Dr. Joseph Lichter
Director
FIU Office of Pre-Health
Professions Advising
Mrs. Samantha Postigo
Coordinator
FIU Office of Pre-Health
Professions Advising
Contact Information:
Email: preprofc@fiu.edu
Phone: 305.348.0515
Web: http://prehealthadvise.fiu.edu
Office: DM 331A
Mrs. Christina Callahan
Assistant Director
FIU Office of Pre-Health
Professions Advising
Mr. Gregory Thomas
Coordinator
FIU Office of Pre-Health
Professions Advising
Requirements for Pre-Medical Professions
Choosing a Major:
• See a Pre-Health Advisor at least once a semester
• Pre-Health students must choose a major (Pre-Health is not a major).
• Commonly chosen majors include Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical
Engineering, Psychology, or Liberal Studies. However, almost any major is acceptable, as
long as students complete the pre-health requirements.
Qualities of Professional School Applicants:
• A high GPA in science and non-science courses – a competitive GPA is above a 3.6
• High Scores on the MCAT- a viable MCAT score is ab
o
v
e 504
• Significant clinical / volunteer / work / leadership experience is essential!
• You should be well known by your professors who will write great Letters of Recommendation.
Common Pre-requisites for Admission
Biology
BSC 2010, 2010L (General Bio I & Lab)
BSC 2011, 2011L
(General Bio II & Lab)
General Chemistry
CHM 1045, 1045L (Gen. Chem. I & Lab)
CHM 1046, 1046L
(Gen. Chem. II & Lab)
Organic Chemistry
CHM 2210, 2210L (Org. Chem. I & Lab)
CHM 2211, 2211L
(Org. Chem. II & Lab)
Physics I
PHY 2053, 2048L (Gen. Physics I w/out Calc) -OR-
PHY 2048, 2048L (Gen. Physics I with Calc)
Physics II
PHY 2054, 2049L (Gen. Physics II w/out Calc) -OR-
PHY 2049, 2049L
(Gen. Physics II with Calc)
Mathematics
Two semesters of college level math
Biochemistry
CHM 4304 (Biological Chemistry I) -OR-
BCH 3033
(General Biochemistry)
Courses Strongly Recommended for MCAT Prep:
Genetics
PCB 3063 (Genetics)
Cell Biology
PCB 4023 (Cell Biology)
Physiology - at least one semester
PCB 3702 -OR- PCB 3703 (Human Physiology)
Psychology & Sociology - at least two semesters
SOP 3004 (Intro to Social
Psychology) -OR-
SYO 3400 (Medical Sociology) -OR-
ANT 3462 (Medical Anthropology) -OR-
PSB 4002 (Intro
to Bio Psychology) -OR-
EXP 4604 (Cognitive Processes)
***Requirements for professional schools may vary.
Applicants should verify each individual program’s
requirements prior to application submission.***
Revised August 2019
AP Credits
• Not all professional schools will accept AP credit for science courses (for a list, ask a pre-
health advisor)
• Check the MSAR book online or contact the school(s) you are interested in to find out if
they accept AP credits
• If a school accepts AP credits, they will usually require additional courses taken in that
subject area at an advanced level.
The MCAT
• MCAT review should begin after completing biochemistry coursework by all potential
applicants.
•
Your score will last for three years prior to matriculation
GPA Calculation
• Most professional schools will calculate your Overall GPA as well as your Science & Math
GPA (BCPM GPA) for admission
• Use the GPA Calculator link located on our website http://prehealthadvise.fiu.edu
• AP credits are NOT computed into your GPA
• All post-secondary coursework will be used to compute your GPA for admission
• Dual-enrollment and transfer courses DO count toward your GPA for admission
• Professional schools DO NOT use “forgiveness” policies in calculating your GPA
• DR grades do not count in your GPA. However, avoid DR grades. Professional schools
expect students to carry a consistent, full-time course load (15-18 credits)
Professional Experience
• Experience must involve physician/patient observation (typically students have >120 hours)
• Students should have at least one year of experience through volunteer or paid positions
• Students must demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of their chosen profession when applying
to professional school
o Note: Many otherwise well-qualified applicants are not accepted because they lack
sufficient experience and or knowledge of their chosen profession
**Academic Advising**
All lower-division, Pre-Health students must see an advisor in their Major Department in addition to an
advisor in the Office of Pre-Health Professions Advising prior to registration each semester!
