I’m starting my pre req’s for medical school this year.
This is what it says on the University of Washington SOM website:

2010 Course Requirements

The premedical course requirements must be completed before matriculation
but preferably before the time of application. Undergraduate or
post/baccalaureate courses must be completed at a college or university
accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting body. Courses must
include a minimum of:

5 semesters of Social Sciences or Humanities.
6 semesters of Chemistry and Biology.
1 semester of Physics plus 1 semester of Calc

It’s going to take me until I graduate to get my General Univeristy Requirements, degree, and THIS pre-med stuff done.

Dont you apply after your JUNIOR year? Will this be a problem if I don’t have the pre req’s before applying?

Physics 1 and 2 has a pre-req of Calculus, whereas Intro to Physics 1 and 2 requires intermediate/college algebra. Both Physics and intro physics require a lab–therefore making a total of 8 hours (med school requirement).

Does anyone know? thanks!

I’ve gotten through most of the courses which are GPA killers, but I’m a civil engineering major. I needed to do stuff for a math minor, and did, and anyway, junior year now, I’ve got a 3.2GPA. I know that’s low, but it should raise to about a 3.3-3.5; somewhere in there by the end I hope. I’m good at standardized testing, hopefully MCAT will go well. I’ve done calc I II III and differential equations plus other mathwork for math minor (foundations, history of math, etc) and I am doing Orgo I now, I’ve done physics I and II and chem I and II and I’ve got bio to do – I wanted to wait a little on bio so I’d have it freshest in my mind for when I go to take the MCAT’s. I’ll be doing bio I clep style cause I just can’t fit it any other way, if I don’t get in at first that’s one thing I’ll retake on college level but literally, I need bio I for engineering coursework and I need to get it this semester clep is ALL I can do – I know I don’t want to make a habit of clepping out of pre-req’s but this one I have no choice.

Anyway, I’ve heard two things I’d like to verify. I know that med school likes people who weren’t just bio/premed majors. Good well roundedness there. But, will they take into account that I was doing Civil Engineering and say, hmmm… Maybe .2 less GPA is ok since he wasn’t in GPA boosting classes like liberal arts or whatever for a bachelor’s degree…. Is that common or does the number objectively decide regardless of a technical major? I know UF actually discourages engineering because they aver on their site that most people can’t do that and pre-med requisites. Which I’m doing. Most people are impressed, will the admissions people be (all that matters, really… ?)

The last one, is the 18 credit semesters. I’ve been doing more than just the requisite 12 for a while. It’s a killer. Especially since it’s not like I’m taking art for the extra GPA. Will they care and alter the average for this reason, or will they just say forget him, so what if he’s ambitious enough to bite off more than he can chew (i.e. for a 3.8GPA)?

Please, if you’re just guessing then say it’s what you’ve heard, I need concrete examples here and sometimes yahoo has people older than 12 answering who know what they’re talking about… But I really will start my research here, and need some good info. Thanks to anyone who cares though!

Hi,
I have a degree from outside the US (I live in the US now). I would like to apply to the medical school and I have two questions (university advisors don’t always respond and some are NASTY with foreign students). My degree was in biology. I am familiar with most medical school req but have the following questions:

1) Will it be a problem that I have an international degree esp when filling the AAMC application or any step in the application process? Anyone with a similar experience?

2) About recommendation letters…what do you do if you can get a letter from someone (job or courses) now but plan to apply in 2 or 3 years? You can’t always keep in contact with them and you can’t garantee they will remember you when its time to apply. Is there a service or something in the AAMC website or your target university to keep your letters on file until you complete your application?

Thanks…
Thank you for your advice. Actually, I forgot to mention that I am planning to take the physics and chemistry requirements at a university here in the US. I also contacted some medical school and one top school told me that I have "an excellent scientific experience". Another top school said that my degree will be recognized. I understand that competition is tough, but I feel I have the foundations of a good application. I would like to strengthen my position by adding as many "pluses" to my application as I can. And it is true that advisors can be so mean to you but you have to be persistent to achieve your dreams…right…That is why I need to know some information about the rec letters and few other things to know where I stand…