Emory University School 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.

Biochemistry is not among Emory's listed course requirements. Take it regardless: the MCAT leans on biochemistry heavily and most other schools require it outright.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Emory calls this physical science rather than physics (eight semester hours with lab), which leaves a little more room than a physics-department-only requirement.

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.

No mathematics or statistics course appears among Emory's semester-hour requirements.

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.

6 semesters · 18 credits

Eighteen semester hours (roughly six courses) of humanities and social sciences. This is the single largest gap between Emory and almost every other school on your list. If Emory is a target, spread these across your degree rather than trying to add them in a final year.

150+ hours

Emory's Step 2: Experiences page says "a strong application will include exposure to patients and physicians in a clinical setting, for example volunteering at a local hospital, clinical volunteer work abroad, clinical employment and shadowing a physician", and that the committee prioritises applicants with "face-to-face experience with the patient-doctor relationship". Shadowing is named here as one route into that exposure rather than tracked separately. No hours figure is published. Source: https://med.emory.edu/education/programs/md/admissions/step2/index.html

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

Emory says a strong application reflects "a variety of extra-curricular activities, community involvement, and leadership experiences". Variety is the operative word and no hours figure is attached. Source: https://med.emory.edu/education/programs/md/admissions/step2/index.html

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.