Which medical schools do not require biochemistry?

While most US medical schools require biochemistry due to its necessity for understanding core biology and MCAT content, some universities like UC-Los Angeles (UCLA) and UC-San Diego (UCSD) are known for having no specific course prerequisites, though they expect a strong science foundation, while others might not list it as a hard requirement but heavily recommend it, making schools without explicit biochem rules more about those with flexible requirements than outright removal. Always verify requirements with the specific medical school's admissions site, as they can change, but expect biochemistry to be a strong expectation for MD/DO programs.

Can you apply to med school without biochem?

Classes Often Required for Medical School

Biochemistry: Biochemistry has gotten a lot more attention since receiving an increased emphasis on the MCAT. Some schools make it a prerequisite, while others simply assume you have the knowledge if you studied for the MCAT.

Does med school require a biochemistry lab?

Requirements do vary from school to school, so here's a chart of the prerequisite courses at the top 50 medical schools. Biology: 1 year with laboratory work. Chemistry: 2 years with laboratory work, including inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Physics: 1 year (laboratory work is recommended).

Does UCSF require biochem?

A: We require a minimum of one year of biology with lab, one year of chemistry with lab, at least one course in physics, and at least one course in biochemistry. While these courses represent the minimum prerequisites, most competitive applicants have taken above and beyond these courses.

Do I need to take biochemistry for the MCAT?

Essential #4: Biochemistry

Seeing the connections between fields is essential for the MCAT, where most of the questions are passage based and may require you to juggle chemistry, biology, and physics in one passage. I recommend taking this one or two semester before the test.

The BEST PRE-MED MAJOR | Proven By Med School Acceptance Data

What percent of MCAT is biochemistry?

Academic disciplines: First-semester biochemistry, 25% Introductory biology, 65% General chemistry, 5%

Do any med schools require 2 semesters of biochem?

Some medical schools also require the following prerequisites: Mathematics: Calculus or statistics or college mathematics (two semesters or three quarters). About 60 medical schools require math. Biochemistry (one semester or two/three quarters – depends on the school).

Does Harvard medical school require biochemistry?

All applicants must complete a two-year chemistry sequence that covers inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Students should be exposed to general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry in a two-year sequence that provides the foundation for the study of biologically relevant chemistry.

What is the easiest medical school to get into?

There are no truly "easy" medical schools, but some have higher acceptance rates or lower average GPA/MCAT scores, often focusing on regional needs or specific missions, like University of Mississippi, East Carolina University (Brody), University of North Dakota, Mercer University, Meharry Medical College, University of North Dakota, and University of New Mexico. Osteopathic (DO) schools like William Carey, Arkansas COM, Pikeville KYCOM, and Lincoln Memorial are also frequently listed as having higher acceptance rates than top MD programs. 

Is a B+ in orgo bad for med school?

A B+ in organic chemistry (Orgo) is generally not considered bad for medical school, but it's not ideal either; while a strong overall GPA, excellent MCAT, clinical experience, and research can offset it, a B+ signals good, not excellent, performance in a key pre-med weed-out course, so focus on excelling in other sciences and demonstrating strong problem-solving skills. 

Is a 3.7 too low for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is not bad for medical school; it's generally considered competitive, often around the average or slightly below for highly selective MD programs, but strong enough for many schools, especially with an upward trend and a good MCAT score. A 3.7 combined with a strong BCPM (Science) GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) and compelling extracurriculars makes you a viable applicant, though lower GPAs might need more exceptional scores or experiences to compensate. 

Is orgo 2 needed for med school?

Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry: Pre-med students need to take general chemistry (inorganic chemistry) 1 and 2 and organic chemistry 1 and 2. (Organic chemistry was ranked the most challenging prerequisite college course by pre-med students).

Is bio or biochem better for med school?

Both majors are evenly matched when it comes to one of the most necessary parts of applying to and attending med school: the prerequisites. Because each usually includes med school prerequisite coursework, such as biology, physics and chemistry, they are both popular choices among premed students.

Do biochemists get paid well?

Yes, biochemistry can pay well, especially with advanced degrees (Master's/Ph.D.) and experience in high-demand sectors like pharmaceuticals or biotech, with median salaries for all biochemists around $103,650 (2024) and top earners reaching well over $100k, though entry-level pay with a Bachelor's degree can be lower and vary significantly by role and location, with some reporting lower starting salaries but high growth potential in the right industries.
 

Can you get into med school without taking organic chem?

As much as they hate it, organic chemistry is a requirement for getting into most medical schools. However, some schools are beginning to question if it should be a determining factor in whether a student is able to pursue a career in medicine.

What is the 32 hour rule for medical school?

The "32-hour rule" in medical school admissions refers to a policy where some medical schools focus on an applicant's GPA from their most recent 32 credit hours, often in science courses, instead of their entire undergraduate GPA, benefiting students with a strong upward trend or a solid post-baccalaureate performance. Schools like Wayne State University and LSU Health New Orleans use variations of this to give more weight to recent academic efforts, allowing strong performance in later coursework or post-bacc programs to shine. 

What MD program has the highest acceptance rate?

That said, based on the data provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the schools with the highest acceptance rates for the most recent year are: CUNY School of Medicine: 100% acceptance rate. University of Mississippi: 46.29% acceptance rate. Mercer University: 14.37% acceptance rate.

What's the easiest medical major?

Easiest Medical Degrees

1. Radiation Therapist. When it comes to treating cancer, radiation therapists are essential because they apply focused radiation to reduce tumor size. ...
2. Dental Hygiene. ...
3. Ultrasound Technician. ...
4. Registered Nurse. ...
5. Physical Therapist Assistant. ...
6. Phlebotomy Technician.

What's the lowest MCAT score accepted by Harvard?

Although HMS does not set a minimum grade point average or minimum MCAT scores, academic excellence is expected. Applicants must post their scores to their AMCAS application in order to be considered in the current application cycle no later than October 22, 2025.

What is the #1 med school in the US?

While rankings vary slightly by source and focus (research vs. primary care), Harvard Medical School consistently ranks #1 for research in most major lists like U.S. News, closely followed by Johns Hopkins and the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman), with other top contenders including UCSF, Stanford, and Columbia. These top schools are known for cutting-edge research, vast clinical opportunities, and highly selective admissions, making them leaders in medical education. 

Which Ivy League is best for pre-med?

There's no single "best" Ivy for pre-med, as it depends on your needs, but Harvard, UPenn, and Brown are consistently top-tier for their strong advising, research access, and high med school placement rates, with Brown offering unique programs like PLME. Other strong contenders include Yale (flexibility) and Dartmouth (early assurance), while Princeton offers rigor but with potential grade deflation. The ideal choice aligns with your learning style, goals (like BS/MD), and desired campus environment. 

Can I apply to med school without biochem?

Since Biochem is a course that is taken in Medical School and it appears on Step 1, your application will look highly favorable if you receive an A in biochem. It's not necessary to take the course, but doing so will make you stand out from other applicants.

What major is most accepted to medical school?

1. Which major has the highest acceptance rate into medical school? Math and statistics majors, humanities majors and physical science majors have the highest acceptance rates into medical school. However, biological science majors remain the highest number of applicants to medical school.

Can I take MCAT without taking Biochem?

It is possible to take the MCAT without having taken biochemistry in college, but it may require extra effort to self-study the necessary classes. Many resources, including textbooks, online courses, and practice exams, are available to help self-learners grasp biochemistry concepts covered on the MCAT.