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Pre-professional Studies and Scholars Programs

The Office of Pre-Professional Studies, sponsored by the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, provides advice and service to students who wish to enter dental, law, medical or other health-related professional schools. Interested students should register with the Office of Pre-Professional Studies, Marquette Hall, Room 208.

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Pre-dentistry

Course Requirements

The requirements for dental schools typically include:

Area	Credit Hours
Biology	8-12
English	6
General Chemistry	8
Organic Chemistry	8
Physics	8

All required courses in biology, chemistry, and physics must include laboratory work.

Generally, dental schools require a minimum of three years (90 semester hours) of undergraduate study.

For specific requirements of particular dental schools, refer to ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools at ADEA.org.

Dental Admission Test

All candidates for dental school must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). This test is only offered in computerized form. Registration applications are available online at ada.org.

There are eight sections on the DAT, including quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, biological sciences, general chemistry, organic chemistry, general sciences, perceptual ability and an overall academic average. Prior to taking the DAT, students should complete at least:

BIOL 1001	General Biology 1	3
BIOL 1002	General Biology 2	3
BIOL 2001	Principles of Biological Investigation	3
BIOL 4101	Biochemistry and the Molecular Basis of Biology	3
or BISC 3213	Biochemistry

Most students take the DAT between June after their sophomore year and April of their junior year.

Application

Application is made through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). AADSAS applications are available online at adea.org/aadsas.

Timing of the dental school application is critical. Students need to apply 15 months before entering dental school. Most students apply in May of their junior year. Late applications will significantly affect students’ chances of admission to dental school.

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Pre-dental Scholars Program

The Klingler College of Arts and Sciences participates in the Pre-dental Scholars Program. More detailed information can be found in the university Special Programs section of this bulletin.

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Pre-law

Course Requirements

Law schools do not require specific college courses or majors. The Law School Admission Council recommends that students take rigorous and demanding courses that develop basic intellectual skills: reading, writing, and speaking, critical and logical thinking.

For information, see the pre-law adviser in the Office of Pre-Professional Studies, Marquette Hall, 208.

Law School Admission Test

Almost all law schools require applicants to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This test is offered four times a year, and should normally be taken at least one full year before entering law school.

Application

Almost all law schools require applicants to register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). The majority of law school applicants apply online. Although deadlines vary from school to school, it is generally advantageous to complete applications early. Application occurs within one year in advance of desired entrance.

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Pre-law Scholars Program

The Klingler College of Arts and Sciences participates in the Pre-law Scholars Program. More detailed information can be found in the university Special Programs section of this bulletin.

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Pre-medicine

Course Requirements

Although specific course requirements vary among medical schools, the common basic requirements are:

Area	Credit Hours
Biology	8-12
English	6
General Chemistry	8
Organic Chemistry	8
Physics	8

All required courses in biology, chemistry and physics must include laboratory work.

For requirements of specific medical schools, refer to Medical School Admission Requirements: USA and Canada which is available in the Office of Pre-Professional Studies. Most U.S. medical schools require a minimum of 90 semester hours of undergraduate work and most give preference to students who finish a bachelor’s degree before entering medical school. Preference in admission is not given to students with particular majors or academic concentrations.

Medical College Admission Test

Medical schools require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This computer-based test is administered multiple times between January–September. Registration is online at the Association of American Medical Colleges’ website at aamc.org.

The MCAT is divided into four sections: physical sciences, biological sciences, verbal reasoning and a writing sample. Before taking the MCAT, students should complete:

CHEM 1001	General Chemistry 1	4
CHEM 1002	General Chemistry 2	4
CHEM 2111	Organic Chemistry 1	4
CHEM 2112	Organic Chemistry 2	4
BIOL 1001	General Biology 1	3
BIOL 1002	General Biology 2	3
BIOL 2001	Principles of Biological Investigation	3
BIOL 4101	Biochemistry and the Molecular Basis of Biology	3
or BISC 3213	Biochemistry
PHYS 1001	General Physics 1	4
or PHYS 1003	General Physics with Introductory Calculus 1
PHYS 1002	General Physics 2	4
or PHYS 1004	General Physics with Introductory Calculus 2

A physiology course is also recommended for the MCAT. Most students at Marquette take the MCAT in April or May of their junior year.

Application

Application for most U.S. allopathic medical schools is made through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). More information can be found at aamc.org/amcas. Students applying to U.S. osteopathic medical schools use the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). More information can be found at aacom.org.

Timing of medical school applications is critical. Students need to apply 15 months before entering medical school. Most students apply in June of their junior year. Late applications will significantly affect students’ chances of admission to medical school.