1. Is there a preferred major for medical or dental school?
   

No. While some majors may incorporate several pre-requisites for medical school in their requirements, you can major in any area of interest. Many schools are interested in candidates with diverse interests and backgrounds.

1. What if I don't take chemistry and/or math my first semester, can I still go to medical/dental school?
   

Yes. Some courses, like math, establish a foundation for other courses, like chemistry, physics and biology. It is important to do well in these foundation courses so you can do well in subsequent courses.

 

1. Do I need to take calculus?

It depends. Most health professions schools (including most medical & dental schools) do not require calculus. If you’re interested in pharmacy or optometry, however, you will require at least 1 semester of calculus. Also note that many science-related majors require calculus.

 

1. Do medical schools accept AP credit for pre-requisite courses?

Sometimes.  Medical schools will often want you to take intermediate or advanced coursework at the undergraduate level if you have AP credit on your transcript for pre-requisite courses such as
AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or AP English.