Students who plan to enter medical school need a baccalaureate degree with concentrations in Biology and Chemistry. They should consult with the pre-medical advisor as soon as possible upon entering college.
Important factors for admission include high grade point average, MCAT scores above the 50th percentile; personal factors; and experience working with people, especially in a health care environment.
Illinois College has developed a special internship program with the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Illinois College students intern with SIU School of Medicine physicians after being selected by faculty mentors and undergoing an interview process at the College. The intern’s primary goals are to work with the doctors in developing clinical databases to enhance medical services at the Jacksonville Developmental Center.
The interns engage in various fields of study, including osteoporosis, Tourette’s syndrome, foot disorders and seizure management – but only after completing extensive confidentiality training and receiving certification before seeing patients. In addition to being paid for their internships, the students receive academic credit toward graduation.
Dr. Rod Curtis, medical director of the Jacksonville Developmental Center, described the partnership between SIU School of Medicine and IC as a “win-win-win” situation. The collaborative effort helps prepare undergraduate students at IC for a career in medicine, and the SIU School of Medicine will benefit in helping the school address the need for medical professionals to work with the developmentally disabled community. However, the greatest positive outcome, according to Dr. Curtis will be improved care for the developmentally disabled at the center.
Preparing for Medical School at Illinois College As a student at Illinois College who is planning to enter medical school, you should
- select a challenging major in any field--it does not have to be in the sciences. Medical schools are interested in admitting students with broad diverse liberal arts backgrounds and life experiences.
- consult with the health professions advisors to schedule your courses and attend premedical admissions meetings as available
- complete the required premedical courses in a timely fashion. These courses, which also prepare the student for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) include at least:
- a full year of general chemistry (Chemistry 111, 112)
- a full year of organic chemistry (Chemistry 203, 204)
- a full year of physics (Physics 181, 182 or 201, 202)
- two semesters of English
- two semesters of biology/zoology
- become involved in activities which develop and demonstrate your leadership abilities and interests in service
- participate in volunteer or paid medically-related clinical or research work.
In the past fifteen years, Illinois College students have been accepted at the following medical schools:
- University of Illinois College of Medicine
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
- Rush Medical School
- Loyola University/Stritch School of Medicine
- Northwestern University School of Medicine
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine
- St. Louis University College of Medicine
- New York Medical School
Pre-Med Advisors at Illinois College
Elaine S. Chapman
Hitchcock Professor of Biology
B.A. Millikin University; Ph.D. University of Iowa
Dr. Chapman's WebsiteZvi Pasman
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
B.S., Ph.D. Duke University
Dr. Pasman's Website
Sample Pre-Medical Student Schedule with Science Major
Sample Pre-Medical Student Schedule with Humanities Major
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Contact Us
1101 W. College Ave.
Jacksonville, IL 62650-2299
Phone: 217-245-3010
1101 West College Avenue
Jacksonville, IL 62650
217.245.3030
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