CSU - Pre-Medical Preprofessional Requirements

Chicago State University’s premedical students matriculate and graduate from a variety of health professions schools including: University of Chicago, University of Illinois campuses (Chicago, Rockford, Peoria and Urbana-Champaign); Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; Marquette University; Michigan State; Morehouse School of Medicine; Loyola University of Chicago; Meharry Medical College; Southern Illinois University; University of Michigan; Chicago Medical School; Tuskegee University; University of Iowa and numerous others. Our graduates have been accepted into 42 health professions schools across the country, including two foreign medical schools.

Significant factors in gaining entry to medical school include the student’s academic performance in college and his/her results on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), as well as letters of evaluation. These letters should assess your motivation, personality and extracurricular involvement. The importance of establishing and maintaining an above-average academic record from your freshman year through your senior year cannot be overemphasized.

Students interested in medicine may select any major at Chicago State University. Medical schools do not require potential applicants to major in a particular area. However, in choosing a major, two factors should be included: interest and aptitude (ability). Medical Schools are most concerned with the overall quality and scope of your undergraduate academic performance. Since medical school entrance requirements vary, students are strongly advised to work closely with the Office of Premedical Education. In general, however, medical school applicants should take the following basic core requirements:

Other highly recommended courses include: Cell Biology, Histology, Biochemistry, Physiology, and Comparative Anatomy.

Admission requirements for dental school are similar to those for medical school. Most dental schools require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). It is wise, therefore, for undergraduates to combine dental school prerequisite courses with a degree program. As with medical schools, schools of dentistry require:

Additionally, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Histology are recommended courses. Since dentists are required to have good dexterity, courses in fine arts, which develop manual skills, are strongly encouraged as electives.

Admission requirements and selection factors for pharmacy vary. The University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy, offers the professional degree of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.). It is a six-year program: two years of pre-pharmacy and four years of professional study.

Entrance requirements for the College include a minimum of 60 semester hours of pre-pharmacy study. Credit for these courses can be earned at Chicago State University.

Total 60 semester hours

Thirteen semester hours of credit must be earned among these three areas: social and behavioral sciences, humanities and 0-4 semester hours of Electives (one course must meet UIC’s cultural diversity requirement- contact UIC). The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) may be required by some schools/colleges or pharmacy.

Pre-Optometry

There are certain college-level courses that all schools and colleges of Optometry require you to take before you can be considered for admission. While only two years of preprofessional work are required, the majority of applicants applying possess a bachelor’s degree. These are some of the courses you will need to take while at the preprofessional level:

There may be additional course requirements. Consult the schools of your choice for specific requirements.

Applicants are selected based on their academic performance in college and his/her results on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), as well as letters of recommendation.

A number of factors are considered in admitting students to a college of podiatric medicine. Students with liberal arts backgrounds, as well as those with science majors are encouraged to apply. All schools of Podiatric Medicine require a minimum of at least three years of academic study at an accredited undergraduate institution. However, approximately 85% of those accepted to schools of podiatry possess a bachelor’s degree. Other considerations include:

Academic Performance, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores and a personal interview.

Students considering pre-podiatry studies at Chicago State University should consult with the Office of Premedical Education for selection of undergraduate prerequisite course work.

Application to schools of Veterinary Medicine is extremely competitive. Students must complete a minimum of tow years (60 semester hours) of pre-veterinary prerequisites in order to be considered for admission to a four-year professional program. Again, most successful applicants have earned their bachelor’s degree.

Biological Sciences
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Biochemistry
Physics
Genetics

Applicants must take the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT); the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and subtest may also be required. Students should consult with the Office of Premedical Education for additional requirements.

The Standards for Chiropractic Institutions require that all students seeking admission to a chiropractic institution furnish proof of having acquired a minimum of 60 semester hours, or equivalent, of college credit leading to a baccalaureate degree at an institution or institutions accrediting at the college level by an accrediting body that has been listed as nationally recognized by the Secretary of Education. All postsecondary preprofessional education that has been acquired must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale. No less than a “C” grade (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the courses in biological sciences, chemistry and general physics, with laboratories, may be accepted.

Preprofessional course requirements include communication and/or language skills, psychology, social sciences or humanities, biological sciences, general or inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physics. In each of the science prerequisite areas, laboratory experiences covering the pertinent aspects of the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the course is required. These requirements are minimal, and institutions may have more rigorous requirements. To learn the specific entrance requirements of an institution, consult with the Office of Pre-medial Education