Pre-Medicine
Students interested in medicine can pursue admission to either a college of medicine (MD) or school of osteopathic medicine (DO) after their undergraduate education. Most schools have a prerequisite of three years or 90 semester hours of college coursework; however, the majority of students who are admitted will have received their bachelor’s degree upon entry. Interested students are encouraged to meet with an advisor as soon as possible to determine a major/minor program. It is important to understand that a student may major in any discipline as long as the minimum requirements for admission are met.
Required and recommended coursework includes the following:
| Course | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 1113, 1213 + 1 other | English (3 semesters; ENG 4970 recommended) | Required |
| CHEM 1315 & 1415 | General Chemistry I & II with Lab | Required |
| CHEM 3053, 3153, 3062, 3162 | Organic Chemistry I & II with Lab | Required |
| PHYS 1114 & 1214 | Physics I & II with Lab | Required |
| BIOL 1404 | Principles of Biology I | Required |
| CHEM 4115 | Biochemistry I | Recommended |
| BIOL 3624 | Human Anatomy | Recommended |
| BIOL 3614 | Human Physiology | Recommended |
| BIOL 2114 | Microbiology | Recommended |
In addition, at least one more semester course is needed in biological sciences and any combination of three semester courses is necessary from psychology, sociology, philosophy, or humanities. A minimum grade of “C” is required for each prerequisite course along with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Additional study in the social sciences, humanities, mathematics (Calculus is recommended), fine arts, computer science, English, biology, and/or chemistry is encouraged.
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Applicants are required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This exam is offered as a computerized exam multiple times during the year between January and September. A student may only take the MCAT a maximum of three times per year and may only register for one exam administration at a time. A minimum score of 492 is required to be considered for admission.
Observation Hours
Observation hours at a doctor’s office or in a hospital setting are required by all medical programs for admission. Some schools require documented hours. The more varied the experiences, the better.
Application Services
Applications for admission to a college of medicine are processed through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website. Applications open in June with a deadline of October 15th of the year preceding desired admission. Strong applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview.
Applications for admission to a school of osteopathic medicine are processed through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) website. Deadlines vary by school, but early in the fall semester the year preceding desired admission is the best time to apply. Strong applicants will be invited for on-campus interviews.
For additional information, contact the Department of Chemistry, Computer and Physical Sciences or the Department of Biological Sciences.