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Common med school prerequisites include:
Yes, you can apply to medical school without completing all prerequisites. Many medical schools allow you to apply before completing prerequisites, as long as you will finish the remaining requirements before matriculation. However, missing prerequisites can limit which schools you are eligible for, and incomplete coursework may weaken your application if key sciences are still in progress.
Some valuable pre-med courses that go beyond medical school requirements include the following:
Non-science pre-med courses matter because medical schools evaluate more than your ability to succeed in science classes. Admissions committees want proof that you understand patients, healthcare systems, and the real-world context in which physicians practice medicine.
Medical schools look for applicants who can think beyond biology and chemistry. They assess whether you can communicate with diverse patients, navigate complex systems, and understand medicine as both a profession and a service industry. Taking non-science coursework helps you demonstrate these competencies clearly and intentionally.
Sunjay Letchuman, a medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and an Inspira Advantage consultant, emphasized the value of taking non-science courses:
“I see healthcare as a huge business… studying business, accounting, and finance helped me understand the business of healthcare… I took The Business of Healthcare and talked about it in my interview… I definitely recommend not just majoring in sciences unless that’s what you absolutely want to study.”
Letchuman shared this in a recent webinar on medical school prerequisites.
Taking courses outside the traditional pre-med track, such as psychology, sociology, business, ethics, or healthcare policy, can strengthen your application by giving you stronger interview talking points and a clearer understanding of how medicine functions beyond the classroom.
These non-science courses also help demonstrate maturity, perspective, and readiness for modern medical practice, all of which admissions committees actively look for.
The ideal timeline for medical school prerequisite courses is at least two years. This usually gives you enough time to complete medical school prerequisite courses before applying.
This timeline also allows you to meet varying school requirements while balancing grades, MCAT preparation, and other application components.
Beyond prerequisites, this time frame should also include time for clinical experience, research, volunteering, letters of recommendation, and standardized testing. While many universities allow up to five courses per semester, prerequisite science courses are demanding, so spacing them out can help you maintain strong academic performance while preparing for the MCAT.
This approach is reinforced by medical school admissions experts. Dr. Bima Hasjim, a former UC Irvine admissions officer and current admissions officer, emphasizes that the best way to prepare for med school and the MCAT is to complete most of your prerequisites by the end of your junior year.
Completing prerequisites by the end of junior year ensures that core science material is fresh when you take the MCAT, reducing the need for relearning content while studying. It also keeps your senior year flexible for interviews, secondary applications, and strengthening other areas of your profile.
Below is an overview of prerequisite expectations at 20 leading U.S. medical schools.
Some medical schools offer a more flexible approach, welcoming applicants without strict prerequisite demands.
At CUSM-SOM, there are no set coursework requirements, but they highly recommend certain subjects. You'll need a bachelor's degree, and they suggest that you take courses like Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Mathematics, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Communication, and laboratory or field experiments. An MCAT score is required for admission.
Keck School doesn't have specific prerequisites but recommends proficiency in Spanish and Statistics. Candidates need a completed bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution and must prove academic competence. Moreover, a notable MCAT score is a prerequisite.
Stanford's School of Medicine values a broad academic foundation over rigid prerequisites. Although there are no set coursework requirements, the school urges applicants to have Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Physics and Mathematics, laboratory or field experiments, Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Communication courses.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and submission of at least one MCAT score are mandatory for consideration.
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine takes a holistic approach to admissions, looking at applicants beyond just specific prerequisite criteria. The school encourages prospective students to consult with advisors regarding grading systems. An MCAT score is crucial for consideration in the application process.
Applicants from all academic backgrounds are welcome, though they should demonstrate strong academic preparation in Foundational Sciences relevant to medicine, as well as in the Psychological and Social Sciences. Typically, this includes one year each of Biology, General and Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics.
WVU School of Medicine provides flexibility regarding prerequisite coursework, suggesting recommended courses to showcase science competency.
In addition to MCAT and CASPer scores, candidates are urged to consider taking courses in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Math, or Physics to bolster their application.
NYU Grossman Med does not require specific prerequisite courses for matriculation. However, the school recommends a broad set of sciences, including Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology with lab, Physics with lab, Statistics, Genetics, and English to prepare applicants for the curriculum and the MCAT.
The Mayo Clinic’s MD admissions page states that the school does not require prerequisite college courses for admission. Applicants still must hold a bachelor’s degree and complete the MCAT, and successful candidates typically have a well-rounded academic background.
Duke School of Medicine does not require specific prerequisite courses. Instead, Duke outlines academic expectations and sample preparation areas rather than enforcing a fixed list of required classes.
Perelman School of Medicine does not require specific prerequisite courses. The school evaluates applicants based on demonstrated competencies in areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and mathematics rather than prescribed coursework.
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine follows a competency-based admissions approach and does not mandate specific prerequisite courses. The school assesses academic readiness holistically.
Pritzker School of Medicine does not publish a traditional prerequisite course list. Instead, applicants must complete at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate coursework prior to matriculation, with an emphasis on preparation and academic readiness rather than specific required classes.
Medical school prerequisites are required college courses you must complete before enrolling in an MD program. Many medical schools will not consider your application unless you have completed these courses.
Because requirements vary by medical school, review each program’s admissions criteria well in advance to ensure you have time to complete all required coursework.
Yes, you can retake medical school prerequisite courses if necessary. However, medical schools vary in how they view retakes. Some schools average grades, others replace them, and repeated retakes can raise concerns about academic readiness. Retakes are generally best used to fix a clear weakness rather than to marginally improve an already acceptable grade.
The number of prerequisites you need for medical school will depend on several factors. But most medical schools expect at least one year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, typically with labs, plus coursework in English and math. This core sequence covers the foundational knowledge needed for medical school and the MCAT.
Yes, you can take the MCAT without taking prereqs. The MCAT does not require specific coursework to register. However, we discourage taking the MCAT without completing key prerequisites because the exam heavily tests content from biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology.
Most medical school prerequisites do not expire because most medical schools do not formally list expiration dates for prerequisite courses. That said, schools may question very old coursework, especially in rapidly evolving sciences. If your prerequisites are several years old, checking individual school policies or considering refresher coursework can help avoid issues.
Med school prerequisites typically take two years to complete if taken sequentially, with some subjects requiring multiple semesters. Many students spread these courses across their undergraduate years to balance workload, maintain strong grades, and allow time for MCAT preparation and extracurricular activities.
Biochemistry is not universally required for med school, but it is commonly recommended and heavily tested on the MCAT. Because biochemistry is foundational to many medical school courses, completing it before applying is strongly advised, even if a school does not list it as a requirement.
Anatomy is rarely required as a pre-medical prerequisite. Most medical schools teach anatomy during the MD curriculum. However, taking anatomy as an undergraduate can be helpful and may strengthen your preparation, especially for applicants interested in clinically oriented programs.
No, medical school prerequisites are similar but not identical across programs. Some schools use strict course requirements, while others follow competency-based models with no required classes. Because of this variation, it’s essential to review each school’s admissions requirements individually before applying.
Medical school prerequisite waiver policies are formal rules that allow an applicant to bypass a required course if they can demonstrate equivalent knowledge or competency through advanced coursework, graduate study, or relevant professional experience. These waivers are rare and are never guaranteed.
Medical schools are generally strict about prerequisites being completed before enrollment, not after. If you are accepted, you have to finish any remaining required courses by the school’s stated deadline, usually before orientation. Failure to complete prerequisites on time can result in an offer being rescinded.
Some medical schools have a long list of mandatory prerequisites, so you should research the medical school requirements of each school you are interested in at least two years before you begin applying. If you feel overwhelmed by these prerequisites, our comprehensive medical school admissions consulting has you covered.
Reviewed by:
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Physician, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
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