Pre-medical advising overview

Rider’s Pre-Medical Advising is a guided academic and advising pathway that helps you stay on track for professional school while pursuing a major that reflects your interests and strengths. Designed to help students from any major successfully prepare for admission to medical, dental, veterinary, or other health professions schools, you’ll work closely with a dedicated premedical advisor to build a customized plan of study, incorporating essential prerequisite coursework and experiences to strengthen your application. 

  • Open to undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students
  • Support for MD, DO, DDS, DVM, and other professional pathways
  • Faculty advising, internship placement, and committee support

While many students begin on the Pre-Medical Studies pathway, some later choose allied health careers such as physician assistant, physical therapy, or occupational therapy. Rider’s Pre-Health Advising pathway offers a seamless transition for students who shift their focus, ensuring you remain fully supported whichever direction you pursue.

Admission options

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Academic preparation and coursework

Rider's pre-medical, pre-dental and pre-veterinary advising combines a rigorous science foundation with flexibility. You’ll complete the required coursework for your target graduate programs while also building critical skills through Rider’s general education and major-specific requirements. Key subject areas include:

  • General Biology
  • General and Organic Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Behavioral Neuroscience and Biochemistry (optional, but recommended)
Suggested Course of Study

What professional schools look for

Professional schools look for students who combine academic excellence with thoughtful, informed career choices. Rider’s Pre-Medical pathway provides both: a strong scientific foundation, versatile skills, and the chance to explore fields ranging from physician assistant and physical therapy to pharmacy, public health, and beyond. With the guidance of Rider’s pre-health advisor and faculty mentors, you’ll map out your academic plan, gain meaningful clinical and volunteer experience, and prepare for the application process — all while discovering the healthcare career path that best matches your interests and strengths.

Rider helps you prepare through:

  • Rigorous academics: Successful applicants typically present an overall GPA of 3.6+ (minimum 3.4) and a science GPA of 3.5+.
  • Clinical and research experience: Shadowing, clinical volunteering, research with Rider faculty, or employment in healthcare settings helps you explore your interests while showing commitment to the field.
  • Leadership and service: Campus involvement and community engagement strengthen your application.
  • Preparation for entrance exams: Rider’s course sequencing ensures you complete requirements before sitting for the MCAT, DAT, GRE, or other exams.

Real-world experience

At Rider, you’ll gain early exposure to the health care field. Our emphasis on early laboratory and fieldwork experiences helps to ensure you’ll meet certain requirements for admission into medical programs. Benefit from Rider’s intensive internship courses with our partnering health organizations including the Capital Health Systems, collaborate with faculty on paid research opportunities and take advantage of external internship opportunities.

Internships, Research and Independent Study

Your foundation for advanced study

With strong mentorship from our leading faculty and unmatched experiential learning opportunities, Rider’s premedical studies program provides the solid foundation needed for graduate studies. You’ll find our graduates working to make the transition from student to practitioner in these top medical programs.

Our alumni have advanced to these medical programs:

  • Boston University
  • Cooper Medical School of Rowan University 
  • Drexel University College of Medicine
  • George Washington University
  • National University of Health Sciences
  • Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
  • Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Post-baccalaureate option

Already earned a bachelor’s degree? Rider’s post-baccalaureate pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary advising allows you to complete science prerequisites and gain advising support. This option is ideal for career changers or students strengthening their applications. Post-baccalaureate students receive advising and academic support from Rider's Pre-medical Studies Committee. Additionally, students take advantage of the Continuing Education part-time rate regardless of the number of credits taken per semester.

To be eligible for status as a post-baccalaureate Premedical student

You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and you must have a 3.25 cumulative GPA in all completed undergraduate work.

Complete the Continuing Education application and submit your transcripts. 

Financial aid resources

Learn more about financial aid, tuition and the various options we offer to make your college education affordable.

Learn More

Next steps

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Contact

Jonathan Karp, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Biology and Behavioral Neuroscience

Mike and Patti Hennessy Science and Technology Center

jkarp [at] rider.edu

609-895-5658

Academic Focus: Behavioral Neuroscience

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