Preparing for Admission to Medical School

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

1. The courses that are essential for preparation for Medical College Admissions Test (the MCAT) are:
   • Biology: 2 terms: 125, 126; an upper level course such as Animal Physiology is also recommended
   • Chemistry: 3 terms: 123 or 128 and 233, 234
   • Physics: 1st 5 week (131 or 132) OR (141 or 142) and 2nd 5 week (151 or 161) or (152 or 153) plus some additional material
2. The requirements for admission for the majority of U.S. medical schools can be met with the courses listed above plus:
   • Biology: 278 or 380 (biochemistry); at some schools (including UMN)
   • Chemistry: 230 (a second term of inorganic chemistry)
   • English: two terms; at many schools
   • Math: two terms: calculus: 111, 131 and 141 OR 131 and 151 at many schools; statistics at some schools
   • Physics: 161 and 162 (or second upper level course); at all schools

Take all prerequisite courses for a grade. You do not have to take all prerequisite courses at Carleton. Non-Carleton courses, however, must be taken at an accredited institution for a grade and you will later need to provide a transcript when you apply. These courses do not need to be transferred to Carleton.

Note: Carleton is on a trimester system for medical school purposes; any work taken elsewhere should be done either on a semester system or its equivalent; a quarter system can lead to difficulty.

When should you take the required courses?

The MCAT is based on the biology, chemistry, and physics courses listed above. It also includes a Writing Sample. Consequently, you will probably be best prepared for the MCAT shortly after you have completed the course work.

The MCAT is administered each April and August. Results of the MCAT are not available until approximately 60 days after it is taken. One schedule is to plan to take the MCAT during the spring term of the junior year, planning to enter medical school in the fall following graduation. However, it is perfectly acceptable, as far as the medical schools are concerned, to apply for admission for later years and therefore take the MCAT spring term of the senior year or later. This may permit you to arrange your courses in a more logical manner if you are not a science major, to take advantage of off-campus programs, or to take part in other uniquely undergraduate opportunities. If you are planning to apply for admission for the fall following graduation, take the April test.

A small number of schools do not require the MCAT.

For further information on allopathic medical schools consult the book entitled MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS, (commonly referred to as the "MSAR") on reserve in the Library.

Advisory Committee Members

The members of the Advisory Committee on Health Professions Programs are:

• David Alberg, Chemistry
• Joe Chihade, Chemistry
• Nelson Christensen, Physics
• Steven Drew, Chemistry
• Deborah Gross, Chemistry
• Gretchen Hofmeister, Chemistry
• Fernan Jaramillo, Biology
• Richard Berman, Career Center
• Matt Rand, Biology
• John Tymoczko, Biology
• Debby Walser-Kuntz, Biology
• Stephan Zweifel, Biology
• Pam Middleton, Chair
• Jennifer Wolff, Biology

You should feel free to consult any of the Committee members if you have questions.