Pre-med majors aren’t the official title of the degree earned in school, but it’s a simple way of saying that the next step is to become a medical professional, usually an MD or DO. Pre-med students can major in just about any subject, not just in biological or physical sciences. Applying a pre-med track to majors such as Sociology, Statistics, English Literature, and Spanish come with a variety of benefits, some of which include excellent communication, research methodology, problem solving, and adept critical analysis, which can be valuable for testing into medical school.
Regardless of the chosen major, though, medical schools require a certain number and type of classes to be completed.
At the bare minimum, most med schools require:
One year of biology with lab
One year of general chemistry with lab
One year of organic chemistry with lab
One year of physics with lab
At least one semester of biochemistry
A math course (varies based on school)
One year of English
Every institution has a different series of requirements, though, so be prepared to satisfy all requirements. These requirements are in place for two reasons: to lay the foundation for graduate work, but also to score well on the MCAT, the Medical College Admission Test.
The goal for most pre-med students is to graduate with a baccalaureate and head straight to medical school, and carefully planning out your pre-requisites schedule and MCAT testing day are required to accomplish that. Pre-med students must complete their required pre-med course by Fall of their junior year to prepare for the MCAT the second semester of that same year. The very latest a student can take the MCAT to move directly into medical school after graduating is the end of their junior year, in early May. Application submission dates for med school start on June 3rd, secondary application from July to September, and interviews will begin in September and conclude in March of senior year. It’s a much longer, more involved process than many other majors, so being prepared and meticulous with scheduling is a must.
There are also options that include taking 1 to 2 years off after graduate school, depending on completion of the pre-requisites and MCAT testing day.
Medical schools look at three things when reviewing applications: GPA, MCAT, and experience. As for the GPA, they look at the entire culmination of schooling as well as the BCPM (biology, chemistry, physics, and math) GPA, so high grades are an absolute must. For the MCAT, the most common score accepted is 509 of 528, while the average score is 500. Keep that in mind and aim for 509 or higher to be at the most competitive level. Volunteering or working an internship, within the medical industry or not, is closely reviewed by medical institutions when tendering acceptance. Any experience that involves communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills is notable.
Maranatha Baptist University is a Christian college in southeast Wisconsin affiliated with the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International. Maranatha offers bachelor’s degrees in 38 academic majors and 37 minors and all students are required to...
a great, christ-centered school.
” – Bryndal from Apple Valley, CA
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” – Janae from Great Bend, KSWestern Wyoming Community College is a 2-year community college located near the southwest corner of The Equality State. All of the buildings at WWCC’s campus are connected via indoor glass hallways, offering views of the school’s reproductions of...
There is such a broad range of topics to study here. You will never be bored with your class selections
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There is a unique energy at Indiana Wesleyan University—a combination of innovation, purpose and faith—and it takes just one visit to experience it for yourself. IWU students discover their God-given individuality and life calling, and develop in...
I feel more at home at IWU than I do in my own house with my parents. The people at this school are the most authentic, kindest, and fun people you will ever meet. Just being on the campus, you can feel God's favor for the people who embody...
” – Laura from Springfield, OH
Austin Community College district is a 2-year institution based in Austin, Texas. ACC offers associate degrees and professional certification programs. High school students can sign up for dual-credit programs and earn college credit while working on...
It is your own personal choice how much knowledge you receive from your education. ACC professors and curriculum provide the opportunity for you to learn!
” – Patrick from Austin, TXDodge City Community College is a public, 2-year institution established on a 145-acre, suburban campus in Kansas. The college offers over 30 academic and vocational degree programs in a variety of fields, including Dietetics, Music, Agribusiness...
Well your in Kansa for crying out lound!!!
If you in joy rodeo this is the school for you.
Basketball, Track & field and football these sports are good here too!!
Kettering College is a private, Christ-centered institution established in suburban Ohio as a branch of the Kettering Medical Center, with a newly-developed satellite location in Greene County. Students are required to attend convocations and a...
This college offers my career intended and I feel is right for me.
” – Rachel from New Carlisle, OHIn the prairie town of Snyder lies Western Texas College, a 2-year community college serving ten surrounding counties. While most classes take place in the main campus facility, there are two additional locations in town specializing in adult and...
It is a small college and you get a lot of attention from your professors in every class.
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Arizona State University is a comprehensive public research university that measures itself by whom it includes and how they succeed; advances research and discovery of public value; and assumes fundamental responsibility for the economic, social...
Despite taking numerous classes on subjects which I am quite familiar with, I have learned more than I'd imagined upon enrolling. There are often free information/educational events around campus as well, and numerous support services to help...
” – Nomad
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They use the blue light system
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The teachers and advisors are very knowledgable and willing to help. They want you to succeed and have no issues with answering your questions or helping you take steps to ensure your understanding of the material.
”
The University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez is a state institution also known as Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez. Classes at UPRM are primarily taught in Spanish, and students are required to have a moderate understanding of English as well in order...
The best college in Puerto Rico fo engineering. I'm learning a lot. And I feel safe.
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The faculty is very helpful and knowledgeable.
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Classes can be a little disorganized and sometimes...
Springfield Technical Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in the state of Massachusetts. STCC is the only technical community college in the state, making its catalogue of over 90 career programs particularly unique to the...
vocational programs are among the best.
great place to start college and transfer.
big college look with small college feel.
Formerly known as Our Lady of the Lake College, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is a 4-year Catholic institution with an emphasis on healthcare. FranU’s Baton Rouge campus offers academic programs in three schools: Health Professions...
Our Lady of the Lake is a college that is based off of it's religious beliefs. The faculty and staff is very welcoming and guides students step by step but also gives students the independents that they want and need. The college is very free going...
” – NickiMaharishi International University is built on the idea of “consciousness-based education,” which encourages students to gain deep self-knowledge while earning undergrad and advanced degrees. MIU has programs in 10 academic departments that all run...
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You wouldn't think that a community college would have the same quality education as a university, but this one really does. We have the same textbooks, follow the same fast-paced schedules, cover the same topics, and receive the same homework. Plus...
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Considering that this was a junior college, i wasn't particularly expecting to learn as much as i did. The teachers are great, i learned alot and graduated with my Associates degree.
” – Graduated Norseman
Formerly known as the Philadelphia Bible Institute, Cairn University is a Christian college in eastern Pennsylvania. Cairn is home to six schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 40 Christ-centered majors. In addition, Cairn offers Christian...
A wonderful university on the East Coast.
” – Samuel from KenyaEastern Wyoming College is a 2-year community college with two campuses covering a six county area. EWC is home to seven academic departments as well as the only programs in Veterinary Technology and Cosmetology in Wyoming. EWC also features a...
The faculty and the buildings are outstanding. EWC encourages a higher learning and it is definatly a great decision. When money or other issues come into play, the college is more than helpful in helping you out and are very understanding.
” – Bill from Moorcroft, WYThe University of Holy Cross is a private, Christ-centered institution established in New Orleans, Louisiana, alongside the Mississippi River. UOHC’s catalog of over 60 academic programs primarily feature health-related fields of study, such as...
Holy Cross is an A school because it's small and private.All staff is willing to help the students anywaypossible.At Holy Cross you become family.
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Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a renowned tertiary care center, a level I trauma center (the region's only such center for adults and children), a teaching hospital and a medical school (with the first Humanities Department in the...
” – Krista from Mechanicsburg, PAWestern Nebraska Community College is a 2-year institution with three campuses in the Nebraska panhandle. WNCC offers degrees and certificates in over 50 fields of study and its Agriculture Science and Applied Agriculture Technologies programs...
There is easy accessibility to technology and professors. You will learn plenty; the best thing is whenever you don't understand something there will be someone available.
” – Edgar from Yuma, COEstablished in 1958, Salem Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Carney's Point, New Jersey, with a satellite education center in Alloway. As the only institution of higher learning operating in Salem County, SCC’s main campus...
While most of the teachers are cool, some of the adjunct faculty can be a real challenge to deal with. Overall though, the material covered is in-depth, and professors are readily available for discussing any questions or concerns.
” – John
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Pennsylvania State University-World Campus is the internet hub for all Penn State online classes. Penn State World confers degrees and certificates in over 150 academic programs entirely online. In addition, Penn State World does not require students...
Bay de Noc Community College, more commonly known as Bay College, is a 2-year institution with two locations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Bay is home to eight career pathways consisting of over 80 degree and certificate programs. Utilizing its...
I hear a lot of great news about Bay de Noc Community College and I am hoping to attend soon. My friends and other acquaintances tell me of how much success they are retrieving from their classes and can not wait to pursue more of an education there.
” – Jessica from Cornell, MIEstablished in 1956, The National University of Natural Medicine is a private, medical education institution located in Portland, Oregon. NUNM offers nine master’s and doctoral degree programs, five certificate programs, and three bachelor’s degree...
Cumberland University is a private university in Lebanon, Tennessee. The university was founded by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1842, and five years later a law school was added, followed by the school of theology in 1854. The Cumberland...
If you plan on attending all four years, you will make friendships and relationships with your professors who all know you by name and really do want you to be the best you can be. Every professor is looking out for your best interest. One of our...
” – Kristen from Franklin, OHFounded in 1897, Trinity International University is a Christian liberal arts institution in the Chicagoland area operated by the Evangelical Free Church of America. Trinity confers undergraduate degrees in over 30 academic majors focused on core...
trinity is an amazing school. i haven't even started going there, and i already feel as if i am a part of the school. the community of the school is amazing. everyone is so close and treat each other as a family.
” – Leslie from Chicago, ILFounded by the Bishops of Puerto Rico, the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico is a Catholic school in Ponce providing education to students of all faiths. PCUPR is home to seven academic schools including a recently added School of...
The campus is big and eco-friendly. You'll have no problem finding your perfect spot.
” – Natasha from Puerto RicoCaribbean University is a 4-year degree-granting institution in northeast Puerto Rico with a main campus in Bayamón. The Bayamón campus offers bachelor’s degrees in 10 academic subjects and associate degrees in seven fields of study. In addition to...
Mesalands Community College is a 2-year college in eastern New Mexico. MCC offers 19 degree and eight certificate-granting programs, several of which are specific to the college’s western location such as Cowboy Arts and Farrier Science. The MCC Wind...
Beautiful school, cheap rent on properties/rooms, low tuition but a great program. Champion Rodeo Team, Wind Energy Research, Iron Pour, plus great support if you need help in your classes. Can't Wait!
” – Sonja from Tucumcari, NMEstablished in 1969, Caribbean University-Carolina is a private, 4-year institution located in Puerto Rico. The Carolina campus offers 12 undergraduate programs, as well as three master’s degree programs in Education and Business Administration. The...
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Established in 1980, Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf is a public, 2-year institution located in Big Spring, Texas. As the only self-contained community college for deaf and hard of hearing students in the United States, SWID offers...
