Course planning advice here is limited to majors. For a full description of degree requirements, please see this
overview of the Academic Program and refer to the
Catalog for details and official rules. Any discrepancy between the Course Planning Pages and the Catalog will be resolved in favor of the Catalog.
Possible Course Sequence – to take the MCAT after the junior year of college in order to attend medical school directly after graduation from Hendrix College. This is the fastest route to medical school, but this may not be the best for your development. Please be sure to sign up for the pre-med advising resources on campus (see link below). These resources include a pre-med advisor that will work in parallel with your academic advisor to provide pre-med specific advice as well as a access information and opportunities. Click here to sign up for resources: pre-med resources.
The following academic plan contains the basic courses foundational to the MCAT and common to many medical schools. This is not the only way forward. Please consult with your academic advisor and a member of the Pre-Medical Advising Committee (PMAC) to create your unique path.
| |
Course Planning |
Career Planning |
| First Year |
Cellular Biology (BIOL 150, either semester)
General Chemistry I (CHEM 110, fall)
General Chemistry II (CHEM 120, spring)
A mathematics course: typically Calculus I (MATH 130)
An English course |
Sign-up for pre-med resources including a pre-medical advisor.
Volunteer or shadow in healthcare offices.
Identify internships or other experiences related to healthcare for summer employment.
Summer: internship or other experiences related to healthcare. |
| Sophomore |
Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 240, fall)
Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 250, spring)
*Depending upon your major either:
- Genetics (BIOL 250, either semester)
or
- General Physics I (PHYS 240, fall) and
- General Physics II (PHYS 245, spring)
|
Research experience, clinical experiences or shadowing
Summer: complete a research experience in the discipline of your choice.** |
| Junior |
Biological Chemistry (CHEM 330, fall)
Depending upon your major, either:
- General Physics I (PHYS 240, fall)
or
- General Physics II (PHYS 245, spring) and
- Genetics (BIOL 250, fall)
Possibly: Animal Physiology (BIOL 320, spring) |
Fall: Start to work on your personal reflection (medical school essay)
Spring: Complete personal reflection essay.
Submit evaluation dossier to PMAC committee.
Late Spring Apply to medical school.
Summer: prepare for and take the MCAT. |
| Senior |
Courses necessary to complete your Hendrix degree
Courses to strengthen your professional development
Possibly: Animal Physiology (BIOL 320, spring) |
Experiences to strengthen your professional development. |
*Completing the requirements for medical school should not require enrollment in more than two science courses per semester at Hendrix College during the first year.
**Undergraduate Research not need be limited to biomedical research. Medical schools value students who have a diverse range of interests.
Professional Planning Notes:
- The MCAT covers a wide variety of topics beyond mastering topics in the sciences. The MCAT requires strong reading comprehension, critical reasoning skills and covers general aspects of psychology and ethics.
- To prepare for the MCAT, you should take 1 to 2 courses in psychology, sociology, or anthropology as well as a course that includes ethical considerations..
- Most medical schools require completion of two English courses at the collegiate level. AP credit may be accepted, but each medical school is different. Additionally, statistics may be required by some medical schools.
- Medical schools expect you to demonstrate maturity, cultural competency, compassion, and an in-depth knowledge of the healthcare system. These
core competencies are demonstrated through your:
- Activities list
- Personal essay
- There is no advantage to going to medical school directly after graduating from Hendrix. Consider taking a gap year between college and medical school in order to give yourself the time to fully develop the personal and professional skills required to become a doctor.
- This is a general set of advice that overlaps with many medical schools. If you have a specific medical school in mind, please check their website for specifics.