Medicine is a pre-professional program. The purpose of pre-professional programs is to provide students with the intellectual and academic backgrounds they will need before continuing their education in degrees not offered at Minnesota State Mankato. Acceptance to professional educational institutions is contingent upon academic performance, so students enrolling in pre-professional programs should be highly motivated and realize they are expected to maintain standards of excellence. Advisors play an important role in guiding the students enrolled in such programs so students are urged to contact the advisor before enrolling.The completion of a baccalaureate degree is required for admittance to a medical school in most cases. Medical schools look most favorably upon the academically well-rounded student who has a strong scholastic record and unique life experiences that engender a commitment to a career in medicine. Students should pursue majors in subjects of their own choosing, as medical schools accept applicants from all academic majors, provided admission prerequisites are met. Majoring in one of the sciences-biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, etc.,-has the advantage of incorporating many or all of the courses listed above. Furthermore, the technical language of medical science is derived primarily from the disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and psychology. Students who plan to enter medical school must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Typically, students begin the application process to medical school during the summer following their junior year. For their application to be complete, they must report their MCAT scores. MCATs are offered on various dates throughout the year. Contact the website of the American Association of Medical Colleges for specifics. If you have questions, please contact your pre-medicine advisor.