The MCAT is a standardized test of general knowledge of science courses and comprehensive skills in reading and writing. To do well on these tests, students must have analytic skills and problem-solving ability. Information about registration, test dates and exam related questions can be obtained from the MCAT website.
Mark Bohler, Advisor
Department of Biology
Converse students will gain a solid foundation in our liberal arts-based curriculum for their first step toward medical school.
Each medical school determines its specific requirements for admissions. These requirements can be found in the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) guide published by the Association of American Medical Colleges. You may also find these admissions requirements online through the individual medical school’s website.
Coursework
The successful pre-medical student must have a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Honors, independent study, a well-rounded sampling of extracurricular activities, and research work are highly encouraged as these activities demonstrate scholarly, in-depth, and lifelong learning skills.
Both GPA and MCAT scores are critical but are not the only determinants for admission to medical school. Pre-Med students must complete the minimum science course work by the end of their junior year to prepare for medical school and the MCAT exam in April.
The table below outlines the prerequisite requirements of many programs. Students should confirm required coursework for specific programs of interest.
Courses at Converse that fulfill these requirements are:
| Coursework | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Inorganic Chemistry (CHM 190 and CHM 310) | 8 hours |
| Organic Chemistry (CHM 203-204) | 8 hours |
| Quantitative Analysis (CHM 251) | 4 hours |
| Biochemistry (CHM 415) | 4 hours |
| Physics (PHY 251-252 or PHY 241-242) | 8 hours |
| Biology (BIO 190 and BIO 191) | 8 hours |
| English (Composition and Literature) | 3 hours |
| Mathematics (MTH 110 and MTH 113 recommended) | 6 hours |
| Psychology (PSY 100 or PSY 380) | 3 hours |
Active participation in health-related activities through Internships, volunteering or working in health clinics or shadowing doctors is also highly recommended. Such activities will help the applicant gain clinical experience and social responsibility. It will also help students determine if this type of career is the right path for them. Honors classes, independent study and research work are also taken into consideration in the admission process. They demonstrate scholarly, in-depth, and lifelong learning skills.
Early application to medical schools is important. Information on application deadlines and application forms can be obtained at the following websites:
Programs
Converse offers over 100 majors, minors, certificates, and graduate programs across 2 campuses and online.