Loma Linda 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.

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.

Direct patient care exposure is required alongside shadowing, in the same sentence on Loma Linda's admission requirements page. No minimum hours are stated.

50+ hours

Most medical schools ask for 50+ hours and list it as recommended.

Loma Linda states applicants "are required to obtain physician shadowing experience and direct patient care exposure to better inform their decision for a career in medicine." No hours figure is published, so treat this as a hard yes/no box you must be able to check, not a number to hit. Loma Linda also names "a physician who was shadowed" as one of the people a letter of recommendation can come from.

150+ hours

Service with no medical angle. Committees are reading for a habit, not a total, so one commitment held for two years beats five one-off events.

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

Loma Linda's default is a committee recommendation or packet: "if the applicant's school does not provide a committee recommendation or packet, a minimum of three and maximum of six recommendation letters from individuals who know the applicant well are required."

No published minimum

In the no-committee route, "at least one recommendation must be from a science professor who has taught the applicant."

No published minimum

"It is suggested that the other references come from a physician who was shadowed, an employer, the faith community pastor or other clergy, or a leader in the volunteering experiences." Suggested rather than required, but note Loma Linda names a shadowed physician first, and it separately states applicants "are required to obtain physician shadowing experience".

No published minimum

Among Loma Linda's suggested sources for the remaining letters: "an employer... or a leader in the volunteering experiences." Letters submitted directly to the Office of Admissions are not accepted: everything goes through AMCAS, six letters maximum.