There is no major called “pre-med”, nor is there any particular major which is required for admission to medical schools. Bradley University offers a wide range of excellent majors, courses and opportunities which prepare students well for admission to medical schools. Students should choose a major based on their personal interests and abilities, and then meet with both their Academic (within their major) and Pre-Health Advisor regularly to ensure that they are taking the necessary courses (and at the right time) to meet their major and graduation requirements, as well as required and recommended courses for admission to medical schools. These pre-requisites can be taken as part of the major, Bradley Core, or free electives towards graduation, thus allowing students flexibility with their choice of major, and the ability to customize their pre-med plan.
The following majors and minors are most popular among pre-med students, because they incorporate many of the pre-requisite courses into the major requirements:
Majors
- Biology
- Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology-Preprofessional Concentration
- Biology: Medical Technology Concentration
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Science : Pre-Med Concentration
- Chemistry
- Chemistry – Pre-Medical Concentration
- Kinesiology and Health Sciences
- Mechanical Engineering: Biomedical Engineering Concentration
- Psychology
Minors
Below are listed the most common pre-requisites for the MCAT and medical schools and the Bradley courses which will satisfy them. Be aware that each medical school may establish their own specific pre-requisites which may vary from this list, so it is your responsibility to carefully research the admission requirements for schools to which you plan to apply. Pre-requisite courses may be taken as part of a Bradley major, minor, Bradley Core or free electives. Work with your academic and pre-health advisors to plan the best timing and sequence for completing pre-requisites for medical schools. It is highly recommended that these courses be completed BEFORE attempting the MCAT. All science courses should be taken with labs unless otherwise noted.
See MSAR (Medical School Admissions Requirements) or Osteopathic Medical College Information Book for program-specific requirements.
- BIO 151: Molecules to Cells and BIO 152: Lab
or BIO 111: Introduction to Cell Biology and BIO 113: Lab - BIO 251: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity and
- BIO 252: Lab
or BIO 112: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution and BIO: 114 Lab - Anatomy and Physiology BIO 381: Comparative Animal Physiology
or BMS 465: Medical Physiology and BMS 466: Human Anatomy
or BIO 230: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 232: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (labs optional) - CHM 110: General Chemistry I and CHM 111: Lab
- CHM 116: General Chemistry II and CHM 117: Lab
- CHM 252: Organic Chemistry I and CHM 253: Lab
- CHM 256: Organic Chemistry II and CHM 257: Lab
- CHM 360: Biochemistry (CHM 361 lab optional)
- ENG 101: English Composition and one additional
ENG course - PHY 107: General Physics I
or PHY 110: University Physics I - PHY 108: General Physics II
or PHY 201: University Physics II - *PSY 101: Principles of Psychology
- *SOC 100: The Sociological Perspective
Math and Statistics - 1 semester of Calculus:
- MTH 115: Brief Calculus w/Applications I
- MTH 116: Brief Calculus w/Applications II
- MTH 121: Calculus I
- MTH 122: Calculus II
- 1 semester of Statistics:
- MTH 111: Elementary Statistics
- BIO 260: Biological Statistics I and 261
Biological Statistics II - PSY 205: Quantitative Methods
- KHS 310: Statistical Procedures in Health Sciences
*Note: University of Illinois College of Medicine requires a second course in at least one of these disciplines.
Competitive applicants to medical schools are well rounded and have pursued a wide range of experiences to develop not only their scientific, thinking, and reasoning skills, but also interpersonal and intrapersonal competencies. Most medical schools like to see some job shadowing or experience working directly with physicians so you have some idea what the doctor-patient relationship is like from the physician’s perspective, and some experience working with patients so you know you are comfortable being around sick people. But there is no set number of hours required – it’s more about quality than quantity of experience.
Volunteering and community service, whether or not it is in a healthcare setting, demonstrates your commitment to serving others, as you will as a future physician.
Research
Research experience helps you to learn the problem-solving skills needed to think like a physician, and develop an understanding and appreciation for the scientific and medical research that will be the basis for modern medical practice.
Get Involved
Becoming a leader in a student organization, job, etc. gives you experience working with teams, communicating, and working together to share responsibility for accomplishing shared goals. Consider joining organizations such as BU Med or Alpha Epsilon Delta honor society, and working your way toward an executive board or other leadership role.
MCAT Prep
Although we do not offer a formal MCAT prep course at Bradley, the Health Professions student clubs often hold an MCAT Workshop and offer an on- campus practice test day to help students develop a personalized strategy, timeline, and study plan to meet their individual needs. There are many commercially available MCAT prep materials and services. We do not endorse any one over the others, but can assist students in choosing products and services that fit their learning style, timeline, and budget.
- How to create a study plan
- Khan Academy MCAT resources – FREE!
- AAMC resources
- AptarePrep
- Altius
- Blueprint MCAT
- Coursesaver
- Dr Flowers MCAT
- Examkrackers
- Gold Standard
- Jack Westin
- Kaplan
- MCATforMe
- Peterson’s
- Princeton Review
- UWorld – Contact Dr. Val for a Bradley discount code.
Situational Judgment Tests
In addition to the MCAT, many (but not all) medical schools are now recommending or requiring applicants to complete and submit scores for a situational judgment test (SJT) to assess your social skills, behaviors and professionalism. You are presented with a variety of scenarios and asked to think about what you might do in these situations. These tests do not require significant preparation and are taken on your own computer, but they must be taken in the year that you apply to medical schools. Be sure to check the requirements for EACH medical school to which you are applying for their specific requirements and deadlines for SJT scores (if any).
Casper scores are NOT automatically posted to your AMCAS or AACOMAS application. You must request scores to be sent to each specific school that you apply to that requires them.
PREview scores will automatically be posted to your AMCAS account once they are available and shared with all of your medical schools.
Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)
List of M.D. programs and requirements:
MSAR (Medical School Admissions Requirements)
Application Service:
American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
Fee Assistance Program:
Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
List of D.O. programs and requirements:
Student Guide to Osteopathic Medical Colleges
Application Service:
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
Fee Assistance Program:
Since 2013, Bradley graduates have been accepted to and continued their education and training at many medical schools around the Midwest, across the US, and even internationally. We are proud of the success and accomplishments of our alumni.
Medical Schools (Allopathic, MD)
- Creighton University
- East Tennessee State University
- George Washington University
- Indiana University
- Loyola University School of Medicine
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
- Ross University School of Medicine
- Rush Medical College of Rush University
- Saint Louis University
- Southern Illinois University
- St George’s University
- University of Chicago Pritzker
- University of Colorado
- University of Illinois at Champaign
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Illinois at Peoria
- University of Illinois at Rockford (Rural Med program)
- University of Iowa
- University of Kentucky
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota
- University of Missouri Columbia
- University of North Dakota
Offers also received from: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Ohio State University, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Western Michigan University.
Medical Schools (Osteopathic, DO)
- Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
- AT Still University, Kirksville
- Campbell University SOM
- Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Indiana University Southbend
- Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- LECOM, Bradenton
- Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Lincoln Memorial University Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Midwestern University
- Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
- William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM)
Offers also received from: Erie, LECOM, New Mexico State University Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine.
