Medical School Prerequisites: A Complete Guide

Getting a bachelor’s degree is the first step you’ll need to complete in your journey to medical school. During these undergrad years, you’ll need to fulfill certain prerequisite classes that will prepare you for the content you’ll encounter once you become a medical student.

Let’s go over the main academic prerequisites you’ll need to fulfill in order to be eligible for a spot in medical school.

How to Choose Your Major

It’s common for pre-medical students to choose science majors since they feel like their choice of undergraduate degree needs to reflect their interest in medical school. But in reality, you can choose any major you like, as long as you make sure to fulfill the necessary prerequisites and strive to maintain a great GPA.

In fact, choosing a major that you’re genuinely interested in can be an advantage, since you’ll be far more likely to enjoy your coursework and achieve a higher GPA. A non-science major can also add more diverse experiences to your resume, which can be attractive to admission committees or adcoms.

If you do choose a non-science major, you’ll need to remember that adcoms will still take your science GPA into consideration. So if you only take a few science courses to fulfill your prerequisites, your grade for each of these classes will be even more important since it will have a greater effect on your science GPA. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go for that English major, though — it simply means that you should consider adding a few additional science classes to your curriculum to balance it out.

Keep in mind that you can apply to medical school before acquiring your undergraduate degree and finishing your prerequisites — however, you’ll need to finish your degree and all your prerequisites before actually matriculating into medical school, if you’re accepted.

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What About A Minor?

Choosing a non-science minor is algo a great way to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Don’t be afraid to venture into subjects that are completely unrelated to the medical sciences, such as Music or History.

A minor can also allow you to learn more about social and behavioral sciences, which can be very helpful both during medical school and throughout your future medical career.

Prerequisite Courses for Medical School

The Association of American Medical Colleges lists these requirements on their website:

• 1 year of Biology

• 1 year of English

• 2 years of Chemistry

However, some medical schools may require additional prerequisites, and taking only the classes listed above could limit your chances to apply broadly. If possible, it’s a good idea to take enough prerequisites to fulfill any medical school’s requirements. This will give you the opportunity to apply to more schools when the time comes. 

This list of prerequisites, on the other hand, will probably allow you to apply to practically any medical school:

• Biochemistry: 1 semester

• Biology: 2 semesters + 1 lab term

• English: 2 semesters

• General chemistry: 1 semester + 1 lab term

• Math: 2 semesters

• Organic chemistry: 2 semesters + 1 lab term

• Physics: 2 semesters + 1 lab term

Are university classes the only way to fulfill my prerequisites?

Some medical schools will also accept courses taken as AP classes in high school — however, this isn’t always the case, so it’s wise to take these classes again during your undergraduate years. Your AP classes will still be valuable, since they can allow you to take more advanced electives to fulfill your prerequisites.

Independent laboratory-based research can also be taken into account to fulfill certain prerequisites, such as Biology lab.

Students who decided to venture into medicine late during the undergraduate education and didn’t fulfill prerequisites can also choose to complete some classes in a community college, or pursue a post baccalaureate program.

It’s important to research the requirements for each medical school you’re planning to apply to. If you’re ever unsure about which classes you need to take to fulfill prerequisites, you can always seek advice from your premedical advisor.

At Medlearnity, we offer consulting services that can help increase your chances of getting into medical school. Our medical school admissions consulting is provided by physicians with real-world experience on how to successfully apply to medical school, and we can help you come up with a game plan that allows you to live up to your academic potential to achieve your goals.

Author Bio : Educators at Medlearnity are committed to working with medical students and physician trainees at all levels to excel on their MCAT, USMLE, COMLEX, Shelf/NBME, and Residency Board Exams. We have guided several doctors into successful careers over the past nine years.

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