Pre-Professional Programs

Pre-Law   

Pre-Med Program

Medical schools have varying admission requirements, but most are more concerned that applicants have a strong liberal arts background and have demonstrated an ability to excel than with the major itself. Most medical schools want entrants to have two years each of biology and chemistry and one year each of physics, mathematics and English.

Achievement on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a nearly universal requirement of medical schools. The MCAT covers four major areas: verbal reasoning, Biological sciences, physical sciences and writing sample. Many students find that a substantial program of courses in science is necessary to perform well on the MCAT and, therefore, the majority of medical students major in biology or chemistry. Students usually take the MCAT in the spring of their junior year and apply for admission the following fall. Unusually able students may apply for early decision in the summer.

No college can guarantee admission to medical school; however, at Mary Baldwin we have found that capable students who complete the pre-med sequence and apply themselves can gain admission to a good medical school. We recommend that pre-med students participate in an externship in a hospital setting while at MBC. This is a valuable addition to their records and helps them evaluate their interest in the medical profession.

A Mary Baldwin student who has been accepted into a school of medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine after the junior year may apply to the dean of the college to receive a Mary Baldwin degree following the first year of professional school, thereby waiving the senior year at Mary Baldwin. To get the pre-professional B.A., the student must have completed 99 semester hours, 66 at MBC, completed the general education and major requirements for the major, and fulfilled the sophomore and junior residency requirements. In addition, she must submit a transcript after one year at the professional school showing at least 33 semester hours of credit with no grade below a "C."

Recommended Science Courses
General Biology
Genetics
Cell Biology
Biochemistry I & II
Immunology
Molecular Biology
Comparative Physiology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Junior Seminar
Senior Seminar
Senior Research
Chemical Principles
Organic Chemistry I
Intermediate Organic Chemistry
Chemistry of Inorganic Systems
Laboratory Organic Chemistry
Laboratory Analytical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry I
Research in Chemistry/Biochemistry I
Research in Chemistry/Biochemistry II
General Physics I & II

Advisor

Paul Deeble, Assistant Professor of Biology