Overview of Pre-Medical Study

The Pre-Medical curriculum at Fairmont State University is a challenging curriculum designed to prepare the student for application to medical school. Our graduates routinely gain acceptance into one of the three medical schools in West Virginia, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Marshall School of Medicine, and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Pre-medical students should consult with the pre-medicine advisor (contact information at right) each semester. Students should also carefully consult the catalog and consult the admissions counselor of the professional school which they plan to attend.   Web links are provided at right.

Students desiring to complete the pre-medical curriculum at Fairmont State University have several options. Model schedules that meet prerequisite requirements for application to medical school are available for degrees in biology, chemistry and forensic science.  Degrees in other areas (e.g., philosophy, psychology, etc.) are acceptable, as long as the required prerequisite coursework is completed along with the degree requirements.

Pre-medical students should maintain a high GPA (3.3-3.5).  By the end of the junior year, the pre-medical student should be preparing for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and making application to medical school. This is essential to timely acceptance into medical school. In addition, pre-medical students are strongly encouraged to gain experience in the medical field (i.e., volunteering, shadowing) and develop professional relationships from which recommendations can be obtained.

* Completion of BIOL 1105 and 1106, CHEM 1105 and 1106, CHEM 2201 and 2202, ENGL 1104 and 1108, and PHYS 1101 and 1102 should be completed by the end of the junior year for timely application to medical school.

The Pre-Medical curriculum is not to be confused with the Medical Laboratory Technology program, which is a two year program resulting in an Associate of Applied Science degree that is housed in the FSC&TC.  The Medical Laboratory Technology program faculty also serve as advisors for Pre-Medical Technology students who wish to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Medical Technology.