West Virginia 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.

WVU states it as a must, not a preference: 'Applicants must have strong experiences in patient care (including MD shadowing), roles as educator and leader, research, and service to the state of West Virginia and beyond.' No hours figure is published. The baseline's 150 is a reasonable working target, but the word is 'must'.

50+ hours

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

Named explicitly inside the patient-care requirement: 'strong experiences in patient care (including MD shadowing)'. No hours figure. Note the wording: MD shadowing specifically, not any health professional.

150+ hours

Most medical schools ask for 150+ hours and list it as recommended.

The requirement names 'service to the state of West Virginia and beyond'. WVU wants service with a visible tie to the state, not generic volunteering. No hours figure published.

100+ hours

Most medical schools ask for 100+ hours and list it as recommended.

Listed in the same 'applicants must have' sentence as patient care and service, so research is not optional here even though no hours are named.

No published minimum

WVU's letter requirement is unusually light: "one letter of recommendation of your choice, or a committee letter from your undergraduate academic institution." One letter, any source. "Additional letters will not increase an applicant's competitiveness," and letters "should be uploaded into AMCAS at least two weeks prior to your interview."

No published minimum

"MD/PhD applicants are required to submit an additional letter of recommendation from a Research Principal Investigator/Mentor." Required for the MD/PhD track only: straight MD applicants need just the one letter of their choice.