Can I Still Pursue a Premed Track While Majoring in Finance at the Ross School of Business, UMich?

Yes, you can still pursue a pre-med track while majoring in finance at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan (UMich). Many students at UMich choose to double major or take on pre-professional tracks alongside their primary major. Here are some steps to consider:

Course Requirements

Make sure to complete the necessary pre-med coursework, which typically includes biology, chemistry, physics, and math. You can plan your schedule to fit these courses alongside your finance major requirements. By carefully planning, you can ensure that you meet both sets of demands.

Advising

It's essential to meet with academic advisors in both the Ross School of Business and the pre-med advising office. They can help you create a realistic and achievable plan that allows you to meet the requirements for both your major and pre-med track. Consultations with advisors can provide you with personalized guidance and support.

Extracurricular Activities

Get involved in extracurricular activities that bolster your medical school application, such as volunteering, internships, or research in healthcare settings. These activities not only enhance your application but also provide valuable hands-on experience and networking opportunities. Your efforts will be recognized by both the medical and business communities.

MCAT Preparation

The MCAT is a crucial component of your medical school application. Plan for the MCAT, as it will require dedicated study time. Consider how you will balance this with your finance coursework, ensuring that you allocate sufficient time and resources for both pursuits.

Networking

Connect with other students who are on a similar path. They can provide insights and share their experiences, helping you navigate the challenges of balancing business and pre-med studies. Networking can also open up doors to potential mentorships, opportunities, and a supportive community.

Being Premed is Not a Major

Being premed is not a formal major; it's more about your intention to apply to medical school. Students often major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or similar fields because many of the course requirements for these majors overlap significantly with the courses necessary to apply to medical school. However, there is nothing stopping you from majoring in business and still pursuing a pre-med track.

The BBA and Premed: A Challenging Combination

The bigger problem is going to be the courseload. The courses to graduate with a BBA and to qualify to apply to medical school might be overwhelming. Ross is already challenging, and taking premed courses is quite demanding. Combining the two and trying to graduate in four years could be too much to handle. I only know of a handful of people who graduated with a courseload like the one you might be embarking on, and all I know is that they were way smarter than I am.