Planning Your Road to Apply to Medical School

The Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences Office of Advising recognizes curricula should not be one size fits all. This information is being provided to help you choose the path that best fits you and your goals. 

This information should not replace any degree plan document provided by the Robbins College Office of Advising or the Baylor Prehealth Studies Office.

Option 1

This path represents the suggested Robbins College degree plan (HSS 4-year planner) and is designed to equip you to take the MCAT exam and submit a complete medical school application in the spring of your junior year.

ADVANTAGES

• All required medical school pre-requisites are completed by the end of your junior year.
• All courses are taken fall/spring (with the exception of the HP4V79 internship, which many students complete in summer), allowing summers off for shadowing, internships, research efforts.
• Coursework taken during fall/spring semesters is included in the flat rate tuition costs.
• Multiple sections of required courses are offered in the fall/spring semesters.

DISADVANTAGES

• 17-18 hours of coursework is required beginning the first semester of freshman year.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• This track requires an academically rigorous course load from the first semester of your freshman year, with 17-18 hours each semester.
• Medical schools prefer the majority of pre-requisite coursework be completed at the time of application.
• This track aligns with the academic rigor and pace of medical school.

Option 2

This path allows for a lighter course load during the fall/spring semesters while incorporating summer classes. You may complete general education requirements (such as English, History, and Psychology) at a community college; however, Robbins College strongly recommends that courses required for medical school be taken at a four-year academic institution. This plan still positions you to take the MCAT and submit your application during the spring of your junior year.

ADVANTAGES

• All required courses are completed by the end of your junior year.
• Allows a reduced course load for 1-2 semesters, providing for adjustment to college or other personal needs.

DISADVANTAGES

• Summer coursework is not included in the tuition flat rate; therefore, the student incurs additional expenses.
• Required course offerings are not guaranteed in the summer, and sections are limited.
• Summer sessions span a 5-6 week period, so content comes quickly and requires multiple hours of studying each day.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Medical schools set criteria for what is accepted as a required course. Commonly seen criteria, preferences, and policies include:
  1. Requiring science labs to be taken in person
  2. Giving preference or requiring science courses to be taken at a four-year university
  3. Allowing or disallowing AP Biology credit

Option 3

This path allows you to reduce your course load for at least a few semesters. Rather than taking all required courses by the end of your junior year, the work is spread over four years, delaying the medical school application process by one year.

ADVANTAGES

• This path allows you to reduce the rigor of a traditional pre-med curriculum, which requires at least two sciences each semester.
• All courses are taken fall/spring (with the exception of the HP4V79 internship, which many students complete in summer), allowing summers off for shadowing, internships, research efforts.
• Courses taken during the fall/spring semesters are included in the flat rate tuition costs.
• Multiple sections of required courses are offered in fall/spring semesters.

DISADVANTAGES

• This plan delays a completed medical school application by one year.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Medical schools expect to see evidence of success during traditionally rigorous semesters (final 60 hours). A slow academic start is acceptable if followed by a clear, sustained increase in rigor and performance.
• To successfully apply to medical school, students must be able to demonstrate their ability to take multiple rigorous courses simultaneously.
• A thoughtfully planned enrichment year can bolster your application if used properly.

Notes:

• Each medical school has its preferences/requirements, which may change from year to year. Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to be informed regarding specific requirements for each medical school at which they seek admission. For additional information on educational requirements for Texas Medical Schools, visit www.tmdsas.com.

• These recommendations are specific to medical school applications. Other professional program requirements differ. For example, a medical school may accept your AP Biology credit, but a PA program may not. Visit specific professional program websites to be fully informed. Your advisor can help direct you to these resources.