Academic Majors for Pre-Health Students

Pre-health students do not have to major in science or math. Any major is acceptable. While in the past it was customary for pre-health students to choose a major in the sciences (particularly Biology and Chemistry), it is also acceptable for pre-health students choose a liberal arts major for their undergraduate study. In recent years, some of the top majors for pre-health students (based on the percentage of each major being accepted into medical school) were English, History and Philosophy. Medical schools encourage well-roundedness in their students. Furthermore, there is an important liberal arts portion of the MCAT exam. Finally, by majoring in something you enjoy, you will probably earn better grades. Therefore, while a key ingredient in preparing for a pre-health career is success in math and the sciences, it is also true that the critical thinking and effective communications skills are important ingredients in a medical career.

Requirements for GSP Students Pursuing a Pre-Health Track at the NYU College of Arts and Science (CAS)

The requirements for pre-health students going from GSP to CAS are an overall GPA of 3.0, and an average of B or better in CAS electives taken while in GSP. However, the CAS Pre-Health Program advises students to strive for a GPA of 3.5 or better for successful admission to medical school.

GSP Curriculum Guidelines for Students Interested in Pre-Health

Students interested in pursuing a pre-health course of study at NYU will use their elective space in GSP to begin a pre-health curriculum. During the freshman year in GSP, pre-health students will take three required courses and one elective each semester. During the sophomore year, students take four required courses and several electives. The courses are:

Freshman Year
Writing I-II	8 credits
Cultural Foundation I-II	8 credits
Social Foundations I-II	8 credits
Calculus I	4 credits
General Chemistry I (spring)	4 credits
General Chemistry I Lab (spring)	2 credits
Sophomore Year
Topics in Modern Society	4 credits
Topics in Modern Culture	4 credits
Global Cultures (fall)	4 credits
General Physics I-II	10 credits
General Chemistry II (spring)	4 credits
General Chemistry II Lab (spring)	2 credits
Other CAS electives	8 credits

*The first elective course taken is a math course. Students should complete Calculus I by the end of their freshman year.

Advanced Standing: Pre-medicine students with A.P. credits in calculus, biology or chemistry are advised that many medical schools do not acknowledge A.P. credits and require grades in college courses in calculus, biology and chemistry for admission.

Required Pre-Health Courses (offered at the College of Arts and Science)

*Calculus I	4 points
*General Chemistry I	4 points
*General Chemistry I Lab	2 points
*General Chemistry II	4 points
*General Chemistry II Lab	2 points
Principles of Biology I	4 points
Principles of Biology II	4 points
Organic Chemistry I	4 points
Organic Chemistry Lab I	2 points
Organic Chemistry II	4 points
Organic Chemistry Lab II	2 points
*General Physics I	5 points
*General Physics II	5 points

*While in GSP, pre-health students will take these classes (*). In addition, in the sophomore year they will take two elective courses towards a CAS major. Students will then be able to enroll in CAS at the junior level and complete the bachelor’s degree in four years. (Exception: GSP pre-health students majoring in biology may not be able to complete the bachelor’s degree in 8 semesters and may require a summer semester).

In addition to coursework listed above, students planning to attend medical school are encouraged to obtain health-related experience. Most students accomplish this by volunteering or working in a hospital. You should begin this no later that the first semester of your sophomore year, and continue for a few hours a week over several years. There are many volunteer opportunities available through NYU and in the surrounding neighborhood.