One Health Pre-Professional Programs

Each school has its own specific requirements, but a survey of schools shows that the following are generally the required courses:

• Chemistry - two semesters of General Chemistry class and lab (CHM 1045/CHM 1045L and 1046/1046L) and two semesters of Organic Chemistry (CHM 2210/2210L and 2211/2211L).  Because these four courses are sequential it is critical for you to begin the sequence in your freshman year.
• Biology - two semesters of General Biology (BSC 1010C and BSC 1011C)
• Biochemistry - one semester is recommended by many professional schools and required by many medical schools (BCH 3023C)
• Physics - two semesters of either College or General Physics plus labs (PHY 2053/2053L and PHY 2054/2054L or PHY 2048/2048L and PHY 2049/2049L)
• English - two semesters.  Some schools also require an additional course in literature.
• Mathematics - two semesters.  Some schools require or recommend calculus.
• Psychology - some schools require or recommend one semester.

Other courses may include: Microbiology, Genetics, Immunology, Statistics, Anatomy and Physiology.

Because requirements will vary among programs, you should contact the schools to which you plan to apply for specific information.  Most have websites that will list required courses.  (Information about all medical schools is compiled in a yearly publication: Medical School Admission Requirements United States and Canada.  Similar information for dental schools is available through ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools.)  It is important to complete all required coursework by the time you have reached 90 credits at which point you will be applying to professional school. (Note that pharmacy schools may admit students after 60 credits.  Contact the admitting school for further information.)

Admission to professional schools is very competitive.  These programs are looking for students who have successfully completed a rigorous science-based core of courses and who have the personal qualities to be caring and compassionate health care providers.

Generally, a professional school will consider all the following before making an admission offer to a student:

• Science GPA in the specific courses required for admission - all science courses will receive careful scrutiny
• Overall GPA
• Scores on the professional school admission exam (MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.)
• Work and volunteer experiences in health care.  Students who have spent time in health care demonstrate that they understand what the profession is about.  They have experienced the benefits and rewards as well as the stresses and frustrations of the job.
• Outside interests and activities. 
• Written personal statement - It is important for health care providers to demonstrate strong writing skills and explain their reasons for wanting to be a health professional.
• Personal interview - Strong verbal communication skills are an asset to all health care professionals.
• Letters of reference
• Undergraduate research, particularly in the biomedical arena, may be regarded as an important plus.

Your science GPA in the required science courses, your overall GPA, and your score on the required admission exam are given the most weight in admission decisions.  Schools want to be sure that you have the academic background to complete the rigors of professional school.   Other factors, although important, are not given as much weight in the decision process.  Your work and volunteer experience, for example, will enhance your application if your grades and test scores are good; however, this experience will not be sufficient to offset low grades or test scores.

You should plan to begin preparing for the examination at least six months before you take it. There are many types of study aids available for every professional examination.
These range from website practice exams to study guides available through bookstores and full review courses. The Seminar in Medicine series (Career Pathways: Health I-III) offers information about the admissions process and admissions examinations as well as career panels and other useful information for applicants.

American Association of Medical Colleges

Processing multiple med school applications 

American Dental Education Association 

American Dental Association 

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry 

Association of American Veterinary Medical College 

Schools of Pharmacy 

American Academy of Physician Assistants