Faculty Labs
Collaborations with faculty in biology and health sciences on topics such as infectious diseases and public health
LimitedModerateStart: Sophomore Year
Pre-Med Planning Guide
Pre-Med at University of Holy Cross
New Orleans, LA
Located in New Orleans, University of Holy Cross offers a supportive environment for pre-med students through its biology, health sciences, and nursing programs. The college’s intimate size allows for personalized advising and close faculty mentorship, which can be crucial for preparing competitive medical school applications. Students benefit from access to diverse clinical settings and research opportunities in the vibrant healthcare landscape of New Orleans.
While University of Holy Cross has a small student body and a relatively open acceptance rate, its focused programs in health sciences and nursing provide a solid foundation for students aspiring to medical school.
Pre-Med Strength
6.4/10
- Research
- Clinical Opportunities
- Advising
- Volunteer Opportunities
- STEM Resources
Why Students Choose of Holy Cross For Pre-Med
University-specific pre-med advantages and pipeline signals.
- Life sciences programs including Biology & Life Sciences
- Access to 3+ hospital systems near New Orleans
- Active pre-health community with 3+ student organizations
- Undergraduate research through collaborations with faculty in biology and health sciences on topics such as infectious diseases and public health
- Personalized planning tools in Pre-Med OS tailored to of Holy Cross 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 of Holy Cross.
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
Participation in research projects related to community health issues prevalent in New Orleans
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 New Orleans, LA.
Tulane Medical Center
On campus / < 5 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
University Medical Center New Orleans
5–15 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
Ochsner 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 University of Holy Cross
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 New Orleans
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
- Engage early with local healthcare providers to gain clinical experience and build professional connections.
How Ready Are You For Medical School?
Estimate your readiness profile while planning at University of Holy Cross.
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 of Holy Cross 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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