Here are some places you can kickstart your medical career—as a Calvin student or a recent grad.
1. Medical Mile
Many of our pre-med students start their medical careers just 5.7 miles away from campus.
In the heart of Grand Rapids, an area called the Medical Mile hosts world-class medical institutions, like the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Here, Calvin students gain clinical experience that makes them stand out to employers and grad schools. Practice in a medical setting, shadow a health provider, or start doing research.
2. Van Andel Institute
Want to start doing off-campus research right away? Apply for an internship at the Van Andel Institute, the founding institution of the Medical Mile. You'll gain hands-on experience in day-to-day lab operations and conduct your own experiments.
There are opportunities to study cancer, Parkinson’s disease, genetics, and more. They have 20–25 summer intern positions in which you work with a mentor for an intensive 10-week internship.
3. Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine
Michigan State University (MSU) sees medicine as a way to mend communities. Students treat all people and learn to cross cultural gaps. In patient care and research, MSU believes that cooperation is better than competition.
Calvin’s Early Assurance Program with MSU allows students to apply to medical school early for a guaranteed seat. The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine seeks students who align with its mission.
4. Wayne State University Medical School
With six different programs, Wayne State can prepare you for your career in medicine, whether you want a master’s, MD, or PhD. They earned their national reputation for biomedical research, and you can get involved as a student.
Calvin partnered with Wayne State's Early Assurance Program. The initiative allows pre-professional health students to gain early acceptance into the Wayne State School of Medicine. To do so, students apply directly to Wayne State in February—for free. Upon review, students visit Wayne State’s campus for an interview. They know if they’ve gained acceptance into the program before the general application system opens.
5. University of Michigan Medical School
The University of Michigan Medical School is known for its high-quality education. They're consistently top-ranked as a research institution by U.S. News & World Report. And as a med student, you'll have the chance to get involved with a research project yourself.
Calvin collaborates with the University of Michigan to select an incoming student for a prestigious opportunity each year. He or she receives a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to Calvin and the chance to do summer research. For medical school, the student is guaranteed an interview with the University of Michigan.
Want to know what else you can do? Check out the Calvin pre-professional health student experience page to discover new opportunities for you at Calvin.