Pre-Med @ SoM
At the WVU School of Medicine Health Professions, we offer academically rigorous, undergraduate pre-health degrees for every interest, that will help you graduate prepared for your future in healthcare. If you plan to attend medical school, here's how we support you - whether you pursue an allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) pathway.
Michelle Coleman
M.D. Degree
“Throughout my time here at WVU I have had wonderful guides and champions in my corner that I have been able to work with to define my interests.”
What undergraduate major should I choose?
As part of West Virginia's only comprehensive academic health sciences center, our students learn from faculty who also teach in the MD program. Pre-med students in the WVU School of Medicine typically major in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics (BLD), Exercise Physiology (EXPH), or Immunology and Medical Microbiology (IMMB), with each major offering a strong foundation in the sciences and fulfilling common medical school prerequisites. What else sets these majors apart?
- Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics students gain hands-on experience performing diagnostic tests on human samples. The results of these tests help other members of the healthcare team diagnose and treat patients. This deep exposure to diagnostics helps pre-med students develop clinical reasoning skills, while students later gain real-world experience through extensive clinical rotations. In their final year, they complete a capstone course, PALM 475: Medical Relevance, to integrate their learning through research.
- The Exercise Physiology major incorporates coursework in human body systems and function, medical terminology, and nutrition. Pre-med students can tailor their studies with upper-division electives like EXPH 441: Gross Anatomy Laboratory (human cadaver dissection) and EXPH 460: Pathophysiology (causes of disease). All EXPH students complete a clinical internship or research experience, with many gaining direct patient care skills at sites like the WVU Human Performance Laboratory.
- Immunology and Medical Microbiology offers an in-depth study of the immune system and disease response. One of only two U.S. undergrad programs fully housed in a School of Medicine, IMMB emphasizes hands-on lab work from year one. Students can pursue paid, multi-year research with grant-funded faculty in facilities like the Vaccine Development Center. Students complement core med-school focused coursework with electives like IMMB 327: Parasitology, IMMB 480: Vaccinology, and a study-abroad trip to Italy exploring the roots of Western medicine.
Looking for a head start? Highly qualified first-time freshman applicants to these majors may apply to the Mountaineer Accelerated Pathway (MAP) to MD, a competitive program designed to help students progress toward medical school at WVU.
What other opportunities are there to strengthen my application to medical school?
Students in BLD, EXPH, or IMMB can explore their interests through minors in areas like rural health, healthcare data analytics, and molecular medicine. EXPH students can choose the Health Professions area of emphasis, with upper-level courses aligned with MCAT content. The School of Medicine also offers targeted support, including an MCAT prep course taught by expert MD program faculty.
How soon should I start preparing for medical school?
Choosing a WVU School of Medicine major is a great first step towards med school. Below are key milestones to keep you on track:
- Sophomore year:
- Start exploring research opportunities for junior/senior year.
- If you haven't already taken BMM 339: Introduction to Human Biochemistry or the School of Medicine MCAT Prep Course, complete prerequisites to ensure you are on track and registered for both courses no later than fall of your junior year.
- Junior year | Fall term:
- Take BMM 339: Introduction to Human Biochemistry and the School of Medicine MCAT Prep Course.
- Register for the first MCAT in January - we recommend that you take the MCAT before any exams in your courses for the spring semester.
- Junior year | Spring term:
- Take MCAT.
- Sign up to work with the WVU Pre-Health Professional Development Office.
- Between junior and senior year:
- Complete your med school application(s) - target submission date, July 15th.
- Senior year | Fall term:
- Work with WVU Career Services or the Pre-Health Professional Development Office to prepare for interviews (August - early September).