Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Timeline

First Year

Fall

  • Take BIOL 1201, 1208
  • Take CHEM 1201
  • Take PSYC 2000 or SOCL 2001 (for MCAT)
  • Explore majors and visit explorehealthcareers.org
  • Develop study skills
  • Read from the recommended reading list
  • Join the pre-medical or pre-dental listserv (see a College of Science Pre-health advisor for more information)
  • Join Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental at LSU Facebook group and follow us on Twitter @LSUprehealth
  • Discuss research opportunities with faculty
  • Research summer enrichment and/or research programs
  • Attend Freshman/Sophomore pre-medical/pre-dental information sessions

Spring

  • Take BIOL 1202, 1209
  • Take CHEM 1202, 1212
    Take PSYC 2000 or SOCL 2001 (for MCAT)
  • Explore campus activities and volunteer opportunities
  • Seek work in a research lab
  • Read from the recommended reading list
  • Identify and apply for professional summer enrichment activities

Summer

  • Gain experience/volunteer work in a health care setting with patient contact experience or participate in summer research program
  • Read from the recommended reading list

Sophomore Year

Fall

  • Take CHEM 2261and EXST 2201 (statistics required at LSU Medical Schools)
  • Suggested course: BIOL 2051 (Required by LSU Dental School)
  • Attend pre-professional organizational meetings: AED, MSPPS, PDS, SCMA
  • Consider service learning courses
    Look into summer enrichment/research programs
  • Read from the recommended reading list
  • Attend Freshman/Sophomore pre-medical/pre-dental information sessions

Spring

  • Take CHEM 2262 and CHEM 2364
    Suggested course: BIOL 2153
  • Begin MCAT/DAT/OAT planning and review
  • Continue involvement on campus
  • Continue patient contact experience
  • Identify and complete applications for professional summer enrichment activities
  • Read from the recommended reading list
  • Research professional schools of interest

Summer

  • Gain experience/volunteer work in a health care setting with patient contact or participate in summer program
  • Research professional schools
  • Read from the recommended reading list
  • Study for the MCAT/DAT/OAT

Junior Year

Fall

  • Take first semester Intro Physics lecture and lab
  • Take BIOL 4087
  • Suggested courses: BIOL 3090/BIOL 4160
  • Gain experience in research
  • Demonstrate leadership
  • Continue MCAT/DAT/OAT review
  • Attend LSU Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Review Committee meeting in November about application process/timelines/deadlines
  • Work on personal statement
  • Identify test dates and note registration period for tests
  • Target test dates in Spring to meet all deadlines

Spring

  • Take second semester Intro Physics lecture and lab
  • Suggested courses: additional upper level science courses
  • Study for MCAT/DAT/OAT
  • Consider a review/prep course
  • Ask faculty for evaluation letters
  • Take MCAT/DAT/OAT in April/May (by published review committee deadline)
  • Register with and submit application to the LSU Pre-medical/Pre-dental Review Committee by the deadline given in the informational meeting
  • Submit all required documents to the LSU Pre-medical/Pre-dental Review Committee by published deadlines
  • Register with national application service (AMCAS, AACOMAS, TMDSAS, AADSAS, OPTOMCAS)
  • Work on personal statement

Summer

  • Submit application and official transcripts to AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS/AADSAS/OPTOMCAS.
  • Continue health care experience and reading from the recommended reading list

Senior Year

Fall

  • Observe deadlines for schools of interest
  • Complete and return secondary applications as received
  • Prepare for and interview with prospective schools
  • Read from the recommended list

Spring

  • Complete degree requirements
  • Interview with prospective schools
  • Continue campus and community involvement
  • Read from recommended list

This time line incorporates only the Pre-medical/Pre-dental plan. Students are encouraged to seek academic advising from their senior colleges regarding degree requirements for their majors.

Courses listed are standard prerequisites. Medical and dental schools may have additional requirements. Check admission criteria at each school of interest for requirements.