<p>I am a the mom of a Columbia pre-med rather than a student but one head’s up I will give you as you is that the seemingly high med school acceptance rate given to you by all prospective schools is not based on the number of students that go in their first year with pre-med in mind. Many students drop out of the process so when a school says that 89% of their students get into med school they are citing the percentage of those that eventually APPLY, not of those who came in freshman year wanting to be a doctor. </p>
<p>My daughter has handled most of this on her own so I can’t give you detailed information. I do know that there is a pre-med committee and that you want their support for your application. Another point to consider is that Columbia will want you to take all of your pre-med courses at Columbia rather than possibly fit in one or two at other schools during the summer. A few students do it but the student needs to have a good reason. </p>
<p>Thus far my D has been extremely satisfied with the pre-med advising at Columbia. That being said, she hasn’t officially applied to med school yet so all bets are off. :)</p>
<p>I hope that a bona fide student finds this thread and can give you better answers but in the meantime here is a place to start.
[The</a> Pre-professional Office](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/preprofessional/health/]The”>http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/preprofessional/health/)</p>