Faculty Labs
Undergraduate research projects with faculty in biology and chemistry departments
MediumModerateStart: Sophomore Year
Pre-Med Planning Guide
Pre-Med at Union University
Jackson, TN
Located in Jackson, Tennessee, Union University offers a comprehensive pre-med track that emphasizes rigorous coursework in the biological and physical sciences. While the university does not have specialized medical or health science programs, it supports pre-med students with personalized advising and access to relevant courses across departments. The moderate acceptance rate and small student body create an environment conducive to close mentorship and academic success.
Union University provides a solid foundation for pre-med students through its strong science curriculum and supportive faculty, preparing many graduates for medical school admission and success.
Pre-Med Strength
6.8/10
- Research
- Clinical Opportunities
- Advising
- Volunteer Opportunities
- STEM Resources
Why Students Choose Union 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 Jackson
- Active pre-health community with 4+ student organizations
- Undergraduate research through undergraduate research projects with faculty in biology and chemistry departments
- Personalized planning tools in Pre-Med OS tailored to Union 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 Union 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
Summer research internships facilitated through university partnerships
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 Jackson, TN.
Jackson-Madison County General Hospital
On campus / < 5 mi
Volunteer
Medium
Shadowing
Medium
Research
Medium
West Tennessee Healthcare
5–15 mi
Volunteer
Medium
Shadowing
Medium
Research
Medium
Saint Thomas West Hospital (Nashville
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
Biology Club
Membership: Clinical volunteering coordination and health career exposure
Leadership: Event leads and volunteer site captains
Networking: Connections to hospital volunteer coordinators
Chemistry Club
Membership: National pre-health honor society recognition
Leadership: Chapter officers and service project leads
Networking: Inter-chapter and national pre-med network
Health and Wellness Club
Membership: Sustained community health volunteering
Leadership: Trip leaders and chapter presidents
Networking: Non-clinical service narratives for AMCAS
AI Assessment
Pre-Med Fit at Union 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 Jackson
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 faculty advisors to tailor your course load and extracurricular activities toward medical school requirements.
How Ready Are You For Medical School?
Estimate your readiness profile while planning at Union 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 Union 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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