Academic Planning for
Health Professions
John Muir College
Fall 2013
Some Potential Paths
 Medicine
 Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)
 Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
 Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.)
 Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
 Optometry (O.D.)
 Dentistry (D.D.M. or D.D.S.)
 Pharmacy (Pharm. D.)
 Nursing
 Physician Assistant
 Physical Therapy
 Public Health
The Kinds of Classes You Need
 ENGLISH: 1 yr MCWP 40, 50, and recommended to take 1 more Social
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Science or Humanities course with writing component.
MATH: 1 yr MATH 10 ABC or 20ABC (based on your major requirements)
Statistics may be required -MATH 11
BIOLOGY: 1 yr + lab BILD 1, 2, 3
The following are not required, but you may benefit from them in preparation for
the MCAT: BICD 100 (Genetics), BIPN 100 (Mammalian Physiology), BIBC 100
or BIBC 102 (Biochemistry). See the UCSD Catalog for prerequisites!
General CHEMISTRY : 1 yr + lab CHEM 6ABC & 7L
Organic CHEMISTRY :1 yr + lab CHEM 140ABC & 143A
PHYSICS: 1 yr + lab PHYS 1, 2, or 4 series
NOTE: Optometry, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing may require
additional courses (ie Psych., Econ., Speech.)Visit Career Center for details
or see http://career.ucsd.edu
Things to Watch Out For
 Courses not offered at UCSD.
 Differences between schools.
 Tests!
 Letters of recommendation.
 Application fees and travel expenses for future interviews.
Choice of Major. . . Which one is the
“Best”?
 Myths about majors
 There is no “best” major for application to a pre-health
program.
 There is no data to suggest pre-health programs have a
preference for a certain type of major over another.
 Students should select the major that interests them the most.
 You will need to incorporate your pre-health requirements into
your four year plan.
Choice of Major
 Non-Biology Majors at UCSD that will incorporate pre-
health requirements as part of the major:
 Human Development
 Psychology
 Cognitive Science
 Chemistry
 Environmental Systems – Earth Sciences, EBE, &
Environmental Chemistry tracks.
The Ambitious Course Plan
Fall
Winter
Spring
Year 1
MATH 10A
CHEM 6A
MCWP 40
MATH 10B
CHEM 6B
BILD 1
MCWP 50
MATH
10C/11
CHEM 6C
CHEM 7L
Year 2
CHEM 140A
PHYS
BILD 2
CHEM 140B
PHYS
BILD 3
CHEM 140C
PHYS
Bio Lab
• Earliest time for
entrance exam!
• Experience.
• Non-UCSD
courses?
Year 3
UD Bio?
CHEM143A
UD Bio?
UD Bio?
Start
identifying
schools.
Start writing
personal
statement.
• Latest time for
entrance exam.
• Experience.
• Line up letters of
rec.
• Apply
Interview
Accept
Start thinking
about letters of
rec.
Year 4
Interview
Summer
Tests You Need
Type of Program Exam
Medicine
MCAT
Veterinary
Medicine
GRE
Optometry
OAT
Dentistry
DAT
Pharmacy
PCAT (generally not required in CA.)
Others
GRE sometimes required.
Resources
 Career Services: http://career.ucsd.edu/
 Student Organizations
 Department Advisors
 College Advisors
 MSAR- AAMC
 Brochure websites