Albany Medical College prerequisites

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. The single most universal prerequisite: essentially every MD and DO program asks for it, and it is the foundation the MCAT assumes.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Albany calls this inorganic chemistry and accepts a wide range: introductory inorganic chemistry, structure and bonding, principles of chemistry, solid state chemistry, physical chemistry, and chemical synthesis all count.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab, or one semester of organic plus one semester of biochemistry with lab, provided the biochemistry is taken through the chemistry department. That department detail matters: a biochemistry course housed in biology may not count here.

1 semester · 3 credits

Most medical schools ask for 1 semester · 3 credits and list it as required.

Albany does not require biochemistry outright. It appears only as the permitted substitute for the second semester of organic chemistry. Take it anyway for the MCAT and for the schools that do require it.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. Algebra-based is accepted almost everywhere; take the calculus-based sequence only if your major needs it or a target school names it.

1 semester · 3 credits

Most medical schools ask for 2 semesters · 6 credits and list it as required.

Albany lists English composition or literature as a competency it encourages, not as a prerequisite course.

1 semester · 3 credits

Most medical schools ask for 1 semester · 3 credits and list it as required.

Statistics and mathematics appear on Albany's competency list rather than its prerequisite list, with biostatistics named as an example.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Required outright at a minority of schools (several of them highly selective) and accepted in place of statistics at most of the rest. Take it if calculus is already in your major's path.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. A minority of schools require it, but a quarter of the MCAT is psychological and social foundations: this is the cheapest points on the exam.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Same reasoning as psychology: required by fewer schools, tested directly on the MCAT.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Required by a small number of schools and a common way to fill the upper-division science coursework that strengthens a science GPA.

1 semester · 3 credits

Albany encourages competency in the behavioural and social sciences and names psychology, sociology, philosophy, ethics, anthropology, and economics as ways to get there.

150+ hours

Albany publishes no hours figure but states the expectation plainly: "Applicants should participate in significant clinical experiences prior to matriculation to gain a sense of working as a member of the health care team and what the profession entails." It accepts volunteer or paid work so long as there is direct patient contact (hospitals, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, physicians' offices, hospices) and names EMT, nurse's aide, scribing, and clinical or patient-based research as examples. It also says activities are reviewed in the context of your other responsibilities, so a smaller total with a reason behind it is not automatically fatal.

50+ hours

Aim for 40-50 across more than one specialty, including primary care. DO programs weigh shadowing more heavily and several ask for hours with a DO specifically. If DO schools are on your list, get those hours and the letter early.

150+ hours

No hours figure, but Albany is direct about wanting it: "A successful applicant demonstrates significant commitment to community service and a desire to help others." Service, clinical experience, and leadership are the three areas it names as where applicants stand out.

100+ hours

"Albany Medical College does not have a research requirement, but research experience is valued." It counts research done in the humanities or social sciences, and clinical research, not only bench work, so a non-lab project is not a lesser answer here.

No published minimum

"A premedical advisory committee letter (preferred)." "For students attending schools that do not provide a committee letter service, between 3 and 4 individual letters of recommendation may be substituted." Albany "will only consider recommendations through the AMCAS letter service."

No published minimum

A principal investigator's letter fills the same slot as a clinical supervisor's at Albany: "it is highly recommended to include a letter from the supervisor or principal investigator."

No published minimum

"In addition to a faculty letter, you may provide a letter from a supervisor in a paid or volunteer research or clinical role. If you have substantial experience in activities like clinical work, research, volunteering, teaching assistantship, or other health care roles, it is highly recommended to include a letter from the supervisor or principal investigator."