Pre-Medicine at WOU

Are you ready to start your journey into medicine?

WOU can help you chart your pathway into medical school. Most WOU students who get to the application stage and take the MCAT have earned Biology (Pre-Professional) or Chemistry (Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology) degrees. However, any degree pathway can be used provided that you have a strong foundational coursework in the sciences. Other majors to consider include Gerontology, Health and Exercise Science, and Psychology.

Using official tracking data form AMCAS/MCAT and AACOM, WOU has a high rate of student acceptance into medical programs. Approximately 86% of majors who get to the application stage and take the MCAT are accepted to a medical school, sometimes after multiple attempts. Nationally, the acceptance rate for MD or DO programs has been in the 30 – 40% range. The notable success of WOU graduates, compared with national averages is due to the strong preparation WOU provides in foundational coursework including Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In addition, WOU advisors will help you broaden your application portfolio to include more than academics. Click here to learn more about what medical schools look for when reviewing student applications.

Regardless of the major that you choose, most medical schools require a strong scientific and mathematical background. The following courses at WOU satisfy most medical school requirements (although, if you are planning to apply to a specific school, you should check their requirements thoroughly to be sure that you aren’t missing anything!):

• 1 Year of Biology (BI 211-BI 212-BI 213)
• 1 Quarter of Genetics (BI 314 Introduction to Genetics)*
• 1 Quarter of Cell Biology (BI 315 Cell Biology)*
• 1 Year of General Chemistry (CH 221-CH 222-CH 223)
• 1 Year of Organic Chemistry (CH 334-CH 335-CH 336)*
• 2 Quarters of Biochemistry (CH 450 & CH 451)*
• 1 Year of Physics (either PH 201-PH 202-PH 203 or PH 211-PH 212- PH 213)
• Math through Calculus I (MTH 251 Calculus I)
• 1 Quarter of Psychology (PSY 201 General Psychology I or PSY202 General Psychology II)
• 1 Quarter of Sociology (SOC 204 Introduction to Sociology)

*Note that some of these courses serve as prerequisites for the higher level coursework. Thus, you need to plan enough time in your schedule to be sure to meet all of your needs. For example BI 211 is required to take BI 314 and and BI 314 is required to take BI315. Similarly the full General Chemistry series (CH221-222-223) is required to take Organic Chemistry, and the full Organic Chemistry series (CH334-335-336) is required to take Biochemistry (CH450 and CH451). Thus, three full years are required to meet the chemistry core requirements. Note also that the chemistry courses listed here lead to a chemistry minor.

Download this Sample Academic Planner:

to use as a base in filling out your degree requirements along with medical school requirements listed above. (note that major requirements will depend on your chosen degree path and that some courses alternate years and might shift in your plan depending on when you start your degree. Thus, you should work with your major advisor to confirm your degree plan and major course requirements.

Additional courses to consider for preparing for the MCAT, include:

• 1 Year of Anatomy & Physiology (BI 234, 235 & 236 or BI 334, 335, & 336)
• 1 Quarter of Statistics (STATZ 243 or BI 343)
• Other Upper Division Biology or Chemistry Coursework (Immunology, Toxicology, Neurobiology, Microbiology, Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology, or Molecular & Developmental Biology)