Faculty Labs
Undergraduate research projects in biology and health sciences under faculty mentorship
LimitedModerateStart: Sophomore Year
Pre-Med Planning Guide
Pre-Med at Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL
Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, Olivet Nazarene University provides pre-med students with access to strong biology, health sciences, and nursing programs. The university emphasizes a holistic, faith-based education combined with rigorous science coursework, making it a good choice for students seeking a comprehensive pre-med preparation in a private, nonprofit setting.
Olivet Nazarene University offers a solid foundation in science and health disciplines, preparing students well for medical school applications with supportive faculty and relevant coursework.
Pre-Med Strength
6.4/10
- Research
- Clinical Opportunities
- Advising
- Volunteer Opportunities
- STEM Resources
Why Students Choose Olivet Nazarene For Pre-Med
University-specific pre-med advantages and pipeline signals.
- Life sciences programs including Biology & Life Sciences
- Access to 3+ hospital systems near Bourbonnais
- Active pre-health community with 3+ student organizations
- Undergraduate research through undergraduate research projects in biology and health sciences under faculty mentorship
- Personalized planning tools in Pre-Med OS tailored to Olivet Nazarene 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 Olivet Nazarene 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
Collaborative research initiatives in local ecosystems and health-related studies
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 Bourbonnais, IL.
Presence Saint Mary’s Hospital (Kankakee, IL)
On campus / < 5 mi
Volunteer
Medium
Shadowing
Medium
Research
Medium
AMITA Health St. Mary’s Hospital (Kankakee, IL)
5–15 mi
Volunteer
Medium
Shadowing
Medium
Research
Medium
Silver Cross Hospital (New Lenox, IL)
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
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 Olivet Nazarene 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 Bourbonnais
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
- Seek out early involvement in local hospital volunteer programs to gain clinical exposure and strengthen your medical school application.
How Ready Are You For Medical School?
Estimate your readiness profile while planning at Olivet Nazarene 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 Olivet Nazarene 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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