Meeting Course Requirements
Note: Preparation for medical school is addressed in this section primarily because it is fairly representative of procedures for the other health professions.
You can positively influence your chances of getting into medical school both by the way you prepare as a premed and by the way you apply to medical school.
While some professional schools in the health fields require a minimum of three years of undergraduate college work, a majority of entering students have completed four years and have received the Bachelor’s degree. Students must have a thorough understanding of the concepts of the physical and life sciences. In general, the following courses meet minimum requirements for most programs:
- Biology: one year with laboratory
- Inorganic Chemistry: one year with laboratory
- Organic Chemistry: one year with laboratory
- Physics: one year with laboratory
- English: one year; both composition and literature may be required (Wellesley's Writing Program fulfills one semester of this?
- Mathematics: at least one-half year of calculus is recommended and in some cases required; some schools may require one full year.
Requirements for particular schools and programs vary, and some medical schools have additional requirements, such as biochemistry or an extra year of biology. It is imperative to investigate various catalogues and source books about the individual schools and programs in which you are interested. No specific major (science or non-science) is required for medical school.
Many schools encourage students to take several courses in the social sciences, particularly as they relate to social, political, and economic influences on health delivery systems. Course work in ethics and psychology are recommended. Some schools also suggest statistics, and some place importance on courses in genetics and biochemistry at the undergraduate level.
Become familiar with the standard literature in your field. For example, premedical students should read Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR), a book available from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Membership & Publication Orders, 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037-1126. Copies of this book may be borrowed from the Committee Coordinator or you may obtain your own copy by using the order form available in the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) registration packet.
Students who have received advanced placement in any of the required sciences are advised to use the equivalent time for advanced work in the same field (e.g., AP credit in inorganic chemistry should be augmented by an advanced chemistry course). Some professional schools specifically require college-level courses in particular disciplines. In some states, advanced placement for high school achievement in sciences does not meet licensure requirements in your health profession. If you have completed all requirements early in your college years, you might consider taking at least one science course a year to keep your knowledge current.
If you are considering a career in the health sciences now, it is important to take the pre-requisite courses as early as possible. For example, it is particularly important that you complete (or be completing) the basic science requirements before taking the MCAT or other standardized tests. Also, we suggest that you take English courses early to improve your ability to read, comprehend, and express your ideas clearly. In planning an undergraduate academic program, it is important to begin early to fulfill the minimum science requirements and to keep your options open for selecting a major. Be aware of the degree distribution requirements and confirm that you are fulfilling them as outlined in the college catalogue.
For a list of courses at Wellesley College which fulfill minimum premedical science requirements, see the Health Careers Handbook, Ellen Schneider, MPAC Committee Coordinator, or Sheila Brachfeld-Child, Chair, MPAC.