Pre-Medicine

The curriculum in pre-medicine is designed to prepare students for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and entrance into medical school. A bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) is required prior to matriculation to medical school. No particular major is preferred, but a degree in biology or chemistry-biochemistry encompasses many of the prerequisite courses. The program is flexible and can be adapted to an individual’s needs and interests. Students must excel in whatever field is chosen because admission is very competitive and high academic achievement is a must. Although they do not require students to follow any precise degree program, medical schools do have specific entrance requirements. Typical prerequisite coursework includes one-year sequences of general biology with lab, general chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, and physics with lab. In addition, courses in genetics, mathematics, humanities, psychology, sociology, and English composition are required. Students should plan to enroll in clinical observation courses to obtain shadowing hours required by some medical schools. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain prerequisite information from schools to which they will be applying and to work closely with their advisor when selecting appropriate coursework to meet the prerequisite requirements. Admission to medical school is highly competitive requiring high academic achievement and involvement in co-curricular activities such as internships, research, and volunteering.

PDF of Pre-Medicine Checksheet