The School of Medicine offers students a one-year certificate program to prepare students who already have their BS or BA for application to medical school. The program integrates upper division science courses, study strategies, test taking skills, and clinical experiences to prepare students for the medical school admissions process.
The program is designed to prepare students for the academic rigor of medical school. Selection requirements include a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.85 or a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in their last 30 credits of their undergraduate BA or BS. The Post-Baccalaureate Program is designed to encourage Nevada students from diverse and disadvantaged populations to pursue careers in medicine. Such students might include, but are not limited to, students who are first generation college students, are economically disadvantaged, are from geographically disadvantaged areas or are members of underrepresented cultural minorities. A formal application and interviews by two committee members will be required. The program admissions committee will be composed of faculty from each of the participating departments, a community physician, a member of the general UNSOM admissions committee, and the Assistant Dean for Admissions.
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher in all post baccalaureate coursework in the program. All students must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Students will enroll in a prescribed curriculum of 32 undergraduate credit hours over one year, which may include up to two to three summer sessions, depending on each student’s academic background and preparation. Courses will be selected from existing courses in the Departments of Biochemistry, Biology, Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, and Cell and Molecular Biology. In addition, students will attend Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparation sessions and study skills classes and will be assisted in receiving additional experience in research, community service ventures and clinical experience as needed.
This program will utilize existing faculty in each of the departments involved in the courses. All courses identified in the curriculum are presently being taught by the University of Nevada, Reno and the School of Medicine faculty.