Considerations for First Year Pre-Medical Students
Will my AP credit for the sciences be acceptable for medical school pre-requisites?
There is no uniform acceptance policy for AP coursework at all U.S. medical schools. Each
school maintains its own policies regarding AP coursework. Medical schools want to ensure
that their applicants have a very strong, solid background in the sciences, and sufficient science
coursework from a 4-year institution. For this reason, the Office of Pre-Professional Health
Studies recommends that students who have AP credit for their pre-requisite sciences to still
take them at a 4-year institution. By doing so, students will:
 have established a firm science foundation, preparing them for more rigorous upper-level
science coursework,
 be able to demonstrate to medical schools that they have a solid foundation in science
coursework in preparation for their future medical studies,
 have more options available to them when they begin to select which medical schools to
which they wish to apply.
 will be better prepared to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
What if I decide that I do not want to take science courses for which I have received AP
credit?
If you are absolutely certain that you wish to be a biology/chemistry major, and are certain of
your intent to apply to medical school, it may be possible to accept AP credit for your
biology/chemistry courses, and move to more advanced biology/chemistry courses. However, it
is important to note that many students who enter college intending to major in
biology/chemistry change their majors either during or after their freshman year. If this happens,
it may not be possible to obtain sufficient experience in upper-division biology/chemistry
coursework before applying to medical school. Additionally, the decision to not take
biology/chemistry at a 4-year institution may limit your choices when it is time to apply to
medical schools. We encourage you to review the policy regarding AP coursework at any
medical schools to which you may wish to apply in making this decision.
What about dual-credit or 1818 ACC pre-medical science courses?
When you apply to medical school, you must complete an application in which you will list all of
the classes for which you have received college credit, and whether you have taken them in
college, or during high school. Most medical schools want to ensure that you are well-prepared
in your pre-requisite sciences, and feel that taking these courses at a 4-year institution while in
college is the best preparation. For this reason, the Office of Pre-Professional Health Studies
recommends re-taking science coursework at a 4-year institution for credit obtained through
dual credit. For specific medical school requirements, please visit the individual medical
schools’ admissions websites.
Should I take upper-level science coursework beyond the minimum requirements?
Although upper-level science coursework is not typically required by medical schools, the Office
of Pre-Professional Health Studies strongly recommends upper-level science coursework
beyond basic levels. Doing well in advanced coursework in biology, for example, is one way to
demonstrate your proficiency and your ability to perform well beyond the basic level.
Biochemistry
Biology
Calculus
Subjects Required by 10 or more U.S. Medical Schools
College Mathematics
General (Inorganic) Chemistry
English
Organic Chemistry
Humanities
Physics
Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR). Association of American Medical Colleges, 2010.
Pre-Professional Health Studies
Verhaegen 314
314-977-
www.slu.edu/prehealth.xml
I have already taken Calculus I, what other math class should I take?
Pre-medical students wishing to take additional math coursework subsequent to Calculus I are
advised to take math coursework such as Calculus II or higher if required by their major, or may
opt to take MATH 130 (Statistics).
What major should I choose?
Choose a major in which you are interested – medical schools do not have specific major
requirements. You do not have to major in a science! We do recommend a biology minor if you
are majoring in a non-science field, as a way to obtain a strong foundation in the natural
sciences, and to help you in preparation for the science portions of the Medical College
Admissions Test (MCAT). Medical schools appreciate that students have a well-rounded
background, which will include sciences, English courses, math, and humanities/social
sciences. You will be able to fit in your medical school pre-requisites concurrent with almost any
major.
What should I be doing during my first year?
The Office of Pre-Professional Health Studies recommends that you discuss your plans with
your academic advisor, so that you can be sure to enroll in the proper coursework. We also
strongly suggest that you join the Pre-Health Club, a student organization that supports and
encourages students in their pursuit of pre-health studies. Additionally, it is recommended that
students enroll in the Foundations of Medicine Class, a one-credit hour elective course designed
for first year students that will assist them in learning about application to medical schools and
medical education. Start off on the right foot – do well in your courses. To be a competitive
applicant to medical school, students should have at least a 3.0 math/science and cumulative
GPA. In 2009, the average GPAs for entering medical school students were: Science-3.60;
Non-Science-3.74; Cumulative-3.66 (MSAR, 2010).
Is there anything else that I need to know?
Yes, students will learn a great deal of information in the Foundations of Medicine class, but we
also encourage them to utilize resources, such as www.aamc.org, and the Medical School
Admissions Requirements (MSAR) guide. Additionally, it is important to find opportunities to
obtain clinical observation experiences, such as shadowing a doctor, or volunteering in a clinical
capacity. These experiences are critical to ensuring that you have a good understanding of
what the profession entails.
Finally, during your sophomore year, make an appointment to visit an advisor in the Office of
Pre-Professional Health Studies to discuss your career goals. You are strongly encouraged to
participate in the Committee on Evaluations process the year prior to application to medical
school – you must have at least a 3.0 math/science and 3.0 cumulative GPA to participate in
this preferred method of application to medical school.
Ultimately the goal is to prove to medical schools that you are really challenging yourself in your
undergraduate curriculum. The best way to do this is not always the easiest. We recommend
that you take your pre-medical sciences at an accredited 4-year institution, and do well in them.
Not only will this be reflected in your transcript, but will also help you prepare for your MCAT,
which will test your knowledge in biological sciences, physical sciences, verbal reasoning and
writing.
Pre-Professional Health Studies
Verhaegen 314
314-977-
www.slu.edu/prehealth.xml