Requirements

Although a minimum of 90 undergraduate semester hours is needed for admission, almost all students have earned degrees before matriculation. Eight semester hours each in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics are generally considered as minimum preparation. Prerequisite course work from community colleges is strongly discouraged because of the difficulty in adequately assessing the quality of that preparation. If a prerequisite course is completed at a community college, student must take subsequent courses in that discipline at a four-year college or university in the United States or Canada.

• Eight semester hours of vertebrate zoology or general biology
• Eight semester hours of general physics
• Eight semester hours of general chemistry
• Eight semester hours of organic chemistry

Biology

Courses should provide a broad survey of the animal kingdom, an awareness of animal types and their classifications, and a view of man in nature. Such information is usually covered in one year of general biology. A laboratory course which provides opportunity for dissection is desirable.

Chemistry

The student should have a working knowledge of chemical principles and basic quantitative and physiochemical concepts of the properties of chemical elements and ions, and the relationship of chemical properties to structure and function. It is important that the student’s experience includes adequate time in the laboratory and familiarity with quantitative techniques.

Physics

Knowledge of the fundamental principles of electricity, electromagnetic radiation, sound, heat, mechanics, and optics is valuable and can usually be obtained in a one-year course in general physics.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine that the required courses have been completed by the time of application.

Student Preparation

Although a minimum of 90 undergraduate semester hours is needed for admission, almost all students have earned degrees before matriculation. Eight semester hours each in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics are considered minimum preparation. Prerequisite course work from community colleges alone is discouraged. The student is encouraged to study in the humanities as well and should not pursue science to the extent that his or her curriculum cannot accommodate courses in nonscience subjects.

 

In addition to prior academic achievement, each student will be evaluated on the basis of personal qualities, skills, and abilities necessary for the practice of medicine. Each applicant must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Results of this test and data requested in the secondary application, which is online, must be received by Wake Forest before an application can be evaluated by the Committee on Admissions and a possible invitation for an interview offered. In 2007 the MCAT will be computer-based and given more frequently. Applicants are encouraged to take the test in the spring of the year of application so that the test scores can be considered and the test taken again in the fall if improvement in performance is desired. Scores from the MCAT taken more than three years prior to application will not be accepted. More information about this test can be obtained from a premedical advisor or online at www.aamc.org/mcat.

 

A student enrolled in a program of study in graduate school is eligible to apply for admission to the School of Medicine. If selected, the student must satisfactorily complete all requirements for the graduate degree prior to the time of enrollment in the medical school class to which he or she has been admitted. A student who voluntarily withdraws from a program of graduate study may apply for admission to the School of Medicine, providing one year has elapsed from the time of withdrawal. A candidate for the MD degree must have abilities and skills in six general areas: observation, communication, motor, intellectualconceptual, integrative-quantitative, and behavioral-social. Technological compensation can be made for some disabilities in certain areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

 

More detailed information on these technical standards is available upon request from the Office of Admissions. Wake Forest is committed to considering all qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, veteran status, handicapped status, disability, or sexual orientation. Wake Forest has a procedure for resolving any type of discrimination complaint. Inquiries or concerns should be directed to the Office of Student Services at (336) 716-4272.

 

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Each applicant must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Results of this test must be received by Wake Forest University School of Medicine before an application can be evaluated by the Committee on Admissions for the secondary application. The MCAT is computer based and given twenty two times yearly. Applicants should take the test early in the calendar year of application so scores can be considered and the test taken again if improvement in performance is desired. Scores from the MCAT taken more than three years prior to application will not be accepted.

 More information about this test can be obtained from the premedical advisor or by contacting the Medical College Admission Test Program.

Medical College Admission Test Program
P.O. Box 4056
Iowa City, Iowa 52243
MCAT®

 

See also: The Admissions Process | Interview Day