Georgetown 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

A full year with lab, eight semester hours, but Georgetown will let biochemistry stand in for the second semester of organic with lab. That is a real escape hatch if your schedule is tight; confirm your other schools accept the same swap before you use it.

1 semester · 3 credits

Most medical schools ask for 1 semester · 3 credits and list it as required.

Recommended, not required, and no lab needed. Take it anyway (most of your other schools require it and the MCAT leans on it hard), but at Georgetown its real value is that it can replace a semester of organic chemistry.

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.

Georgetown's premedical course table lists biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics, and no English or writing course. Most schools do require it, so do not drop your writing credits on Georgetown's account alone.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester of college mathematics. Georgetown states plainly that calculus is not required and statistics is acceptable, so take whichever fits your degree.

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.

1 semester · 3 credits

Georgetown names microbiology, cellular physiology, genetics, and embryology among the courses that are not required but are useful preparation.

1 semester · 3 credits

Humanities and the social and behavioural sciences appear on Georgetown's list of useful-but-not-required coursework, alongside computer science and quantitative analysis.

200+ hours

Most medical schools ask for 150+ hours.

Georgetown is one of the few schools that publishes numbers. Under "Experiences" it says "A highly competitive applicant will present a minimum of" 200+ hours of "substantive, longitudinal clinical experiences such as: shadowing a physician, medical mission trips, scribing, community EMS, etc." Shadowing counts toward this figure here rather than being tracked separately. The school draws a hard line on what does not count: "Volunteering in clinic/waiting rooms such as playing/reading to children, stocking shelves, and transporting patients is considered good volunteer experience, but is not hands-on clinical experience." International experience is acceptable but "a majority should be in the United States". Source: https://meded.georgetown.edu/degrees/md/guide

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.

100+ hours

Most medical schools ask for 150+ hours.

100+ hours of "direct service to an underserved population (including the sick or disabled) with face-to-face encounters with marginalized individuals", as part of what Georgetown says a highly competitive applicant presents at minimum. Face-to-face is the operative phrase: the school notes that virtual or telephonic service is good introductory service but those hours do not count toward this figure. Source: https://meded.georgetown.edu/degrees/md/guide

100+ hours

100+ hours of "research in any academic discipline", in Georgetown's published minimum for a highly competitive applicant. Any discipline: this does not have to be a wet lab. Source: https://meded.georgetown.edu/degrees/md/guide

No published minimum

"A minimum of one (1) committee letter/packet (required, if available) or two (2) individual letters is required. There is a maximum of five (5) letters that can be submitted." Note the phrasing: if your school offers a committee letter, Georgetown expects it. The Committee on Admissions weighs "college premedical advisory committee evaluations" alongside letters of recommendation.