Pre-Medicine (MD/DO)

Primary care physicians, surgeons, and specialists care for people of all ages to maintain health and wellness. They treat those who are ill or have been injured, perform physical examinations, conduct diagnostic testing, and recommend and provide treatments.

To become a physician, students will need to complete a 4-year doctoral program, followed by a residency. In the United States, students can attend either an allopathic (MD) program or an osteopathic (DO) program. The primary difference between these degrees is one of philosophy: osteopathic programs prepare clinicians to take a holistic approach to medicine, considering the whole person in diagnosis and treatment rather than a targeted focus on symptoms. While the mission of these two fields might be slightly different, the quality of training and topics covered on licensing exams for both paths are generally the same.

As of 2022, there are 154 allopathic schools and 38 osteopathic schools in the United States. Indiana University (MD) and Marian University (DO) are the only two medical schools in the state of Indiana.

Pre-Requisite Courses

The following table includes the most common pre-requisite courses for medical schools in the US. However, required or recommended courses may vary by program, so students should work with their advisor to ensure all required courses are completed for specific programs in a timely fashion.

Preparing a Competitive Application

Admission to medical schools is highly competitive. To be a distinguish yourself as a candidate, students should thoroughly explore the mission and requirements of all programs to which they hope to apply. At Marian, meet early and often with your advisor to stay on track for a successful application.

A competitive candidate will generally:

• Demonstrate strong academic performance in all courses, with particular focus on science courses (GPA 3.5 or higher strongly recommended)
• Score well on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
• Demonstrate extensive familiarity with the field of medicine to gain an understanding of the expectations of the profession by
  • Shadowing several physicians, including a primary care physician and physicians in several different specialties
  • Gaining extensive direct patient care experience through volunteering or a paid position
  • Getting involved in community service, volunteerism, and co-curricular activities
  • Seeking leadership opportunities in clubs, organizations, church, or sports
  • Conducting independent research to better understand the scientific literature
• Exhibit strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work with a diverse group of people, and a desire to help others