Pre-Med, Pre-Vet, Pre-Dentist, and Pre-Pharmacy Program

The following information is prepared primarily as a planning guide for the first year premedical student.

Course Requirements:

Almost every medical school in the country requires 8 semester hours each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Laboratory work is required in all of these sciences. At W&M these requirements would best be met with Biology 220/221 and 225/226; Chemistry 103/103L, 206/206L, 307/353, and 308/354; and Physics 101/102 or Physics 107/108.

Many schools also require one year of math and English. A course in statistics and year of calculus are both  strongly recommended (calculus is a pre- or co-requisite for Physics 101-102). Writing 101, or a "W" designated freshman seminar, may be used to satisfy part of the English requirement. The English Department recommends that premed freshmen and sophomores who are not intending to major in English take English 210; juniors and seniors are encouraged to take English 352, 363, or 364

PLEASE NOTE: All courses taken to satisfy admissions prerequisites must be passed with a grade of C or better. Pass/fail grades cannot be used.

The Undergraduate Major:

Feel free to develop any major area of interest, while recognizing that medical schools are most concerned with the quality of work accomplished. One should keep in mind, however, that medicine is taught as a scientific discipline, and prospective medical students must prove that they have ability in science, especially the life sciences. Therefore, students who major in a discipline outside of the sciences will face fewer challenges in their medical school basic science courses if they take additional advanced biology or chemistry courses (please consult the premed advisor about appropriate strategies).

Test Requirement:

Applicants to medical school must take the MCAT, the nationally administered admissions test. This is normally done at the end of the third academic year. Because biology, chemistry, and physics serve as the backbone of this exam, students should complete (or be currently enrolled in the final semester of) all of the required biology, chemistry and physics by that time.

Additional Information:

You are urged to schedule an appointment with the undersigned sometime during your first semester. This meeting will allow you and your premed advisor to review your career goals and academic interests. You should also plan to visit the Career Services Library (Sherman & Gloria H. Cohen Career Center) to review the extensive career information found there, including information on summer internships and Williamsburg area medical externships.

[[btsher, Dr. Beverly Sher]]
Health Professions Advisor
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology
http://wmpeople.wm.edu/site/page/btshe
Handouts for  pre-medical students are available here.