Two semesters of Biology (201 and one of the following: 213, 214, 309, 408 or 409)
Two semesters of Physics (211 + 212 OR 241 +242)
241/242 require Calculus I (MATH 273) but medical/dental schools do not
Two semesters General Cemistry (110 + 111)
Sometimes referred to as “Inorganic Chemistry”
Two semesters of Organic Chemistry (331 + 332)
Two semesters of Mathematics
PreCalculus and Calculus I or Statistics
Two semesters English
ENGL 102 + one other writing class. The advanced writing Gen Ed may “qualify” but if it is not listed as “ENGL” it may not be recognized as an English course.
What Really Counts
Strong academic back ground and intellectual potential – excellent grades (GPA) and test scores (MCAT, DAT)
Evidence of the qualities of leadership and character
Knowledge and motivation in the field – Experiences (shadowing, volunteering)
Broad range of interests/talents - Extracurricular Activities
Required Major?
NONE – There is NO PRE-MEDICAL OR PRE-DENTAL MAJOR AT TOWSON! Be any major you want to be and PLEASE always remember that life does not always go the way we wish it would – so pick a major where you will be able to do something ELSE, if you are not successful in this application process. This process is HIGHLY COMPETITIVE: in 2007; Medical schools had 42,315 applicants for 18,858 spaces resulting in a 45% acceptance rate.
Calendar of Events:
Freshman and Sophomore Years
Begin to take required courses
Meet regularly with your academic advisor and make yourself known to your professors who will be writing recommendations
Become involved in campus life activities
Acquire experiences in medicine or dentistry; Volunteer positions, jobs during break and summer, internships, etc.
Hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, clinics, dental offices – anywhere patients are being cared for
Why? Through these experiences you will gain insight and develop a unique perspective on your field. For the application process, they will demonstrate sincere interest in the field OR …
You may learn that medicine or dentistry is NOT the field for you!
Get information about specific Medical School prerequisites so you can intelligently plan your curriculum. Resource: the AAMC publication Medical School Admissions Requirements in the library or sold by AAMC (www.aamc.org)
Select a MAJOR that is comfortable. Medical schools want mature, multi-dimensional students. You can major in any field, as long as you fulfill the medical school prerequisites.
Select a major that will prepare you for a career of interest if you decide, for whatever reason, not to become a physician or dentist
If you are pre-medical: Gather information about the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
Find a mentor, perhaps a physician, medical student, or professor, who can advise you and provide a role-model
Work with other Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental students in study groups or on special projects to prepare yourselves for the medical school curriculum
Go the extra mile, intellectually
Do extra, personal reading: fiction, nonfiction, news …
Study unique cases from medical journals or from the Internet
Learn about national, state, and local health care issues
Investigate ethical issues related to health care delivery
Learn to express yourself clearly in writing: Take writing intensive courses and/or choose courses that require you to write and to apply the information you learn to solve important and interesting problems.
Become computer literate: At the very least, know the following:
Basic word processing
Telecommunications
Electronic mail (E-mail)
World Wide Web (WWW)
Sites (i.e. library resources)
Keep your GPA up – distinguish yourself: you will be competing against many students with 4.0 GPA
Investigate alternative career options:
An undergraduate major which will result in gainful employment, if not accepted into medical school
Junior Year
Sept-April: Study for upcoming admission tests (i.e. MCAT, DAT). Commercial preparation courses (Kaplan, Princeton Review, ExamKrackers) are expensive, but they are highly recommended. Remember, the students you are competing with for seats in medical or dental school are probably taking courses like these!
March/April: Acquire the Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Application Paperwork required for the Interview Process in (Detailed Meeting in Late February)
Register for MCAT or DAT or other admission test (usually taken in Spring/Summer of Junior year)
Begin writing your resume’ and your personal statement for your upcoming Pre-Med/Pre-Dent Committee interview.
Interview Packet MUST be completed and be “complete” for you to be granted an interview.
Packet will include such things as a copy of your Personal Statement, transcripts (other than TU), at least 3 letters of Recommendations/Evaluations from science faculty, a photograph of yourself to identify you to the Committee members writing your Composite Letter.
Sign waiver form for your file at the point of submission of your materials to the committee
April: Sign up for your Pre-Med/Pre-Dent Committee interview
May: Committee Interview during Finals Week
Continue volunteer work and extracurricular activities
June: During summer between Junior and Senior year, apply to the schools of your choice - applications for Medical School (AMCAS) begin June 1st, applications for Dental School (AADSAS) begin in the middle of May and are submitted to schools in June.
Senior Year
Complete applications as needed
Retake MCAT if necessary
Provide Chair of Pre-Med/Pre-Dent committee with list of schools you applied to
Interview at schools
Inform the Pre-Med/Pre-Dent committee Chairperson of the outcome of your applications.
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