Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University 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.

FAU was asked whether it would relax experience expectations and said no: "At this time there are no accommodations being made for volunteer, shadowing or clinical experiences, as we believe this is an important part of the application process. Applicants should already have some volunteer, clinical and or shadowing experience that they've participated in." The school treats volunteer, clinical, and shadowing time as one expectation rather than three separate ones, and publishes no hours for any of them.

50+ hours

Part of the volunteer/clinical/shadowing experience FAU says applicants "should already have". The useful detail here is that "virtual forms of shadowing experience are accepted", a school-specific allowance worth knowing if your in-person options are thin. No hours figure.

150+ hours

Named alongside clinical and shadowing experience in the same FAU statement. No hours figure published.

100+ hours

Effectively expected at research-heavy MD programs and genuinely optional at many DO and community-focused schools. If research is not your path, put those hours into clinical work and say so clearly rather than padding a semester in a lab.

No published minimum

"A composite letter of evaluation written by the premedical advisory committee at the applicant's school (greatly preferred). If your premedical advising office provides a committee letter compiling feedback from multiple sources, this letter will suffice to satisfy your letters requirement."

2 letters

Without a committee letter: "a minimum of 3 individual letters from faculty members who have taught the applicant. At least two of your letters should be from a professor that has taught you in the natural sciences."

No published minimum

The third of FAU's individual letters: "one from a non-science professor who has taught you, and can adequately speak to both your academic readiness and personal suitability for the pursuit and practice of medicine."

No published minimum

"Research coordinators and preceptors" are among the sources FAU accepts from non-traditional applicants in place of the two-science-plus-one-non-science faculty set.

No published minimum

Non-traditional applicants ("generally defined as those who have taken one or more years off between undergraduate studies and applying") still need three letters, but the source list opens up: "professors, academic advisors, clinical/shadowing or research coordinators and preceptors, volunteer supervisors, work supervisors, and mentors."