Registered Students

Number of registered UMW Premed & Predental students: 284

Guide for New Students

New Student Orientation

All incoming UMW freshmen and transfer students who want to join the premedical / predental program MUST attend the program orientation session scheduled during new student orientation.  This meeting is mandatory.  Please see the orientation schedule for time and place.

All new incoming students who want to join the premed / predent program need to create an account with this site. 

To be formally recognized as a UMW premedical or predental student, degree-seeking UMW students with premedical or predental interests must register with the program by creating an account with this site. Registered students are formally recognized as members of the premedical / predental community at UMW, they will receive important announcements from UMW's premedical advisor via e-mail, and when logged in, registered students will have access to all detailed program information.

First-year Premed / Predent Course Selection

All first-year students have a first-year academic advisor, whose job is to, among other things, advise first-year students about their first-year course selection.  First-year students can register for a minimum of 12 credits, but the average first-year student registers for approximately 14 - 16 credits.  First-year students who join the premedical / predental program and are on the traditional track to medical or dental school should include the following premedical / predental courses in their first semester schedule:

  • Biology 121 (Biol Concepts I with lab, 4 credits)  - or -  Biology 125 (Phage Hunters I with lab, 4 credits)
  • Chemistry 111 (General Chemistry I with lab, 4 credits)
  • An English course that includes a substantial writing component is recommended. English 101 would be a great choice.
  • A mathematics course is recommended.

First-year premed & predental students should inform their first-year advisor that they are premed or predent so the advisor understands the need to take these courses. In fact, it is recommended you print this page and take it with you to your first meeting with your first-year advisor so you can show him or her the recommended first-semester premed / predent schedule.

AP Credits and Community College Credits

Most medical & dental schools prefer students to complete all required pre-med courses at a four-year undergraduate institution.  Generally, medical & dental schools will accept AP credits and Community College credits in fulfillment of these courses, provided UMW awarded you credits towards graduation (not just exemptions) and those credits appear on your transcript.  If you have questions regarding the acceptance of premedical or predental community college credits by a specific medical or dental school, you should check the school's web site.