Faculty Labs
Undergraduate research projects in health sciences and nursing departments
LimitedModerateStart: Sophomore Year
Pre-Med Planning Guide
Pre-Med at Empire State University
Saratoga Springs, NY
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY, Empire State University provides undergraduate students with access to key science and health-related coursework essential for medical school preparation. While the university does not have a dedicated pre-med major, students benefit from strong offerings in Health Sciences and Nursing, complemented by opportunities to engage in research and clinical volunteer work in the region.
Empire State University offers a solid foundation for pre-med students through its health sciences and nursing programs, preparing them well for medical school prerequisites and clinical experiences.
Pre-Med Strength
6.4/10
- Research
- Clinical Opportunities
- Advising
- Volunteer Opportunities
- STEM Resources
Why Students Choose Empire State For Pre-Med
University-specific pre-med advantages and pipeline signals.
- Structured biology and chemistry sequences for pre-med prerequisites
- Access to 3+ hospital systems near Saratoga Springs
- Active pre-health community with 3+ student organizations
- Undergraduate research through undergraduate research projects in health sciences and nursing departments
- In-state tuition advantage for NY residents pursuing MD programs
- Personalized planning tools in Pre-Med OS tailored to Empire State students
4-Year Plan
Pre-Med Roadmap
Year-by-year milestones from freshman year through application cycle.
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- Join Pre-Med Club
- Begin Volunteering
Your Pre-Med Journey
Track each phase in Pre-Med OS.
Successful Pre-Med Student Profile
Competitive targets for students at Empire State University.
Target GPA
3.5+
Target MCAT
505+
Clinical Hours
250+
Volunteer Hours
150+
Research Experience
1–2 years
Research Opportunities
Structured pathways from freshman exploration to competitive publications.
Summer Research Programs
Collaborations with faculty on public health and clinical studies relevant to the Saratoga Springs area
MediumCompetitiveStart: Sophomore–Junior Year
NIH / Federal Opportunities
Competitive national programs — strong GPA and prior lab experience recommended.
LimitedCompetitiveStart: Junior Year
Clinical Research
Hospital-affiliated clinical studies and patient-oriented research near campus.
LimitedModerateStart: Junior Year
Clinical Opportunities Near Campus
Hospitals and health systems accessible from Saratoga Springs, NY.
Saratoga Hospital
On campus / < 5 mi
Volunteer
Medium
Shadowing
Medium
Research
Medium
Albany Medical Center
5–15 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
Glens Falls Hospital
15–30 mi
Volunteer
Medium
Shadowing
Medium
Research
Limited
Pre-Health Student Organizations
Build leadership, service, and networking depth for AMCAS.
Pre-Med Society
Membership: MCAT study groups, guest physician panels, application workshops
Leadership: Officer roles in programming and outreach
Networking: Peer mentors and alumni physician connections
Health Sciences Club
Membership: Clinical volunteering coordination and health career exposure
Leadership: Event leads and volunteer site captains
Networking: Connections to hospital volunteer coordinators
Psychology Club
Membership: National pre-health honor society recognition
Leadership: Chapter officers and service project leads
Networking: Inter-chapter and national pre-med network
AI Assessment
Pre-Med Fit at Empire State University
Strengths
- Clinical Opportunities: Hospital and clinic access near campus
- Advising: Pre-health advising and peer mentor networks
- Volunteer Opportunities: Community and clinical service pathways
- Access to multiple hospital systems near Saratoga Springs
Challenges
- Research may require extra initiative compared to R1 peers
- STEM Resources may require extra initiative compared to R1 peers
Recommended Strategy
- Join research or a structured lab by sophomore year
- Begin sustained clinical volunteering freshman or sophomore year
- Complete MCAT prep with a diagnostic by spring junior year
- Build strong physician and science faculty recommendations over 2+ semesters
- Focus on building a diverse course schedule that includes psychology and sociology to meet MCAT requirements and enhance holistic understanding of patient care.
How Ready Are You For Medical School?
Estimate your readiness profile while planning at Empire State University.
Enter at least one metric above to see your estimated readiness score.
Track Progress In Pre-Med OSStart Your Pre-Med Journey
Build your personalized plan for Empire State University with GPA tracking, MCAT prep, and medical school match tools.
- GPA Tracking
- MCAT Planner
- Clinical Hours Tracker
- Volunteer Tracker
- Research Portfolio
- Medical School Match
- Application Timeline
- AI Advisor
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