Pre-Health Prerequisites

The majority of dental and veterinary programs requires biochemistry. For medical schools, only a third require biochemistry (and most of those do not require lab), although many more recommend biochemistry. Even so, biochemistry constitutes 25% of the MCAT and medical schools generally consider biochemistry to be one of the most important areas of undergraduate study for future physicians. We highly recommend taking biochemistry if you are pre-med.

Generally, health professions programs require 2-2.5 years of chemistry (to include general, organic, and biochemistry). Dental programs largely require both semesters of organic. Some medical schools that require two semesters of organic will accept biochemistry in lieu of the second semester; others require both semesters (e.g. Columbia, Baylor, UNC, Emory, Mayo, UT Southwestern, and Indiana). Whether you take the second semester of organic chemistry is dependent on your goals, interests, and the program/schools you are considering. We recommend taking both semesters of organic chemistry, especially since our biochemistry does not offer a lab component.

A number of programs require behavioral or social science courses, including dental, veterinary, and pharmacy. Less than 10% of medical schools require behavioral science courses. However, the MCAT now has the Psychological, Sociological and Biological Foundations of Behavior subtest with 70% introductory psychology and 30% sociology content. Whether or not to take these courses depends on your interests and intended program. Highly recommended to take intro to psychology for pre-med.

Across programs, the most common math requirements are college level math, calculus, and/or statistics. For medical schools, less than half require college level math, less than 10% require calculus (of those schools that require calculus, most, but not all, will accept AP/IB), and less than 10% require statistics. Due to the importance of quantitative skills for health professionals, and the increasing importance of statistics, we recommend taking one college math calculus course and one statistics course.

It’s always recommended to stay eligible for your public schools in your home state. Public state schools tend to have some preference for in-state applicants. If you’re interested in medicine and you’re not sure what your state schools are, you can search for them in the AAMC Medical School Admissions Requirements online database. Beyond those schools, you might check some that are in locations you’re interested in using that same MSAR for MD programs and the online map for osteopathic medical schools.

Your medical school requirements should be taken the old-fashioned way — in a classroom with preceptors and professors present. Most medical schools would not accept prerequisites such as Physics taken purely online (with exceptions made during the pandemic when classes were only offered online). Some health professions are more lenient about courses taken online. Check with individual programs of interest to gauge the acceptability.

Generally, the course can be taken within a variety of academic departments including math, biology, economics, and psychology. However, schools may have specific requirements; therefore, it is best to check individual program/school requirements.

Schools are most interested in students learning how to write well. Many schools also appreciate the close reading that is emphasized in English courses. It is recommended that you take a course within the English or Literature department, but steer clear of creative writing courses.

Some schools accept AP credit towards a requirement. However, there is no standard with respect to AP credit; therefore, it is best to check individual program/school policies.