Pre-Med at Yale

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

I was recently accepted to Yale and am still recovering from the initial shock. My heart was racing when I saw the black video screen and then the singing bulldogs! I was just wondering how the pre-med experience is at Yale.

Specifically, I’d like to know:

  1. How is pre-med advising at Yale?

  2. Are there ample research opportunities for undergraduate students at Yale? I’m planning on being a Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology major, but I’m also considering Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry.

  3. Do pre-med students still have time for extracurriculars? I know that pre-meds are busy wherever they go, but does the workload seriously impede getting involved?

2

Well… I just got accepted too!!!

But I am hoping you know there is not technically a pre-med major?

3

So…I’m assuming that you still really want to go…
Luckily for you, I had talked about this during my interview!!
:slight_smile:

So she explained that there are pre-md advisors, and that they are very helpful.

If it helps at all, Yale School of Medicine is third in the country for research. Undergrad-wise, I’m not quite so sure about that. However, you should always become rather well known with your STEM professors.

Everyone can have time for extracurriculars! You just have to have great time management skills and dedication!

4

  1. very very good. Of those who remain pre-med focused come senior year, the placement to any one med school is fantastic.

  2. tons. Yale is peculiar in the fact that it’s a buyer’s market as far as research jobs. More positions to fill than students willing/able to fill them. Although I wasn’t a STEM major, I had friends who asked if I’d consider filling a position in the labs they were working b/c of the shortage. Still the case today. I recall that a large % of STEM majors
    get published recognition – so it’s not simply cleaning beakers or typing in data.

  3. yes. remember that at college, you’ll actually only be in a classroom maybe 15-20 hours per week. Lots to do.

5

@SantiagoAlverez Wow, maybe I’ll see you there! I know there’s not a pre-med major, but I’m pretty into biology :slight_smile:

6

@T26E4 That research situation is quite peculiar! I’d actually been trying to decide between a state school and Yale, so that really helps since I heard research was really competitive at the state school. Thank you for the information!

7

@Murmurs @T26E4

That research situation is great to know!!
Hopefully we may meet up murmurs!
It would be great to semi-know somebody there if I decide to do the move from Ohio!

8

You should definitely get involved in Yale Medical School research ASAP if you decide to go to Yale as a pre-med! I can’t imagine it would hurt your med school applications!! Also Yale has one of the highest med school acceptance rates in the country, so I would feel confident if I were you

9

Not only will the advisors help but so will the other students. They will all give you tips on classes to take, what is important to take and when and there are a lot of pre med track (as they seem to call it) students so you wont be alone in figuring it out. Keep in mid that although you are thinking “pre-med” that this could cover a very broad list of options and so Yale is a great place to sample. Unlike many of the other schools my daughter looked at where they had a pre-med major with pre-med mandatory classes and a very specific path. This gives you many avenues to explore first and along the way. There are also on campus job opportunities as well. My daughter said that she was pre-med focused and they suggested a job in the Medical Library. That seems to keep her eye on the prize.