Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 5/6/24
Thinking about becoming a doctor? Wondering what prerequisites for medical school you need to take? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Applying to medical school can be exciting and challenging. You’ll want to ensure you’ve ticked the right boxes during your preparation before applying to schools. Every medical school has a unique set of requirements, and it’s crucial to meet them before submitting your application.
There are often required classes for medical school you must take to apply. But what are these prerequisites, and which do you need to fulfill? We’ll cover a general list of medical school prerequisites, an ideal timeline to follow, and prerequisites for top medical schools. Let’s get started!
Prerequisite courses are classes you must complete before you can attend a program. These courses are essential tools for success. Professors will refer to what you’ve learned from these courses throughout your program, so completing them is critical.
Other than helping you gain valuable knowledge, certain prerequisites are mandatory. A program may reject you unless you’ve completed its prerequisite courses. Check the application requirements for your program long before you intend to apply to give yourself time to prepare.
Examples of med school prereqs are biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and English. These courses help you build the foundational knowledge you need to succeed in medical school.
Now, you’re probably wondering what prerequisites you need for med school. All medical schools require proficiency in science and math. Beyond these courses, some schools have expanded their requirements for medical school to include English, psychology, sociology, and biochemistry.
Let’s review each standard prerequisite course for medical school.
Now, let’s cover other prerequisites for medical school.
You do not need to have majored in a specific discipline to apply for medical school. However, many med school applicants major in science. According to Indeed, the top 9 majors to prepare for medical school are:
Any of these majors will serve you well in your preparations for medical school, but remember that you must be a well-rounded student in order to be accepted. Consider taking some electives that are outside your program to give your application a boost.
Before applying to medical school, you should give yourself at least two years to decide which schools you plan to apply to. Every school has different requirements, so you should give yourself ample time to take prerequisites before applying.
In this timeline, you should also include other differentiating activities to add to your application. You should allot time to get clinical experience, research experience, volunteer, acquire recommendations, take your tests (multiple times if necessary), and take prerequisite courses.
You can take up to five courses a semester at any typical university. It would probably be best to spread out these courses as they’re intense, and you’ll need time to prepare for other areas of your application.
Major medical schools highly value clinical experience in their admissions process. It's seen as crucial because it offers applicants a firsthand understanding of patient care and the demands of the medical field.
This exposure helps them develop essential skills like communication and professionalism, which are vital for success in medical school and future practice. Admissions committees value applicants who demonstrate a commitment to healthcare through meaningful clinical experiences.
Check out our Compare Medical Schools Tool. It’s a handy resource for aspiring medical students to easily compare different medical schools. It helps applicants evaluate factors like curriculum, location, and admissions criteria, making it easier to find the right fit for their needs.
To better understand which prerequisites you should take for med school in the U.S., we’ll cover the prerequisites at five of the country’s leading medical schools.
Harvard’s medical school prerequisites are listed on its website as required or encouraged.
Since the school is highly competitive, taking all the courses on its list is recommended. Harvard’s prerequisite courses are:
You must take at least one year of each course for each of Harvard’s prereqs. The exception is chemistry, which you must take for two years (or four courses). For more details on how to get into this prestigious school, check out our guide on getting into Harvard.
U.S. News names Grossman in the top 10 medical schools for research in the United States.
NYU Grossman doesn’t have mandatory prerequisites; however, it does have a list of recommended courses to take before applying. Here are its recommended courses:
Although Grossman doesn’t require these courses for admission, it strongly recommends them. If you want more information on how to get into NYU Grossman, check out our guide.
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons provides a detailed course requirement list.
Columbia’s recommended and required courses are as follows:
Each of Columbia’s prereqs for med school requires at least one year. The exception, similar to Harvard, is chemistry, which requires two years, one of which must be organic chemistry. Although biochemistry isn’t required, it’s recommended. For more information on getting into Columbia, check out our comprehensive guide!
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is ranked as the second-best medical school for research in the U.S.
The school requires students to take many prerequisites before applying. Required courses include the following:
Besides the humanities requirement, you must spend between three and eight semester hours per course.
You must take a minimum of 24 semester hours in courses that satisfy the humanities, social and behavioral sciences requirement, including “English, History, Classics, Foreign Language, Philosophy, Arts, etc.), social science (Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Anthropology, etc.) and behavioral science (Psychology, etc.).”
Want to learn more about the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine? Our complete guide contains all the information you need to know.
UCSF is another top medical school, ranked fifth for both research and primary care.
The base course requirements to apply to UCSF School of Medicine include:
Applicants must take biology and chemistry for at least one year, one semester (or 1 quarter) of biochemistry, and one semester (of 2 quarters) of physics. For more on UCSF’s application requirements, read our complete school guide.
U.S. News ranks Baylor College of Medicine in the top 25 medical schools for research. It also is ranked seventh for pediatrics.
Baylor College of Medicine requires the following prerequisites:
You need a minimum of 3-4 semester hours for each course, with the two exceptions of humanities and chemistry.
The humanities requirement can be satisfied by many courses including psychology, philosophy, literature, etc., and requires 12 semester hours. The chemistry requirement must be completed over 2 semesters with a total of 6-8 semester hours.
Labs are not required for science courses.
Duke School of Medicine is ranked fifth for research by U.S. News, tied with UCSF.
Duke School of Medicine lists the following prerequisites on its website:
Excluding chemistry and statistics, each course must have a minimum of 3 semester hours. The chemistry courses must total 4 semester hours, and statistics must total 2 semester hours.
The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School doesn't list specific courses as prerequisites.
However, applicants need to show proficiency in key subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and mathematics. While there's flexibility in the courses taken, a solid grasp of these areas is crucial for success in the program.
For admission to the first-year class at the Yale School of Medicine, there are specific prerequisites.
Applicants should have attended an accredited college, university, or institute of technology for at least three academic years or the equivalent.
They must have completed certain courses with their laboratory components, including two semesters each of General Biology or Zoology, General Chemistry, and General Physics.
Additionally, they need one semester of Organic Chemistry and one semester of Biochemistry, with a recommended but not mandatory laboratory component for Biochemistry. These requirements ensure that students have a solid foundation in the sciences essential for medical studies.
While there's no set major requirement at Vanderbilt, applicants must graduate from accredited institutions before starting.
The MCAT is a must, alongside other factors, to predict success in preclinical coursework. Instead of strict prerequisites, the school recommends coursework in various subjects, including biology, chemistry/biochemistry, mathematics/statistics and physics, and social sciences/communication.
It's important to demonstrate proficiency in these areas through coursework and MCAT performance.
Prospective students applying to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis should meet specific prerequisites before starting their medical studies.
These prerequisites include one-year courses in physics and biology at the undergraduate level, proficiency in mathematics up to calculus, and completion of general or inorganic chemistry as well as organic chemistry.
Meeting these requirements ensures students are adequately prepared for the demanding curriculum at Washington University School of Medicine.
Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine welcomes students from various academic backgrounds.
A bachelor's degree is necessary, and applicants should complete 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours of coursework from accredited US or Canadian schools.
Required courses include yearlong biology, physics, general and organic chemistry, with recommended classes in statistics, writing, and social sciences. Clinical exposure and research experience are also important.
Aspiring students aiming for admission to the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine need to meet certain criteria beforehand.
This includes finishing 90 credit hours from a recognized four-year college or university in the US or Canada, following the AMCAS guidelines.
While it's not obligatory, having a bachelor's degree is strongly preferred by the Admissions Committee. These prerequisites ensure that incoming students have a solid academic footing, getting them ready for the challenging journey of medical education at Pritzker.
The University of Michigan Medical School welcomes applicants who are committed to improving healthcare.
While there are flexible prerequisites, key skills in science, analysis, problem-solving, and research are important.
Applicants can show these skills through their studies, research, internships, and activities. The goal is to prepare future doctors who can make a real difference in healthcare by emphasizing curiosity and practical abilities.
The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine looks at a few key factors when choosing students.
They consider how well you've done academically, aiming for an MCAT score of at least 508, and while there's no set GPA requirement, they still care about your grades.
They also want to see a range of experiences, like community service, leadership, research, and exposure to medicine. Your personal statement and letters of recommendation are important, too, as they give insight into your passion and character, helping them decide if you're a good fit for medical studies and practice.
Cornell University's Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) requires applicants to complete two semesters each of biology, chemistry, and physics, including lab work. They suggest two semesters of organic chemistry with lab or one semester of organic chemistry with lab and another advanced biology or chemistry course.
Additionally, two semesters of writing-intensive courses are prerequisities, covering humanities or social sciences and English-language literature. WCMC encourages applicants to explore various disciplines beyond the minimum requirements, such as statistics, ethics, psychology, anthropology, sociology, and management skills.
Emory University School of Medicine requires applicants to finish 90 semester hours of undergrad courses from an accredited US or Canadian school.
They need specific classes like Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry with labs, along with English and Humanities/Social Sciences.
They care about solid grades, aiming for an average GPA of 3.7. They might accept some AP or IB credits but suggest taking higher-level courses too, and ultimately the Admissions Committee decides on exceptions. These requirements help make sure students are well-prepared for medical school.
To get into the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, you need specific classes.
These include Biology (14 credits), Biochemistry (3 credits), Chemistry (12 credits), English (6 credits), Mathematics (3 credits), and Physics (8 credits).
Aim for at least a C grade. Take these courses at a recognized U.S. or Canadian college. Advanced placement credits are okay if on your transcript. But, remember, foreign or graduate-level classes won't count. Visit the TMDSAS website for more.
The University of Minnesota Medical School asks applicants to finish seven specific courses from a recognized U.S. or Canadian school before July 1 of the year they start.
These include biology and chemistry with labs, plus some higher-level science and humanities or social sciences courses.
They prefer letter grades, but pass/fail grades are okay for courses taken in spring or summer 2020. While online classes are usually fine, lab work needs to be done in person. They care more about how well you did in your classes than where you took them.
To apply to the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine, you need to have a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university.
While there are no specific required courses, they suggest taking Spanish and statistics.
These aren't must-haves, but they can be helpful for your medical studies. Learning Spanish can improve how you communicate with patients, and statistics can help you understand medical research. USC Keck wants applicants to have a solid undergraduate education to prepare them well for medical school.
Some medical schools offer a more flexible approach, welcoming applicants without strict prerequisite demands. Let’s take a look at some med schools that don’t require prerequisites.
At CUSM-SOM, there are no set coursework requirements, but they highly recommend certain subjects. You'll need a bachelor's degree, and it's suggested that you take courses like biology, biochemistry, physics, relevant lab work, math, and English to help you in your studies and future medical career. 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 US 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, applicants are urged to participate in varied scientific and social activities.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and submission of at least one MCAT score are mandatory for consideration.
Rush Medical College prioritizes a well-rounded education, suggesting specific courses alongside exposure to social sciences and humanities. Prospective students are required to hold a bachelor's degree, submit MCAT and CASPer scores, and fulfill course prerequisites.
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine takes a holistic approach to admissions, looking at applicants beyond just specific prerequisite criteria. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with advisors regarding grading systems. An MCAT score is crucial for consideration in the application process.
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.
Here are answers to FAQs about prerequisite courses for medical school.
Many medical schools don’t have prerequisite course requirements, so you can apply without them. However, prereqs prepare you for your future courses. You can take a pre-med program to build your foundational knowledge.
These programs require a bachelor’s degree. Although they don’t have specific prerequisite courses, they still highly recommend a strong background in science.
You can retake required courses for med school if needed. Before doing so, research your school’s stance on retaking prereqs. Depending on the school, retaking courses can potentially damage your applicant profile.
Generally speaking, you should plan to complete at least one year of biology, chemistry, and physics, all with labs. It would be best if you planned for a minimum of one year of English and math.
There are no required courses for the MCAT. However, taking the MCAT without prerequisites isn’t recommended. Prerequisite courses provide opportunities to learn the foundational knowledge you need to perform well on the MCAT.
Most medical schools don’t list an expiry date for prerequisites. However, it’s always best to check the school’s policy on requirements.
Most medical school prerequisites require one year of study, though some require two or more. It’s a good idea to spread them throughout your college career to ensure you’re fully prepared for medical school.
Biochemistry may or may not be required, although it’s often recommended. When in doubt, it’s always best to check the requirements of the schools you want to apply to.
Anatomy courses may or may not be required, depending on the schools you apply to. However, like biochemistry, schools may recommend applicants take anatomy courses.
No, medical schools generally have similar requirements, but not the same. Some medical schools may have only recommended courses! It’s best to always check program requirements before applying.
Many medical schools don’t require prerequisites, but they’re always recommended. Prerequisite courses are valuable tools to help build your knowledge; they’ll make your tests less stressful and your journey through medical school more manageable.
Some schools have a long list of mandatory prerequisites, so you should research the medical school requirements of each school you are interested in for at least two years before you begin applying. Good luck!
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