The Ohio State University College 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

Ohio State states an expectation without a number: "As a medical school candidate, you are expected to spend enough time in a clinical setting to understand the challenges and demands of the lifestyle you will encounter as a physician." It names volunteerism or work at "hospitals, emergency rooms, homeless clinics and extended-care facilities" as qualifying. There is no published hour threshold: the test is whether you can speak to what the work is actually like.

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

Listed as its own selection factor: "The medical profession is strongly oriented to serving the community. You should demonstrate a commitment to the community by involving yourself in service and volunteer activities." No hour figure is published.

100+ hours

Ohio State weights research more explicitly than most: "We consider participation in research activities to be an important part of the preparation for medical school... Research experience may be in any discipline and performed at any site. You should be able to describe your projects, the questions being asked in the research and your role." Course-based research and a senior thesis count. No hours are specified.

No published minimum

"A premedical committee composite letter can satisfy this requirement": that is, it stands in for the required BCPM professor letter.

No published minimum

"A minimum of two letters of recommendation are required... At least one letter must be submitted from a professor who instructed and assigned you a grade for credit in a course that falls into the BCPM subject classification (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math)." Note maths counts. "Additional letters from other professors are also accepted" and there is no maximum.

No published minimum

"We also strongly recommend that you provide additional letters from individuals outside of the classroom setting, such as supervisors, managers or those you've worked with in the community, a volunteer service and/or a clinical or research setting." These go beyond the two-letter minimum.