Program Overview

Pre-Medicine (Pre-MED) Program

The Pre-Medicine (Pre-MED) program at the University of Connecticut is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the natural sciences and prepare them for a career in medicine. The program is guided by a team of experienced faculty advisors who work closely with students to ensure they meet the requirements for medical school admission.

Medical School Requirements

Medical schools require a strong foundation in the natural sciences, including chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology. The specific requirements may vary from school to school, but most medical schools require the following:

• One year of General Chemistry with lab
• One year of Organic Chemistry with lab
• One year of Mathematics (Calculus)/Statistics
• One year of Physics with lab
• One year of English
• General and Advanced Biology courses

Coursework

The Pre-MED program at the University of Connecticut requires students to complete a series of courses in the natural sciences, including:

• General Chemistry: CHEM 1127Q/1128Q series or CHEM 1147Q/1148Q Honors series
• Organic Chemistry: CHEM 2243/2244/2245 series
• Mathematics: MATH 1131Q (Calculus I) and STAT 1100Q
• Physics: PHYS 1201Q/1202Q series or PHYS 1401Q/1402Q series
• English: ENGL 1007 (or ENGL 1010 or ENGL 1011) and an additional writing intensive/composition course
• General Biology: BIOL 1107/1108 series
• Advanced Biology courses: Biochemistry, Genetics, Medical Microbiology, Medical Cell Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Systems Pathophysiology

Advanced Placement (AP) Test Credits and Early College Experience (ECE) Credits

AP and ECE credits accepted by UConn can be used to fulfill pre-requisites for most medical schools. However, it is recommended that students take higher-level courses in the same field to have a college course grade for that pre-requisite.

Medical College Application Test (MCAT)

The MCAT exam is required for admission to most medical schools. The exam has four multiple-choice test sections:

• Section 1: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Section 2: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Section 3: Psychological Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior
• Section 4: Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Extracurricular Activities

Pre-MED students should get a broad and deep exposure to medicine through extracurricular activities, such as:

• Volunteering at community shelters, clinics, nursing homes, social service agencies
• Volunteering at a local hospital or clinic
• Pursuing certification and working as an emergency medical technician (EMT)
• Shadowing physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and other health care professionals
• Biomedical research
• Leadership activities
• Community service

Letters of Evaluation

Students typically need to request 3-6 evaluation letters from professors, research mentors, or healthcare professionals. The letters should focus on the student's academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and clinical experience.

Application Cycle

The application cycle for medical school typically begins in June and ends in April. The key elements of a successful application include:

• Academic performance
• MCAT scores
• Relevant experiences
• Letters of evaluation
• Personal contents essay
• Personal interviews

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Pre-MED students include:

• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
• Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)
• American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
• UConn Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Advising Office
• UConn Pre-MED Society