Arizona State University John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering 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

Two semesters with lab. Take it early: organic chemistry, biochemistry, and most upper-division biology all sit behind it, so a late start pushes the whole sequence past your MCAT date.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab at most schools. A meaningful and growing minority accept one semester of organic plus one of biochemistry. Do not drop the second semester on that assumption until you have checked the schools you actually want.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester, lab rarely required. Roughly two thirds of schools require it outright and the MCAT tests it heavily, so treat it as required even where it technically is not, and take it before you sit the exam.

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.

2 semesters · 6 credits

Two semesters of English or writing-intensive coursework. Many schools accept writing-intensive courses from any department, but a few name English specifically. If your writing credits come from elsewhere, confirm before you count them.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Most schools with a math requirement accept statistics or calculus; statistics is the more widely accepted of the two and the more useful for reading clinical research, so the baseline tracks it here. If a target school names calculus, its own requirements will say so.

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.

150+ hours

No hours. "Clinical experience is essential for gaining a realistic understanding of patient care and the health care environment... For medical school applicants, clinical experiences demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered care." ASU requires four letters (more than most) and "recommend[s] one from a clinical experience and one from an engineering and/or data science experience or course instructor."

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. "Service experience reflects a candidate's empathy, social responsibility and a desire to improve the lives of others, which are core values in both medicine and medical engineering. Volunteering in underserved communities, mentoring youth or participating in public health initiatives demonstrates that applicants have developed cultural competence."

100+ hours

No hours, but weighted more heavily here than at most schools: "Research experience is a cornerstone for applicants to both medical and medical engineering programs, cultivating critical thinking, scientific literacy and a methodical approach to problem-solving... This experience is particularly important for those interested in academic medicine, translational research and the development of new medical technologies." "Research experience (scientific inquiry)" also appears on the list of student attributes the committee looks for.

No published minimum

"The school requires a minimum of four letters of recommendation" (more than most) and "we recommend one from a clinical experience and one from an engineering and/or data science experience or course instructor." The clinical letter is recommended rather than required, but four letters is a high bar to fill without one. ASU wants letters "from clinical leaders, instructors, mentors or other professionals who can speak clearly to your skills, attributes and passions for medicine and/or medical engineering."