If you are searching for medical schools without prerequisites, this is where you should be. Prerequisites are an essential part of a medical school application and should be taken seriously. While you are doing your research for the easiest medical schools to get into, you can also check out medical school acceptance rates to help you with your decision. However, in case you have been unable to complete your prerequisites for the program you wanted to apply to, you can take a look at these medical schools without prerequisites in the US and Canada to find programs that don’t have specific course requirements.
Read on to learn more about medical school prerequisites – what they are and which schools don’t ask for them.
Disclaimer: Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa.
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List of Medical Schools Without Prerequisites in the US
In the US, most medical schools use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), a centralized application system that allows students to apply to multiple schools and programs with one application. To make your application shine, even with fewer recommended courses under your belt, you can focus on how to write the perfect AMCAS personal statement and explain any weak points in your application in your AMCAS statement of disadvantage. Moreover, you can highlight any unique experiences you have that may offset these disadvantages in your AMCAS most meaningful experiences.
For medical schools that don’t use AMCAS, such as schools in Texas, you should check whether they use an alternate application service, such as TMDSAS, or process their own applications. Either way, when applying to medical schools without prerequisites, you should always look for ways to demonstrate your suitability for the program other than coursework.
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California University of Science and Medicine School of Medicine: CUSM-SOM states that it does not require any specific prerequisite coursework. However, along with requiring a bachelor’s (baccalaureate) degree, it does recommend courses that it believes will help the matriculant not only navigate the curriculum but also prepare them for practicing medicine. CUSM-SOM requires an MCAT score for its MD program and suggests that students prepare for it by taking biology, biochemistry, physics, multiple laboratory courses as applicable, math, and English courses.
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine: Keck has no specific course requirements but recommends Spanish and statistics. It also requires a completed baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university in the US. It also puts the onus on the candidate to show competency in their courses at the time of application and to have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of study. You will also have to present your MCAT score.
Tip: A great MCAT score can be your ticket into your dream school, especially if you are low on prerequisites. To improve your performance on the exam, it's highly recommended that you prepare and practice using academic consultant services, such as an MCAT coach and other resources, such as MCAT prep books.
Stanford Medical School: Stanford University School of Medicine does not have any specific course requirements. It does recommend coursework as well as experiences that educate the candidate in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, communication, behavioral and social sciences, along with laboratory or field experiments. Candidates must have earned a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university and have at least one MCAT score.
Rush Medical School: Rush Medical College of Rush University recommends four courses, namely, algebra (or a higher-level math excluding statistics; AP credit is allowed), biochemistry, cellular biology, and human physiology. The college also recommends that its applicants gain experience and exposure in the social sciences and humanities. You will also need a bachelor’s degree, MCAT score, and a CASPer score.
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine: this school has a more holistic review of the application. There are no prerequisites required to apply to this college. It recommends that candidates speak with their major advisor (and pre-professional advisor, if applicable) and find out how a letter grade or pass/fail would affect their candidacy. An MCAT score is also required to be able to apply.
West Virginia University School of Medicine: this school clearly states that it does not require any prerequisite coursework for its MD program. However, it lists recommended courses that can help the candidate demonstrate science competency. These can include biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, engineering sciences, laboratory sciences, mathematics or statistics, organic chemistry, or physics. You will also need an MCAT and CASPer score.
List of Medical Schools Without Prerequisites in Canada
Like AMCAS in the US, the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) operated by the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) allows students to create one common application and one set of academic documents to apply to medical schools in Ontario.
Ontario
McMaster University: Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine has no prerequisite requirements but does ask for a minimum of three years of undergraduate university degree-level work – either 30 half-year credits or 15 full-year credits, or even a combination of the two. The college also asks for an MCAT score and a CASPer score. If you’re wondering what the &*#$ is the CASPer test, you’ll need to inform yourself, as there is a long list of medical schools that require CASPer.
Northern Ontario School of Medicine University: NOSM has no course prerequisites but expects applicants who are pursuing majors in science to complete at least two full-course equivalents in arts, social sciences, and/or humanities. Similarly, applicants pursuing majors in arts, social sciences, and/or humanities are expected to complete at least two full-course equivalents in science. You are also required to have a four-year undergraduate university degree or the equivalent from a recognized institution.
Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine: Canada's newest MD program has opted not to include any prerequisite courses to "attract a diverse range of applicants" from different educational backgrounds. The school has also listed no preference for science or non-science undergraduate majors.
Queen’s University: there are no specific prerequisite courses required for admission to the Queen’s University MD program. Since no preference is given to applicants who have studied in any particular university program, the university does not recommend specific courses or degrees. However, candidates must have a minimum of 30 half courses or 15 full courses (or a combination of the two) at the undergraduate university level and at the time of application. Of these, a minimum of 20 half or 10 full courses in a university program at the undergraduate level should have been completed. Furthermore, an MCAT and CASPer score are also required.
Tip: with so many schools using CASPer, you may wish to consider a CASPer test prep course to excel at this requirement. There are also medical schools that don't require CASPer.
Western University: Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry does not ask for any prerequisite courses or specify preferred degree programs. Students are recommended to have an educational background in the arts, humanities, and sciences. The medical school also mentions that in the past, students who had economics, engineering, music, nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, or philosophy coursework, among others, have been selected. You will also need to produce your MCAT score to be admitted to Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
Outside Ontario
There are several schools based outside of Ontario that neither require course prerequisites nor participate in the OMSAS process. These include:
Cumming School of Medicine University of Calgary: you do not need any prerequisite courses to apply to the University of Calgary medical school. It does recommend that candidates take as many courses as they can among the following: biology, biochemistry, chemistry, ethics, Indigenous studies, literature, organic chemistry, physiology, psychology, research methods, and statistics. An MCAT score is also required by the school.
University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry: this is another school that does not mention any prerequisite requirements for its MD program. However, candidates are required to have already completed their baccalaureate degree or to be registered in a recognized baccalaureate program and obtain the degree in the same year that they are applying for admission to medical school. Candidates will also need to submit an MCAT score.
University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine: requires that candidates have a four-year bachelor’s degree (any subject area) to be able to apply for admission to the MD program, but there are no course prerequisites.
What Are Medical School Prerequisites?
Prerequisites, as the name suggests, are academic requirements that a medical program might have, be they at the undergraduate, graduate, or master’s level. These help students build a strong foundation and tell the admissions committee that the candidate has potential.
Medical school prerequisite requirements vary by institution but typically include a strong background in science and math, which means successful completion of certain courses such as biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as lab work. These are typically included if you pursue a medical major in your undergraduate. Additionally, most medical schools look for applicants with relevant clinical experience, such as volunteering or working in health care settings. Some medical schools also require or recommend additional coursework such as biochemistry or genetics.
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Many medical schools also require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and taking prerequisite courses, in addition to learning how to study for the MCAT, will help you perform well on this test as well.
Medical school prerequisites, unlike recommended courses, are mandatory. Without completing the prerequisite requirement, a candidate will not be able to move forward in the application process or may lose their spot to someone who has completed their prerequisites.
How Are Recommended Courses Different from Medical School Prerequisites?
Recommended courses are those that are not strictly required for admission to the medical program but are considered beneficial for success in your studies or the medical profession. These may include courses in psychology, social sciences, humanities, biochemistry, human anatomy, or other related fields.
If you're having trouble deciding which recommended courses are best to take for you, a medical school admissions consultant can help advise you.
Common Prerequisites for MD Programs
Why Are Medical School Prerequisites Important?
Medical school prerequisites and other medical school requirements are designed to ensure that students entering medical school have the foundational knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the rigorous curriculum. They provide the necessary background in the natural sciences for understanding the human body and diseases. Along with certain recommended courses, they also help students develop the critical thinking and communication skills needed to be effective doctors. Additionally, clinical experiences or volunteering in a hospital, while not strictly required, will help you develop your practical and diagnostic skills, patient bedside manner, and fluency in health care processes – which is why many medical schools look highly on such experiences.
How to Identify Medical Schools Without Prerequisites
You can learn how to use MSAR to choose the best medical schools for you. MSAR stands for Medical School Admission Requirements and is operated by the AAMC. This database lists prerequisite courses and other requirements of medical schools in the US and Canada, along with a wealth of additional useful information. Note, however, when using MSAR, that not all schools religiously update their information, so you should always check the specific school requirements when you are considering whether to apply.
Conclusion
While prerequisites are an essential part of medical education and the medical school application process, there are quite a few schools across the US and Canada that do not ask for them. Instead, they take a more holistic approach to reviewing a candidate’s application.
However, most schools make some recommendations in terms of coursework or experience, and it is always best to consider these recommendations as just as important as prerequisites. The medical field is a competitive space and you as a candidate should try to go above and beyond to stand out in your application.
FAQs
1. What are some common medical school prerequisites?
Some common medical school prerequisites are biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Note that if the school you are applying to has recommended coursework requirements, you should consider them just as important, given the competition in the medical field.
2. What are recommended courses and how are they different from prerequisites?
Recommended courses are those that are not necessary for a candidate to be able to apply to a school but beneficial to success in one’s studies and in the medical profession.
3. If a medical school does not have any specific prerequisite requirements, is it worse than a school that does?
Having prerequisite requirements for admission into courses does not mean the medical school in question is better than the ones that do not ask for prerequisites. The schools that do not ask for prerequisites simply have a different, more complex evaluation method whereby they look at clinical experience, volunteering work, GPA, and completion of recommended coursework, among other things.
4. Can I get accepted to medical school with a low GPA?
While GPA is a very important part of your application and one that the admissions committee takes very seriously, it is possible to learn how to get into medical school with a low GPA. For example, to improve your chances of getting accepted, you can compensate with a high MCAT score, an explanation in your personal statement, extracurriculars, work, activities, and more.
5. Does CUSM-SOM have any prerequisite requirements?
No, CUSM-SOM does not have any prerequisite requirements. However, it recommends courses that it believes will help the student navigate the curriculum and prepare them for practicing medicine. It also requires an MCAT score.
6. Where can I find information on course requirements for medical programs in the US?
There are two places to find the right information: 1. on the school’s website, under their admission requirements; 2. in the MSAR database, which provides information for most medical schools in the US.
7. Why are medical school prerequisites important?
Medical school prerequisites tell the admissions committee that the candidate has potential and commitment to the field of medicine. It lets the committee know that you can take on the challenges of studying medicine.
8. What if I do not have the necessary prerequisites?
There are ways to get into medical school even if you have missed some prerequisites. Special master’s programs and post-baccalaureate programs can help you bridge the gap.
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