Did You Know?
Over the last 4 years, 63% of Miami undergraduate applicants have been acccepted to medical schools, compared to a national average of 46%.
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Mallory-Wilson Center
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Preparing for a Career in Medicine
Once you have decided to pursue a career in medicine, you should:
- Familiarize yourself with general advice for students considering healthcare careers (general advising page).
- Familiarize yourself with the information on this page.
- Obtain more detailed information about specific requirements from sources such as:
- Preparing for a Career in Medicine
- This booklet (available from the Oxford Copy Shop) will help guide you through your premedical years at Miami University and should answer many of your questions.
- Medical School Admission Requirements
- This resource book, published by the Association of American Medical Colleges, provides the specific admission requirements of each U.S. and Canadian medical school. The minimal requirements for entrance to almost all of the allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools in the United States and Canada are essentially the same.
- Visit websites such as:
- Association of American Medical Colleges
- Learn more about allopathic medicine and the MD.
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine or
American Osteopathic Association - Learn more about osteopathic medicine and the DO.
- Visit the Miami premed organizations bulletin boards (first floor of Pearson Hall) as well as the boards located outside of rooms 206 and 292 Pearson Hall for announcements of upcoming premed meetings.
- Try to attend meetings and events organized by Miami's premed organizations (AMSA, Miami MED, and Phi Delta Epsilon). These student-run organizations are there to help you attain your goal of becoming a physician.
- If you have any questions, please feel free to contact members of the Premedical Advisory Committee:
| Department | Advisor | Office | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Premedical Advisor | Mr. Robert Balfour (balfoura@muohio.edu) |
292 Pearson |
529-3149 |
| Chemistry and Biochemistry | Dr. Alan Isaacson (isaacsad@muohio.edu) |
360B Hughes |
529-2832 |
| Economics | Dr. Nick Noble (noblenr@muohio.edu) |
219C Laws |
529-6288 |
| Kinesiology and Health | Dr. Jeff Potteiger (potteija@muohio.edu) |
106 Phillips |
529-6522 |
| Kinesiology and Health | Dr. Diana Spillman (spillmdm@muohio.edu) |
100E Laws |
529-7555 |
| Microbiology | Dr. Joseph Carlin (carlinjm@muohio.edu) |
048 Pearson |
529-5426 |
| Physics | Dr. William Houk (houktw@muohio.edu) |
037 Culler |
529-5637 |
| Physics | Dr. Herbert Jaeger (jaegerh@muohio.edu) |
041 Culler |
529-5515 |
| Psychology | Dr. Lynn Olzak (olzakla@muohio.edu) |
214 Psychology |
529-1754 |
| Psychology | Dr. Peter Simson (simsonpe@muohio.edu) |
117 Psychology |
529-2443 |
| Sociology and Gerontology | Dr. Jennifer Bulanda (bulandjr@muohio.edu) |
356 Upham |
529-5642 |
| Zoology | Dr. Alan Cady (cadyab@muohio.edu) |
148 Pearson |
529-3176 |
| Zoology | Dr. Joyce Fernandes (fernanjj@muohio.edu) |
250 Pearson |
529-7211 |
| Zoology | Dr. Lori Isaacson (isaacslg@muohio.edu) |
280 Pearson |
529-3142 |
| Zoology | Dr. David Pennock (pennocdg@muohio.edu) |
248 Pearson |
529-3127 |
Coursework
Medical School Requirement - Miami Equivalent
- English (1 year)
- ENG 111, 112
- Biology (1 year with lab)
- BMZ* 115, 116
or
ZOO 113, 114 - General Chemistry (1 year with lab)
- CHM 141, 142 and CHM 144, 145
or
CHM 141M, 142M and CHM 153, 161 - Organic Chemistry (1 year with lab)
- CHM 241, 242 and CHM 244, 245
or
CHM 251, 252 and CHM 254, 255 - Physics (1 year with lab)
- PHY 171, 172 and PHY 183, 184
or
PHY 181, 182 and PHY 183, 184
* BMZ is a cross-listed course offered by the Departments of Botany, Microbiology, and Zoology. While medical schools require only one year of biology, most successful applicants to medical school have had more background in biology. It is recommended that you consider taking courses in cell biology and animal physiology (ZOO 305) to prepare you for the biological sciences section of the MCAT and the demands of medical school. A course in biochemistry is also suggested.
Math
Some schools require up to a year of college mathematics. A year of college math that includes a semester of statistics (STA 261) is strongly recommended. Generally, it is good advice not to take math during your first semester at Miami unless it is required or recommended for your intended major.
Additional Requirements
Although the minimal requirements for entrance to almost all of the allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools in the United States and Canada are essentially the same, some medical schools add specific required courses, and many make additional recommendations.
In addition to these required courses, take courses that will provide you with a "well-rounded" education, and will help to improve your written and oral communication skills. The required premedical courses should be completed by the end of the junior year because the subject matter in these courses is covered in the MCAT. The MCAT should be taken late in your junior year.
Competition for places in medical school is keen and medical school admission committees choose among many talented students. The evaluation of candidates is based largely on objective criteria; a high overall GPA and science GPA are obviously important. Other important factors are:
- competitive Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores
- well-developed interpersonal skills
- evidence of leadership potential as shown by a few carefully chosen extracurricular activities
- strong letters of reference
- prior experience in health care
One good way to start learning more about the medical profession is by attending meetings and events organized by Miami's premed organizations and the Mallory-Wilson Center.
Typical course schedules for the first 3 years of undergraduate study are:
Freshman Year:
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| CHM 141 (3) * | CHM 142 (3) * |
| CHM 144 (2) * | CHM 145 (2) * |
| ENG 111 (3) | ENG 112 (3) |
| BMZ 115 (4) ** | BMZ 116 (4) ** |
| Elective (3-5) | Elective (3-5) |
| 15-17 total credit hours | 15-17 total credit hours |
* If you are considering Chemistry or Biochemistry as a potential major you should talk with a Chemistry or Biochemistry advisor as you will need to take courses specific for that major in your first year.
** BMZ is a cross-listed biology course offered by the Departments of Botany, Microbiology, and Zoology. You can register for BMZ under any of the three departments. For students who intend to major in Botany, Microbiology, or Zoology or take additional courses in the biological sciences it is important that you take BMZ 115 and 116 in your first year as the courses are prerequisites for advanced courses in the biological sciences.
The above schedule will give you flexibility in your first year at Miami University and allow you to consider a number of different majors in the sciences, as well as in the social sciences and humanities, while at the same time giving you the background you will need to fulfill the requirements of medical school.
Many students in college change majors and career goals during their first year; hence, it is in your best interest to start with a broader program that will allow you to select from a number of majors, rather than narrowing your focus to a single major during your first year at Miami. If you are certain about pursuing a specific major, then the advice from the department should take precedence, as long as you can fulfill the premed requirements by the end of your junior year.
In addition to the courses recommended above, you must decide what additional class (elective 3-5 hours) you want to take for a total of 15-17 credit hours. That class will depend on your interest and potential choice of major. It is strongly recommended that the class you choose:
- be of strong interest to you
- count toward your major
- be in the social science or humanities area
Electing to take math or a language during the first semester should only be done if this is an area of interest and strength for you.
Sophomore Year:
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| CHM 241 or CHM 251 (3) * | CHM 242 or CHM 252 (3) * |
| CHM 244 (2) or CHM 254 (3) * | CHM 245 or CHM 255 (2) * |
| Courses for major, CAS, or Miami Plan | Courses for major, CAS, or Miami Plan |
| 15-17 total credit hours | 15-17 total credit hours |
Junior Year:
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| PHY 171 or PHY 181 (3) * | PHY 172 or PHY 182 (3) * |
| PHY 183 (1) * | PHY 184 (1) * |
| Courses for major, CAS, or Miami Plan | Courses for major, CAS, or Miami Plan |
| 15-17 total credit hours | 15-17 total credit hours |
* Many students majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry will have taken physics during their sophomore year.
** Most students take a slightly lighter course load during spring semester of their junior year so they can prepare for the MCAT exam.
AP Credit
While Miami will accept AP credit towards undergraduate requirements, you should use caution when using AP credit for science classes that will be used towards medical school requirements. For many entering students, taking the AP sciences classes (biology, chemistry, physics) should be viewed as a means to help you to do well in these premed courses, not as a means to bypass these courses in college. It should be emphasized, however, that this advice does not apply to all students and does not apply to math, social science, and humanities AP courses. For an exceptionally strong student who plans to take upper-level classes in the sciences and can readily achieve "As" in the science classes, then using the AP credit may be the best option.
Applying to Medical School
Although the official application to medical school is submitted the summer after your junior year, the process of applying to medical school normally begins in the fall of your junior year. In October of your junior year, the Chief Premedical Advisor will have an information session for all juniors planning to apply to medical school. All the steps in the application process will be explained at that time. Watch for announcements of the meeting in Mallory-Wilson Center emails and notices posted around campus.
You should prepare to take the MCAT in April or May of your junior year, and you should plan your course schedule so you can complete all courses required for medical school by the beginning of your senior year.