Pre-Medical & Pre-Health
Pre-health advisors in the Pre-Professional Advising Office provide assistance to students interested in a broad range of health-related professions, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, nursing, optometry, podiatry, and other fields.
During individual appointments, advisors are available to speak with students about a variety of topics, including students’ course selections, academic prerequisites of health profession schools, standardized tests, the application process, and opportunities for clinical experience, community service, research, and study abroad. Pre-health advisors can also assist you with exploring health-related student organizations such as Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-medical honor society), the Pre-Dental Society, the Pre-Medical Society, the Pre-Veterinary and Animal Lovers Society, and the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students.
Before meeting with a pre-health advisor students must first complete the Introduction to the Pre-Health Pathway module. Instructions on how to enroll in Pre-Health 101 and complete the module are available on the pre-health website.
Important Notes
Please note that a student’s choice of major and the level of courses selected should reflect their academic interests and degree of preparation. A student should not select courses or the level of courses solely with a view toward making an impression on admission committees. Students should use their undergraduate years to pursue areas that are of particular interest to them. Students can demonstrate the personal qualities that admission committees deem valuable in any academic field.
It is not advisable to take the required pre-medical courses on a Pass-Fail basis. Also, advanced credit coursework such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credit in basic science courses may not satisfy pre-medical requirements, since medical schools generally prefer that students take basic science courses while in college. If a student is considering using AP or IB credit for one or more of these courses, they should be sure to make an appointment with a pre-health advisor.
We encourage CGS students to meet with a pre-health advisor regularly throughout their four years of studies at BU. Many pre-health students complete the pre-health requirements by the end of their junior year. However, if a student chooses to begin fulfilling these requirements with their sophomore year elective, it may be necessary to complete the required courses during the senior year. Either approach works well, since the majority (approximately two-thirds) of the national applicant pool applies to start medical school at least one year after receiving their bachelor’s degree. We strongly encourage students to discuss their course selection and application timeline with a pre-health advisor.
Pre-Medical Courses
In thinking about the pre-medical/pre-health curriculum, it is important to remember that there is not one right way to plan your studies. The pre-health curriculum is not “one size fits all,” but rather is customizable based on your academic preparation and goals. While most health professions schools have a set list of prerequisite courses that are required or recommended for admission, there can be great variability in how you complete them in a four-year curriculum.
Be aware that the courses selected as electives during freshman year will have an impact on the rate at which you complete the pre-medical curriculum.
Additional information can be found on the Pre-Health website.
Biology
A minimum of one year (with laboratory). This requirement is generally satisfied by two semesters of General Biology (CGS NS 201 and CAS BI 108).
Note: CGS pre-medical students in good standing should consult with their CGS advisors about taking CAS BI 108 (Principles of Biology II) in place of CGS NS 202.
Students who select biology as their major are encouraged to consult with an advisor in the Department of Biology and to follow the required course of study. Students who are seeking non-science majors and have taken CGS NS 201 may satisfy the pre-medical biology requirement by taking CAS BI 108 and at least one additional course to strengthen their background in Biology (CAS BI 203/213, CAS BI 206/216, and/or CAS BI 315).
Biochemistry
Biochemistry (with or without laboratory) is being required by an increasing number of medical schools and is already required by many dental and veterinary schools. Additionally it is very important in preparing for the MCAT. Students may choose CAS CH 373 (Principles of Biochemistry); CAS BI 421/CAS CH 421 (Biochemistry I); or CAS BI 421/CAS CH 421 & CAS BI 422/CAS CH 422 (Biochemistry I/Biochemistry II), to acquire a strong foundation in biochemistry. Certain majors require students take the 421/422 sequence.
English
Many health profession schools require one year of English. This requirement usually may be met by completion of CAS WR 120 and CAS WR 150 or other CAS English courses (CAS EN designation). It is, therefore, likely that medical schools will also accept CGS RH 103 and CGS RH 104 to meet the English requirement.
We encourage students to determine the specific nature of the English requirement of individual schools by referring to health profession schools’ websites and contacting admissions offices directly.
Mathematics
One year of mathematics, including one semester of calculus, is recommended and specifically required by some schools. It is recommended that students take one semester of calculus and one semester of statistics to satisfy this requirement. One semester of statistics is also important to help prepare for the MCAT and some health profession schools require statistics.
Health profession schools’ math requirements vary by profession and even by school. Currently, very few medical schools require two or more semesters of calculus. Students applying to dental school should be aware that only a small number of schools have a mathematics requirement, and these requirements vary greatly between schools.
Students’ choice of mathematics courses may also be directed by the specific requirements of their major.
Psychology
The MCAT includes a section on the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior. The Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences recommends that students without a strong background in psychology take CAS PS 101 and that students with a strong background take CAS PS 261 in preparation for this section.
Sociology
The MCAT includes a section on the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior. The Department of Sociology recommends that students take CAS SO 100 (equivalent to CGS SS 103 and CGS SS 104) or CAS SO 215 in preparation for this section.
Sample Pathways
I. To apply to health profession school at the end of senior year
Approximately two-thirds of the national applicant pool applies to start medical school at least one year after receiving their bachelor’s degree.
*Please note that the order of topics in chemistry courses depends strongly on the book, the professor, and the pace of the course. There are also other ways to fulfill the General Chemistry I and II sequence. For more information and suggestions, please consult with your CGS academic advisor.
**CGS NS 201 fulfills the CAS BI 107 requirement. Prospective pre-health students in good standing should consult with their CGS advisors about replacing CGS NS 202 with premed requirement courses.
Note: We very strongly encourage students who desire to complete the pre-health curriculum by the end of their junior year to meet with a pre-health advisor in the Pre-Professional Advising Office to discuss the feasibility of doing so.
II. To apply to health profession school at the end of junior year
*Please note that the order of topics in chemistry courses depends strongly on the book, the professor, and the pace of the course. There are also other ways to fulfill the General Chemistry I and II sequence. For more information and suggestions, please consult with your CGS academic advisor.
**CGS NS 201 fulfills the CAS BI 107 requirement. Prospective pre-health students in good standing should consult with their CGS advisors about replacing CGS NS 202 with premed requirement courses.
***Alternatively, a mathematics course and/or CAS BI 108 could be taken during the summer term.
This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.
It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.
Last revised: 2/15/2023