Premedical Adviser: John Tymoczko - Department of Biology, Hulings 313

Twenty to twenty-five percent of the incoming class express some interest in careers in the health professions. Some of these may be among your own advisees. Consequently, the following information may be useful in advising them. If there are questions, please contact John Tymoczko, Chair, or any members of the Advisory Board Committee: David Alberg, Chemistry; Joe Chihade, Chemistry; Nelson Christensen, Physics; Steven Drew, Chemistry; Deborah Gross, Chemistry; Michael Handel, Career Center; Gretchen Hofmeister, Chemistry; Fernan Jaramillo, Biology; Matt Rand, Biology; Debby Walser-Kuntz, Biology; Stephan Zweifel, Biology.

There is no pre-med major and no single major which is preferred above others by medical schools. In a recent year, for example, the percentages nationwide of students majoring in history and economics who were accepted into medical school exceeded the percentage accepted of those majoring in chemistry. This does not mean that you should dissuade students interested in medicine from majoring in one of the sciences; it does mean that you should dispel the idea some students have that medical schools expect applicants to major in one of the sciences. Medical schools are looking for well-rounded people who will make good physicians. Of course, students who want to go into medical research (an M.D./Ph.D. program) should major in a science field of their choice in order to be prepared for advanced work. Otherwise, students should be advised to major in any field of their choice. The only qualification is that they are expected by the medical schools to do well in the science courses which are recommended below, as well as in their overall GPAs. If they do poorly in their science courses during the first year, they should be urged to consult a member of the advisory committee. It may be well for them to reconsider the occupational goal they have set.

Admission to medical school requires course work aimed at two different goals:

1. The courses that are essential for preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (the MCAT) are:

• BIOL - 2 terms: 125, 126
• CHEM - 3 terms: 123 or 128, 233, 234
• PHYS: 112 (or the 131-151 sequence) plus some additional material

2. The requirements for admission for the majority of US medical schools can be met with the courses listed above plus:

• An upper-level biology course is strongly recommended. BIOL: 232 (human
  physiology) is a suggested choice.
• BIOL: 380 (biochemistry) or CHEM: 320 (biological chemistry); at some
  schools
• CHEM: 230
• ENGL: two terms; at many schools
• MATH: two terms: calculus: 111, 121; at many schools
• PHYS: 161-162 (or second upper level course); at all schools

Perhaps the most important advice you can give concerns pacing. Many students want to load their first year or two with premed courses. This should be discouraged for at least two reasons:

1. At liberal arts schools, students should be exploring many fields as well as their own interests and capacities during their first two years; by the end of the first year, about half of the students who initially indicated interest in the health professions have turned to other fields;
2. If students load their first two years with premed courses, they will have much more to review for the MCAT which is commonly taken near the end of the junior year. Students should get an early start on their premed courses, but should not take too many at one time. Students interested in majoring in any of the sciences should contact someone from those departments to determine the appropriate pacing for a prospective major. If the curricular plans of the student are better served, it is quite permissible to take the MCAT in the spring of the senior year or later and then to spend one or more years in employment, volunteer work, or some other activity while working through the application process. The preparation for dental or veterinary medical school is very similar. Interested students should consult with the chair of the committee.

Pre-Medical Program website