The Pre-Medical Program at Mills combines a strong foundation in natural science with a liberal arts education. The increasing emphasis on the physician-patient relationship and the appeals for doctors with humanistic perspectives relate to a long held tenet of pre-medical education at Mills: a thorough foundation in science should be accompanied and enriched by exploration of the humanities, arts, and social sciences.

There are a variety of different health science professional schools, including those for dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, veterinary medicine, podiatry, chiropractic, naturopathic medicine and, of course, the largest and most highly visible area, allopathic medicine. Admission to health science professional programs is highly competitive, particularly to schools of allopathic medicine. Success in the application process requires careful attention to preparation in a number of areas. The health professions advisor is a valuable asset in this planning process and works closely with each student to plan her academic program as well as her overall preparation for her career. Students are encouraged to gain experience in their chosen health profession by engaging in volunteer work, internship experience, or paid employment. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of research opportunities during the academic year and in the summer months. The small class size at Mills contributes in many ways to a student's education and to her personal and intellectual development. In addition, it provides opportunities for faculty members to know students well and thus be able to write meaningful letters of recommendation when the time comes to apply to health professions schools.

The atmosphere of preprofessional study at Mills is one of cooperation, support, and encouragement. Students are congenial, help each other, and think in terms of working together toward a common goal. The history of success Mills students have had in gaining admission to health professions schools also contributes to a positive and confident spirit in pre-medical students at Mills. A student planning to enter the health science professions can major in any of variety of disciplines. Most recent pre-medical students at Mills have majored in biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, chemistry, or biopsychology, but any major is possible as long as the basic requirements of the professional school are met.

The following suggested minimum list of courses is based upon the admissions requirements of medical schools, but it is also generally applicable to other health science professional schools. Additional upper-division course work in biology and chemistry, however, is valuable preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the Dental Admission Test (DAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or other admission tests. These courses also prepare students for the course work of the health professions schools themselves.

For further information and advice, consult one of the health professions advisors listed above. It is strongly recommended that students meet with the health professions advisor at least once an academic year, or more frequently if desired, to review the status of her preparation for professional school.

Suggested Minimum List of Courses

Biology

BIO 001–002 General Biology I and II (1.25; 1.25)

Chemistry

CHEM 017–018 General Chemistry I and II (1.25; 1.25)
CHEM 105–106 Organic Chemistry I and II (1.25; 1.25)

English

One year of course work.

Physics

PHYS 061–062 General Physics I and II (1.25; 1.25)

Some California medical schools require additional course work in calculus, biochemistry, genetics, behavioral science, and/or statistics.