Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert 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.

50+ hours

Most medical schools ask for 150+ hours.

USU publishes an unusually explicit floor: "If you do not have any clinical experience, you should attempt to gain some. There is no minimum number of hours for consideration; however, more than 50 is recommended. If you are unable to gain any clinical experience, you MUST provide a statement explaining in detail why you have not engaged in clinical activities." Separately, USU asks for a clinical letter of recommendation from a healthcare professional (physician, nurse, PA, NP, CNA) "who has observed your patient care interactions". Research supervisors do not qualify. If you cannot get that letter you must explain why on the secondary and list your clinical experience by location, hours, and duties.

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

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

"A pre-health committee letter, or a compilation packet from your university's letter service is required by the Admissions Office. Two science and one non-science letter should be included. Your clinical letter of recommendation may also be included in the packet." If you cannot provide one, the individual academic letters below become, in USU's word, "MANDATORY". Maximum six letters, all through AMCAS, due no later than 1 November.

2 letters

Without a committee packet: "two ACADEMIC science letters of recommendation - Biology, Chemistries, Physics and Math." Note maths counts as science here. "These letters must be provided by professors or TAs that taught you in a course at a university or college. Employment letters cannot be used to fulfill these required letters."

No published minimum

Without a committee packet: "one ACADEMIC NON-science letter of recommendation." USU excludes some subjects outright ("sports and arts are not considered traditional academic courses") and requires "a detailed explanation" on the secondary if you cannot provide any academic letter. "Even if you have been out of school for an extended period of time, you must still attempt to submit academic letters."

No published minimum

"At a minimum, you need a clinical letter", "written by a Healthcare Professional (Doctor, Nurse, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nursing Assistant, etc.) who has observed your patient care interactions. They should have witnessed firsthand your hands-on experiences in the healthcare environment." A physician is not required (a CNA's letter counts), but "research courses or other research opportunities will not be accepted as a clinical letter." If you cannot obtain it you must explain why on the secondary and list your clinical experience by location, hours, and duties. Service Academy summer-internship students are exempt but encouraged.