Students interested in applying to Medical School often think of themselves as "pre-med" and that's fine. However, here at UNM there really is no "pre-med" course of study. A student can be studying Biology or Chemistry, Spanish or Sociology AND also intend on applying to Medical School. A student can have "pre-med" designated on their Lobotrax audit so that advisors are aware of their intent to apply to Medical School.
But....application to Medical School requires a four-year degree. In any subject. You might consider yourself "pre-med" but you have to major in a discipline (while also taking required courses to apply to Medical School) and go on to graduate to be eligible to apply for Medical School. Medical School is a GRADUATE PROGRAM. Students apply to Medical School in much the same way they apply to graduate school.
Students who think of themselves as "pre-med" often choose Biology as a major because the requirements for the Bachelor's of Science in Biology are so similar to requirements for application to Medical School. Other popular major and minor combinations are Biochemistry, Physchology, Chemistry and Spanish, but a student can major in any subject as long as they complete the requirements to the program they are applying to, and they graduate.
We do have a University Pre-Medical Advisor here at UNM. The advisor can help you choose a major and minor and keep you on track in terms of the requirements to Medical School. You should also regularly check in with your degree granting college advisor, and the departmental advisors for your major and minor.
