Premedical Studies

Premedical students at Hamilton are diverse in their interests, both academic and extracurricular. They pursue majors from Dance to Physics and from Music to Economics, and they might be athletic, artistic or highly service oriented. Of necessity, they are achievement oriented, and that adds to the respect accorded them by both their peers and the faculty.

PREMEDICAL STUDIES AT HAMILTON

Hamilton encourages students to explore a variety of courses throughout the curriculum and to develop an interest in an area that they might like to learn in depth. A number of students interested in the health professions choose the Biology or Chemistry programs since an interest in science generally drives their interest in medicine. Others choose to explore areas that they may never have an opportunity to study again, or to devise their own concentrations.

Whatever the major, students develop the skills crucial to the practicing physician - approaches to solving difficult problems; clear, effective communication both orally and in writing; and reading with a critical eye.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PREMEDICAL STUDENTS

Minimum requirements for entry to medical schools are set by each institution. All medical schools require entering students to have completed a year of college English, a year of college biology, two years of college chemistry (including organic chemistry) and a year of college physics.

Several other areas of study are often recommended for students interested in medicine or dentistry and veterinary medicine - two other health care professions Hamilton students often choose to pursue. Medical schools frequently ask that students be capable in mathematics which may be demonstrated by taking courses in calculus, computer science or statistics. Courses in psychology, humanities or social sciences are often alluded to in lists of courses recommended by medical schools, but fulfilling the Hamilton distributive requirements and acquiring a broad-based liberal arts education usually satisfies the recommendations.

RESOURCES FOR PREMEDICAL STUDENTS

A meeting for all students interested in pursuing careers in the health professions is held during Orientation. During that meeting, students identify themselves so that they can receive information of interest in campus mail. After that meeting, initiative is left to the student. Students are encouraged to meet with Professor Kinnel, the premedical adviser, at any time. Furthermore, members of the Health Professions Advisory Committee are prepared to offer advice to any student who asks. The Burke Library has on reserve several resources that are particularly useful to premedical students, and the Career Center has a full range of materials useful to premedical students. The most informative publication is Medical School Admissions Requirements, published yearly by the American Association of Medical Colleges and available from them; a current copy is also on reserve in Burke.

PLANNING FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL

During the junior year, students interested in medicine should begin serious planning for the application process, and this is initiated by a group meeting toward the end of the fall term. General procedures, MCAT advice and timetables are reviewed at this time. However, any time that students have questions about application, testing, or other facets of premedical studies, they are encouraged to visit Professor Kinnel or one of the members of the Health Professions Advisory Committee. Many students choose not to apply during the summer between their junior and senior years, but pursue another interest for a year or two after graduation, then go into medical school.

The Health Professions Advisory Committee prepares an extensive letter of recommendation in support of the student's application to medical school. The letter is based on information provided by the student, by other faculty members and by peers; it also assesses the student's academic record and extracurricular activities. Any student who has a Hamilton degree may request a letter from the committee, even if some time has elapsed since leaving the College.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PREMEDICAL STUDENTS

Hamilton provides several opportunities for students who are interested in the health professions. First, through membership in the Northeast Consortium on Medical Education, Hamilton participates in an Early Assurance program where highly qualified sophomores may apply to medical school during the spring semester of their sophomore year. If accepted, the student would finish the academic career at Hamilton without the pressures of the application process. Recommendation for this program requires maturity on the student's part and a special project whereby the student participates in an educational venture that would otherwise be difficult or impossible in the premedical curriculum. The medical schools which now take part in such programs are Rochester, University of Connecticut, Albany, SUNY Syracuse and SUNY Buffalo. Students interested in this program should contact Professor Kinnel early in their sophomore year.

A second opportunity provided by Hamilton is through the close relationship with the Burke Rehabilitation Center. During the summers, the center takes on a number of Hamilton students for paid internships. The center, in White Plains, NY, offers dormitory housing and on-site meals for the interns.

A third opportunity is the Alumni Careers Exploration Program (ACEP). Through this program, a large number of our alumni provide opportunities for students interested in careers of all kinds to observe, assist and/or participate in their own careers so that students can find out if that's really what they would like to do. A significant fraction of these alumni are physicians, and they provide a range of opportunities for the student who seeks them out.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

Preparation for medical school demands focus on the academic work, but not to the exclusion of other facets of college life. In addition to finding satisfaction in volunteer work with HAVOC (Hamilton Action Volunteer Outreach Coalition), athletics or the other 70+ student clubs and organizations, Hamilton premedical students thrive on cooperation. Many students study together, especially for those courses that are viewed as more difficult. Even though all students wish to be successful academically, both they and the faculty realize that the best atmosphere for learning involves both support and healthy competition. This will optimize all students' chances for success in entering the career of choice.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Here are a few of the medical schools where Hamilton College graduates are currently enrolled: Rochester, Columbia, Albany, Dartmouth, University of Vermont, SUNY Syracuse, SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Buffalo, University of Connecticut, The Pennsylvania State University, Pittsburgh, New York Medical College.

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