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Pre-Medicine
Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-medicine is NOT a major and there is no "correct" major for pre-medicine. While most students major in a science area like biology, chemistry, or math, a major in science is not required. Because medical schools seek candidates with diverse interests who are capable of handling rigorous science courses, students with backgrounds in liberal arts and business are also successful. So the best advice is to select a major in an area in which you are interested and in which you can do well.

USI is proud to offer the 1st Pre-Medical Sciences Certificate in Indiana which helps provide curriculum, advising, and support for pre-medical students of any major at USI. Our goal is to help you have the undergraduate experience you want and to reach medical school successfully.

All medical schools in the U.S. and off-shore have similar requirements for acceptance into their programs. The minimum set of required courses typically includes:

  • 2 semesters of biology with laboratory (Biol 141 & Biol 334)
  • 2 semesters of general chemistry with laboratory (Chem 261 & Chem 262)
  • 2 semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory (Chem 353 & Chem 354)
  • 2 semesters of physics with laboratory (Phys 175 & Phys 176 OR Phys 205 & Phys 206)
  • 1 semester of biochemistry (Biol 434 OR Chem 431)
  • 1 course in the social sciences (Soc 121)
  • 1 course in psychology (Psy 201)


In addition to the required courses above, there are several courses to consider which will prepare you for the coursework you will encounter in medical school. Courses to consider include animal physiology, genetics, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, and histology. None of these are required for admission to medical school.  

For specific requirements for medical schools, review the AAMC Required Premedical Coursework and Competencies.

The grade point average (GPA) is an important component of the requirements for admission to medical school. It is not necessary to have a 4.0. Instead, it is probably better to have a solid GPA in the 3.80-4.00 range (on a 4 point scale) and participation in extracurricular activities to demonstrate interests beyond academics. If you have a poor first year but steadily improve in the following semesters, you still have a good chance of admission to medical school. However, if you start strong and then fade, your chances for admission could be diminished.    

    • Medical schools consider both your overall GPA as well as your BCPM GPA, which is calculated from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics courses. 

      • On your application, all course attempts will be taking into account when computing your GPA

          • This includes courses taken as Dual Credit while in High School

          • This includes courses taken multiple times.

    • For MD programs you should refer to the Course Classification Guide within the AMCAS Applicant Guide to review which subjects fall under the BCPM GPA.

You should begin the formal application to medical school during the summer before you graduate because it takes about a year to complete the entire process.

Almost all allopathic medical schools (MD programs) in the U.S. participate in the centralized application service, American Medical College Application Service, (AMCAS). This is a computerized application process requiring students to designate the school(s) to which they are applying. Students will complete the application forms online. AMCAS verifies all the information and forwards the completed applications to the designated school(s). The school(s) review the application and determine if the student is qualified to receive a secondary application. The secondary application may be as simple as a request for letters of evaluation or as complex as another application. Once the secondary application is complete, the student will be invited for an interview.    

Students interested in applying to osteopathic medical schools (DO programs) can use a similar system through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS).

Students who need financial assistance to complete the necessary standardized exams and applications should apply to the AAMC Fee Assistance Program or the AACOMAS Application Fee Wavier. For more information on the cost of medical school applications, see this outline provided by the AAMC.

Timeline

    • The MCAT is offered multiple times per year. Refer to the MCAT testing calendar for scheduling dates and score release dates.

    • The AMCAS application opens during the first week of May each year. The earliest you can submit your AMCAS application will be during the first week of June.

    • We recommend submitting your application early, within the first few weeks of May for AACOMAS and within the first few weeks of June for AMCAS. However, if you are considering an Early Decision application, please speak to your advisor for more advice on timing.
    • The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required by almost every medical college. This is a very important component of your application. Many schools will use the MCAT as the first cut for applicants. The average MCAT score for entering students at IU School of Medicine is around 509. This has been steadily rising for the past several years.

    • The MCAT is a computer-based exam. It is best to take the exam in the summer after your junior year. When preparing for the MCAT, you should plan to to study for 6-12 months prior to your exam. The AAMC provides excellent preparation materials. Additionally, USI offers mock MCAT examinations in Biol 320 for current Juniors. The exam is 7.5 hours long and covers four content areas:

        • Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
        • Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
        • Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
        • Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior

    • The MCAT is offered multiple times per year. Refer to the MCAT testing calendar for scheduling dates and score release dates.

    • MCAT scores are valid for three years, with the exception of a few schools with a two-year expiration.

MCAT Preparation Resources

AAMC - Taking the MCAT Exam

AAMC - Preparing for the MCAT Exam

Khan Academy - MCAT Test Prep

Shadowing experiences are an important part of your pre-medical training. Not all medical schools require shadowing, but all highly suggest it. We suggest a minimum of 3 significant shadowing experiences. You should choose experiences in a variety of specialties that last a least 1-2 full days each. Spend time researching all you can find about the medical profession and consider how the demands of the career fit with your lifestyle. Occasional volunteer activities or summer work is another meaningful way to learn about the profession.  While the importance of these types of activities varies with different medical schools, the experience you gain cannot be measured.    

    • Letters of Recommendation are also referred to as "Letters of Evaluation" on the AMCAS and AACOMAS applications

    • The required number of letters and the type of letter varies by medical school, but you should be prepared to find at least three letter writers.

    • In the AMCAS and AACOMAS applications, you will specify who your letter writers are and which schools will receive each letter

    • It is never too early to consider the medical schools to which you plan to apply. 

    • When researching medical schools it can be helpful to compare different schools.

    • Prerequisites can vary from one school to another. It is important to research the prerequisites for different medical schools so that you are prepared and on track with your academic planning.

    • Some medical schools also have differing requirements for Letters of Recommendation, which require building relationships, so it's important to start early!

      • Use the MSAR Advisor Reports to review the mission statement, admission policies, and more to help determine your fit for certain medical schools.

             
    • Be sure all of the information you enter on your AMCAS application is accurate. This includes the grades of every course taken at the college level and any courses in which you plan to enroll within the year.

    • Request a transcript from all of your academic institutions and allow plenty of time for the institutions to process your request. All transcripts must be sent to AMCAS.

    • The personal statement on the AMCAS is important. This is your chance to begin to portray who you are and to distinguish yourself from the thousands of applications each institution will review.

    • Be sure to designate AMCAS as a recipient of MCAT scores.

    • Begin the process early! Most schools have rolling admission policies, which means slots are filled beginning in October, until the slots are filled. If you wait until October or November to complete your application, you have missed opportunities for several slots. Applications are accepted beginning June 1, but you should wait until you receive your MCAT scores to send the application.

    • Give careful consideration before asking individuals to write letters of evaluation. Then allow plenty of time for them to write the letters so you aren't waiting until the deadline to receive them. When you ask for letters of recommendation, provide a mini c.v. so the person writing the letter can reference what you have done outside of their contact with you.

    • Knowing the specific requirements of the medical school(s) to which you plan to apply is also very important. Medical schools profess that they want well-rounded individuals, not just one-dimensional students. That means get involved, balance school with other activities, because it is true that all work and no play makes you a dull individual!