Most pre-medical students major in Biology or Chemistry because of the number of courses required in these areas but keep in mind that other majors are possible. "Pre-medical" is not a major on its own. Requirements for a declared major and minor must be met to graduate.
Students have the greatest success in applying to a medical school in the state in which they reside. For most UW-RF students these schools include the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and Duluth. These schools have similar course requirements for admission.
Recommended Curriculum
To meet medical school course requirements and prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) it is suggested that you follow a curriculum similar to that outlined below:
FRESHMAN YEAR
Chemistry 121, 122 (General Chemistry I and II and Lab I and II)
English 100, 200 (Freshman English)
Math 146, 147 (College Algebra and College Algebra and Trig)
Biology 150 (General Biology) and, if possible, Biology 230 (General Zoology)
Work on General Education requirements.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Chemistry 231, 232, 236, 237 (Organic Chemistry I and II and Lab I and II)Physics 151, 152, 156, 157 (General Physics and Lab)
Biology 240 (Cell and Molecular Biology)
Continue on General Education requirements such as English Literature and Speech.
(Two semesters of English Literature are required for the University of Minnesota)
JUNIOR YEAR
Chemistry 361 (Biochemistry I)Biology 341, 342 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II), Biology 350 (Genetics and Evolution), and Biology 324 (Microbiology)
Math 166 (Calculus I); more calculus may be taken but one semester is the minimum
Continue General Education requirements and work on Liberal Arts electives.
(One upper division course each of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences is needed for UMD)
Prepare to take the MCAT during spring (April) of the Junior year or, alternatively, during summer (August) between the Junior and Senior year. See details below.
SENIOR YEAR
Complete college and major/minor requirements.Complete and send AMCAS application (Be sure to check for the specific application deadline for the school to which you are applying.)
The following courses are highly recommended:
Biology 353 (Animal Histology)
Chemistry 362 (Biochemistry II)
The following courses are recommended:
Chemistry 251, 256 (Analytical Chemistry and Lab)
Chemistry 340 (Physical Chemistry of Biological Systems)
Other Things to Consider
Explore alternative careers in the health sciences.
Talk to doctors and other health professionals about the nature of their work.
Engage in a job or volunteer position that demonstrates an interest in working with people.
The Medical College Admission Test
The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) must be taken for application to all medical schools. You may take the MCAT during the spring (April) of the Junior year or during the summer (August) prior to the Senior year. Application for the exam is due approximately one month prior in advance. It is important that you plan well ahead for application and preparation for this exam. Information, forms, publications, tables, and MCAT writing sample items are available through the American Association of Medical Colleges Student and Applicant Information Web Page
. Check for this year's MCAT dates and registration deadlines on the AAMC Registration Information page.
AMCAS Centralized Admission Service
Application to medical schools is carried out through the American Medical College Application Service. Look for many important details at the AMCAS Web site.
Information on Wisconsin and Minnesota Medical Schools
| Admissions Committee Medical Sciences Center, Room 1205 University of Wisconsin Medical School 1300 University Avenue Madison, WI 53706 Phone: 608.263.4925 http://www.med.wisc.edu/ |
Associate Dean, Admissions and Student Affairs |
|
Director of Admissions and Registrar |
Office of Admissions, Room 107 |
For application information on other U.S. and Canadian medical schools check the AAMC reference
Web site.The American Medical Student Association
An excellent source of information of interest to pre-meds is available from the University of Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Medical Student Association. You may access this source directly at The American Medical Student Association.
For More Information
Information regarding the pre-medical curriculum at UWRF is available through the pre-medical advisors:
| Dr. Betsy Gerbec Department of Biology University of Wisconsin-River Falls 410 South Third Street River Falls, WI 54022 Phone: 715.425.3363 E-mail: betsy.gerbec@uwrf.edu  |
Dr. Timothy Lyden Department of Biology University of Wisconsin-River Falls 410 South Third Street River Falls, WI 54022 Phone: 715.425.3362 E-mail: timothy.lyden@uwrf.edu |