The Premedical/Pre Health Studies Program prepares students for entry into medical, dental, veterinary, or other health-related graduate programs. The program provides guidance and support for students wishing to pursue these professional programs. Students preparing to apply to medical school need to be aware of the changes in the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) beginning 2015, as well as the course requirements for medical school. The current course requirements for medical school include: one year each of biological sciences (
and
) physics (
and
, or
and
), general chemistry (
,
and
,
), organic chemistry (
and
), and two courses in mathematics, usually a semester of calculus and a course in statistics. Other course requirements in the social sciences and humanities required by the medical schools are usually met by Goucher’s liberal arts curriculum. Course requirements for other professions in the Health Sciences are very similar to the requirements for medical school and can be met with minor variations in the typical Premedical Studies program.
Competitive applicants for medical school, however, usually have a stronger science background than the minimum requirements, and will need to take specific coursework in order to meet the natural and social science competencies tested by the revised MCAT Thus, in addition to the courses noted above, premedical students must take Cell Biology (
,
), Genetics (
,
), Principals of Physiology (
) Biochemistry I (
) and Statistics (
). Developmental Biology (
) and Biochemistry of Gene Expression (
) are also recommended. . The revised MCAT will also include a new section covering the social sciences. A premedical student will need to take either
or
to prepare for this part of the exam. A premedical student may choose any major or individualized major provided the requirements listed above are met. See departmental listings for specific recommendations on course selection within the major.
Given the requirements note above, a student’s premedical curriculum must be highly structured and necessitates a distinct series of coursework, if the student wishes to take the MCAT and apply to medical school at the end of the junior year. To ensure that all required and recommended courses can be taken, it is essential that principles of chemistry and the introductory biological sciences courses be taken in the first year. All students should complete cell biology, genetics and organic chemistry in the sophomore year. Physics, principles of physiology, biochemistry, statistics and one of the appropriate social science courses must be completed by the end of their junior year. Students pursuing a Chemistry major should take either calculus- or non-calculus-based physics by the end of the second year. Given the number of courses, which must be completed prior to taking the MCAT, it is not uncommon for students to apply to medical school at the end of their senior year Deciding, after the first year, to prepare for a medical career may necessitate attendance at summer school.
In addition to having a strong academic record successful applicants to medical school need to demonstrate a wide range of intangible criteria including; a strong interest in medicine, maturity and good character, altruism and the ability to work with people different than themselves. The Premedical Program helps students meet these criteria by a variety of venues. Goucher has relationships with 5 hospitals in the Baltimore area, where students can do volunteer work and obtain credit as a Premedical Internship, if they desire. We also have relationships with a number of community service organizations, where students can volunteer and develop the personal skills necessary to work with a wide variety of patients. In addition, the program provides the necessary letter of recommendation, assistance with preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), interview skills, and guidance with regard to where to apply to medical school. The program also sponsors outside speakers covering medically related issues and medical school admissions policies. Students interested in preparing for medical, dental, or veterinary school should consult the director of premedical studies.
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