Information for Pre-Medical Students

Allopathic and osteopathic medical schools have similar prerequisites and require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). In Washington, the only allopathic medical school is at the University of Washington, Seattle. It serves the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. The only osteopathic medical school in the state is at the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima. Admission to medical school is very competitive; students should research other schools and prepare for application to multiple medical schools.

College coursework required by most medical schools
(1 year = 3 quarters = 2 semesters)

1 year of general chemistry with lab:	BC CHEM& 161,162,163 (Previously CHEM 140,150,160)
1 year of organic chemistry with lab:	BC CHEM& 261,262,263 (Previously CHEM 231,232,243)
1 year introductory biology with lab:	BC BIOL& 211,212,213 (Previously BIOL 201,202,203)
1 year of general physics with lab:	BC Physics 114, 115, 116 or Physics 121, 122 123

English/Humanities:Beyond the required science courses, a broad humanities and liberal arts background is encouraged. In addition, approximately 65% of the US schools require 2 or 3 quarters of English, ideally a combination of composition and literature. Many schools recommend or require a medical ethics course.

Math: The required math courses depend on the specific medical school, the bachelor's degree major and the physics courses that are chosen. The University of Washington Medical School will require two quarters of calculus beginning with the 2010 admission cycle. Math assessment is required in order to register for BC math courses and your placement score will determine at what level you begin math classes. Placement into lower level math will increase the time needed to complete the required courses as chemistry and physics have math prerequisites.

Note: Biochemistry is a major component of the first year of medical school and many schools are requiring it for admission. Biochemistry courses require both biology and organic chemistry as prerequisites. The required premedical courses are generally completed by the end of the junior year at which time the student can take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and apply to medical school. There are over 150 medical schools in the United States and students typically apply to 10 to 12 of them. The application process begins in the summer of the year prior to the year of entry. For example, if you want to start medical school in the fall of 2010, you should apply in the summer of 2009. Applications are exclusively web based and available through AMCAS or AACOMAS.

There is no recommended pre-med major for the bachelor's degree at the University of Washington or at other medical schools. A science major is not an advantage over a non-science major. Students should major in a subject in which they are interested, can do well and maintain a strong GPA. Your choice of major will determine which associate degree you earn at BC as well as which math classes and physics courses are required. All of the science requirements should not be completed at the community college, as medical schools want to see evidence of success in the sciences at baccalaureate schools. It is suggested that students take at least one sequence of science courses in addition to biochemistry after transfer. It is also important to take a full load of courses to accurately reflect scholastic abilities as the academic load in medical school is a full time intensive commitment.

It may take longer than two years to finish the associate degree requirements at BC depending upon the degree and the level of math and English classes at which the student is starting. Pre-college level math, English, or other classes may be required to bring skills up to college level. MATH& 151, Calculus I is preceded by MATH& 141 and MATH& 142, Pre-calculus I and II. Students may need to attend summer quarters in order to complete the preparation for the bachelor's degree major and transfer in a timely manner. Courses that are taught in sequence should be finished at the school at which they are begun. After transfer, students would complete distribution credits, requirements for their major, as well as the remaining science prerequisites and biochemistry. The biology series and organic chemistry are prerequisites for the biochemistry classes. Work or volunteer experience in a medical or community setting is a must for medical school.

GPA
The mean overall GPA range for entering medical school students in the last five years has been approximately 3.5 to 3.7 nation-wide. College grades are an important predictor of medical school performance and students should strive to maintain a strong GPA with limited withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses and non-graded options.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
The MCAT is a test which covers four areas: reading skills analysis, including literature, social science and natural science passages; biological science problem solving; physical science problem solving; and writing. The MCAT is offered in a computer based format and is available on multiple dates throughout the year at various locations. It is usually taken in the calendar year prior to the year you wish to begin medical school. The MCAT Student Manual has examples of test questions and is available at the UW Bookstores. More information on the MCAT is available at www.aamc.org.

Residency and Citizenship
State supported medical schools strongly prefer residents of their own state. International applicants will have a very difficult time gaining admission to U.S. medical schools unless they have permanent visas and have established state residence. Private medical schools are a viable option for international students and non-residents.

Resources
American Association of Medical Colleges: www.aamc.org
American Medical Student Association: www.amsa.org
The Student National Medical Association: www.snma.org
National Society for Non-traditional Premedical and Medical Students: www.oldpremeds.org
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: www.aacom.org

Contact the BC Science Division L 200, 425-564-2321 for an advising appointment.

Bellevue College
Bellevue College Advising Center
Bellevue College Science Division

This page most recently modified on July 14, 2009.