Need help for UCSD Pre-Med student!!

WayOutWestMom
Sun, 03 Aug 2014 22:40:15 +0000

1) The 1 year of English requirement has different meanings at different medical schools. In general, 1 semester of freshman composition or other basic writing skills class and 1 semester of another “writing intensive”** class will suffice for most medical schools. Some schools specifically require 2 semesters of English designated courses. You should consult the MSAR for specific requirements for the medical schools you think you’re most likely to attend in the future.

** what is consider writing intensive will vary from one college to another. You will need to consult UCSD’s pre-health advising office, the UCSD registrar or the UCSD writing center to determine which classes qualify as “writing intensive”.

2) Humanities are any courses in the following departments: philosophy, English (literature,not writing), linguistics, religion/theology/religious studies, music, art & art history, dance, theater, film, literature in a language besides English, the literature of specific gender, nationality of other identity group (e.g. Native American fiction), classics. Some schools will accept history as a humanity.

3) It’s fine to take Spanish P/F since it’s not requirement for med school admission. Med schools are much more interested in your level of oral communication proficiency (speaking & understanding spoken Spanish) than they are in your grade in Spanish 1C. On your AMCAS application you will be asked to rate your level of fluency. Medical schools do not ask for proof of your language skills, but be aware that if you claim a high level of fluency, it’s quite possible that you will be interviewed in that language.