TCNJ Home / Explore Programs / Premed
Premed
Degrees
BA or BS +Advanced Degree
Schools
Department
At a Glance
If you’re planning to pursue a career in medicine or another healthcare field, TCNJ can help get you there. At most other undergraduate institutions, you’d typically follow a traditional premed track. At TCNJ, you’ll follow a customized premed “plan” that gives you the flexibility to explore another major you’re passionate about while still fulfilling core medical school requirements. One of the main benefits? That other major will enable you to obtain the diverse background, perspectives, and skills that medical schools so highly value.
What Major Should I Select?
You don’t need to major in biology or even be in the School of Science to apply to medical school. Students from a wide range of non-science majors — everything from anthropology to Spanish, economics to history, and public health to English — have excelled by completing the required core courses and performing well on the MCAT.
You’ll Benefit From:
- A variety of majors from which to choose
- Expert guidance on medical and allied health paths from TCNJ’s Medical Careers Advisory Committee
- Advising for parents and families on how best to support premed students
- MCAT preparation as part of rigorous courses
- Healthcare career networking events and workshops
- Participation in mentored research, internships, and active student groups
Careers
You can choose from an incredible variety of possible healthcare career pathways. Advanced degree programs allow you to focus on allopathic medicine (MD), osteopathic medicine (DO), dentistry (DMD or DDS), optometry (OD), pharmacy (PharmD), physical therapy (DPT), podiatric medicine (DPM), or veterinary medicine (DVM or VMD). You can also pursue a career as a physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP) or specialize in areas ranging from physical or occupational therapy (PT/OT) to public health (MPH). Other allied health options include dietetics/nutrition, genetic counseling, respiratory therapy, radiology, speech-language pathology, and audiology.
Recent Destinations
TCNJ does an outstanding job preparing students for medical school.
The proof is reflected in the percentage of our graduates who successfully matriculate to medical school. For the 2024 admissions cycle, 85% of TCNJ students advised by the college’s Medical School Advisory Committee matriculated to medical school. The national average? 41%. And our graduates enroll in programs based almost exclusively in the United States.
Medical School Destinations (2024 Admissions Cycle):
- ATSU School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Cooper Medical School
- Drexel University College of Medicine
- Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Morsani College of Medicine (USF)
- New Jersey Medical School
- Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College (Thomas Jefferson)
- Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dental School Destination (2024 Admissions Cycle):
- NYU College of Dentistry
Medical Careers Advisory Committee
The college’s Medical Careers Advisory Committee (MCAC) provides invaluable advice and mentoring to students applying to graduate-level health professions schools. Although the committee is based in the Department of Biology, students in any major who are interested in pursuing medical school are encouraged to meet with and receive guidance from committee members on the admissions process for medical (allopathic or osteopathic) or dental school.
What kind of support can the MCAC provide?
- Individualized, data-driven advising: Each professional degree program — e.g., MD, DO, OD, DDS, DMD, Podiatry, PT, PharmD — requires different preparation. We will guide you based on your specific needs and interests. When the time comes, we’ll ensure you are ready to apply and help you present the best version of yourself.
- Online tutorials: These cover the basics needed to properly prepare for a health professions career and to seek committee support for your application through a specific admissions cycle.
- The MCAC Newsletter: Sent regularly throughout the semester, it’s packed with reminders, resources, and events. You’ll learn about enrichment programs through the Association of Medical Colleges and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine; upcoming virtual presentations from medical and other graduate schools; and full- and part-time job openings, clinical experiences, and shadowing possibilities with area physicians.
- Letter of support for qualified candidates: This institutional or “committee” recommendation letter is an additional benefit to both applicants and the medical school admissions office, as it speaks specifically to an applicant’s strengths relative to the program to which they are applying.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Study at TCNJ and you’ll have access to an incredible variety of modern research labs, equipment, and workspaces. You’ll benefit from high-quality, hands-on learning experiences in class and as part of outside research projects.
Faculty
Our faculty members are world-class teacher-scholars who are passionate about and dedicated to working with undergraduates. They form close mentoring relationships with students in both the small classes they teach and the cutting-edge research labs they lead.
Visit TCNJ
Please see the Visit TCNJ page for tours and other opportunities to become familiar with our campus.
