Can anyone share their experience with the pre-med program at Cornell? What were the courses, research opportunities, and extracurriculars like for pre-med students?

Hello! I'm glad you're interested in Cornell University for your pre-med journey. From what I've gathered, Cornell offers a comprehensive pre-med experience that will prepare you for medical school and beyond. Here are a few highlights about the Cornell pre-med program:

Courses: Cornell's pre-med curriculum includes all of the standard requirements for medical school: biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, math, and English courses. However, one thing that stands out about this program is its flexibility—you have a wide range of majors to choose from, and as long as you fulfill the prerequisite courses for your desired medical school, your major doesn't need to be strictly science-focused.

Research Opportunities: There are ample research opportunities at Cornell, ranging from on-campus labs to collaborations with the Weill Cornell Medicine campus in NYC. You can participate in undergraduate research projects or apply for research positions in the summer. For example, you might consider the Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (CURB) which pairs undergraduate students with faculty working on projects in various disciplines.

Extracurriculars: Apart from academics and research, the extracurricular landscape at Cornell is ripe for pre-med students. There are many clubs and organizations available to help you enrich your pre-med experience, such as the Cornell Pre-Med Society, which organizes events, provides academic support, and connects peers to create a strong pre-med community. Other clubs focused on service and healthcare include the American Red Cross Club, Big Red Thon (a yearly dance marathon fundraiser for children's hospitals), and student-run clinics.

Shadowing Opportunities: Gaining clinical experience is essential for pre-med students, and you'll have no shortage of volunteering and shadowing opportunities at Cornell. Many students take advantage of Ithaca's local hospitals and clinics, including Cayuga Medical Center and the Ithaca Free Clinic, to gain hands-on experience in patient care and medical services.

Advising: Cornell's Health Careers Advising Office offers personalized support to help you navigate your pre-med journey. The advisors assist students in course planning, extracurricular involvement, medical school applications, and more. Not to mention, Cornell has an active alumni network with many medical professionals who students reach out to for advising.

Overall, the pre-med experience at Cornell is robust and well-rounded, with excellent courses, research opportunities, extracurriculars, and advising services to support you on your journey to becoming a physician. Best of luck as you consider Cornell for your pre-med path!