Medicine is the most popular health career among Southwestern students. Careful planning from your first semester will make you a stronger, more competitive applicant.
SU Pre-Med Committee
The SU Pre-Med Committee is your best source to prepare you for medical school and ensure you are taking the appropriate steps. The 2025–2026 chairs are:
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Dr. Cody Crosby (Physics) – crosbyc@southwestern.edu
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Dr. Kim McArthur (Biology) – mcarthuk@southwestern.edu
Do I Really Want to Be a Doctor?
Medicine offers prestige, stability, and the chance to help people—but it’s also demanding. Many students discover other paths as they explore. To decide if medicine is right for you, gain direct exposure: volunteer, shadow physicians, join pre-health organizations, or earn certifications (e.g., EMT, CNA, pharmacy tech). SU faculty and the CCPD can help you assess your readiness and options.
MD or DO?
Medical schools grant either MD (allopathic) or DO (osteopathic) degrees. Training is similar, but DO programs include Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). Learn more:
What Are Medical Schools Looking For?
Admission is competitive. In 2024–2025, accepted students averaged:
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Nationwide: 3.79 GPA (3.73 science), 511.8 MCAT
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Texas: 3.82 GPA (3.76 science), 512.3 MCAT
Strong academics matter, but so do out-of-class experiences, essays, recommendation letters, and interview skills. Medical schools want motivated, well-rounded applicants.
What Type of Major Looks Best?
There is no “preferred” major. Choose the field you enjoy and excel in, while completing required prerequisites. Roughly half of Texas applicants are non-science majors (psychology is most common).
Required Courses (Texas)
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Biology: 14 hrs (incl. lab)
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General Chemistry: 8 hrs
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Organic Chemistry: 8 hrs
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Biochemistry: 3 hrs
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Physics: 8 hrs (calculus required at SU)
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Statistics: 3 hrs
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English: 6 hrs
Psychology and Sociology are also recommended. Always confirm requirements with your target schools.
The MCAT
A 7.5-hour exam covering science, reasoning, and problem-solving. Take it by spring of your application year (April/May). Prepare only after completing required coursework.
Preparation Timeline
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First Year: Begin prerequisites (especially chemistry). Explore healthcare experiences.
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Sophomore: Build academics, volunteer/shadow, track experiences.
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Junior: Apply (June), request recommendations, write personal statement, take MCAT.
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Senior: Interview (fall), await decisions (spring), prepare for enrollment (August).
Applying to Medical School
Applications are centralized through:
Other essentials:
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MSAR: Database of admission stats/requirements
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AAMC Fee Assistance Program: Financial support for exams and applications
Applications include GPA, MCAT, experiences, essays, and recommendation letters. Interviews (August–December) may include traditional or Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs).