Faculty Labs
Collaborate with faculty on health sciences research projects focused on patient care and clinical applications.
LimitedModerateStart: Sophomore Year
Pre-Med Planning Guide
Pre-Med at Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines, IA
Located in Des Moines, Iowa, Mercy College of Health Sciences specializes in health-related education, particularly in nursing and health sciences. While the college does not offer a dedicated pre-med major, students can complete essential pre-med prerequisite courses and gain practical experience through its healthcare partnerships in the region.
Mercy College of Health Sciences provides a supportive environment with strong healthcare-focused programs that prepare students well for medical school prerequisites and health sciences careers.
Pre-Med Strength
6.4/10
- Research
- Clinical Opportunities
- Advising
- Volunteer Opportunities
- STEM Resources
Why Students Choose Mercy of Health Sciences For Pre-Med
University-specific pre-med advantages and pipeline signals.
- Life sciences programs including Health Sciences
- Access to 3+ hospital systems near Des Moines
- Active pre-health community with 3+ student organizations
- Undergraduate research through collaborate with faculty on health sciences research projects focused on patient care and clinical applications
- Personalized planning tools in Pre-Med OS tailored to Mercy of Health Sciences 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 Mercy College of Health Sciences.
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
Engage in community health studies in partnership with local healthcare providers.
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 Des Moines, IA.
Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines
On campus / < 5 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center
5–15 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
Broadlawns Medical Center
15–30 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
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
Nursing Student Association
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 Mercy College of Health Sciences
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 Des Moines
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
- Consider taking additional upper-division biology and chemistry courses at local universities to enhance competitiveness for medical school.
How Ready Are You For Medical School?
Estimate your readiness profile while planning at Mercy College of Health Sciences.
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 Mercy College of Health Sciences 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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