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Medicine

 

Preparation for a Profession in a Medical Field

A four-year bachelor’s degree is required for admission to allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. Any academic major is acceptable, as long as the degree includes the prerequisite core of courses in math and sciences. Medical and professional schools expect candidates to demonstrate the intellectual, analytical, and problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in medical school. Students are strongly advised to balance coursework in the natural sciences with coursework in humanities and social sciences. The General Education component of a Liberal Arts degree provides a sound foundation for demonstrating an interest in and knowledge of a diverse and global society. Candidates should also consider coursework in areas such as anthropology, communication, economics, ethics, logic, psychology, sociology, and statistics.

A broad understanding of health care and medicine is expected of applicants to medical schools. Work and volunteer experiences (including physician shadowing) in health care agencies, hospitals, and physician offices are strongly recommended. The above statement reflects the concerns and suggestions of most medical schools in the country.

A profile of the freshman class is usually posted on the website of each professional school.

Most schools base admissions decisions on a balanced combination of the following:

  • Grade point average: This varies by school but is usually above a 3.0 minimum.
  • Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores
  • Personal statement from the candidate
  • Professional experience (employment, volunteer work, shadowing, etc.)
  • Interview
  • Recommendations from academic instructors (usually in the sciences), an academic advisor, and a medical professional

Core Courses for Medical Schools (Minimum Requirements)

  • English 101 College English I (3) and English 102 College English II (3)
  • Communication 111 Public Speaking (3)
  • One of:
    • Math 111 College Algebra (3) and Math 123 College Trigonometry (3)
    • Math 112 Pre-Calculus (5)
  • Chemistry 211 General Chemistry I (5) and Chemistry 212 General Chemistry II (5)
  • Chemistry 531 Organic Chemistry I (5) and Chemistry 532 Organic Chemistry II (5)
  • Chemistry 661 Principles of Biochemistry (3)
  • Biology 210 General Biology I (4) and Biology 211 General Biology II (4)
  • One of:
    • Physics 213 General Physics I (5) and Physics 214 General Physics II (5)
    • Physics 313 University Physics I with lab (315) and Physics 314 University Physics II with lab (316)

The core classes above meet the minimum prerequisites for admission to most medical schools. Some additional recommended courses include: Biology 419 Genetics (4), Biology 420 Molecular Cell Biology (4), Biology 590 Immunobiology (3), and Statistics 370 Elementary Statistics (3).

Admission Test: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for admission to medical school. Admission is very competitive. Most successful applicants to osteopathic medical schools have a GPA of at least 3.5 and an MCAT score of 501 or higher. Successful applicants to allopathic medical schools typically have a GPA of at least 3.7 and an MCAT score of 510 or higher.

Application: The application period for medical and osteopathic schools occurs during the summer and fall before the fall semester one wishes to begin studies. Medical school applications are processed through AMCAS, the American Medical College Application Service. Osteopathic school applications are processed through AACOMAS, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service.

Midwest Medical Schools

Midwest Osteopathic Schools

Relevant Websites

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