Pre-Medical Requirements

Medical school applicants have to consider the following:

  • Pre-requisite courses
  • GPA
  • MCAT test
  • Extracurricular activities such as research, volunteer work, and leadership roles
  • Letters of recommendation

Most Medical Schools require that applicants have taken 8 credits in Biology, Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry (all courses with laboratory) and one year of English.   A solid background in the humanities is expected. Courses in foreign languages are a plus but are not required. A Biochemistry course, although not required, is needed for success in taking MCAT’s.  Other recommended courses include:  Statistics, Ethics, Behavioral Science, Genetics, Psychology, Sociology, Physiology and General Microbiology.

At WPUNJ, we recommend biology majors pursuing MD/DO programs take the following science courses:

  • Biology: BIO1620 General Biology: EEB; BIO1630 General Biology: CMG; BIO2040 General Biology: Physiology; BIO2050 Cell Biology; BIO2060 Genetics
  • Physics: PHYS2550 College Physics I
  • General Chemistry: CHEM1600 General Chemistry, CHEM1620 General Chemistry II
  • Organic Chemistry: CHEM2570 Organic Chemistry I, 
  • Mathematics: MATH1600 Calculus I and MATH2300 Statistics 

Additional Science Courses required or recommended by some MD/DO progarms:

  • Chemistry: CHEM4270 Biochemistry
  • Physics: PHYS2560 College Physics II
  • Organic Chemistry: CHEM2580 Organic Chemistry II

Non-Science Courses required or recommended by some MD/DO programs:

  • English: 6 Credits (ENG1100 & ENG1500)
  • Psychology/Sociology/Antropology: 6 Credits

Extra-curricular Priorities

  • Experience in a clinical setting (e.g. shadowing, scribe, EMT, volunteer, etc.) or related health care setting.
  • Research experience in applied or basic research labs (what you work on is less important than being able to explain clearly what you did and how it fit into the larger research goals of the laboratory
  • Medical schools also value leadership experiences. These can include leadership positions in academic clubs as well as  extracurricular leadership experiences.
  • Start finding extra-curricular opportunities early in your college career to be able to acquire a varied set of experiences and/or advance beyond entry-level work (e.g. university club and related leadership positions, off campus volunteer and volunteer leadership positions working with people). However, keep in mind that extracurricular activities will supplement but not replace MCAT scores and GPA.  Don’t spread yourself too thin at the expense of these critical measurables.

Application Information

  • MCAT:

Nothing is more important than a good MCAT score.  The average and range of MCAT scores for applicants accepted to various MD/DO schools can be found online.  Typical average MCAT scores for MD programs in NJ/NY/PA are 510 – 518 and typical average MCAT scores for DO programs in NJ/NY/PA are 505 – 507.  MCAT prep should begin by your Sophomore year and involve a combination of free and/or paid resources (e.g. Kaplan, Princeton, Review, etc.).  Note that MCAT scores will take about a month to be reported and your application will not be significantly reviewed until your MCAT score is reported.

  • GPA minimums:

The average and range of GPAs for accepted applicants to various MD/DO schools can be found online and vary by institution.  A general guideline is a science/math GPA of 3.5+.  Note that application services count classes that you have withdrawn from in their GPA calculations

  • Letters of recommendation

Typically 3 – 5 letters should be solicited.  These should include a mix of academic and extracurricular letter writers.  Ask the letter writer as soon as possible after the experience and make sure to allow them enough time to write and submit the letter before your application date.  If you are applying to a DO school, at least one of your LOR writers should be a DO.

  • Application cycle:

MD applications for most programs will go through AMCAS (American Medical School Application Service) and DO applications will go through AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service).  Applications to these services open in May and run through the following calendar year, however, it is advised that early application is preferred as some medical school classes will fill before the application end date.  Keep this in mind for your MCAT date as the score will not reported for about a month after you take the exam.

Application Timeline:

  1. Preparation (Junior/Senior Year):
    • Continue MCAT preparation and take the exam.
    • Gather materials for your primary application.
    • Identify and build relationships with potential letter of recommendation writers.
  2. Primary Application:
    • AMCAS/AACOMAS application opens in early May.
    • Submit your primary application as soon as possible, ideally in late May or early June.
    • Include transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, and MCAT scores.
  3. Secondary Applications:
    • Medical schools may send secondary applications after receiving your primary application.
    • Complete secondary applications within 7-14 days of receiving them.
  4. Interviews:
    • Interviews typically start in August and September, and can extend into the following spring.
    • Prepare for interviews by researching schools and practicing common interview questions.
  5. Decisions:
    • Decision letters are sent out on a rolling basis, with the application cycle concluding around March of the following year.