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 What is "pre-med"?
"Pre-med" is a term used to describe students who plan to enter medical school after graduating from college. You should know
that there is rarely if ever a "pre-med" major at any college. When a student is "pre-med", he or she is not only taking the
classes required for admission to medical school, but also has a major in a specific subject matter area. For example, a student
can major in Art and still go to medical school so long as he or she has 1) successfully completed the courses required for
admission to medical school, 2) has both a strong science and overall college GPA, and 3) has demonstrated a dedicated interest
in health care delivery.
What courses are required for admission to medical school?
Typically, medical school admissions committees require the following courses to be taken in college. The equivalent courses
offered at Bowling Green State University are indicated in parentheses:
- One year of English (ENG 111-112).
- One year of Biology with a laboratory component (BIOL 204-205).
- One year of General Chemistry with a laboratory component (CHEM 125-127/128).
- One year of Organic Chemistry with a laboratory component (CHEM 341-344/345-346).
- One year of Physics with a laboratory component (PHYS 201-202).
Medical school admission committees often also require Calculus (MATH 131 or 134-135).
Are all of these required courses available at BGSU?
Yes, all the courses required for medical school admission are available at BGSU. Further, many other useful (but not required)
courses for medical school, such as Biochemistry and Microbiology, are offered at BGSU.
What majors are most popular among pre-med students?
Pre-med students often choose science majors, as these majors usually include some of the courses required for medical school
admission. However, remember that a student can choose ANY major and still go to medical school, so long as he or she has
1) completed the courses required for medical school admission, 2) has a strong college GPA, and 3) has demonstrated a true
interest in health care delivery.
How high should my GPA be in order to go to medical school?
Typically, a student's overall college GPA should be a 3.5 or better in order to be a strong candidate for admission to medical
school.
Is a high GPA the only way to get into medical school?
No. In addition to a high GPA, a student applying to medical school must also take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
This test has four sections: physical science, biological science, verbal reasoning, and an essay. The MCAT is usually taken
in April of the junior year of college. Further, students interested in medical school should attempt to gain scientific research
experience as well as clinical internships, hospital volunteer positions, or other opportunities working with people. For
more information about the MCAT, click here.
When should I begin my pre-medical course work?
Whether or not you major in a science, you should begin your basic pre-medical course work as early as possible in your college
career. Ideally, your basic requirements for medical school admission should be completed by the end of your junior year of
college, since you will want to take the MCAT in spring of your junior year; you will begin applying to medical school in
the summer before your senior year of college.
If possible, you should take Biology , General Chemistry, and English in your freshman year. In your sophomore year, you should
take Organic Chemistry and Calculus. Physics should be taken no later than the junior year. Obviously, you also need to complete
all other major, college, and general education requirements before you can graduate.
Are there any organizations at BGSU that are designed for pre-medical students?
Yes. Alpha Epsilon Delta is a premedical honorary society available to students who have completed three semesters of pre-medical
coursework and whose overall and science GPA is at least a 3.0. Additionally, there is a Pre-Vet Med Association (PVMA) open
to all interested students. The Biological Sciences Honorary Beta Beta Beta, and the American Chemical Society Student Affiliate
are also available to dedicated science students. These organizations not only provide opportunities to attend lectures given
by health care and other professionals but also give students a chance to more deeply explore their intended professions.
What is the difference between the "M.D." degree and the "D.O." degree?
The M.D. degree is granted by allopathic medical schools, while the D.O. degree is conferred by osteopathic medical schools.
It is important to note that M.D.-granting and D.O.-granting institutions are both considered to be medical schools. The courses
taken in osteopathic medical school are essentially the same as those taken in allopathic medical schools. In addition, nearly
all residency programs consider the M.D. and D.O. degree to be equivalent.
So, what is the difference between the M.D. and the D.O. degree? The difference is largely one of philosophy. In osteopathic
medical school, there is a dedicated focus to the entire patient, including the mind and spirit. Further, osteopathic medical
schools emphasize the importance of the musculoskeletal system as a key component to human health.
The application process for osteopathic medical school is similar to the process for allopathic medical school. You need to
take the MCAT to get into both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.
What is the application process to get into medical school?
The medical school application process is fairly involved and time-consuming. For a detailed description of this process,
click here.
Over the past few years, what medical schools have BGSU graduates attended?
BGSU graduates have attended a wide range of medical schools, including the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, The Ohio State
University College of Medicine and Public Health in Columbus, and all other M.D. granting institutions in the State of Ohio.
Additionally, BGSU students have also gained admissions to a variety of medical schools outside Ohio.
How long does it take to get through medical school?
Medical school is a four year commitment after graduating from college. When you graduate from medical school, you will have
your M.D. degree. You will then enter a clinical residency in the field of medicine you intend to practice; a residency ranges
from 3 to 7 years after medical school.
What is life like in medical school?
For a brief description of the medical school life, click here.
What resources are available at BGSU to help me learn more about medical school?
BGSU offers students two advisors in the science departments, Lee Meserve, Ph.D. (Biological Sciences) and William Scovell,
Ph.D. (Chemistry), who have many years of experience in pre-medical advising. Dr. Meserve has been advising pre-health professions
students since 1980, and Dr. Scovell has been performing a similar function for over a decade. Additionally, Chris Schaefer,
an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, educates pre-medical students throughout the process of preparing
for medical school.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Lee Meserve, Ph.D.
Distinguished Teaching Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Pre-Health Professions Advisor
419-372-8361
lmeserv@bgnet.bgsu.edu
William Scovell, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Chemistry
Pre-Health Professions Advisor
419-372-8293
wscovel@bgnet.bgsu.edu
Chris Schaefer
College of Arts and Sciences
Academic Advisor for Bachelor of Science Degree Majors
419-372-2015
cschaef@bgnet.bgsu.edu
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