Michigan is home to pristine lakes, a strong line-up of sports teams, and some of the nation’s best pre-med and medical schools!
Offering niche programs in allopathic and osteopathic medicine, the best pre-med schools in Michigan are often the top producers of students gaining entry into the country’s best medical schools.
Most pre-med tracks in Michigan schools grant undergraduates the autonomy to choose any major. Naturally, a solid science background is essential, but most Michigan schools honor the value of other subjects in a pre-med student’s academic journey.
What does it take to be a competitive medical school applicant in Michigan? Undoubtedly, pre-med students will need a high MCAT score, an impressive transcript, and deep investment in a variety of community service, volunteer, and extracurricular endeavors.
Throughout their undergraduate careers, pre-med students in Michigan should develop cordial relationships with professors, who may act as mentors and serve as contacts for letters of recommendation.
How were the best pre-med schools in Michigan chosen? All of the schools on this list supplied 50 or more applicants to medical schools in the recent year, according to the Association of Medical Colleges. Check out the amenities offered by each Michigan pre-med school for yourself!
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
The University of Michigan belongs to the group of the top five schools producing medical school applicants in the United States – in 2020, 58% of graduates were accepted to medical schools, compared to 44% of students from a national pool.
UMich graduates’ success in gaining admission to prestigious medical schools makes their pre-health programs worth investigating!
Pre-med undergraduates can expect large and challenging classes in the first two years; additionally, competitive medical school applicants are expected to cultivate an impressive CV rich in volunteering, research, and extracurricular experiences.
The Pre-Medical Club is one of the most popular and engaged health-related student organizations on campus, while students can volunteer in the Mott’s Children’s Hospital, the University of Michigan Hospital, or another setting.
As you know by now, pre-med students don’t need to major in strictly science-focused subjects. In fact, nearly a quarter of recent pre-med students major in computer science, business, and economics.
It is certainly worth mentioning that the University of Michigan School of Medicine is historically friendly to UMich pre-med applicants. For 2020, 28% of their students received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.
Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)
Michigan State is known for being a top feeder program to osteopathic medicine schools – osteopathic medicine takes a holistic and preventive approach to viewing and treating healthcare. They differ from “conventional” medical schools in their hands-on therapies, such as massage or chiropractic adjustment.
In addition to osteopathic medicine, pre-health advising at MSU supports students in transitioning to medical, genetic counseling, dental, and physical therapy schools, among other specialties.
Michigan State advises pre-med students to participate in co-curricular activities, including community service, leadership-based, or research-centered experiences within a healthcare setting.
Pre-med students are also encouraged to engage in job shadowing in private practices, pharmacies, and rehabilitation facilities.
MSU stands out from similar programs by virtue of its pre-health study abroad opportunities. The Atlantis Project Fellowship places pre-med students in small European hospitals, where they observe doctors conducting their daily responsibilities.
According to the timeline put forth by the pre-health advisory committee, taking part in a summer enrichment program during the first or second year of study at MSU is a wise choice.
Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)
Pre-health students can concentrate in one of 15 healthcare areas, and the advisory team runs informational sessions tailored to pre-med, pre-dental, and other pre-health students throughout the year.
Available in-person or via Zoom, these sessions enlighten students about required coursework, optional extracurricular activities, opportunities for volunteering and exploring healthcare careers, and other information related to the medical school admissions cycle.
Pre-med students can attend regular workshops to refine their various skills. For example, the pre-nursing essay writing workshop facilitates students in preparing short essay responses for the Wayne State University nursing program application.
Other interesting pathways include pre-mortuary science and pre-radiation therapy technology. The former program is available in traditional, online, or hybrid modes and seeks to prepare healthcare professionals in funeral home management.
The latter pathway immerses pre-health students in cancer patient treatment. Students gain experience employing radiation treatment machines and other relevant medical equipment while building compassionate and professional relationships with clients and their families.
Grand Valley State University (Allendale, MI)
Don’t sleep on Grand Valley State – 54% of this institution’s graduates with a 3.4 GPA or above were accepted to U.S. medical schools on the first attempt, compared to a national average of 40%.
Grand Valley also maintains partnerships with five of Michigan’s prestigious medical schools, and students can apply through the Early Assurance Program or WMedStart program.
One of the benefits Grand Valley State affords its pre-med students is accessibility to many student-led clubs and study-abroad opportunities.
Organizations like the PreMed Club and Pre-MD Club link pre-med students with current medical school students and admission spokespeople.
The PreMed Club holds regular meetings on topics like stress management, which they usually accompany with treats and discussion forums.
When it comes to studying abroad, pre-med students can participate in community health-focused internships stationed in Quinto, Ecuador; Salamanca, Spain; and San Jose, Costa Rica.
Ranked #1 in Michigan on College Factual’s list of best schools for medical prep majors, Grand Valley State should be on every aspiring pre-med student’s college list.
Oakland University (Rochester, MI)
Most pre-med students at Oakland University major in biological sciences or chemistry with a pre-medical studies concentration. O
akland undergraduates can specialize in one of four areas, including optometry. Many students pursue a BS in biomedical sciences.
The pre-health concentration blends immersion in the sciences, for certain, but other areas are additionally emphasized.
Students are expected to take classes focused on writing, U.S. diversity, and foreign languages, as skills in these areas can help increase their competitiveness as medical school candidates while simultaneously increasing their ability to reach more patients.
Immersive clubs like Pre-Health Commons challenge students to think critically about performing various surgeries and procedures and allow them to use diagnostic simulation activities in labeling illnesses and injuries. The group regularly features guest speakers from various niches within the healthcare industry.
Oakland University reports promising outlooks for students pursuing pre-health careers, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15% growth between now and 2029.
Additionally, innovations in telehealth will undoubtedly add positions to the ever-evolving healthcare field. As of May 2020, the median annual wage for healthcare workers was $69,870.
University of Michigan-Dearborn (Dearborn, MI)
UM-Dearborn admission rates to medical schools are in line with national acceptance rates. If you narrow that cohort to students with a 3.5 or higher GPA, UM-Dearborn students are granted acceptance at 66%!
How does the University of Michigan at Dearborn prepare its pre-med students for acceptance to some of the most competitive medical schools?
Starting in their first year, pre-med students can attend new student sessions explaining what it means to be on a health professions track.
They can apply for support through the pre-med mentoring initiative. This experience can give them a close-up look into a medical student’s daily routines, responsibilities, and challenges.
There are other UM-Dearborn-exclusive opportunities for pre-med students to take advantage of, including the annual Health Professions Schools Information Fair, a week-long event designed to expose interested students to the various health professions programs supported by the university and its community partners.
Pre-med students will be encouraged to hear that Dearborn maintains several early assurance programs with Michigan medical schools. These include a Pharmacy Preferred Admission Program with the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and an EAP with Michigan State University. Unlike other pre-med institutions, UM-Dearborn offers a pre-health professional studies minor. To complete the minor, students completed 15 credits in topics like medical terminology, medical ethics, and principles of epidemiology.
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