Last updated: November 1, 2026
Does Your University Have a Pre-Med Program?
Almost certainly yes, though it is usually not a major. At nearly every four-year college, pre-med means a pre-health advising office plus the prerequisite courses medical schools require. The useful questions are what the program is called, who advises you, whether the college writes a committee letter and whether a medical school seat can be reserved early.
The table answers those questions school by school, and the sections after it cover the universities students ask about most. For the ranked list, see our guide to the best pre-med colleges.
Pre-Med Programs at 23 Universities
| University | Pre-med program? | What it is called | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Yes | Health Professions Advising (pre-health advising) | No pre-health major; students in any major can be pre-health |
| Brown University | Yes | Pre-health advising plus the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) | PLME is an eight-year combined bachelor’s and MD program |
| Case Western Reserve University | Yes | Pre-health advising plus the Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine | Up to six high school seniors a year gain conditional medical school admission |
| Clemson University | Yes | Health Professions Advising | Pre-medicine is not a major |
| Columbia University | Yes | Preprofessional Advising, Berick Center for Student Advising | Premedical Advisory Committee letter |
| Cornell University | Yes | Pre-health advising, Career Services | Health Careers Evaluation Committee letter |
| Duke University | Yes | Health Professions Advising | Institutional letter packet for Trinity and Pratt students |
| Florida State University | Yes | Health Professions Advising Office, College of Medicine | No major called premed |
| Harvard University | Yes | Mignone Center for Career Success and House premedical tutors | House committee letter |
| Howard University | Yes | Center for Preprofessional Education | Group pre-health advising sessions |
| Johns Hopkins University | Yes | Office of Pre-Professional Advising | Committee letter packet |
| Northwestern University | Yes | Health Professions Advising | Recommendation File Service for letters |
| University of Notre Dame | Yes | Center for Health Sciences Advising | Science Preprofessional Studies major; committee letter for qualified applicants |
| University of Pennsylvania | Yes | Pre-Health Advising, Career Services | Penn Letter process |
| University of Pittsburgh | Yes | University Pre-Medical Advisor plus the Guaranteed Admission Program | GAP students meet the pre-medical adviser each semester |
| University of Rochester | Yes | Pre-health advising plus Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS) | REMS is an eight-year BA/BS and MD program |
| Spelman College | Yes | Health Careers Program | Running since 1971, with a summer pre-health program |
| Stanford University | Yes | Academic Advising pre-med advisers | No pre-med major and no committee letter process |
| Tulane University | Yes | Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising | Advising for pre-law and pre-health interests |
| UC Riverside | Yes | Pre-Professional Advising Center (formerly the Health Professions Advising Center) | One-hour intro workshop before advising appointments |
| UNC Chapel Hill | Yes | Office of Health Professions Advising | Letters of recommendation guidance |
| University of Washington | Yes | Pre-health advising | Attending UW gives no advantage for the UW School of Medicine |
| Villanova University | Yes | Health Professions Advising Office, Ellis Center | Early assurance program with PCOM |
Does ASU Have a Pre-Med Program?
Yes. Arizona State runs Health Professions Advising for pre-med students, but there is no pre-med or pre-health major. ASU says students can choose any major and still be pre-health, and students on the Tempe campus complete a Pre-Health 101 workshop before booking an adviser.
Does Florida State Have a Pre-Med Program?
Yes. FSU supports pre-meds through the Health Professions Advising Office in its College of Medicine, with a separate service for freshmen and sophomores. FSU states that it has no major called premed, so students pick a regular major and add the prerequisite courses.
Does UC Riverside Have a Pre-Med Program?
Yes. UCR’s Pre-Professional Advising Center, known until 2025 as the Health Professions Advising Center, advises pre-med students and alumni. Students attend a one-time, one-hour introduction workshop before scheduling an appointment, and student ambassadors offer peer mentoring.
Does Clemson Have a Pre-Med Program?
Yes. Clemson’s Health Professions Advising program prepares students to apply to MD and DO schools, and Clemson states that pre-medicine is not a major. Students choose a major, complete the prerequisites and use the office for application support.
Does Notre Dame Have a Pre-Med Program?
Yes, and it is one of the few universities with a related major: the 64-credit Science Preprofessional Studies major. The Center for Health Sciences Advising also prepares a committee letter for qualified applicants in place of three individual letters.
Does Villanova Have a Pre-Med Program?
Yes. Villanova’s Health Professions Advising Office in the Ellis Center serves students in any major who are heading to medical school and other health professions. Villanova also offers an early assurance program with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Does Spelman Have a Pre-Med Program?
Yes. Spelman’s Health Careers Program has advised students heading to medicine, dentistry and other health professions since 1971. It runs pre-med application workshops for juniors and seniors and a summer pre-health program for incoming students.
Does Howard Have a Pre-Med Program?
Yes. Howard’s Center for Preprofessional Education in the College of Arts and Sciences advises pre-health students, holds group pre-health advising sessions and offers telephone or video advising. Students choose a major and complete the medical school prerequisites alongside it.
Does Tulane Have a Pre-Med Program?
Yes. Tulane’s Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising office helps students build applications for medical school and other health professions schools. Tulane School of Medicine itself accepts either a committee letter packet or three individual letters from applicants.
What Should You Ask Any College About Pre-Med?
Ask four questions on a campus visit or in an email to the advising office: who advises pre-meds and how often you can meet, whether the college writes a committee letter, how students find research, and which hospitals students use for clinical hours. The AAMC notes there is no required or preferred major, so the answers about support matter more than the name of a pre-med track.
If you are still in high school, clinical time before college helps you answer the bigger question of whether medicine fits you. Medical internships for high schoolers in Kenya and Peru are open to students 15 and older, with applications open from age 14. Our list of colleges with pre-med programs by type and the guide to BS/MD programs help you build the rest of your list.
Eight Universities Known for Pre-Med
It’s not always possible to get into med school directly after high school. Usually, you have to undertake undergraduate studies, what’s referred to as pre-med. In pre-med, you’ll complete the prerequisite coursework to be accepted into med school.
A reputable college goes a long way to equipping you with the necessary skills needed for your journey to becoming a doctor. Additionally, the college you attend always influences your future profession, personal lifestyle, and self-esteem.
With that in mind, you’d want to select colleges with the best pre-med programs. Here are eight universities whose pre-med support students ask about most.
1. Harvard University
Harvard is a leading medical school in the United States. In 2021, Harvard Medical School was named the number one in the U.S. News and World Report’s annual ranking of the nation’s best medical schools for research. It has everything a pre-med student needs for a successful career path.
First and foremost, Harvard offers a peer advising program where students are allocated a pre-med tutor from sophomore through senior year. Secondly, it has immensely powerful biological sciences departments. Lastly, Harvard has links with several teaching hospitals where you can gain vast hands-on experience.
2. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins offers the best post-baccalaureate pre-med programs that prepare fresh college graduates and career changers for entry into medical school. This has enabled students to improve their results and boost their chances of being accepted into med school. In 2021, 99.7% of their students were admitted to medical school.
Furthermore, Hopkins has some of the most wide-ranging health and medical resources globally. It has one of the best hospitals in the U.S., where students go for further teaching and practical sessions. This equips them with incredible skills and experience in leading healthcare projects. Finally, Hopkins also offers healthcare and pre-med internships abroad.
3. Stanford University
Although Stanford doesn’t have a pre-med major, you can still take some other majors in the health profession and successfully fulfill the pre-med requirements. It’s well known for the pre-health advice it offers to students. There are pre-med advisors to assist you with developing long-term goals, coursework preparation, and options for obtaining experience. The advisors provide their services in the following ways:
- Personally, in Face-To-Face Coaching Sessions for Continuing Students and Alumni
- During Working Hours
- In Group Sessions for Different Programs Throughout the Year
In addition to the impressive pre-health advising, Stanford has a pre-medical association that you can benefit from. This association helps you figure out your health career path by connecting you with internships, application funds, volunteer positions, and compatible peers.
4. Northwestern University
This is located in Streeterville, Chicago, giving it a charming outlook shadowed by the busy urban area. It offers one of the best pre-med programs by giving you a chance to examine different research and clinical opportunities and develop your career through them.
Mainly, they have one of the best post-bacc pre-med programs that allow you to build a deep and robust science foundation in rigorous classes taught by the Northwestern faculty. They offer classes in the evenings and some labs during weekends, perfect for those planning to change their careers.
5. Duke University
If you’re wondering, “What is the best pre-med major?” Duke University offers its pre-health students in various majors, from Biology to Chemistry to English to History. Moreover, Duke provides a study abroad program for pre-med students. They can go to Costa Rica, Africa, China, or Spain. As a student here, you learn in a multicultural environment and gain vast practical experience.
6. Columbia University
As a pre-med student at Columbia, you’ll attend special educational meetings fully sponsored by the premedical committee. Also, you’ll take part in a sample course curriculum that’ll enable you to ensure you meet the minimum requirements for medical school enrolment. This allows you to obtain and preserve a competitive edge until you apply for med school.
7. University of Pennsylvania
Also known as UPenn, it’s ranked among the top colleges with the best pre-med programs in the US. It has a tremendous research-oriented curriculum that has made it an outstanding pre-med school. Also, its accessibility to the big hospitals in Philadelphia equips you with hands-on medical experience before you apply for medical school.
8. Brown University
Brown’s premedical program is highly ranked in the country. One exciting thing about it is the excellent ratio of faculty to learners. Also, it offers a unique program that permits a seven-year bounteous art and medical degree route that enables you to achieve your bachelor’s and medical degree within that period. This is advantageous, as you don’t need to go for a different undergraduate program and med school, thus saving you time.
Conclusion
The journey to becoming a medical doctor is lengthy, involving many years of effort, commitment, and study. Pre-med is one of the mandatory stages you have to pass through. With the above guide, you can easily select the best pre-med college of your choice.
However, remember that these colleges are very competitive and everybody wants to join them. To increase your chances of being accepted, you need to work extra hard and achieve good grades.
