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Pre-medical Requirements for M.D. Program | Admissions | UC Davis School of Medicine

Pre-medical Requirements

Review the academic and admissions requirements for applying to the M.D. Program at UC Davis School of Medicine, including prerequisite coursework, required exams, technical standards and transfer credit policies.

  • Eligibility Requirements

    To apply, applicants must complete the following:

    • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
      • Required within 36 months of application
      • Latest acceptable exam: September of the application year
    • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; must be verified by AMCAS by July 1 of matriculation year
    • Prerequisite coursework (see below)

  • Required Prerequisite Courses

    The following prerequisite courses are required and must be completed at a U.S. accredited college or university (including community colleges):

    • Biological Sciences: 1 year
    • General Chemistry: 1 year
    • Organic Chemistry (Biochemistry or other chemistry also acceptable): 1 year
    • Physics: 1 year

    Additional notes:

    • College or university accreditation can be verified through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
    • Coursework from non-accredited institutions is not accepted
    • Online coursework is accepted; labs are not required
    • In-person coursework (including labs) is preferred
    • Prerequisites should be completed within 5 years of application submission
    • All prerequisites must be completed by spring prior to matriculation

  • AAMC PREview® Exam Requirement

    All M.D. program applicants are required to complete the Association of American Medical Colleges Professional Readiness Exam (AAMC PREview®).

    • Assesses pre-professional competencies important for medical school success
    • Applicants who do not complete AAMC PREview® exam will not be considered for admission

    Important note: M.D./Ph.D. program applicants and Huwighurruk Scholars are NOT required to take the AAMC PREview® exam.

    Learn more about AAMC PREview® exam requirement and review FAQs

  • Technical Standards

    Applicants are required to meet the UC Davis School of Medicine’s non-medical, technical standards for admission and graduation. Essential abilities and characteristics required for completion of the M.D. degree consist of certain minimum physical and cognitive abilities, and sufficient mental and emotional stability to assure that candidates for admission, promotion, and graduation are able to complete the entire course of study and participate fully in all aspects of medical training.

    Review the full technical standards requirement on our M.D. Program policies site

  • Transfer Credit Policy

    Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

    • Accepted if listed on an official undergraduate transcript
    • Must clearly indicate course equivalency

    College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit

    • Not accepted toward prerequisite requirements