Academics & Coursework

What courses do I need to take for medical/dental/PA school?

As a pre-health student, course requirements will vary based on what kind of career you are pursuing. To view the prerequisites for medical and dental school specifically, visit our Course Requirements page. To view information for other potential pathways, visit our Health Careers pages.

Can AP, ECE, or transfer credits count toward health professions prerequisites?

AP credits are accepted on a variable basis from school to school. We strongly encourage applicants to review all of the information included on our AP Credit Policies page.

Note specifically that the University of Connecticut School of Medicine does not accept AP credit for any prerequisite coursework. To read more about UConn SOM’s policies, review this document compiled by our office.

 

ECE courses are collegiate-level coursework and will count to fulfill prerequisite requirements.

Note that all ECE courses will show up on your official transcript, even if you did not formally accept the credit. They will be factored into your cumulative GPA calculations (and science GPA calculations, if applicable), though admissions committees will be aware this is coursework you took in high school and will not substantively consider it as an evaluative factor during review of your application.

 

For transfer credits from another undergraduate institution, you will want to talk with the Undergraduate Admissions Office to determine how your credits have transferred over or you can check their Transfer Equivalencies page. Keep in mind that for any school you are applying to, they will request transcripts from all institutions at which you have taken collegiate-level coursework.

What GPA do I need for health professions school?

There is no single GPA that guarantees admission to a health professions program. Admissions committees consider your entire application, including your academic record, experiences, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and interview performance.

That said, successful applicants typically demonstrate strong academic performance, particularly in their prerequisite coursework. Rather than focusing on a specific number, aim to build a consistent academic foundation, seek support when you need it, and show growth throughout your undergraduate journey.

Remember: your GPA is one piece of your application. Health professions schools are looking for students who are academically prepared, compassionate, committed to service, and able to reflect on their experiences.

 

If you are consistently struggling with your science prerequisite courses, we would encourage you to make an appointment with one of our advisors to discuss strategies for success.

Do I need to take all of my prerequisite courses at UConn?

For any prerequisite coursework, our office always recommends taking classes during the course of the regular semester and at a four-year institution if possible. We understand that for many, summer courses and/or community college courses make more sense, both financially and time-wise, and that's fine (especially for those that may have chosen to pursue a pre-health path later in their undergraduate career). However, to show full mastery of the preparatory coursework, it is best to take the course at full length and rigor.

If you are worried about finishing your required classes before your anticipated graduation date, remember that there are other options you can explore as well. You can always take courses as a non-degree student, either at UConn or at another four-year institution, or you can enroll in a Post-Baccalaureate program. To learn more about Post-Bacc programs, we encourage you to explore information about the UConn Pre-Medical and Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Program.

What if I struggle in a science course?

This happens to more people than you might think! Some important things to do are to reach out for help, use your resources, and learn from the experience to improve in the future!

Keep in mind, all courses posted to your UConn transcript will be factored into your GPA calculations for professional schools. Although UConn replaces your prior grade with your retake grade, both will be counted when the application services calculate your cumulative undergraduate GPA, as well as your science GPA. This means that you can raise your average, but potentially not as much as anticipated. Regardless, an improved grade in a class does still show strong capacity for improvement and holds value for admissions committees.

For any prerequisite coursework, our office always recommends taking classes during the course of the regular semester and at a four-year institution if possible. For course retakes, this becomes less important, though to show complete mastery in any subject area, we would still recommend taking it at UConn during the fall or spring semester if that option is available. We understand that for many, summer courses and/or community college courses make more sense, both financially and time-wise, and that's fine!

 

If you are consistently struggling with your science prerequisite courses, we would encourage you to make an appointment with one of our advisors to discuss strategies for success.

Can I study abroad as a pre-health student?

Yes! If you are able to work out a course plan in conjunction with our office and your major advisor that will allow you to fulfill all of your necessary coursework requirements and study abroad, we encourage you to do so. This can be an invaluable way to build cultural humility and awareness, and even gain an understanding of the healthcare system in a foreign country. We highly encourage you reach out to the Experiential Global Learning office to learn about possible pathways for your study abroad experience. Some options that align with pre-health coursework are Allied Health Sciences programs, Psychological Sciences programs and the Pre-Med/Allied Health Spanish Program in Granada.

 

Should I take a minor or second major?

This is VERY subjective! We encourage students to explore and pursue an academic plan that is personalized to their interests - not to add a minor or second major because it might strengthen their future application to medical, dental, or PA school. The people who pursue their passions are the ones who are most successful usually! You could always look into creating an individualized major too 🙂