Medicine (Pre)

Why study Pre-Med?

If you love learning about the human body and have a passion for helping people who are sick, exploring Pre-Med programs in Illinois may be the path for you. The medical field is dynamic and rewarding. It is filled with a wide array of jobs including physicians, physician assistants, research scientists, technicians, medical consultants, and public health officials.

Why study Pre-Med at AU?

As a Pre-Med student at Aurora University, you will enroll in the Pre-Medicine program, which offers a curated collection of courses necessary to be accepted into medical school. You will major in Health Science, acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the ever-changing field of health care. You can expand your skill set with a second major in Biology. And even with a double major, you’ll still be able to graduate in four years.

To help you navigate the complex application process for medical school, AU offers one-on-one guidance with our own Pre-Medical Professions Advisor C.J. Chen. A longtime biology professor at AU, Chen is an expert in the application process, interview process, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) examination, and writing personal statements. He can also give students advice about entrance requirements to specific medical schools. Getting into medical school is highly competitive and requires a lot of time and commitment, but is worth the effort.

At AU, you will also get an opportunity to participate in research, a step that will enhance your medical school application. AU offers students unique opportunities to conduct laboratory research with expert faculty in the field. Developing research experience deepens your understanding of what you learn in the classroom and prepares you with the skills to succeed in medical school.

How much education is required to become a doctor?

After you earn your undergraduate degree, you need to attend medical school for four years, followed by three to eight years of internship and residency, depending on your area of specialization. You must also pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam, which takes place in three parts during your years of medical training.

Will AU help me get into medical school?

AU partners with area medical schools to offer qualified pre-med students a leg up on getting into medical school, including opportunities for early admission, guaranteed interviews, research projects, and volunteer experiences.

Qualified Pre-Medicine students can benefit from AU’s agreements with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)’s Early Acceptance Program, Midwestern University, and Rush Medical College’s Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Early Admission Program. Students interested in either program should contact AU's Pre-Medical Professions Advisor. Please visit our academic affiliations page to learn more.

Pre-Medicine Curriculum
  • Biochemistry
  • Calculus
  • General Biology I
  • General Biology II
  • General Chemistry I
  • General Chemistry II
  • Lifespan Develop Psychology
  • Microbiology
  • Organic Chemistry I
  • Organic Chemistry II
  • Physics I
  • Physics II
Campus Opportunities
  • AU Science Organization
  • Aurora University HOSA - Future Health Professionals
  • Mu Sigma Pi: Mind. Body. Spirit.
$229,300

2022 annual median salary for physicians

3%

2022-2032 projected job growth rate

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Experiential learning

Experiential learning

You will have the opportunity to have an internship, clinical, or field experience at a medical facility. AU’s pre-medical professions advisor will work with you to find internships that fit with your chosen area of interest. You will also have the opportunity to conduct lab research with faculty, an important element in your medical school application. And you will get hands-on experience with advanced tools and technologies, including synthetic cadavers known as SynDavers. These synthetic human bodies are made from materials that mimic living tissue and replicate the human anatomy in great detail. This first-hand experience prepares you for medical school.

Internship sites

  • Advocate Medical Group
  • Edward Hospital
  • Morris Hospital
  • Northwestern Medicine

Where AU graduates attend medical school

  • Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
  • Midwestern University
  • Ross University School of Medicine
  • Rush University Medical College
  • Texas A & M University
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Missouri
  • Wayne State University School of Medicine