Tips for Scheduling Courses
This brochure discusses the process of preparing for application to medical schools. Dental and veterinary schools follow very similar processes. However, if you are interested in other Health Science careers, you should meet with a member of the Health Science Advising Committee to discuss your program. For sports medicine, athletic training, and physical therapy, see Rex Call, Marie Pickerill, or Tom Ball in the Kinesiology Department. Required or recommended coursework for all these programs can be found on the websites for their national organizations, which are listed on links for Health Sciences students
Prerequisites for a sampling of programs in different areas of the health sciences (medicine, dentistry, veterinary, nursing, physical therapy, etc.) are available at our prerequisites and coursework page. Though the actual programs you are interested in may have slightly different requirements, this sampling should give you a rough idea of requirements in each field.
Pre-Medical Science Course Work
DePauw recommends a minimum of eleven and one-quarter courses in the sciences and mathematics for applicants to medical school:
Curriculum Fall 2005 and later:
- Math 151: Calculus I (or Math 135-136 sequence)
- Biology 135: Organismal Biology with Lab
- Biology 145: Ecology and Evolution
- Biology 215: Cells and Genes
- Upper level Biology course with lab
- Chemistry 120: Structure and Properties of Organic Molecules with lab
- Chemistry 130: Structure and Properties of Inorganic Compounds with lab
- CHEM 170: Stoichiometric Calculations (1/4 credit; prerequisite for CHEM 260)
- Chemistry 260: Thermodynamics, Equilibrium and Kinetics with lab
- Chemistry 320: Organic Mechanisms and Synthesis with lab [Note: many schools will accept CHEM 240: Structure and Function of Biomolecules in place of CHEM 320]
- Physics 120: Principles of Physics I with lab
- Physics 130: Principles of Physics II with lab
Some medical schools may require or recommend more, such as additional courses in mathematics, psychology, anatomy, languages, humanities and biochemistry. Be sure to check the AAMC's Medical School Admission Requirements, available in the Health Sciences Reading Room, for the prerequisites for specific schools you are applying to.
The MCAT and the medical school application process place a great deal of emphasis on verbal reasoning and communications skills. Even the science sections of the MCAT are based on close reading and evaluation of written passages, not memorized knowledge about science. Sometimes, students are so intent on their science course work that they neglect or avoid taking courses that emphasize reading, writing and verbal communication. But of the four MCAT scores, the Verbal Reasoning and Writing are the hardest to improve through concentrated study. These skills need to be built up over time. An academic program that includes a healthy sampling of courses in history, literature, philosophy and other fields where verbal reasoning is emphasized is highly recommended.
The ten and three-quarter courses required for the pre-med program can be accommodated within any major at the university. Medical schools do not give preference to biology and chemistry majors. In fact, the major with the highest acceptance rate is philosophy.
Schedule of Course Work
There is no best way to schedule the pre-med curriculum, but there is a worst way: if you start out poorly in your course work, particularly in the sciences, it is difficult to raise your GPA to a level where medical schools and other health science programs will consider you. Doing well in science and math courses requires excellent test-taking skills. Science courses can be very complicated to manage; there are labs, lab preps, lab tests and reports, homework problems, course reading, quizzes and tests. Unless you have good time management skills, you may feel overwhelmed or confused by all this. Finally, most science courses require good mathematical skills.
As you're considering how to approach the pre-med course work, you should carefully assess where you are in these key areas. Performance in high school science classes may not be a good indicator of how you will do in college courses.
Traditionally, pre-med students have taken the MCAT in the Spring of their junior year and applied to medical school in the summer prior to their senior year. This schedule gives you almost six semesters to complete the 10.75 credit recommended program--an average of 1.5-2.0 credits per semester. Students majoring in one of the sciences will probably find it necessary to take two science courses a semester to complete both the pre-med and the major requirements.
Sample 1: A Biology major planning to take the MCAT in April of her Junior year.
(Courses have been selected to fulfill group and competency requirements. Courses also reflect Fall 2001 chemistry curriculum changes).
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year |
MATH 151: Calculus |
CHEM 240: Structure and Function of Biomolecules BIO 135: Organismal Biology SOC 100: Intro to Sociology PHIL 101: Intro to Philosophy |
| Sophomore |
BIO 145: Evolution and Ecology |
BIO 215: Cells & Genes CHEM 260: Thermodynamics... HIST 265: Twentieth Century U.S. ENG 265: The Novel |
| Junior |
PHYS 120: Principles of Physics I |
PHYS 130: Principles of Physics II BIO 335: Animal Physiology BIO 320: Genetics HPP 015: Aerobic Conditioning |
| Senior | BIO 342: Ecology BIO 390: Developmental Biology SPAN 231 ECON 100: Intro to Economics |
BIO 361: Immunology BIO 450: Seminar SPAN 232 ECON 220: Intro Financial Accounting |
The courses that fulfill pre-med requirements could be taken in a different order. For instance, this student could have taken Physics 120 & 130in her first year, rather than her Junior year. Note that in this schedule, the student takes courses in English, History and Philosophy which will help to develop her verbal reasoning skills. Also, in her senior year, she takes some economics courses. People in medical fields are finding that they must be more knowledgeable about the business side of their fields. Keeping up with a foreign language is also a good idea, especially if you anticipate serving a population that includes many non-English speakers.
Sample 2: A History Major planning to take the MCAT in April of his junior year.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year |
MATH 151: Calculus |
CHEM 240: Structure and Function of Biomolecules PHYS 120: Principles of Physics I HIST 105: American Experience ENG 130: College Writing II |
| Sophomore | CHEM 130: Structure and Properties of Inorganic Molecules CHEM 170: Stoichiometric Calculations HIST 263: U.S. Civilization PHYS 130: Principles of Physics II PHIL 202: Logic |
CHEM 260: Thermodynamics, Equilibrium and Kinetics BIO 135: Organismal Biology BIO 190: Laboratory in Biological Diversity HIST 107: Intro China & Japan ENG 183: American Writers |
| Junior | BIO 145: Ecology and Evolution HIST 300a: Women in Russia FREN 101 COMM 111: Beginning Acting |
BIO 250: Microbiology HIST 300b: Civil Rights ENG 250: World Literature FREN 102 HPP 015: Aerobic Conditioning |
| Senior | PSY 260: Social Psychology HIST 265: 20th Century US HIST 240: Modern Germany ECON 100: Intro to Economics |
ART 218: Cathedral and Court HIST 490: Seminar HIST 368: US in the 60's |
Some students arrive at college without the background and study skills they need to do well in science and math courses. Rather than jumping into this course work immediately, they may prefer to wait until their sophomore year to begin the pre-med course work. Students whose math skills are weak may find it beneficial to take the Math 135-136 sequence, which satisfies the calculus requirement, in their first year, then start their science course work in their sophomore year. Such students may wait until their senior year to take the MCAT, planning to take a year off after graduation before entering medical school. Such a program is particularly appropriate for students not planning to major in the sciences, because there are numerous good post- baccalaureate programs that offer additional preparation for medical school.
Sample 3: A History Major planning to take the MCAT in April of his senior year and apply to medical school after graduating.
During the year he is out of school, he might take additional science courses in a post-baccalaureate program or work in a field related to medicine. (Courses reflect Fall 2001 chemistry curriculum changes).
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | MATH 135: Calculus with Review I HIST 197: First-Year Seminar ENG 130: College Writing II PSY 100: Intro to Psychology HPP 005: Aerobic Swimming |
MATH 136: Calculus with Review II PHYS 120: Principles of Physics I HIST 105: American Experience PHIL 101: Intro to Philosophy |
| Sophomore | CHEM 130: Structure and Properties of Inorganic Molecules CHEM 170: Stoichiometric Calculations HIST 263: U.S. Civilization PHYS 130: Principles of Physics II PHIL 202: Logic |
CHEM 260: Thermodynamics, Equilibrium and Kinetics BIO 135: Organismal Biology HIST 107: Intro China & Japan ENG 183: American Writers |
| Junior | BIO 145: Ecology and Evolution HIST 300a: Women in Russia FREN 101 COMM 111: Beginning Acting |
HIST 300b: Civil Rights |
| Senior | CHEM 120: Structure and Properties of Organic Molecules HIST 265: 20th Century US HIST 240: Modern Germany ECON 100: Intro to Economics |
CHEM 320: Organic Mechanisms and Synthesis |
Course Sequence: Some Tips
- Because there are four required semesters (4.25 credits) of chemistry, you need to start chemistry coursework early. It is possible to start the chemistry sequence in your sophomore year (assuming you're planning to take the MCAT in April of your junior year).
- Good math skills are important in all the sciences and calculus is a prerequisite (or co-requisite) for Physics 120 and 130. So, it may be a good idea to take calculus (or the Math 135-136 sequence) early.
- Some background in chemistry is assumed in biology courses. CHEM 120 is a prerequisite for BIO 215. Although it is possible to learn the chemistry as you go, many students recommend taking a chemistry course before starting the biology courses.
Extracurricular and Volunteer Activities, Internships, Etc.
Medical schools examine your service, activities, and work experience record carefully for evidence that you are a compassionate, responsible person and that you know something about the profession. Interaction with patients, even something like reading to bedridden patients in a nursing home, is particularly valuable. Internships in which you get out in the field (shadowing a physician or serving in a department of a hospital) give you a sense of how the profession really works. One warning, however: Medical schools are interested in what you make of this experience, not how much you have. In your application essay, if you come off as being superficial or naive, you aren't going to get in, no matter how much volunteer work you did.
DePauw offers some Winter Term opportunities of special interest to students in health sciences. Each Winter Term, an EMT training course is offered and there are Winter Term in Service trips that involve bringing health care to underserved areas. Both these programs require prior course work and/or service activity, so investigate them early.
Finances
By the time you get through with DePauw and medical school, you will owe a bundle in student loans. Although there are some concerns that physicians, particularly those who work in managed care positions, may find it difficult to repay student loans, currently you do not need to worry too much about the amount of debt you're carrying in legitimate student loans. But you need to be very concerned about other debt, particularly high interest credit card debt. Two medical schools have withdrawn acceptances from students they felt were too deeply in debt to succeed in medical school. (Credit card companies, unlike student loans, don't wait until you've graduated to start collecting.) Although only two medical schools have done this and others have adamantly denied that they will start, expect questions about how you will manage finances in medical school in your interviews. If you have shown a history of responsible financial management (which means little credit card debt), you will have a better shot at getting in.
Resources
Health Science Advising Committee
Rather than relying on a single health sciences adviser, the Health Science Advising Committee offers students a wide range of expertise in areas such as career counseling and academic skill development, as well as the sciences. Students in the program also play an integral role on this advising committee.
Feel free to write us if you have questions or would like more information.
- Jackie Roberts, Chemistry and Biochemistry, 321 Julian, 658-4605
- Jeff Hansen, Chemistry and Biochemistry, 341 Julian, 658-4613
- Rex Call, Head Athletic Trainer and Director of Sports Medicine Program, Lilly Center, 658-4937
- Tom Ball, Kinesiology, Lilly Center 1, 658-9984
- Marie Pickerill, Kinesiology, Lilly Center 1
- Sharon Crary, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Julian 328, 658-4848
- Steve Langerud Director of Career Services, Harrison 311, 658-4280
- Ken Kirkpatrick, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Harrison 207, 658-4439
- Kevin Kinney, Assistant Professor of Biology, 210 Olin, 658-6399