Tulane University School of Medicine attracts a large number of applicants each year. Because we desire to have applicants who balance humanism and academic rigor, we have consistently encouraged applicants to pursue a broad liberal arts education. In addition, we seek out applicants who have a wealth of life experiences. This requires a rigorous interdisciplinary pursuit of academics and of sciences and humanities. Applicants are highly encouraged to earn an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university by the time of matriculation. Because of the changes in the 2015 medical college admissions test (MCAT), suggested preparation will be modified to include the social sciences and psychology. Your undergraduate faculty and premed advisers know best which courses are likely to expose you to the appropriate subject matter.
For those who are applying in the 2014-2015 admissions cycle with anticipation of matriculation in the fall of 2015, the current academic recommendations will remain. These include the following:
Biology
Chemistry and Physics
Mathematics
Laboratory or Field Experiences
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Expository writing
For those who are planning to apply for the 2015-2016 admissions cycle with anticipation of matriculation during fall 2016 and beyond the academic expectations will change and will include more multidisciplinary course work in the areas of statistics, psychology, genetics, physics, sociology and expository writing across the humanities. Online courses will not suffice as a substitute for academic preparation at an accredited college or university. While an undergraduate degree is not required, it is preferred. All required sciences courses must include a laboratory. The MCAT is required and should be no more than three years old; if the MCAT is taken more than once, the best set of scores is considered.