The Premed Program at Rutgers-Camden is facilitated by James Marino, Assistant Dean in the CAREER CENTER, Lower Level of the Campus Center.  In Camden we have a small but proactive premedical program. Students are asked to register with Dean Marino who works with the students upon entering Rutgers and through the application process. They are kept informed of opporunities relevant to their interest in medicine and receive information on a regular basis on medical and allied health fields, Open Houses /Special Programs, internship / volunteer opportunities and more. Developing a close personal relationship with each student is stressed.   

In addition to the helping premed students, Dean. Marino also provides assistance to students interested in Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy and other allied health fields.

For more information about the Predmed Program and other medical related fields, feel free to contact Dean Marino at: 856-225-6046 or email: jmarino@camden.rutgers.edu

• PREPARING FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL  (Course requirements and other important information for the student interested in pursuing medical studies)

• CENTRALIZED APPLICATION SERVICES for various medical related programs/schools.
  • Allopathic Medical School  (American Medical College Application Service)
  • Osteopathic Medical School (American Association of Ostoplathic Medicine Application Service-AACOM)
  • Veterinary School (Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)
  • Dental School (American Association of Dental Schools Application Service(AADSAS)
  • Podiatry School (American Association of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS)
  • Optometry School  (Association  of  Schools and Colleges of Optometry - ASCO)
  • Pharmacy School (American Association of Schools of Pharmacy - Application Service)
    

• STANDARDIZED TEST INFORMATION
  • Medical School: The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)  is required for allopathic and osteopathic schools.  The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills in addition to the examinee's knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine. Scores are reported in each of the following areas: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences.  for more information on the MCAT Exam: visit: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/studentmanual/start.htm  
    • HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR MCAT PREP
      http://www.studyguidezone.com/mcat.htm
      http://www.studytips.org
• Dental School:  The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required.  It is given on computer throughout the year.  It is highly recommended that you take the test by April  (16 months in advance of entering Dental School). Contact individual schools to determine if they will accept October scores.  A candidate may choose to submit either a paper application form or an online application for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). The paper application is included in the “Dental Admission Testing Program application and preparation materials booklet” available from predental advisors, admission officers and the office of the Dental Admission Testing Program, 211 East Chicago Avenue, 6th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60611.For more information on the DAT, registration for the test, visit: http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp#general

• Veterinary School:  Most vet schools require the Graduate Record Examionation (GRE). Some also require the MCAT or the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT). It is highly recommended that you take the test in the Spring of your Junior year.

  The VCAT is designed to measure achievement in areas critical for success in veterinary medical school. It consists of approximately 230 multiple choice questions, and lasts about 3 ½ hours. There are five content areas measured by VCAT: verbal ability, biology, chemistry, quantitative ability and reading comprehension. Scores are reported within 6 weeks, and range from 100 to 300. There is no penalty for guessing. A score of 200 is scaled to correspond to the 50th percentile (i.e., the student scored better than 50% of other examinees). Test dates for the VCAT are in October, November and January, with applications to take the exam due approximately 5 weeks before the test date. The cost of the exam is $50, which includes reports to three schools. Additional school reports are $10 each.

  Scores on the VCAT should be approximately 50-54 for the composite percentile.
  You can get registration information from:
  The Psychological Corporation
  Veterinary College Admission Test
  P.O. Box 96152
  Chicago, Illinois 60693
  1-800-622-3231

• For more information, visit : http://www.eckerd.edu/academics/nas/premed/vetmedadmission.htm
  

• Podiatry School: The MCAT is also required for Podiatry School.
  

• ASSOCIATIONS
  • There are a wide variety of professional  and student associations to consider joining related to the medical professions. MANY ARE OPEN TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Check out the following student associations:

American  Medical Student  Association
The oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Members are medical and premedical students.  RUTGERS/CAMDEN has an affiliated chapter membership with this group. 
For more information, email our Student Chapter:  amsaruc@camden.rutgers.edu

Student National Medical Association
The SNMA is the oldest and largest medical student organization dedicated to people of color and underserved communities.

American Student Dental Association
National student run organization which protects and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of students pursuing careers in Dentistry. Offers memberships to pre-dentistry students.

• OTHER WEBSITES OF INTEREST
  

AspiringDocs.org is a free web site and online community designed to help you achieve your dream of becoming a doctor. Created by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

The Association of Physician Assistant Programs
Dedicated to supporting and informing health professionals advisors on the PA profession.

The Student Doctor Network
 Great info for Premed, medical students  with links to the best sites. Also has a section to hep you review interviews from Allopathic  and Osteopathic Medical Schools.

MDapplicants.com
is a not-for-profit site designed as a service to premedical and prospective premedical students. The aim of this site is to share the experiences of past applicants with current, as a rough guide to what they may expect or the type of preparation they may require.

Financing Your Medical School Education

Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

American Physical Therapy Association
The American Physical Therapy Association is a national, professional organization representing more than 75,000 members. APTA's goal is to foster advancement in physical therapy practice,  research, and education.

JOINT PROGRAMS

• UMDNJ-SOM AND RUTGERS/CAMDEN JOINT BA/DO PROGRAM Open to students who apply to Rutgers and want to matriculate on the Camden Campus. A separate application process applies.