Science courses are required beyond general education requirements.
Admission to major medical universities is dependent on a combination of science competency, academic grades, scores on the Medical College Admissions Test, advanced classes and volunteerism in social settings. Harvard University Medical School suggests students examine the "Medical School Admission Requirements," published by the Association of American Colleges, for the most recent course requirements for medical school. Students do not have to declare a science major in order to receive acceptance into medical school. In fact, some colleges, such as the Pearlman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, readily accept other concentrations. A reported 38 percent of Pearlman's 2010 enrollment was non-science majors.
Instructions
1. Plan on taking general and organic chemistry with a lab for one year. Include biology, general physics with lab, and English the first year. Once you successfully complete these courses, consider scheduling the MCAT.
2. Take two math classes. Some colleges require calculus; others accept statistics. Check science classes for prerequisites in math while planning your schedule for the next four years. Speak to a guidance counselor for advice on math placement, especially before taking science classes.
3. Plan on taking bio-chemistry courses. According to Harvard Medical School, 14 medical colleges in the United States require bio-chemistry. Some colleges will accept a student's enrollment in a bio-chemistry course prior to medical school matriculation.
4. Arrange the general education requirements separately from pre-med classes. You will need to take science and math classes to meet general education requirements. You cannot use the same classes to meet pre-med requirements. Advanced placement tests are not accepted in lieu of science courses for medical school.
5. Determine non-essential classes for foreign study and not pre-medical courses. Most colleges will not accept foreign classes toward meeting pre-medical requirements.
6. Arrange the following science classes in non-science concentrations: life sciences 1, 2 and 3; physical sciences 1, 2 and 3; one year of math; and one year of chemistry.
7. Take additional science courses that will increase test scores on the MCAT. Evansville College suggests taking microbiology, cell biology, genetics, physiology and molecular biology.
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