Preparatory Programs

Pre-Medicine and Osteopathy
Advisor: Fred McCorkle, Department of Biology, 774-3348
E-mail: Fred.McCorkle@cmich.edu

This course of study is designed for a student who believes that medicine might be his or her chosen field for life. Although no specified CMU major is required, a student should plan to earn an undergraduate degree from CMU and must select a degree program from those found elsewhere in this Bulletin and successfully complete all its requirements.

The student should contact the CMU pre-medical advisor during the first semester of the freshman year to develop a program of study and to obtain information about medical schools.

Requirements
Most medical schools have the following minimum requirements of one year each in: biology (with laboratory), general chemistry (with laboratory), organic chemistry (with laboratory), physics (with laboratory), English, and behavioral science. Most require ninety semester hours of college credit, but a baccalaureate is strongly recommended.

Some schools recommend other courses. Further information about these requirements and other pertinent information concerning medical schools may be obtained from the advisor and from a book entitled Medical School Admission Requirements. The address for obtaining this book is Association of American Medical Colleges, 2450 N Street N.W., Washington, D.C., 20037-1126. The admission requirements for Osteopathic Schools can be obtained from The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 405, Rockville, MD, 20852-3991.

Recommended Course of Study
The following abbreviated schedule indicates some of the recommended courses for a student interested in medicine. Only the first year is indicated so that all students may begin without undue delay. No later than the second semester of the first year, students should consult with the pre-medical advisor concerning appropriate course work.

First Semester
ENG 101 or ENG 201 (3)
BIO 101 or BIO 105 (3)
CHM 131 (4) or CHM 161 (5)
MTH 130 (4)
Elective, see advisor (1-3)

Second Semester
ENG 134 (3)
BIO 218 or BIO 203 or BIO 208 (3)
CHM 132 (4) or CHM 211 (4) [to follow CHM 161]
MTH 132 (4)
Elective, see advisor (1-3)

Medical College Admission Test
This test, required by most medical and osteopathic schools, is usually administered in April and August. Test application forms may be obtained from the pre-medical advisor, and it is strongly suggested that students plan on taking this test in April, just prior to the beginning of the application process.

The new MCAT Student Manual will be useful in preparation for this test and it may be obtained from the Association of American Medical Colleges, address above.

Recommendations
Each student should provide to the pre-medical advisor a completed copy of the AMCAS (medical school) or the AACOMAS (osteopathic school) forms if the letter of evaluation is to be prepared by the advisor.

Application to Medical Schools
These materials should be obtained and prepared during the summer prior to the application process, which normally occurs during the fall. Most medical schools use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), while osteopathic schools use the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). Forms for these services are obtained from the pre-medical advisor. Applications for individual medical schools must be obtained directly from the medical school. The addresses are found in the book entitled Medical School Admission Requirements.

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