|
|
 |
It is of utmost importance that you get started your first semester by taking either
BIO 150 or CHM 129 (or possibly CHM 210 if you have an AP chemistry score of
4 or 5).
- 1 year Biology (Biology 251, 252) (Note: Bio 150 is a prerequisite for Bio 251)
- 2 years Chemistry (Chemistry 129, 210, 221, 222)
- 1 year English (Tutorial counts for one semester; second semester should stress literature)
- 1 year Physics (Physics 131, 132)
- Calculus I (Calculus is not required for admission to most medical schools, however Calculus I is required for physics at Grinnell, and Calculus II is recommended)
For admission to medical school in the Fall following college graduation, the
medical college admissions test (MCAT) should be taken in the spring of the
junior year. All of the material covered in required courses is subject to examination
on the MCAT. Therefore, all of the requirements listed above must be
completed by the end of the junior year. It is important to note that for incoming
students without any advanced placement, this averages two courses in the science
division per semester. See potential course scenarios below. A major in science is
not required for admission to medical school.
The AAMC book on admissions gives complete information on requirements for
all 123 U.S., 3 Puerto Rican, and 16 Canadian medical schools.
Each year about half of the Grinnell applicants to medical school have graduated
already. Most of them took the MCAT exam as a senior. These students spread
the required coursework over 8 semesters and many participated in off-campus study.
The scenarios below are only examples. Grinnell College students should consult
regularly with their academic advisors regarding their course selections.
[ scenario 1 ][ scenario 2 ][ scenario 3 ][ scenario 4 ][ scenario 5 ]
SCENARIO 1
You have 4 AP credits in chemistry and you plan to take the MCAT in the spring
or summer of your junior year. You might do summer research at Grinnell but aren't
sure. You plan to major in Biology. About half of Grinnell's applicants majored in
Biology.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Tutorial
Biology 150
Calculus I
elective | Chemistry 210
Calculus II
elective
elective | Biology 251
Chemistry 221
elective
elective | Biology 252
Chemistry 222
English
elective |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
Biology
Physics 131
elective
elective | Physics 132
Biology
elective
elective | Biology
Biology
elective
elective | Biology or BCM 262
elective
elective
elective |
Note: Chemistry 129 can be taken in the Fall and Biology 150 can be taken in the Spring
[ scenario 1 ][ scenario 2 ][ scenario 3 ][ scenario 4 ][ scenario 5 ][ top of page ]
SCENARIO 2
You have no AP credits coming into Grinnell and you plan to take a year or two off
before beginning medical school. You want to study abroad too. You plan to take
the MCAT in the spring of your senior year. You plan to major in Biological Chemistry.
About 25% of our applicants majored in Biological Chemistry.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Tutorial
Biology 150
Math 131
elective | Chemistry 129
Math 133
elective
elective | Biology 251
Chemistry 221
elective
elective | BCM 262
Chemistry 222
elective
elective |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
Off campus
study | Physics 131
Chemistry 210
elective
elective | Physics 132
Chemistry 363
elective
elective | Biology 252
Bio or Chm 3xx
elective
elective |
[ scenario 1 ][ scenario 2 ][ scenario 3 ][ scenario 4 ][ scenario 5 ][ top of page ]
SCENARIO 3
You have no AP or advanced credits coming into Grinnell and you plan to take the
MCAT in the spring of your junior year. You cannot take any courses during
summer school. You plan to major in Chemistry.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Tutorial
Chemistry 129
Calculus I
elective | Chemistry 210
Calculus II
elective
elective | Biology 150
Chemistry 221
English
elective | Chemistry 222
Physics 131
elective
elective |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
Chemistry 363
Biology 251
Physics 132
elective | Chemistry
Biology 252
elective
elective | Chemistry
elective
elective
elective | Chemistry
elective
elective
elective |
[ scenario 1 ][ scenario 2 ][ scenario 3 ][ scenario 4 ][ scenario 5 ][ top of page ]
SCENARIO 4
You have 8 AP calculus and 4 biology credits coming into Grinnell and you plan to
take the MCAT in the spring of your junior year. You plan to take organic chemistry
during the summer following your first or second year. You plan to major in Psychology.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Tutorial
Chemistry 129
elective
elective | Chemistry 210
Psychology 113
English
elective | Psychology
Physics 131
Statistics (115 or 209)
elective | Biology 150
Psychology 225
Physics 132
elective |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
Psychology
Biology 251
elective
elective | Psychology
Biology 252
elective
elective | Psychology
Psychology
elective
elective | Psychology 495
elective
elective
elective |
[ scenario 1 ][ scenario 2 ][ scenario 3 ][ scenario 4 ][ scenario 5 ][ top of page ]
SCENARIO 5
You have no AP or advanced credits coming into Grinnell and you plan to take the
MCAT in the spring of your junior year. You cannot take any courses during summer
school. You do not plan to major in a science and want to take the minimum number
of courses required for admission to medical school.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Tutorial
Biology 150
Calculus I
elective | Chemistry 129
Calculus II
elective
elective | Biology 251
Chemistry 221
elective
elective | Biology 252
Chemistry 222
English
elective |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
Chemistry 210
Physics 131
elective
elective | Physics 132
elective
elective
elective | elective
elective
elective
elective | elective
elective
elective
elective |
|
|
|
