MD · Augusta, Georgia · public
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University prerequisites
What MCG asks for in the 2026-27 cycle, as read from the school's own admissions page. 4 lines differ from the standard medical school set, marked below.
Coursework
- Biology with labrequired
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.
- General chemistry with labrequired
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.
- Organic chemistry with labrequired
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.
- Biochemistryrequired
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.
- Physics with labrequired
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.
- English or writing-intensiverequired
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.
- Statisticsrequired
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.
- Calculusrecommended
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.
- Psychologyrecommended
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.
- Sociologyrecommended
1 semester · 3 credits
One semester. Same reasoning as psychology: required by fewer schools, tested directly on the MCAT.
- Geneticsrecommended
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.
Experience hours
- Clinical experiencerequireddiffers
200+ hours
Most medical schools ask for 150+ hours and list it as recommended.
One of the few schools that publishes a hard number: "The MCG Admissions Committee expects applicants to complete a minimum of 200 hours of clinical experience." MCG counts "direct observation of or interaction with patients across a variety of healthcare settings" toward it, so shadowing and hands-on patient care both apply.
- Physician shadowingrecommended
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.
- Non-clinical volunteeringrecommended
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.
- Researchrecommended
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.
Letters
- Committee letterrecommendedextra here
No published minimum
"All applicants are required to submit at least three, current letters of recommendation through AMCAS. The Admissions Committee will not review an applicant's file without having received all three... These can include letters from science professors or a Pre-Health Advisory committee (if applicable) and/or personal references." MCG names acceptable sources rather than required ones.
- Science faculty letterrecommendedextra here
No published minimum
Science professors head MCG's list of acceptable sources for its three required letters, alongside a Pre-Health Advisory committee and personal references. Letters need "a date, letterhead and/or handwritten" signature.
- Physician letterrecommendedextra here
No published minimum
"It is strongly recommended that one of the personal recommendations comes from a physician who can speak toward the student's clinical exposure/experience." Strongly recommended rather than required, but it does mean the physician has to have seen your clinical work.
Also on the school’s page
Experience requirements only: this school's prerequisite coursework has not been sourced, so it falls back to the Core Baseline.
School
augusta.edu/mcgCheck your transcript against this list
Cyclios keeps this list beside your coursework and tells you what MCG still needs from you.
See it for medical school