Faculty Labs
Students may seek research experiences through partnerships with local health systems or by independently connecting with faculty mentors in science-related fields.
MediumModerateStart: Sophomore Year
Pre-Med Planning Guide
Pre-Med at National American University-Rapid City
Rapid City, SD
National American University-Rapid City offers a private, four-year education option in South Dakota with small class sizes and personalized attention. Although there are no dedicated health science degree programs, students interested in pre-med can focus on completing foundational coursework necessary for medical school admission. The university's location in Rapid City provides access to regional healthcare facilities for practical exposure.
While National American University-Rapid City does not have a formal pre-med program, motivated students can complete essential prerequisite courses to prepare for medical school applications.
Pre-Med Strength
6.8/10
- Research
- Clinical Opportunities
- Advising
- Volunteer Opportunities
- STEM Resources
Why Students Choose National American -Rapid City For Pre-Med
University-specific pre-med advantages and pipeline signals.
- R3 research classification with undergraduate lab access
- Structured biology and chemistry sequences for pre-med prerequisites
- Access to 3+ hospital systems near Rapid City
- Active pre-health community with 3+ student organizations
- Undergraduate research through students may seek research experiences through partnerships with local health systems or by independently connecting with faculty mentors in science-related fields
- Personalized planning tools in Pre-Med OS tailored to National American -Rapid City 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 National American University-Rapid City.
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
Apply to REU, hospital affiliate, or campus summer research fellowships.
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.
MediumModerateStart: Junior Year
Clinical Opportunities Near Campus
Hospitals and health systems accessible from Rapid City, SD.
Regional Health Rapid City Hospital
On campus / < 5 mi
Volunteer
Medium
Shadowing
Medium
Research
Medium
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital
5–15 mi
Volunteer
Medium
Shadowing
Medium
Research
Medium
Rapid City VA 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 Club
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 Interest Group
Membership: Clinical volunteering coordination and health career exposure
Leadership: Event leads and volunteer site captains
Networking: Connections to hospital volunteer coordinators
Community Service Organization
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 National American University-Rapid City
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 Rapid City
Challenges
- 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
- Engage early with healthcare providers in Rapid City to secure volunteer and shadowing experiences that enhance your medical school application.
How Ready Are You For Medical School?
Estimate your readiness profile while planning at National American University-Rapid City.
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 National American University-Rapid City 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
Students Also Compare
Explore pre-med guides at similar universities.