This page covers pre-med prerequisite course planning, pre-health advising resources, and MCAT® preparation guidance specific to undergraduate students at Connecticut colleges and universities.
Pre-Med Prerequisites at Connecticut Institutions
The standard pre-med prerequisite courses required by most MD and DO medical schools include two semesters of general chemistry with lab, two semesters of organic chemistry with lab, two semesters of biology with lab, two semesters of physics with lab, one semester of biochemistry, one semester of statistics or biostatistics, one to two semesters of English or writing, and courses in psychology and sociology (which are tested on the MCAT® behavioral sciences section). Some medical schools have additional requirements (genetics, anatomy, calculus) or have moved to competency-based rather than course-based prerequisites. Always check the specific requirements of the schools you plan to apply to. See our Pre-Med Requirements page for a comprehensive list.
University of Connecticut (Storrs): UConn offers all standard pre-med prerequisites through its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Chemistry Department (CHEM 1127Q/1128Q for general chemistry, CHEM 2443/2444 for organic chemistry, CHEM 2245 for introductory biochemistry or MCB 2000 for a more rigorous biochemistry option), Molecular and Cell Biology Department (BIOL 1107/1108 for introductory biology), Physics Department (PHYS 1201Q/1202Q algebra-based or 1401Q/1402Q calculus-based), and Psychology and Sociology departments provide the full prerequisite foundation. UConn’s Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Advisory Committee reviews applicants and provides committee letters, which are preferred by many medical schools. Visit premed.uconn.edu for advising appointments and resources.
Quinnipiac University (Hamden): Quinnipiac offers strong health science programs and houses the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine on its North Haven campus. Pre-med students benefit from proximity to the medical school, health science faculty, and clinical facilities. Quinnipiac’s pre-health advising office provides individualized guidance and committee letters. The Biomedical Sciences major is a popular choice for pre-med students, though any major is acceptable.
Sacred Heart University (Fairfield): Sacred Heart’s College of Health Professions offers health science and biology programs tailored to pre-health students. The university maintains affiliations with area hospitals and clinical sites that facilitate undergraduate clinical experiences. Sacred Heart offers a Pre-Medical Studies track within its biology curriculum and provides pre-health advising through the College of Arts and Sciences.
Fairfield University (Fairfield): Fairfield’s biology, chemistry, and health studies departments offer all standard pre-med prerequisites. The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee provides committee letters and advising for students applying to medical, dental, PA, and other health professional schools. Fairfield’s Jesuit mission emphasizes service and ethics, which aligns well with the values medical schools seek in applicants.
University of Hartford, University of New Haven, Connecticut State Universities (CCSU, SCSU, WCSU, ECSU): These institutions offer pre-med prerequisite courses and varying levels of pre-health advising. Students at state universities should proactively seek out pre-health advising resources, as the formal infrastructure may be less extensive than at larger research universities or private institutions. Join pre-med clubs, connect with science faculty mentors, and use the resources on this site to supplement your institutional advising.
Connecticut Community Colleges (CSCU): Students beginning at a Connecticut community college can complete many pre-med prerequisites (general chemistry, biology, introductory physics, psychology, sociology, English, math) before transferring to a four-year institution. Organic chemistry, biochemistry, and upper-level biology courses are typically completed at the four-year institution. Work with your community college advisor and your target transfer school to map out a course plan that ensures all credits will transfer and satisfy prerequisites. Taking science courses at a community college is perfectly acceptable for medical school applications; what matters is your performance in those courses and your overall trajectory.
MCAT® Preparation in Connecticut
The MCAT® is the standardized exam required for admission to virtually all MD and DO medical schools in the United States. It tests biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, and critical analysis and reasoning skills across four sections. Most students take the MCAT® in the spring or summer after completing their sophomore or junior year, after finishing organic chemistry and biochemistry.
Free and low-cost preparation resources: We recommend starting with free resources before investing in commercial preparation courses. The AAMC® (Association of American Medical Colleges) provides the official MCAT® preparation materials, including free practice questions, a free full-length practice exam, and reasonably priced additional practice exams and question packs. Khan Academy® offers a comprehensive, free MCAT® preparation course developed in partnership with the AAMC®, covering all tested content areas with video lessons and practice questions. These two resources alone provide a strong foundation for MCAT® preparation at no cost. See our MCAT® Preparation page for a complete study plan.
Several Connecticut college libraries provide access to MCAT® preparation books and online resources through their collections. UConn’s Homer Babbidge Library, Quinnipiac’s Arnold Bernhard Library, and other institutional libraries may have MCAT® review books available for borrowing. Check your school’s library catalog before purchasing expensive prep books. Some pre-med clubs at Connecticut colleges organize group MCAT® study sessions, which provide accountability and peer support during the preparation process.
MCAT® testing locations in Connecticut: Pearson VUE testing centers in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and other Connecticut locations administer the MCAT® on dates published by the AAMC®. Register early (registration opens approximately 6 months before each test date) to secure your preferred date and location, as Connecticut testing slots fill quickly, particularly for spring and early summer dates. Visit students-residents.aamc.org/mcat for the current test schedule and registration information.
Choosing Your Major
Medical schools do not require a specific undergraduate major. You can major in biology, English, history, engineering, music, or any other field and still be competitive for medical school admission, provided you complete the required prerequisite courses and perform well on the MCAT®. That said, the most common pre-med majors at Connecticut colleges are biology, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and health sciences, primarily because these majors overlap heavily with the prerequisite course requirements, making it easier to complete both your major and your prerequisites without overloading your schedule. Students who choose non-science majors should plan their course schedules carefully to accommodate the prerequisite courses alongside their major requirements. See our Choosing a Major page for detailed guidance.
Academic Planning by Semester
Planning your pre-med course sequence carefully avoids scheduling conflicts, ensures you complete prerequisites before the MCAT®, and keeps your overall workload manageable. A typical Connecticut pre-med schedule distributes the heavy science courses across semesters to avoid taking organic chemistry and physics simultaneously (a combination that many students find overwhelming). Consider this general framework, adjusted to your specific institution’s course offerings and your personal pace.
Year 1: General Chemistry I (fall), General Chemistry II (spring), Biology I (fall or spring), Biology II (spring or following fall), math requirement (calculus, statistics, or both depending on your school and target medical schools), and English composition. Year 2: Organic Chemistry I (fall), Organic Chemistry II (spring), Physics I (fall or spring), remaining biology sequence if not completed, psychology. Year 3: Biochemistry (fall, critical for MCAT® preparation), Physics II, sociology, upper-level biology electives (genetics, cell biology, anatomy, microbiology). Take the MCAT® in the spring or early summer of this year. Year 4: Remaining electives and major requirements. Submit AMCAS® application in June. Focus on maintaining your GPA, continuing clinical and research activities, and completing interviews.
This timeline assumes a traditional four-year undergraduate path. Students who take a gap year (increasingly common and not a disadvantage) have more flexibility. Students who start at a community college should map their prerequisite sequence carefully to ensure smooth transfer and MCAT® readiness by the end of their junior year at the four-year institution. See our Pre-Med Timeline page for a comprehensive semester-by-semester guide.
References
AAMC. “MCAT Essentials.” AAMC, 2025. https://students-residents.aamc.org/mcat/. Accessed March 2026.
University of Connecticut. “Pre-Medical Advising.” UConn, 2025. https://premed.uconn.edu/. Accessed March 2026.
Khan Academy. “MCAT Prep.” Khan Academy, 2025. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat. Accessed March 2026.