Most medical schools require a minimum of 8 credits of biology courses with accompanying laboratory courses; 8 credits of inorganic/general chemistry with labs; 8 credits of organic chemistry with labs; 1 semester of biochemistry lecture; 8 credits of physics with accompanying labs; 3 credits of calculus; and 6 credits of English composition and/or literature courses. Given the variability in the prerequisites required by different medical schools, it is advisable for UMBC students to complete at least two semesters of college-level mathematics, one of which should include one semester of calculus. Admission requirements vary slightly among medical schools and therefore, it is a student’s responsibility to refer to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) book, an annual publication of the Association of American Medical Colleges, to ensure they take the prerequisites required by the schools to which they plan to apply. Students may purchase their own MSAR copy from AAMC (www.aamc.org) or log onto each individual medical school’s website for detailed information about each school’s admission requirements. All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the Spring semester that precedes a student’s expected August matriculation into medical school; although, the science prerequisite courses must be completed before a student takes the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). A new version of the MCAT will launch in January 2015 and will require competencies in the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior. Current recommendations for preparation for the new MCAT suggest students should consider taking introductory psychology and introductory sociology courses. Students should refer to the AAMC website to learn more about the upcoming changes to the MCAT and potential courses which will assist students with acquiring certain competencies tested on the new MCAT. As a special note: Pre-podiatry students should follow the pre-medical course requirements given most podiatric medical schools require completion of the MCAT. Pre-podiatry students should refer to the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) website which provides links to all of the podiatry schools and their admission requirements.

The UMBC equivalents of the minimum entrance requirements for most medical schools are listed below. Admission requirements vary slightly among medical schools and therefore, it is a student’s responsibility to refer to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) book, an annual publication of the Association of American Medical Colleges, to ensure they take the prerequisites required by the schools to which they plan to apply. Admission requirements are subject to change without prior notice. Students should be working closely with The PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office throughout their tenure at UMBC.