Pre-Medicine
Students should consult early and frequently with Dr. Cauthen in addition to their primary advisors for their majors. The pre-medicine student should select a major as soon as possible and seek the B.S. degree. Medical schools rarely accept candidates with less than the baccalaureate degree.
The student should be familiar with the requirements of the several medical schools to which he or she plans to apply. Requirements vary somewhat in the various medical schools, but the minimum requirements of most medical schools are:
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Principles of Biology with Lab
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8 semester hours
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General Chemistry with Lab
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8 semester hours
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Organic Chemistry with Lab
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8 semester hours
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Physics
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8 semester hours
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Recommended courses include Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 1101), Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 1000), and Biochemistry, with lab (CHEM 4421).
Every medical school applicant must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT includes topics in biology, chemistry, psychological science, sociology, and biochemistry. It is preferable that applicants take the MCAT in the spring or early summer preceding the submission of his or her application to medical school, but no later than the early fall of that year. Students should take General Chemistry (CHEM 1101-1102) as a first- or second-year student to be on track for the MCAT exam. BIOL 1107-1108 with labs is also suggested for first– or second-year students. Either General Chemistry or Principles of Biology should be taken in the first year in order to stay on track for timely graduation and application to medical school.
Medical schools also expect experience in the field of medicine. Students should keep records of dates, duration, and types of experience when participating in shadowing or volunteer or paid work in a hospital, doctor’s office, or other medical facility. Consult your advisor and the Career Center for help setting up a shadowing experience.
Students who wish to become a practicing physician may do so via two paths: an MD or DO degree. Below are links to accredited programs for each type of degree.
Students may learn more about MD programs by accessing a list of accredited programs that grant the MD degree.
Students may learn more about DO programs by accessing a list of accredited programs that grant the DO degree.
