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Pre-Med Education An estimated 150 WWU students are pursuing a pre-medical curriculum at any given time. Western, however, does not offer a "pre-med" major, and there is no formula for getting into medical school. There is no "preferred" major to gain admission to medical school. To be considered a "pre-med" student, you should contact the Pre-Healthcare Professions Advising office (OM 280M). Regardless of your major, you will be evaluated in five areas by medical school selection committees. All are important: MCAT, cumulative grade point, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and the interview. These materials address some basic issues that arise repeatedly with pre-med advising. They are intended to get you started in planning your pre-med track while at Western. Medical schools emphasize the importance of a liberal arts education and do not recruit students from one specific major or discipline. Thus, students have flexibility in planning their pre-med educational program. Use your undergraduate years to explore many academic fields, to develop basic skills and knowledge expected of all applicants, and to demonstrate expertise and experience in a field of study (a major) of your choice. Choose a major in which you will excel and that you will enjoy. Popular majors for pre-med students are Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry, but pre-med students have majored in a diverse range of academic disciplines including Anthropology, P.E. (Exercise/Sports Sciences), Physical Therapy, Psychology, History, Philosophy, Communications, Art History, Speech Pathology/Audiology, and Fairhaven self-designed majors. Some students pursue combined majors such as Anthropology/Biology, Biochemistry, or Cellular & Molecular Biology. Academic course requirements for medical schools may vary, but prerequisites expected by most schools include:
These courses minimally meet most medical school admission requirements and prepare you for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Some majors offered at Western incorporate all or a portion of these foundation courses. No matter what your major, you will have to include the above courses in your plan of study. In addition, select medical schools require one year of English (expository writing). It is advisable to develop your curriculum to build and expand your skills in mathematics, reading, writing, communication, business, computer science, philosophy (ethics courses in particular), cultural studies, and foreign languages. Many of these disciplines can be addressed within your General University Requirements (GUR). Note that Biology majors will need a grade point average of 2.9 or better for Chem 121 and 122, Biol 204 and 205 and that enrollment in Chem 123 and Biol 206 are necessary in order to advance to a Phase II Biology major. Admission to Phase II is required in order to take upper division biology classes. Biol 348 and 349 (Human Anatomy and Physiology) are open to students who are not Phase II Biology majors, but these classes are generally not appropriate for most biology majors. Biol 348 and 349, however, are recommended depth electives for the Biology/Anthropology BS or BA majors. If you major in Biochemistry, you will need a 3.0 grade average in Chemistry 121, 122, 123, 351, and 352 and Biol 205 in order to move on to a Phase II Biochemistry major. |
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