Pre-Medical Studies

Steps you should be taking in your first year at Boise State:

1. Attend Orientation
2. Required Advising Appointment
3. Start Major Exploration
4. Start Exploring Schools
5. Consider taking the courses listed to the right in your first year

Table of Year One Courses

Steps you should consider taking during your second year at Boise State:

1. Find Volunteer/Community Service Opportunities
2. Start Networking
3. Student Involvement and getting to know your advisors and instructors (especially science)

Table of Year Two Courses

Steps you should consider taking during your third year at Boise State:

1. Find Shadowing and Observation Opportunities
2. Attend Upperclassmen and Application Cohort Meetings
3. Start Reflecting and Writing Your Experiences

Table of Year Three Courses

Steps you should consider taking during your fourth year at Boise State:

1.  Start Practicing for Interviews
2. Continue Gaining Experiences
3. Start the Application

Table of Year Four Courses

Allopathic Medicine

Doctor of Allopathic Medicine (MD) is a licensed medical provider. MDs focus on traditional medical practices while using system-based diagnosis and treating symptoms when serving their patients.

• Association of American Medical Colleges(AAMC)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• AAMC School Listings
• American Medical Student Association

Osteopathic Medicine

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is a licensed medical provider. DOs focus on a holistic or whole-body approach to understanding a patient’s symptoms when diagnosing and treating their patients.

• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• Choose DO Explorer
• What is Osteopathic Medicine?

Podiatric Medicine

Doctor of Podiatry (DPM) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment related to the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. Their training focuses on treating injuries and health issues like diabetes through the use of surgeries and medical examinations.

• American Association of Podiatric Medicine
• DPM Network
• American Association for Podiatric Medicine Centralized Application Service

Naturopathic Medicine

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) is a primary care physician that focuses on finding the root cause of disease and treating patients as a unique whole. ND’s utilize therapies that include hydrotherapy, acupuncture, nutrition, vitamin and supplement counseling, and physical manipulation.

• Council on Naturopathic Medical Education
• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
• School Listing

Additional Web Resources

• The Student Doctor Network
• Tips for Success – University of Washington
• National Society for Nontraditional Premedical & Medical Students
• Aspiring Doctors
• University of Utah School of Medicine
• University of Utah School of Medicine Residency  (Idaho Residents)
• WWAMI Medical Education Program

General Internal Medicine Physicians Career Video

Review the following video to learn more about internal medicine phyicians. Closed captions are provided and a video transcript is also available on this page.

Video Transcript

Narrator: Many medical doctors specialize in treating a particular illness or part of the body… but internists are general doctors who see adult patients for all their medical needs. They usually act as either primary care providers, or as inpatient doctors known as hospitalists.

These doctors are experts in medical conditions that affect the vital organs of the abdomen and chest. But, they also treat conditions that affect other areas of the body such as joints and the brain. Internists who provide primary care… work in outpatient clinics.

There, they diagnose and treat common health problems and help patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. They prescribe medications and give advice on preventing disease as well, such as which vaccines to get and healthy nutrition options. They also document patients’ test results, examination notes, and medical history.

Internists may provide regular care for patients for many years at clinics, or see patients just once in urgent care settings. They are frequently exposed to infectious diseases, and must be able to manage stressful situations treating very sick or dying patients. Becoming an internist requires four years of medical school after college, and three years of residency training.

Training includes long hours, night shifts and irregular schedules. General internists may pursue additional training in specialties such as cardiology or gastroenterology.

Is a bachelor’s degree required for a Pre-Medical pathway?

A: Yes! A bachelor’s degree is required, and while subjects dedicated to the sciences may make tying in the coursework required for medical school easier, students are not required to choose a science major. We recommend that students select a major they have a passion for and enjoy. As Pre-Health Advisors, we can tie the requirements for medical school in with the requirements for a students’ major. It is also essential to maintain a relationship with your major advisor.

Is there an admissions test to become a physician?

A: Yes! Almost every medical school, whether MD or DO, requires students to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).

What are other requirements for medical schools?

A: Pre-Medical students should complete clinical experience and observation hours, either through work or volunteer work, along with life experiences in the areas of community service, leadership, and research.

Does my volunteer work need to be in the health field?

A. While it helps to have experiences in the health field, that is not the only thing that medical schools consider. They are looking at you as a person, and the more experiences you have, giving yourself to others (in any capacity) will help your application.

Are there any medical schools in Idaho?

A: Yes, Meridian, Idaho, is home to the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine. Idaho residents should consider looking at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s WWAMI program (40 seats are available for Idaho residents) and the University of Utah School of Medicine (10 seats are available for Idaho residents).