Pre-Med students will better prepare a competitive profile if they organize an individualized plan.
Consider the following steps in your planning process.
Step #1: Develop a list of Pre-requisites based on Med schools of interest and add courses required for
your major, as well as University Gen Ed Requirements for graduation;
Step #2: Check for TU pre-requisites for all courses you plan to take through the Temple Course Catalogue
Step #3: Develop your personalized Timeline draft by including all courses taken to date and project for future
semesters. Each student’s timeline will be different! Once drafted, review timeline with your
Academic Advisor. The Sample Timeline below will get you started.
Step #4: Remember to include advanced planning for exposure to health care, patient contact hours, service
activities and MCAT prep.
NOTE: Pre-requisite science courses should not be taken during summer sessions.
First Year
Fall General Chemistry I (1031/1033)

Calculus I 1041

Analytical Reading & Writing (0802)
Spring General Chemistry II (1032/1034)

Biology I (1111)

Calculus II
†
(1042)
Mosaic I (0851)
Summer: Exposure to Medicine / Community
Service / Research**
Second Year
Fall Organic Chemistry I (2201/2203)

Biology II (2112)

Mosaic II (0852)
††
Spring Organic Chemistry II (2202/2204)
Psychology(1001)
Sociology(1176)
Summer: June: ePortfolio Draft Due!
Continue Exposure / Service / Research**
Third Year Fourth Year
Fall Physics* I (2021)
Chem (4401) ††† or Bio (4375) (Fall Only)
[4375 Pre-Reqs: Math 1041 & Bio 3096]
MCAT prep
Fall Additional Biology or Biochemistry for non-
science majors ***
Completion of requirements for major
Medical School Interviews
Spring Physics* II (2022)
MCAT Prep

Summer: Take MCAT Exam by May/June

Apply to Medical School (AMCAS

 and/or AACOMAS Application Services)

by June/July
Continue Exposure / Service / Research**
Spring Additional Biology or Biochemistry for non-
science majors ***
Completion of requirements for major
Medical School Interviews
Completion of Financial Aid form (FAFSA)
Summer: Take a break, then prepare for Med School!
* Chemistry & BioChem majors must take Physics 2021 and 2022 in year 2, as well as Calculus I, II, & III before year 3.
** Exposure to Medicine / Community Service / Research encompasses an important part of your preparation /
application. Exposure to health care settings, clinical health setting in particular, needs to be part of your profile.
***Advanced Science Courses are recommended, particularly: Bio 3096-Cell Structure & Function; Bio-2296 Genetics;
Bio-3334 Mammalian Physiology; Bio-2233 Mammalian Anatomy; or Bio-2235 Histology
† Although Biology 1111 is also offered in the Fall semester, CST students are given preference in Spring.
†† Although Biology 2112 is also offered in the Spring semester, CST students are given preference in Fall.
†††Although not required for all schools, BioChem is a requirement for many med schools and highly recommended for MCAT.
Advising offered by the office of Pre-Professional Health Studies supplements the academic advising (course registration, major requirements and graduation review) provided by the advising center in a student’s primary college. Begin your step-by-step process toward developing a competitive profile with advising support from PPHS.
A Pre-Med 3+4 Accelerated Program Option is available for Pre-Med Health Scholar only. Interested
Health Scholars must apply through PPHS during first semester of freshman year.
07/31/2014 Office of Pre-Professional Health Studies

Application Process: A centralized application service is available through the American Medical College
Application Service (AMCAS) amcas.org (MD Degree) or the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic
Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) aacomas.org (DO Degree). Applications are submitted one year before you expect to enter medical school. Apply early once the application cycles open!!
Undergraduate Major: There is no preferred major for attending medical school; non-science majors should do additional coursework in upper level science courses. Choosing a major that interests you or that is your academic strength will be to your benefit.
Medical College Admission Testing (MCAT): The MCAT is a computerized standardized test required for the admissions process. On the current version of the exam, a total score above a 30 with no individual score less than an 8 is preferred. The MCAT exam will change in May, 2015. Details on preferred scores for the new version of the exam are still pending.
Science GPA: Calculating your Science GPA includes grades from all courses taken from the Departments of
Bio, Chem, Physics, & Math appearing on your transcript. Note : *The GPA includes both grades for a course that is repeated. *Transfer students need to include courses from all institutions attended. Overall GPA /
Science GPA above 3.5 are preferred. GPA’s below a 3.0 will need Post Bac course work before applying.
Medical schools will first review your numbers (Overall GPA, Science GPA, MCAT scores). If these are in a competitive range for their particular medical school, they will then consider you for an interview. Part of the
Interview Process will include a review of letters of recommendation. Medical schools will highly prefer a
Committee Letter (Committee Letters from PPHS serve as a Cover Letter for your individual letters from faculty and mentors). A Committee Letter will not replace the need to have other recommendation letters! A
Committee letter will however better highlight your strengths as an applicant. Begin early to consider recommendation sources!
1) Begin speaking with faculty and requesting letters of recommendation as you are completing classes in the sciences and have performed well in the class (A or B+). NOTE: Letters will only be sent to AMCAS or
AACOMAS through PPHS for applicants who: (1) have completed ePortfolios in the timeframe required; (2) interviewed with a member of the Pre-Health Evaluation Committee, and (3) supplied exam scores. Visit PPHS as you first enroll at Temple University for more details!
2) Provide your letter writers with a “Professional School Recommendation Form” available on the PPHS
Health Advising web site which asks that they send their letters to the PPHS to be held on file until you apply to medical schools. Please make sure you check that you “waive your right” to see the letter as preferred by professional schools. Medical schools may vary on the types of letters required. Review this carefully for schools of interest as early as possible.
3) REMEMBER: If you have letters sent to PPHS you will also need to complete the ePortfolio / Committee process with PPHS in order for your letters to be forwarded in support of your application. Medical schools highly prefer (but not require) a Committee Letter.
Office of Pre-Professional Health Studies (PPHS); 1810 Liacouras Walk, Suite 100; 215 204-2513 healthadvising@temple.edu
–or- Visit us on the web: www.temple.edu/healthadvising
07/31/2014 Office of Pre-Professional Health Studies