Pre-Medicine Pathways
La Roche offers a range of academic programs and opportunities designed to help you become a competitive applicant for medical school.
Whether you choose a major in the sciences or nontraditional one in the humanities, a well-rounded curriculum and unique research opportunities at La Roche will help your application to medical school stand out.
A Pre-Professional Track That Aligns with Your Interests & Goals
Our pre-professional path for medical school empowers you to choose a major that truly excites you, rather than limiting you to a traditional pre-med major. Whether you pursue biology, psychology, English or any other field, you can tailor your studies to your passions while meeting the essential requirements for medical school.
By demonstrating intellectual engagement and excellence in any major, you not only enhance your medical school application, but you can open doors to alternate careers in health care, research and beyond.
Below are the majors and coursework that help students meet the requirements for medical school and gain the experience necessary to succeed.
Traditional Science Majors to Prepare for Medical School
Our science-based majors provide the varied knowledge and research experience medical schools expect from top applicants: · Biochemistry: Offers a comprehensive, molecular-level understanding of the human body, diseases and treatments. Degree requirements: 78 credits of major requirements, 37 credits in liberal arts core, and five credits of general electives.
- Biology: Provides basic understanding of the main areas of biology. Degree requirements: 36 credits in biology, 35 credits in other science or mathematics courses, 34 credits in liberal arts core, and 15 credits of general electives.
- Chemistry: Develops a strong, theoretical foundation in chemistry with broad exposure to experimental techniques and current instrumentation. Degree requirements: 46 credits in chemistry, 19 credits in science component, 34 credits in liberal arts core, and 21 in general electives.
Non-Traditional Majors to Prepare for Medical School
As a non-traditional major, you can combine courses in the humanities with essential pre-medicine coursework in biology, chemistry and physics, allowing you to create a well-rounded application.
Non-traditional fields such as psychology, sociology, philosophy and English bring unique insights into human behavior, ethics and communication—qualities that are increasingly valued in the medical field. Critical and innovative thinking, along with solid communication skills, help you to effectively diagnose medical issues, interact with patients and families, and provide them with the best medical options.
Medical School Prerequisites
At La Roche you can complete these basic courses that are often required for medical school:
- One year of general biology with lab
- One year of general chemistry with lab
- One year of organic chemistry with lab
- One semester of biochemistry with lab
- One year of calculus
- One year of physics with lab
Required MCAT scores vary by school.
Joint Programs for Automatic Medical School Acceptance
For students seeking a more streamlined path, La Roche offers joint programs with partner institutions. These programs allow you to earn a science degree from La Roche and receive automatic acceptance into medical school.
Hands-on Research Experience
In addition to rigorous coursework, gaining practical research experience is critical to becoming a competitive applicant. La Roche’s student-led service labs, BioSOLVE and ChemSOLVE, are where you can engage in real-world research, design and conduct experiments, and collaborate with fellow students and faculty.
Prime Location in Pittsburgh: A Hub for Health & Innovation
As home to one of the nation’s most dynamic and advanced health care industries, Pittsburgh is an ideal city for aspiring medical professionals.
With the La Roche campus just a 15-minute drive away from downtown Pittsburgh, you’ll benefit from invaluable and nearby opportunities for clinical experience, internships and volunteer work at top-tier hospitals and research centers known for cutting-edge medical research, clinical care and specialized services.
Career Outcomes
LRU students have gone on to Campbell University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), University of Michigan and Stanford University School of Medicine.
Some of our Distinguished Alumni include an award-winning academic oncologist for Mayo Clinic, a medical doctor and psychiatrist in Montréal, and a neurosurgeon who was the captain and department head of neurosurgery for the U.S. Navy.
What Our Students Say
“My dream is to become a physician. I have grown very passionate about women’s health, and I can picture myself becoming an OB/GYN. LRU is preparing me for my goal by providing me with the education and connections that I will need to attend medical school and succeed in my future endeavors.” – Quinn Hughes ’25, Biology & Chemistry
Frequently Asked Questions