Best Pre Med Schools in North Carolina: Did you know that some of the top medical schools in the country are located in North Carolina?
It would only be logical that a number of outstanding pre-med programs in the same state supply students for these esteemed universities.
Nationwide pre-med students should anticipate challenging coursework during their college studies.
Pre-med students are typically able and encouraged to major in a variety of academic areas, even if it is true that they should perform well in classes like chemistry, biology, and anatomy.
One of the most difficult challenges in the pre-medical journey? A standardized multiple-choice test called the MCAT® (Medical College Admission Test) is used to gauge a candidate’s readiness for a future in healthcare. The MCAT® scores of applicants are a major deciding factor for admission to many medical schools.
Letters of recommendation, a history of volunteer work and field experience, and a strong academic background are further considerations for acceptance.
Fortunately, robust pre-professional advising programs support the top pre-med schools in North Carolina.
Many of the students at these institutions have a dedicated advisor for their whole four years of education, while others can benefit from scholarships that are especially available to pre-med or pre-health students.
What Are Pre-Medical Schools?
A crucial component of any aspiring doctor’s education in order to practice medicine. It is a course that gets students ready for medical school, the next step on the path to becoming a doctor. Premed is a general name for any four-year college course an aspirant doctor takes before enrolling in medical school. Every course they choose is acceptable as long as it prepares students for the lessons they will learn in medical school.
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What sorts of Courses are Considered Pre-Medical Courses?
Science-focused courses are the ideal ones to enroll in if you want to pursue a medical degree. One can take premed classes in biology, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry, among other subjects. You can’t take a specialized course to get ready to be a doctor. Any college course that covers the topics you need to pass the requirements for medical school is labeled premedical.
To at least be given consideration for a spot in any medical school, you must pass the following college courses:
- Biochemistry
- Physics
- Statistics
- Calculus
- English
- Biology
- General chemistry
- Organic chemistry
For admission to some medical schools, you may need to complete more than simply these courses. Although they are merely the bare minimums, obtaining more will provide you a competitive advantage over other applicants. You should make sure that the premed school you attend and the premed courses you take will help you get in as med schools can be extremely selective in their admissions process
Here are best pre med schools in North Carolina, without further ado.
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Best Pre Med Schools in North Carolina
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)

One of the top pre-med schools in the country is UNC.
UNC’s own medical school receives upwards of 600 applications each year, so the university is aware of how tough the admissions process is and works to adequately educate its pre-med students.
Undergraduates at UNC have long debated the demanding nature of obligatory science courses like organic chemistry, which occasionally appears to serve as a “weeding out” function.
Although many UNC students begin their college careers with prior AP or dual enrollment credit, they are eligible to enroll in higher-level biology and chemistry courses early in their academic careers.
In the summer semesters, a lot of UNC pre-med students participate in internships or work shadowing programs.
Are you on the fence about pursuing a pre-medical career? UNC is aware that it is a commitment.
The school provides one-credit health professions exploration courses with pass/fail grading. Introduction to Allied Health Sciences (AHSC 200) introduces participants to a range of health professions and clarifies the varied applications of a medical degree.
2. Duke University (Durham, NC)

A short distance from UNC, Duke University provides pre-med students with similarly excellent possibilities.
For Duke pre-med freshmen, the Office of Health Professions Advising is a crucial support system.
Advisors at Duke assist first-year students in exploring prospects in the field of the health professions and enrolling in pertinent courses.
Students continue their development in advanced coursework as they prepare for the MCAT and the application process for medical schools in their junior and senior years.
However, it is totally acceptable to major in history, a foreign language, or international politics as a pre-med student! Pre-health students major in typical subjects like chemistry and biology.
Also, Duke arranges study abroad programs for pre-health students in countries like Costa Rica, China, and Spain, to mention a few. Students engage in independent research projects and work in research labs during these opportunities. Others might work as community health volunteers or tutor students.
Duke may boast that the majority of its graduating seniors are accepted each year to prominent medical schools.
All pre-health students are encouraged by Duke to participate in some work shadowing in order to obtain a thorough understanding of the demands and dynamics of a health vocation.
In addition to other services, the NC State University health professions advising staff is prepared to provide students with advice on how to ace interviews, help with personal statements, research on health professional schools, and guidance on choosing academic curriculum.
Pre-health undergraduates at NCSU do not adhere to a set pre-health curriculum; instead, they pursue coursework in a subject area that most interests them while studying a strong foundation of natural science studies. Also, taking classes aimed at honing students’ technical writing abilities is suggested.
Candidates for medical school who want to stand out should have a lot of clinical experience, according to NC State.
The institution helps pre-med students find internship opportunities in private medical practices, no-cost community health centers, hospital offices, professional schools, and within large hospital networks including Duke Health, UNC Health, and WakeMed Health.
Are you still on the fence about NCSU’s pre-med program? Students can schedule a meeting with a Health Professions Advising representative, attend the annual spring health professions fair, or join the Pre-Health Student Club.
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4. Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
The Early Assurance Program at Wake Forest draws a lot of pre-med students (EAP).
Students can apply for early entrance to the Wake Forest School of Medicine after completing their sophomore year. After finishing their senior year, if approved, they are assured admission to the school.
Understanding where the pre-medical end of the tunnel is will help reduce the tremendous stress that comes along with the difficult application process for medical school.
There are, of course, conditions for qualifying, including a minimum MCAT score of 509 and a 3.5 overall and science GPA.
At the conclusion of their second years, every Wake Forest pre-med student will declare a major. Academic advisors advise students to concentrate on their strongest areas rather than, for instance, double majoring in two science-related fields.
The school’s admissions committee favors quality over quantity in terms of academic achievement.
5. East Carolina University (Greenville, NC)
Each ECU pre-med student is assigned an advisor who will help them throughout their undergraduate studies. This advisor is the go-to person for inquiries about pre-med prerequisites, the application process for medical school, and opportunities for fieldwork.
Despite the fact that pre-med students can choose any academic field of study, the BS in public health is a well-liked option with about 900 students enrolled each fall semester.
At hospitals, clinics, communities, and charitable organizations, pre-med students receive training through this degree stream. Majors also participate in experiential learning opportunities in educational institutions, governmental agencies, and commercial enterprises.
In addition to pre-medical, ECU provides pre-professional routes in disciplines like veterinary medicine, physical therapy, and dentistry. Several student clubs exist to aid pre-med students in their academic endeavors and give them opportunities for fieldwork.
One such organization, Health4PINE, is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to increase the community’s young adults’ understanding of health issues. ECU Project Sunshine supports social and creative learning opportunities for young patients who live in healthcare facilities.
6. Davidson College (Davidson, NC)
Only 7% of the over 1,200 applicants to Davidson College’s own Brody School of Medicine, which is only open to North Carolina residents, were accepted.
Given the high level of competition for admission, Davidson has started a number of programs to help its undergraduate pre-med students get ready for admission to the best medical schools.
For instance, pre-med participants in the Summer Program for Future Doctors (SPFD) are exposed to a demanding and thought-provoking program created to reflect the requirements of medical school.
This eight-week program, which offers chances for academics and pre-med students to work together in lab settings, is open to about 30 students.
Another tool that Davidson uses to help pre-med students transition to medical school is the PAC.
Each pre-med student is essentially assessed by the Pre-medical/Pre-Health Advisory Committee (PAC) based on their academic performance, commitment to a medical career, and ethical replies to a number of hypotheticals.
In order to improve their competitiveness throughout the application process for medical school, students seek for these evaluations.
7. University of North Carolina Wilmington (Wilmington, NC)
UNC Wilmington, which is near the coast of North Carolina, offers pre-health undergraduate students access to a variety of coaching, programming, and planning services. Twelve specializations are available to students, including pharmacy, occupational therapy, and vision.
Pre-med students at UNC-W are needed as early as ninth grade in high school!
Students from underrepresented and rural communities are introduced to intriguing majors and jobs in the healthcare sector through the Interdisciplinary Health Education for Aspiring Leaders (iHEAL) experience, expanding their knowledge of possible career paths.
Once enrolled, pre-med students can benefit from special alliances created within the UNC college system.
For instance, UNC-W and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy collaborated to develop an Early Assurance Program for students pursuing pre-pharmacy.
Participating students have the chance to get in touch with advisors as early as the semester before beginning the PhD program thanks to this opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA is necessary for pre-medicine?
What GPA Should I Have for Medical School? With a total GPA below 3.0, entering medical school is very challenging.
Is it affordable to live in North Carolina?
What Is the Cost of Living in North Carolina on Average? North Carolina has a roughly 4% cheaper cost of living than the typical American city.
Which state is more affordable, Texas or North Carolina?
Texas is renowned for having reasonable costs for necessities including housing, food, and utilities. Yet, if you travel east to North Carolina, you can anticipate to locate some reasonably priced necessities as well as an even cheaper cost of living.
Is pre-med a challenging major?
The pre-med requirements are rigorous, challenging, and primarily science-based. In all honesty, you won't have much time for classes besides your major, minor, and general education needs.
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