Bachelor of Science Degree
Pre-medicine
General Information
I. Undergraduate Major
All medical schools recognize the importance of a broad education - but they don't require a particular undergraduate premedical major.
They do require a strong foundation in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics) and a solid background in social sciences and humanities. Because medical schools want a mix of students with diverse backgrounds, you should choose the undergraduate major that fits your interests and abilities. However, within that major, you must
- earn strong grades, take demanding courses, and
- pursue a well-rounded curriculum.
II. Required Courses
Nearly all medical schools require a core four or five courses that you can get at Purdue (see below).
| Requirements |
Purdue Equivalents |
| One year of biology (with laboratory) and cell biology (with laboratory) |
BIOL 110-111 or BIOL 131-132 and 231-232 |
| One year general chemistry (with laboratory) |
CHM 115-116 or CHM 125-126 or CHM 123-124 |
| One year of organic chemistry (with laboratory) |
CHM 255-255L & 256-256L or CHM 261-263CHM 262-264 |
| One year of physics (with laboratory) |
PHYS 220-221 or PHYS 152-251 |
| One year of English (required by 60% of U.S. Medical Schools) |
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To meet medical school requirements, take rigorous and appropriate classes. All premedical science courses should contain a laboratory component.
III. Selection Variables
Each medical school sets its own criteria for judging applicants -- there is not a single formula for admission. In general, medical schools seek students who have done well as undergraduates. They specifically look at your
- undergraduate grades, Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, and
- faculty and advisor recommendations.
Medical school admissions committees look for evidence of integrity, responsibility,
motivation, maturity, and leadership. They look for participation in significant
extra-curricular activities, work experiences, research activities, and volunteer
projects.
The following information comes from a survey of medical school admissions officers. As you look through the two lists, remember that the value placed on each variable varies from medical school to medical school.
Highly Important for Admission
- Undergraduate grade point average MCAT scores Quality of degree granting undergraduate institution Letters of evaluation Medical school interview ratings Involvement in extra-curricular activities Involvement in and quality of health-related work experience
- Breadth and difficulty of undergraduate course work
Somewhat Important for Admission
- Involvement in a quality of graduate and postgraduate work Personal comments on the AMCAS and supplementary application Status on demographic factors
- Involvement in undergraduate research experience
IV. Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
The MCAT is a standardized test required by most medical schools. The test is designed to assess your understanding of science principles and basic analytical ability. If possible, take the MCAT in April of your junior year, but only after you've taken all the required basic science courses. Scores from the fall MCAT may not reach some medical schools by their application deadline. If you take the MCAT during the spring of your junior year, you can complete your application in the summer. The April test date also gives you the opportunity to retake the test in August of your senior year. Unlike other standardized entrance tests, it is not always advisable to take the MCAT more than once. If you are considering retaking the MCAT, discuss the matter with a medical school admissions representative or a health professions advisor.
V. American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
The American Medical College Application Service is a centralized service designed to help you apply to several medical schools through a single application. You forward one set of application materials and all official transcripts to AMCAS by the deadline of your first-choice medical school. AMCAS forwards your completed application to all of the medical colleges to which the student wishes to apply. Individual medical schools then request secondary materials (an additional essay, letters of recommendation, etc.) directly from you.
The AMCAS application service fees in 1999 ranged from $55 for application to one school to $525 for application to fifteen schools. You must apply directly to any medical schools that do not participate in AMCAS. Currently, 115 of the 126 medical schools participated in the AMCAS application service.
This information is summarized from Medical School Admissions Requirements for 2000-2001, Association of American Medical Colleges.
VI. Applying to Medical School
According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, in 1997 the average applicant applied to more than 11 schools. Of students who applied to between 7 and 19 schools, 40 percent were accepted. The acceptance rate for students who applied to 20 schools was 44 percent.
How many schools should you apply to? That depends on your qualifications and on the medical schools' level of competitiveness. Students who apply to schools that look for qualifications and strengths that match their own may successfully apply to a smaller number of schools.
VII. Start in Purdue's College of Agriculture
Three undergraduate majors in the College of Agriculture are great preparation for the study of human medicine. These are:
The animal science major in the Department of Animal Sciences gives you a solid science background and prepares you to enter graduate school or a professional program such as preveterinary medicine, dentistry, or human medicine. In addition to the 21 credit hours required in humanities and social sciences, you'll take at least four courses in biology, two courses in general chemistry, two courses in calculus, statistics, genetics (with lab), two courses in organic chemistry (with labs), biochemistry, and two courses in physics. With the applied animal sciences courses that are required to earn a bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences, you learn basic and applied principles of science before you enter a professional school of their choice.
Contact: ansc4you@purdue.edu
Biochemistry is the most "basic" of the seven basic medical sciences taught to students during their first two years in medical school. Since biochemistry builds on information from chemistry (particularly organic chemistry), students who enter medical school without a firm understanding of organic chemistry and biochemistry find their medical school biochemistry course one of the most difficult subjects to master. Students who are well-prepared with an undergraduate biochemistry major can devote more time to courses such as anatomy or physiology during their first year of medical school. Yes, biochemistry is an ideal undergraduate major for pre-medical studies.
Contact: Mark Hermodson, hermodson@purdue.edu
Entomology is a discipline that reflects the range of subjects found in the life sciences. The Entomology Major [one of the most basic yet comprehensive of the life sciences] is an ideal program for preparation for medical school, and other pre-professional programs that require a comprehensive foundation in the biological sciences. Insects have served as the research tools of many of the top medical discoveries, and continue to be used as organisms of choice by medical researchers throughout the world. Completing an undergraduate program in entomology at Purdue provides not only an in-depth knowledge of these marvelous creatures, but also provides great flexibility in the plan of study to allow the necessary required courses for admission to professional study. All of the courses of the pre-med program are also a part of the entomology undergraduate plan of study. In addition, the personal attention and counseling you will receive, and the opportunity to conduct laboratory research under faculty direction makes entomology an ideal choice for pre-professional study.
Contact: Al York, al_york@entm.purdue.edu
Our graduates have found careers in the bioprocess and pharmaceutical industries, and have had a very high admission rates into professional medical schools. In this program, you'll take basic sciences such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. In addition to the basic sciences, engineering courses will strengthen your undergraduate program and allow you to explore careers in biotechnology and bio-medical engineering. Food, health and pharmaceutical sciences also provide a wide array of opportunities. Graduates from this program earn salaries among the highest in engineering as well as agriculture. The ABE programs at Purdue University are among the very best the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. Understanding the engineering principles of biochemical as well as physical systems will strengthen the your understanding of human anatomy and biochemical systems. And the practical value of an engineering degree will significantly enhance your options upon graduation.
Contact: Jenna Rickus, rickus@ecn.purdue.edu
Food science is an excellent choice for pre-med students. This major requires such courses as chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and physics. It also delves deeper into science through courses in food microbiology, food processing, and food analysis. Food science gives pre-med students a very strong science background that prepares them well for medical school. Food science is also a very viable major for those students who are unsure about their future. Besides medical school, there are excellent job opportunities in quality control, research and development, law, sales, and government work. With 100 percent placement and great beginning salaries, food science is a smart choice for prospective medical students who want to keep their options open.
Contact: Donna Kenner, dlkeener@purdue.edu
Purdue Agriculture Academic Programs
1140 Ag Admin Building, Room 7
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1140
Phone: (765) 494-8481
Fax: (765) 494-8469
E-mail: goecker@purdue.edu
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