About NMU's Pre-Medical Program

Northern Michigan University's premedical program is an intensive program designed to give students interested in medicine as a career plenty of opportunities to fully explore the field before applying to medical school. The program is advised by Dr. Erich Ottem, biology instructor and pre-professional program advisor. Our placement rates are phenomenal.

Approximately 92 percent of our premedical students who apply to medical school are accepted.

Our graduates have gone on to successful medical and dental careers at many locations including:

  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Center for Radiation Oncology, Brandon, Florida
  • Marshfield Clinic
  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Oregon
  • University of Florida
  • University of Utah
  • UP Health System - various locations

Studying at NMU as a Pre-Med Student

As a premed student, you will choose one of NMU's 180 academic majors as your major, as well as take 36 credits (8 courses) in the premedical program (most of these will also count toward your major). You will also be advised about other courses that will increase you ability to gain entrance into medical school. Premedical students must take certain courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. NMU has outstanding teaching facilities in all of these areas.

The Seaborg Science Complex is one of the premier university science facilities in the Midwest. The complex is the largest academic facility on NMU's campus. It consists of the New Science Facility, opened in 2001, and the completely renovated Luther S. West Science Building and features state-of-the-art instructional equipment and technology including more than a dozen different types of scientific laboratories.

Research and Academics

We offer our students opportunities to participate in high-level faculty research projects, another activity that is highly regarded by professional schools. You might become involved in cancer or genetics research or you might help research particles and fields theory, create lenses that mimic the gravity that bends light around planets or uncover the mysteries of the aurora borealis.

As a premedical student at NMU, you'll have the opportunity to learn from the best. Every week, select students are invited to attend a clinical conference at the local hospital to listen to various presentations by medical experts. Every other year, we take sophomores and juniors to visit Michigan medical schools so our students become familiar with the facilities before they apply. The premedical program has an advisory board comprised of NMU faculty members and local physicians. In addition to providing professional guidance, when you apply to professional schools, you may request that the advisory board conduct a personal interview with you. Based on that interview, the board will prepare an evaluation letter, which they'll send to the professional school or schools of your choice.