What are the minimum requirements for admission to medical school?
To be considered for admission to medical school, you must (in most cases) have an undergraduate degree by the time you plan to begin medical school, a good MCAT score, and certain prerequisite courses in the sciences and math:
1 year of Biology (BSC 114:115* and 116:117*)
2 years Chemistry (CH 101*, 102*, 231, 232, and 237 )
1 year Physics (PH 101 and 102 or 105 and 106)
2 semesters Mathematics (125* or higher recommended)
* or honors equivalent
What are the medical schools looking for in an applicant?
Medical, dental, and other health professional schools weigh a multitude of factors about each applicant during the admissions process, but there are several key characteristics all successful applicants share. The first is a DEMONSTRATED ability to be successful in a classroom setting. A student *must* have strong academic credentials in order to be a competitive applicant. It is important to not only do well in the courses you take, but also to undertake a rigorous schedule. A student that never takes more than 12 hours per semester has not demonstrated ability to handle a demanding courseload. This is troublesome to an applications committee because success in a health professional curriculum is largely determined by a student’s ability to process large amounts of information in a short period of time. Medical school is, for most students, no harder than an undergraduate curriculum – there is just so much more of it! Without a solid undergraduate academic record, there is no way for an admissions committee to know that you are capable of the curriculum you will face in medical school. A few medical schools (Harvard, Yale, Duke, Stanford, etc) may have additional course requirements. Check the web sites of these schools if you are planning to apply.
Another important factor in the admissions process is your demonstrated ability to do well on standardized tests. A solid MCAT score is critical to your chances of admission. Just as undergraduate grades are a predictor of your performance in medical school classes – MCAT scores are a predictor of your ability to pass board exams. It may seem unfair that one test is weighed so heavily, but imagine this scenario: 3 years of medical school costs approximately $100,000. If you are unable to pass your board exams, you are dismissed from medical school, have enormous student loans, and no license to practice medicine - meaning no way to repay your loans.
A third important and often overlooked criterion is an applicant’s demonstrated commitment to service and medical related experience. Practicing medicine is a demanding, service oriented profession; it is vital that prospective students experience this firsthand before beginning professional school. Appropriate experiences include job shadowing, volunteer work, community service, internships, etc. It is important to have several distinct examples of service work and exposure to the profession. Even if you have known from a very young age that medicine/dentistry is what you want to study and eventually practice, it is still vital that you seek out experiences that reinforce this belief.
What is the average Grade Point Average/MCAT score of those that get in?
In recent years the average GPA of a successful UA medical school applicant has ranged between 3.6 and 3.7. The average MCAT score of a successful applicant has typically been in the high twenties. Students with a GPA below 3.0 or an MCAT score below 24 are very rarely admitted.
When should I take the MCAT?
While opinions vary considerably on this issue, it is typically best for a student to take the MCAT for the first time either in August following the second year of study or in April during the third year. The MCAT tests on material covered in the prerequisite courses listed above, so the test should not be attemped until those courses have been completed. Individual circumstances will dictate when a student takes the MCAT – Discuss your options with an advisor early in your program of study. MCAT scores are good for up to three years, so if you think you might go to medical school eventually - but perhaps not immediately - after your undergraduate program, it’s best to take it while you are still in school and in a test taking mentality, rather than waiting to test until you are ready to begin medical school.
What major should I choose? What is the ‘best’ major?
There is no right answer to this question. A student is encouraged to choose a program of study that will be both rewarding and challenging. It is also important that a student choose a major where he or she will be successful. Admissions committees are rarely swayed by students who double/triple majored but did not earn solid grades while doing so. It is also wise to choose a program of study that a student enjoys and that offers an alternative to medical school.
OK, but which major has the best record?
It’s YOUR record that matters. A solid grade point average and solid MCAT score is what the admissions committees are looking for. A difficult major/program of study will not minimize the negative impact of a mediocre GPA, poor MCAT score, or inadequate experience.
What is the AMCAS Application? When should I submit it?
The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is a centralized application service, and is the preferred method of application for most US medical schools. A complete list can be seen here. Students should submit their AMCAS application online at www.aamc.org/amcas beginning in May of the year prior to entering medical school; a student wishing to begin medical school in the fall of 2008 should submit an AMCAS application in the summer of 2007, for example.
What do I need to do outside of the classroom?
Your ability to work well with others is just as important as your academic qualifications. There are a multitude of on- and off-campus organizations available, and campus it’s a good idea to be involved on campus outside of the classroom but not at the expense of your grades.
Where should I apply?
State medical schools differ from undergraduate institutions in their policies toward out of state applicants…some do not accept applicants from other states. Check to see if the school accepts students from out of your state of residence before applying. Your advisor can help you choose appropriate schools.
I got a C in Chemistry 101. Should I retake it?
Probably not. UA policy prohibits students from retaking a course where you earned a 'C' or better, so if you choose to retake the course you would need to go to another school - a potential red flag to an admissions committee. It’s usually best to move on if you get a disappointing grade in one of your classes. Taking an advanced course in the same subject and earning a higher grade demonstrates mastery of the material; that’s usually more appropriate than retaking a course for which you’ve already earned credit. Of course, if you don’t feel that you learned enough the first time around to move on, by all means retake the course.
Can I/should I take courses over the summer?
If you are not working, interning, conducting research, or otherwise committed over the summer and wish to take classes, by all means do so. Premed students tend to be very busy - make the most of your summers, whether it is by taking courses, gaining valuable experiences, or simply taking deserved time off and making mental preparations for a strong fall semester.
Many students elect to go elsewhere (home or abroad) for the summers and take classes at other institutions. Make sure that the school you are considering has a strong academic reputation. This is particularly important if you are planning to take science or math classes at another school. Admissions committees may question your decision to go elsewhere to take these classes. If you do poorly in (or withdraw from) a course taken here, it is almost always best to repeat the course at UA rather than going to another institution. Again, this is especially true for math and science courses.
Some students begin with a large number of college credits due to Advanced Placement credits, dual enrollment during high school, etc. Though this may put you in a position to graduate in 3 years. This is generally not a good idea. Take advantage of the full four years of undergraduate study; if you have time for additional courses, take them in areas of interest to you. Consider a double major or use the additional flexibility you have with your academic load to pursue more extracurricular activities.
What do I do if I’m not accepted?
You have a number of options if you are not accepted your first year. Many people reapply and are successful the second (or even third!) time they apply IF they address the issues that kept them from being successful on their first application. For most applicants, the issue is either noncompetitive grades, a low admissions test score, or insufficient experience prior to the interview. All of these can be improved upon by the student with sufficient effort. THE BEST TIME TO BEGIN PREPARING FOR REAPPLICATION IS IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUBMITTING YOUR FIRST APPLICATION. If you know your grade point average is the weakest part of your application, work hard, earn strong grades, and take a rigorous course load your senior year. You may also take courses as a postgraduate (or enter a master’s program) to demonstrate your ability to be successful in the classroom.
You may also want to consider programs in health related professions, such as public health,. Many students look to other health professional programs, and others still opt for graduate degrees in other fields (natural science, law, business, ect.).
Where can I get more information?
Check the LINKS page, found HERE. Also, please feel free to contact the office should you have additional questions.
