Research premed programs of the colleges you would like to attend by going to their websites. Look into whether they have a traditional science-based premed program. You do not have to be a premed or science major to attend medical school, however; Skidmore College reports that approximately 80 percent of premed students are science majors. According to Swarthmore College, most medical schools require that undergraduate students take courses in chemistry, math, physics, English and biology. If you are applying to a college that has a traditional science-based premed program, your previous science coursework will be thoroughly examined in the college admissions process.
Look over your high school grades. If you have already attended college, examine your college record. If you find that you have not done well in your science classes and your overall grade point average is below a B, take a few science classes, such as Biology 101 or general chemistry, at a community college. This will show the premed admittance committee that you are able to handle the rigors of premed coursework. Some of these classes may be transferable to your premed program.
Write a compelling personal statement. In your 30s, you are more likely to have had more life experiences to draw from to craft a strong personal statement. This is your opportunity to influence the premed admissions committee. There is something that has motivated you to enter this field at a later age than most and this can be conveyed in your statement. Different schools vary in the amount of weight they put on the personal statement but this could be a decisive factor for some applicants.
Convey that you are a well-rounded person in your premed college application. Being well-rounded means that you are involved in a variety of different activities such as helping to raise funds for a charity, captaining your local chess club or volunteering abroad. Most college applications have a section that allows you to list your extracurricular activities. If you are not that well-rounded due to life circumstances, let the premed admissions committee know your situation by explaining the challenges you have faced. This can be expressed in your personal statement.