Faculty Labs
UB's research centers focus on biomedical sciences and public health, with opportunities to work alongside faculty on projects related to cancer biology, neuroscience, and infectious diseases.
HighCompetitiveStart: Sophomore Year
Pre-Med Planning Guide
Pre-Med at University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
The University at Buffalo, a public research university in Buffalo, NY, provides a solid pre-med track through its robust Biology & Life Sciences, Health Sciences, and Nursing programs. Its location within a major metropolitan area offers ample clinical and research opportunities, making it an attractive choice for aspiring medical students.
University at Buffalo offers a strong foundation for pre-med students with its comprehensive science programs and access to healthcare resources, supporting a competitive preparation for medical school.
Pre-Med Strength
8.8/10
- Research
- Clinical Opportunities
- Advising
- Volunteer Opportunities
- STEM Resources
Why Students Choose at Buffalo For Pre-Med
University-specific pre-med advantages and pipeline signals.
- Major R1 research institution with extensive faculty labs
- Life sciences programs including Biology & Life Sciences
- Access to 4+ hospital systems near Buffalo
- Active pre-health community with 4+ student organizations
- Undergraduate research through ub's research centers focus on biomedical sciences and public health, with opportunities to work alongside faculty on projects related to cancer biology, neuroscience, and infectious diseases
- In-state tuition advantage for NY residents pursuing MD programs
- Personalized planning tools in Pre-Med OS tailored to at Buffalo 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 University at Buffalo.
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
Undergraduate students can engage in summer research programs and collaborate with faculty in labs affiliated with the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
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 Buffalo, NY.
Buffalo General Medical Center
On campus / < 5 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
Kaleida Health System
5–15 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
15–30 mi
Volunteer
Medium
Shadowing
Medium
Research
Limited
John R. Oishei Children's Hospital
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
Psychology 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 University at Buffalo
Strengths
- Research: Major R1 research ecosystem with faculty labs
- Clinical Opportunities: Hospital and clinic access near campus
- Volunteer Opportunities: Community and clinical service pathways
- STEM Resources: Core science sequences and lab infrastructure
- Strong research ecosystem for building a competitive AMCAS activity section
Challenges
- Pre-med is inherently competitive — plan clinical and research depth early
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
- Leverage UB's proximity to top hospitals for early clinical exposure and networking to strengthen medical school applications.
How Ready Are You For Medical School?
Estimate your readiness profile while planning at University at Buffalo.
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 University at Buffalo 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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