So you’re thinking about embarking on the journey to medical school? Join the club! As you may already know, in order to apply to medical school, there are certain requirements you need to fulfill. Premed students are undergraduates who intend to pursue a career in health care, such as medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy. At NYU, “prehealth” means you are on track to complete the academic requirements for applying to medical school! NYU’s prehealth track gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional interests while receiving guidance to best prepare them for their goals.
Academics
At NYU, premed is a track called prehealth. This means you can major in any discipline and still be on track for medical school. For example, I am a Global Public Health and Biology major on the prehealth track. This means I will complete the requirements to graduate with my desired degree and the ones necessary to apply to medical school! My major closely aligns with the prehealth courses so I do not have to take many additional classes to complete the track. But do not fret! If you want to become a doctor but have other interests that you want to pursue as a major, you don’t have to choose between the two. Because the track is set up for you to complete it in addition to your major, you can major in something like music performance, English, sociology, math, and the like.
Advising
The prehealth track is run and overseen by the College of Arts and Science. The College Advising Center guides students through their undergraduate studies. They provide support and advice to make sure you accomplish your goals while at NYU. The Preprofessional Advising Center houses advisers specifically for students on different preprofessional tracks, including premed students! You will work with your adviser as needed throughout your undergraduate years and build relationships. The advising office has both walk-in and appointment-based services, allowing you to get the help you need when you need it. Additional resources, such as application workshops, career seminars, and internship, volunteer, and job opportunities, are available through the Preprofessional Advising Center!
The Community
You may be wondering what the “prehealth environment” is like here at NYU. It for sure feels somewhat daunting to enter a new school and program. For me, the environment is collaborative and motivating. I have learned that having a support system is vital to accomplishing your goals. Embarking on the journey to becoming a doctor takes bravery and passion. It is a long road of schooling and hard work, but as a premed student, you have the opportunity to connect with other like-minded, goal-oriented students. Building relationships with my peers has encouraged me to continue my hard work and has taught me so much.
There are a multitude of student-run organization on campus, including ones for prehealth students! At the beginning of my second year, I joined Phi Delta Epsilon (PhiDE), the premed coed fraternity on campus. As a first-generation college student with no familial background in medicine, I felt I needed a support system of other premed students to make up for the support I lacked elsewhere. PhiDE gave me exactly that! Whether you’re seeking support through your classmates or extracurricular activities, finding your own premed community will help you feel supported.
Related
Prehealth at NYU: It’s Not a Major—It’s a Path
You can stay on track for a career in health and get ready to apply to medical school while still holding onto your academic flexibility.
From Prehealth to a Communication Major
Onyeike came to NYU planning for a future in psychology, but her heart wasn't in it. At NYU, she found the Media, Culture, and Communication major at Steinhardt—and her calling.