What does it take to prepare for medical school? Last Saturday, eleven Grinnell premed students headed to Kirksville, Missouri on a Health Professions Career Community mini-trek to find out. The group traveled to the Heartland Premedical Conference at A.T. Still University to gain insights into medical school admissions.
Hosted by a consortium of Midwestern osteopathic medical schools, this annual conference brings together aspiring physicians from across the region, allowing them to learn from admissions experts and current medical students. Sessions covered what makes an application competitive, how to prepare for the MCAT, and what to expect on interview day. Hearing directly from schools about their processes helped demystify the path to medical school and gave students practical steps they can take now to strengthen future applications.
One of the most memorable parts of the day came in the afternoon, when Grinnellians rotated through hands-on lab demonstrations. Guided by medical students, they explored the clinical simulation center and practiced ultrasound on one another. These interactive sessions offered a glimpse of the clinical skills they may one day use as physicians.
CLS industry-specific treks like this one provide clarity about career goals, connect students with mentors, and create space to explore what a future career might look like. Through the Health Professions Career Community, students gain access not only to treks but also to workshops, advising, and other resources that support every step of their professional journey.
Missed this trek? Don’t worry—there are plenty more opportunities this year to explore careers, connect with alumni, and grow your network. See the full events calendar here.
