Requirements: The only thing most medical schools require which is not part of our B.S. Biology curriculum is a year of Organic Chemistry. Some medical schools say one semester of Organic Chemistry is sufficient but one semester will not prepare students for the MCAT. A few schools require calculus but the vast majority do not. Medical schools typically want a year of math.

At the end of the sophomore year you need to decide whether or not you are going to apply via early decision. Applying early decision may enhance your chances of being admitted. This requires a different sequence of courses than you may otherwise take.

Sophomore Year:

Fall: Chem 1211/L, 3200-level Biology course(s). DO NOT take Biol 2250 or 2280! (‘nursing’ courses)

Spring: Chem 1212/L, General Microbiology and other 3200-level Biology course(s).

Summer between Sophomore and Junior year:

If planning on applying early decision take Organic Chem I.

Fall: Organic Chem I (if not early decision) or Organic II (early decision),Genetics, Physics 1111/L, Immunology, Physiology (if not in Spring).

Spring: Organic II, Physiology (if not in Fall). Physics 1112/L, Cell Biology, General Microbiology (if not taken in sophomore year).

Take the MCAT in April of the junior year or August before the senior year. To be prepared you must have 2 semesters of Organic, and Physics. Other courses include Physiology, Genetics, Immunology, Cell Biology, and General Microbiology.

Senior Year:

Medical schools recommend but typically do not require Biochemistry. One or two semesters of Biochemistry make excellent electives for senior pre-med students.

(Advice provided by Dr. Corotto.)

For more advice for perspective pre-med students click here or here.

Pre-Med advisors are Dr. Frank Corotto and Dr. Wayne Morris

For Pre-Vet and Pre-Pharm advice please contact Ralph E. Hitt, D.V.M. at rhitt@ngcsu.edu.