One of the key medical school requirements is the completion of medical school prerequisites; the most common of which are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English and Math. While some medical schools do not have a strict list of prerequisites, you are strongly encouraged to take certain courses that will help you to get a good MCAT score and prepare you for the study of medicine. In this blog, we’ll go over common medical school prerequisites and discuss why they’re necessary!
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Medical School Prerequisites Full Course List
Most medical schools expect applicants to complete the following prerequisite courses:
Core Science Prerequisites
- Biology: 2 semesters (with lab)
- General Chemistry: 2 semesters (with lab)
- Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters (with lab)
- Physics: 2 semesters (with lab)
Communication and Reasoning Prerequisites
- English or writing-intensive courses: 2 semesters
- Math or statistics: 1–2 semesters
Commonly Recommended (but Not Always Required)
- Biochemistry
- Psychology
- Sociology
These requirements vary by school, but this list reflects the most commonly expected coursework across MD and DO programs.
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Recommended vs Required Medical School Prerequisites
Understanding the difference between required and recommended medical school prerequisites is essential when planning your coursework because not all schools enforce the same expectations.
Required courses are non-negotiable—you must complete them to be considered for admission. These typically include biology, chemistry, physics, and English.
Recommended courses, while not mandatory, can enhance your application. Even if a school does not list strict prerequisites, completing core science courses is strongly recommended. Electives like biochemistry, psychology, or advanced sciences demonstrate your dedication and academic preparedness. Completing recommended courses shows initiative. Always check individual school requirements for specifics—one school may require 2 semesters of one subject, whereas another may only recommend it.
Where Can I Find Up-to-Date Prerequisite Information for Med School?
To obtain up-to-date information, we recommend you head to each admissions information page which is where you’ll find the most up-to-date prerequisite info and other requirements!
The other main resource for medical school prerequisite and recommended courses is the AAMC’s Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) database. Learning how to use MSAR is a helpful skill for seriously researching MD programs because it contains well-organized pages for hundreds of medical schools that include nearly all of their relevant admissions information, from prerequisites to average graduate debt and everything in between.
What Are the Most Common Medical School Prerequisites?
While specific prerequisites vary by medical school, most programs expect applicants to complete a consistent set of foundational science and communication courses. These courses are designed to ensure that students are prepared for both the MCAT and the academic demands of medical school.
Biology and Chemistry: Building Your Scientific Foundation
Most medical schools expect applicants to complete:
- Biology: 2 semesters with lab
- Chemistry (general and organic): 4 semesters total with lab
These courses provide the foundational knowledge required for understanding human biology, biochemical processes, and pharmacology. Both biology and chemistry are also heavily tested on the MCAT and are essential for success in early medical school coursework.
Physics and Math: Mastering Quantitative Skills
Most medical schools expect applicants to complete:
- Physics: 2 semesters with lab
- Math or statistics: 1–2 semesters
These courses help develop quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills. Physics concepts are relevant to understanding medical technologies, while statistics is increasingly important for interpreting research and practicing evidence-based medicine.
English and Communication: Articulating Ideas Effectively
Most medical schools expect applicants to complete:
- English or writing-intensive courses: 2 semesters
These courses develop your ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Strong writing and critical thinking skills are essential for patient interactions, clinical documentation, and written components of the medical school application.
Social Sciences: Understanding Human Behavior
Most medical schools recommend completing:
- Psychology: 1 semester
- Sociology: 1 semester
These courses provide insight into human behavior, mental health, and social determinants of health. They are also tested on the MCAT and are important for developing empathy and cultural awareness in clinical settings.
How to Plan and Complete Medical School Prerequisites
Completing medical school prerequisites requires careful planning to ensure you meet course expectations within your undergraduate timeline. While students can major in any discipline, you must ensure that all required and recommended prerequisite courses are completed before applying.
Some medical schools place time limits on prerequisite courses, particularly in the sciences. Always verify whether your completed coursework meets recency requirements before applying. For example, some Ivy League medical schools will not accept science prerequisites older than 5 years at the time of application.
Here are key considerations for planning and completing your medical school prerequisites within your undergraduate timeline.
Medical School Prerequisites for Mature and Non-Traditional Students
You’re never too old for medical school or a career change; if you’re a mature student reading this, congrats on taking your first step forward! To attend medical school, you need a bachelor’s degree. However, if you’ve already completed a bachelor’s degree but missed key prerequisites, or if your courses are from 5+ years ago and your chosen program requires more recent grades, you have options such as special master’s programs (SMPs) and post-baccalaureate programs (PBs). Sometimes, applicants benefit from taking ‘refresher’ courses as well, specifically if they’ve been out of school for some time. Post-baccalaureate and special master’s programs both seek to provide non-traditional medical school applicants with the opportunity to better prepare for professional programs like medical school.
Which one is right for you? Speaking with an academic advisor or admissions consultant can certainly help you weigh your options!
FAQs
1. What are the most common medical school prerequisites?
Most medical school prerequisites include biology, chemistry (general and organic), physics, English, and math or statistics. Many schools also recommend psychology, sociology, or biochemistry.
2. Are medical school prerequisites the same for every school?
No. Medical school prerequisites vary by school. However, most programs expect a similar set of foundational science and communication courses.
3. Do all medical schools require prerequisites?
Not all schools have strict prerequisite requirements, but even schools without formal requirements strongly recommend completing core science courses.
4. What is the difference between required and recommended prerequisites?
Required prerequisites must be completed for your application to be considered. Recommended courses are not mandatory but can strengthen your application and prepare you for the MCAT.
5. How many semesters of prerequisites do I need?
Most applicants complete 2 semesters each of biology, chemistry, and physics, along with 1–2 semesters of English and math or statistics.
6. Can I apply without completing all prerequisites?
Some schools allow you to apply while finishing prerequisites, but all required courses must be completed before matriculation.
7. Do prerequisites expire?
Some medical schools have time limits, especially for science courses, and may require them to be completed within a certain number of years before applying.
8. Do I need a science major to complete prerequisites?
No. You can major in any subject as long as you complete the required prerequisite courses.
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