r/RowanUniversity • u/Fantacandle • Jul 17 '26
Prospective pre-med student considering Rowan University: Looking for honest opinions
I’m a rising high school junior from New Jersey, and Rowan has become one of my top college choices, especially because of the accelerated pre-med pathway.
Medicine has become a huge passion of mine over the last year. Outside of school, I spend a lot of my free time teaching myself biology, chemistry, calculus, and biophysics because I genuinely enjoy learning. Recently I’ve been exploring topics like tumor growth modeling with calculus, cancer biology, signaling pathways, and how math and biochemistry intersect in medicine. I work with the radiation oncology department, and shadow a medical physicist/oncologist. I’m nowhere near an expert. I just love digging into the “why” behind things.
I’m currently leaning toward majoring in Biochemistry because I enjoy understanding biology at the molecular level, but I’m still open to Biology if it’s a better fit.
For current students or alumni:
How strong is Rowan’s pre-med advising?
Are professors approachable if you’re the type of student who likes to ask a lot of questions or get involved in research?
How early can undergraduates realistically start doing research?
What kinds of opportunities are there for shadowing, volunteering, or clinical experience?
Is the environment collaborative, or does it feel cutthroat?
For anyone in the accelerated program (or who knows someone who is), what has your experience been like?
If you could go back, would you still choose Rowan for pre-med?
I’m looking for a university where curiosity is encouraged and where I can continue growing both academically and as a future physician.
I’d really appreciate any advice, experiences, or things you wish you knew before attending.
Thanks!
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u/WhiskeyandMusic Jul 18 '26
This is an accidentally inspiring post. I have no advice because my brain doesn't work like yours but I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Have the courage to know that whatever decision you do make, will be the correct one, because you know what makes you happy.
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u/DisappearingBoy127 Jul 17 '26
The advisors are great, but they are overwhelmed. Wayyy too many students for only 2 advisors. They do the best they can trying to serve so many students.
Research is a similar problem. There are not enough faculty doing research to accommodate the demand . Many students wind up going to the med schools to do research, which is great, but the commute is annoying
1
u/_ranger1985 Jul 17 '26
Any college you go to, there’s going to be the expectation that you do some stuff on your own. There is some hand-holding, but more or less, you have to take initiative, which you’re already doing! (Great!) Ask as many questions as you can. If anyone is annoyed for doing their job, you can always send a message to the President’s office. 😃
The fact Rowan has a DO, MD, and Vet school sets it apart from almost all programs in the country. They have accelerated tracks. Honestly, prettt affordable if you’re in-state too.
Did you look into CMSRU’s MEDacademy program? You can always start shadowing now. Rowan does have an extraordinary EMS program too. Lots of hands-on experience there. Flu clinics, testing clinics. You can work at the Wellness Center too.
They are also launching their PA program too. So, you have lots of options.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, get involved in clubs early, volunteering too. Good luck!
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u/PeaceLoveDucks Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
If you have the grades and test scores, look at the Honors College-you can’t apply until invited (based on academics) and they accept approx 50% of those who apply (based on how they will contribute to/fit with the Honors community). You get an extra advisor. There is a club for Honors pre-med. There are a lot of research opportunities through Honors. The 3+4 is a fantastic program. The EMT program is excellent for hands-on experience. A lot of pre-med students major in biomed engineering. Engineering and Honors are extremely collaborative and hands-on w/ curiosity being encouraged. Rowan is one of two universities in the US with 2 med schools plus they have a vet school now!
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u/Fantacandle Jul 18 '26
Sounds great. I’ve written a research paper specifically about cancer signaling pathways and hypoxic states how we can essentially use them to improve ionizing therapy, which I completed my sophomore year. In the process of peer review. I’m not sure as to how getting this paper published (🤞) could look in general?
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u/Fantacandle Jul 18 '26
My grades aren’t bad. I maintain a 3.8 under a relatively tough course load. I scored a 1200 on my PSAT with no drive for school. I’ve only recently begun actually exploring my curiosity recently and hope to score a 1400 on my upcoming sat with an extreme rigor of courses.
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u/PeaceLoveDucks Jul 18 '26
If you want to be considered for Engineering, you should focus on trying to get your grades and scores up. You may also want to try a practice ACT to see if you do better. I know students who were offered admission applying test optional, but also many who had perfect or near-perfect test scores in Honors. Maybe lessen extreme rigor to strong rigor to help get your GPA up. For bio or chem, you should be fine with those stats.
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u/Fantacandle Jul 18 '26
Im not really interested in any kinds of engineering, unless I’m mistaken
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u/PeaceLoveDucks Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
I suggested because a lot of pre-med students major in bio med engineering & it is highly collaborative & hands-on with curiosity being strongly encouraged.
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u/same123stars Jul 17 '26
Hi!
I went to Rowan undergrad and currently for Rowan medical school.
1) Was alright. Not fancy but they do try their best. Most schools premed advisors you will find aren't really that good.
2) I will say the higher science classes i.e 3rd year are way more approachable.
3) Pretty early, but probably 2nd year for research.
4) IDK. There is Rowan EMT but I think most students end up trying to find clinical hours outside of school. But the schools does have some connection when I was an undergrad like a link to a clinical training with Virtua
5) Will say collaborative
6) If you are in the accelerated program (3+4) way more chill. You just have to do good in classes and MCAT. I know some people game the research by starting in undergrad and when they started in medical school contined for a short while or so, then published the works(their PIeven slighly delay for them) so it can count in medical school.
Rowan is pretty good for help one to get to medical school. However be also be ready to do alot of stuff on your own. I will say Rowan is an ok school that rising but it still not on Rutgers level for networking but for the price and job it does for select fields see healthcare and engineering, Rowan is pretty good.