Recommended Classes

BIOLOGY

3 Quarters of Biology
At least 2 Quarters of Biology Lab

General Chemistry

3 Quarters of General Chemistry
2 Quarters of General Chemistry Labs

Organic Chemistry

3 Quarters of Organic Chemistry
2 Quarters of Organic Chemistry Labs

Physics

3 Quarters of Physics
2 Quarters of Physics Lab

Almost every Medical School requires or recommends a year of Biology + Labs, a year of General Chemistry + Labs, a year of Organic Chemistry + Labs, and a year of Physics + Labs.

Oftentimes, medical schools will require or recommend that you have "one year of Organic Chemistry and Laboratory" for example, but they will not specify how many quarters of "labs" you should take. Taking one or two quarters of a lab is usually sufficient for medical schools, however, some majors will be required to take more than this. For example, Biology Majors are required to take three quarters of Biology Labs in order to graduate. Double-check with the medical schools that you are interested in to make sure that you meet their requirements.

If you are a Biology Major, all of the above classes are required to graduate, which means that you will have first priority (over some other majors) when it comes time to sign up for these classes.

If your major is not part of the School of Biological Sciences, Public Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Biomed Engineering: Premed, you will likely have some trouble signing up for Biology Classes. You can either wait for the Major Restrictions to lift and see if there is still room in the class, or you can take Biology classes at a community college.

If your major is not Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Nursing Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Science, Public Health Sciences, or Undecided/Undeclared, you will likely have some trouble signing up for General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Classes. You can either wait for the Major Restrictions to lift and see if there is still room in the class, or you can take General & Organic Chemistry classes at a community college.

Writing

3 Quarters of Writing Heavy Classes

MathEMatics

Calculus
Statistics

Behavioral & Social Sciences

Psychology
Sociology

Humanities

English
Philosophy
Art
Theatre
Gender & Sexual Studies

Specific Biology Courses

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Cell Biology
Anatomy

WRITING:

Medical schools often recommend or require a year (3 Quarters) of writing intensive classes. If you decide to take Humanities Core, that would fulfill this requirement. Alternatively, you could take Writing 39B, Writing 39C, and another writing intensive class like an English class or a Humanities Course that is writing intensive.

MATHEMATICS:

Medical schools often recommend or require that you have taken both Calculus & Statistics. Some colleges require a year of mathematics, but most just recommend it. Some medical schools accept AP credit for these subjects, some accept it but recommend that you still take mathematics in college, and some don't accept it at all.

BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES:

Most medical schools recommend that you take classes like Psychology and Sociology. These classes will satisfy GE requirements as well as prepare you for the MCAT, since 25% of the exam tests you on your knowledge of these subjects.

HUMANITIES:

Nowadays, many medical schools are emphasizing the importance of humanities. This is because they want well-rounded applicants; education in the humanities is valued because it will allow future physicians to relate to their patients. Since there is a large variety of humanities courses to pick from, do your research and try to pick the easiest ones. This website will let you look at the grade distribution for past classes, which could help you pick your GEs. These classes are great GPA boosters if you choose the right ones. Since your GPA is one of the most important factors in getting you into medical school, take advantage of this.

SPECIFIC BIOLOGY COURSES:

Most medical schools won't require these classes, but will strongly recommend biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. Some also like if you have taken cell biology and anatomy. All of these classes will help prepare you for the MCAT; cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, and anatomy/physiology are particularly high-yield topics on the MCAT. If you are a Biology Major, you will have to take genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology to graduate.