Central Michigan University College of 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

Most medical schools ask for 150+ hours and list it as recommended.

CMU puts experience in its admission requirements rather than its wish list: "Your application must include documented hours of personal experiences and include activities that demonstrate your preprofessional preparation for medical school." The first of the four themes it names is "Clinical exposure and employment." No hours figure is attached, but the word documented is doing real work: these belong in your AMCAS activities with verifiable contacts.

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

Most medical schools ask for 150+ hours and list it as recommended.

"Volunteer and service activities" and "Leadership and community involvement" are two of the four experience themes CMU requires documented hours in. No figure published.

100+ hours

"Research, publications, and awards" is the fourth of CMU's experience themes. It sits in the same required-documentation sentence as the others, but with no figure and no statement that a candidate without research is disqualified.

No published minimum

"We require a minimum of three letters of recommendation (or a committee letter) and allow a maximum of five letters... If a student applies from a university that provides a composite letter from a premedical program, that letter will be accepted in fulfillment of our letter requirement." CMU names no required source: only that "each letter should be written by an author who knows the applicant through a professional relationship or association" and has "firsthand knowledge of the applicant's qualifications."