Medical schools accept students from all academic majors, but applicants must complete prerequisite coursework before matriculation. The table below outlines common prerequisite courses for many U.S. medical schools, the corresponding NIU course(s) and whether the content is important for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Prerequisite requirements vary by medical school. Students should always review the admission requirements for the schools they plan to apply to.
| Requirement | NIU Course(s) | Required by Most Programs | Important for the MCAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Biology I | BIOS 208/210 | Yes | Essential |
| General Biology II | BIOS 209/211 | Yes | Essential |
| General Chemistry I | CHEM 210/212 | Yes | Essential |
| General Chemistry II | CHEM 211/213 | Yes | Essential |
| Organic Chemistry I | CHEM 330/332 or CHEM 336/338 | Yes | Essential |
| Organic Chemistry II | CHEM 331/333 or CHEM 337/339 | Often | Essential |
| Biochemistry | CHEM 470 | Usually | Essential |
| Physics I | PHYS 210 or PHYS 253 | Yes | Essential |
| Physics II | PHYS 211 or PHYS 273 | Yes | Essential |
| Statistics | STAT 200 | Frequently | Helpful |
| English Composition | ENGL 103 | Yes | Helpful (critical analysis and reasoning skills) |
| Psychology | PSYC 102 | Recommended | Essential |
| Sociology | SOCI 170 | Recommended | Essential |
While not required by every medical school, these courses can strengthen your preparation for medical school and the MCAT.
| NIU Course | Why Take It? |
|---|---|
| BIOS 311 - Functional Human Anatomy | Excellent preparation for medical school coursework |
| BIOS 355 - Human Physiology | Builds a strong understanding of human body systems |
| BIOS 302 - Cell and Molecular Biology | Reinforces important biological concepts tested on the MCAT |
| BIOS 308 - Genetics | Helpful background for genetics and molecular medicine |
| BIOS 313 - Microbiology | Valuable for infectious disease and immunology concepts |
| BIOS 461 - Immunology | Excellent preparation for future medical coursework |
| CHEM 472 - Biological Chemistry II | Beneficial for students interested in research or biochemistry-heavy curricula |
This timeline combines guidance from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and has been adapted for NIU students. Individual timelines may vary depending on academic preparation and whether you plan to take one or more gap years.
| Timeline | Recommended Activities |
|---|---|
| First year | Meet with the Pre-health Professions Program. Begin biology and chemistry prerequisites (if placement allows). Develop strong study habits. Join a pre-health student organization. Begin volunteering or community service. Explore medicine through physician shadowing and healthcare experiences. |
| Second year | Continue prerequisite coursework based on your individualized academic plan. Continue clinical experience, physician shadowing, research, leadership and service. Begin researching medical schools and admission requirements. Develop relationships with faculty and physicians who may write letters of recommendation. Discuss your long-term application timeline with the Pre-health Professions Program. |
| Third year | Continue or complete prerequisite coursework. Begin dedicated MCAT preparation based on your planned test and application timeline. Build your list of medical schools. Request letters of recommendation. Begin writing your personal statement and activities descriptions. Continue meaningful clinical, research, leadership and volunteer experiences. |
| Spring of application year | Register for or complete the MCAT. Finalize your school list. Request official transcripts. Complete your personal statement and application materials. Meet with the Pre-health Professions Program to review your application before submission. |
| May–June | AMCAS and AACOMAS applications typically open in May. Submit your primary application as early as possible after submission opens. Early submission improves the likelihood that your application will be reviewed early in the admissions cycle. |
| June–August | Complete secondary applications promptly. Continue clinical experiences, employment, research and volunteer work while your application is under review. |
| August–March | Participate in medical school interviews. Continue strong academic performance and meaningful experiences. Maintain communication with schools as appropriate. |
| Spring before matriculation | Make your final school selection, complete financial aid requirements, submit required documentation, and prepare for the transition to medical school. |
| Gap year (optional) | Many successful applicants take one or more gap years. Continue gaining clinical experience, research, leadership or service, strengthen any academic areas if needed, and work with the Pre-health Professions Program to prepare for a future application cycle. |
Many medical schools use rolling admissions, meaning applications are reviewed as they are received. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their primary application early in the cycle and return secondary applications promptly whenever possible.
The following organizations provide reliable information about medical school admissions, application services, entrance exams and careers in medicine.
Pre-health Professions Program
prehealth@niu.edu