Frequently Asked Questions
What constitutes a "pre-med" major?
There is no single "pre-med" major. Medical schools are looking for students who have completed specific course work and who have performed at a high academic level. The prerequisite courses for medical school admission are: One year of English Composition, and one year of each of the following with labs: General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Calculus and Physics. Some schools require biochemistry. All schools value strong communication skills. Cell biology, genetics, developmental biology and other specific courses may also be recommended. We recommend that students' interests dictate their choice of major as long as the prerequisites for medical school admission are met. Most UC Riverside applicants to medical school have completed the BS degree in Biology.
Is there any way to predict what sort of scores I will have on the MCAT?
Yes, look at your SATs! The best correlation we have seen between MCAT and any other achievement is between the MCAT and the SAT scores. In fact, of the schools that do not require MCAT scores, ALL require the SATs. We have seen the exceptional student with modest SATs achieve strong MCAT scores however.
When should I apply to medical school?
You should apply to medical school after successfully completing most of the pre-requisite courses, after receiving an MCAT score that is in keeping with the national average, and after demonstrating a commitment to a medical career through extracurricular activities and scholarly work. Most importantly, meet with our staff members prior to submitting your application.
Question Submissions
If you have a general question you would like added to our FAQs, please email mhcp@ucr.edu.