Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine - Dublin 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

No hours are published: the word shadowing does not appear on Heritage's admissions pages at all. Clinical experience is named only as one of the things reviewed: "Clinical experience, volunteer activities, demonstrated leadership qualities, strong letters of recommendation, grade trends, strength of curriculum, maturity and dedication to osteopathic principles and practices are just some of the other attributes that we look for in our candidates."

50+ hours

Heritage states no shadowing hours and does not require a physician letter: the required letters are a pre-med committee letter, or a science faculty letter plus a second from a professor, physician, supervisor, or other qualified professional. But it adds: "Although not a requirement, an additional letter from a D.O. or other health care professional who can speak to your suitability for osteopathic medicine is strongly encouraged."

150+ hours

No hours figure. "Volunteer activities" appear on the list of attributes Heritage looks for, and the requirements page frames the review broadly: "everything on your application is important to us, from science grades to community service and everything in between."

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 letter of recommendation from either a premed committee OR one letter from a natural science faculty member who taught you in class and a second letter from a professor (natural sciences or otherwise), a licensed physician (DO/MD), a supervisor, or another qualified professional." The committee letter replaces both individual letters.

No published minimum

Without a committee letter, Heritage requires "one letter from a natural science faculty member who taught you in class" plus a second from a wide-open list: another professor of any discipline, a licensed physician, a supervisor, or another qualified professional.

No published minimum

"Although not a requirement, an additional letter from a D.O. or other health care professional who can speak to your suitability for osteopathic medicine is strongly encouraged." Genuinely optional (Heritage requires no physician letter at all), but it is the one place the page names a D.O. specifically.