California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine 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

CHSU wants 'a demonstrated interest in and commitment to healthcare as evidenced by volunteer or employment in a health care setting'. Paid work counts equally with volunteering here. No minimum hours.

50+ hours

No hours figure. CHSU lists as a competitive advantage 'a demonstrated commitment to or understanding of the osteopathic medical profession (e.g. shadowing one or more osteopathic physicians)', DO shadowing named explicitly, though not required. A physician letter is preferred but not mandatory: your second letter may come from any acceptable source.

150+ hours

'Service to the community (e.g. volunteer humanitarian/altruistic works)' is on CHSU's competitive-advantage list. No hours are named.

100+ hours

CHSU looks for 'a determination to learn the continued advancements in biomedical sciences through research and other scholarly activities'. Scholarly activity counts alongside bench research, and no hours figure is set.

No published minimum

"A pre-medical, pre-health, academic advisor, research director, or committee letter that details the student's academic abilities is also acceptable" in place of the science faculty letter.

No published minimum

CHSU requires two letters and fixes the first: "CHSU requires a letter of recommendation from a science faculty member who has taught the student."

No published minimum

The second letter is open, but "a letter of recommendation from a physician that details the applicant's ability to be successful in a medical setting is preferred." Preferred rather than required, and not your own family physician: CHSU excludes letters from "relatives, spouses, family friends, or the applicant's family physician."

No published minimum

A "research director" letter is one of the accepted substitutes for CHSU's science faculty letter, provided it "details the student's academic abilities."