Medical school requirements vary depending upon the school. Most usually focuses upon a candidate’s grade point averages and test scores. Although the ability to handle the academic challenges are important, what is equally important is the passion and drive that a potential recruit brings to the table.
Because the medical school requirements of most universities are extremely competitive, it is very important for applicants to be able to exhibit the necessary requirements throughout the admissions process. Before you even begin your application, take time to ponder on why you want to be come a doctor in the first place, and the experiences that have led you to make this very rewarding, but extremely challenging, career choice.
Medical school requirements are at least one year in physics, biology, organic and general chemistry, and English. These are the core course requirements that most U.S. medical schools require. In addition, related lab work for each science course is required. Courses in Biochemistry, although not currently a pre-med requirement, are considered helpful and at least a semester of it while an undergrad is preferred. Calculus is also a requirement at some medical schools.
Check With The Schools First
The best avenue for finding out the medical school requirements for any specific school is by checking that school’s website. “Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)”, found in most college libraries, also gives the specific requirements for each medical school.
Because of the competitiveness of medical school admissions, one should have a strong GPA, preferably one that is above 3.5. A candidate should expect to do some post-bac work to improve their GPA if it is below a 3.3. Since medical schools usually place more emphasis and weight on a science GPA rather than just a general one, a person should try to maintain their science GPA as high as they can, in order to best meet medical school requirements.
The MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is also one of the most important medical school requirements. The MCAT provides an objective way for admissions committees to compare applicants, and carries significant weight in the medical school admissions process. It is a multiple choice test in the physical and biological sciences, and tests verbal reasoning; a writing sample is also required. Except for the writing sample, each section is scored from 1 to 15, with 15 being the best.
It has been argued that a great MCAT score alone with not get you into medical school, but it is a fact that a bad MCAT score can keep you out. Even though one may hear about applicants being accepted to med school with scores as low as 28, if one goes that low it would probably be a good idea to take the exam again to try and improve your score. A score that low simply does not meet medical school requirements.
Although it is true that admission committee’s are fond of persistence, taking the exam more than three times is generally considered to hurt an applicant’s chances for admission. The committee may feel that too many attempts may mean that an applicant is just not cut out for the rigors of medical school.
Other Medical School Requirements
Although health care experience is not a requirement for admission to medical school, it is recommended. Undergraduate research is a great way to pad your application. Since you will need from 3 – 5 letters of recommendation, doing volunteer work and research will help your application be taken more seriously, and will add another plus to meeting your medical school requirements.
In fact, knowledge of health care issues is one of the top five considerations in evaluating and admitting students to medical school. The other four important medical school requirements were GPA and MCAT scores, med school interview, and letters of recommendation (none are in order of importance).
There is no question that there are factors relating to medical school requirements that can help influence an applicant’s chance for admission. Students with laboratory experience or who have some previous experience in the medical field have a head’s up on the competition. Schools often view volunteer work and community activity as a huge plus. Other pluses are a knowledge of other languages and strong writing abilities.
As previously mentioned, you do not have to be a science major to qualify for med school and meet your medical school requirements, but you do need a bachelors degree. Some schools actually believe a non-science major is better for applicant’s, because it shows diversity. English majors generally do better in medical school than applicants from other majors because they have already spent the last 4 years reading a lot of material. It has been found that they digest information better and more effectively, and also do well on the verbal portion of the MCAT.
Medical School Requirements To Enter and Succeed:
In summery, here is a list of some of the qualities needed to be a success in medical school and meet or exceed your medical school requirements (none are listed in order of importance):
- good academic performance
- well-rounded high school and college education, including classes related to the study of human beings
- motivation and intelligence
- completion of college prerequisites for medical school entrance
- high grade point average—usually, between 3.5 and 4 on a 4-point scale (remember, satisfactory academic progress is required to be eligible for financial aid)
- preparation for the Medical College Admission Test
- timely and successful performance on the MCAT
- evidence of motivation for medicine
- evidence of interest in service
- evidence of leadership
- good recommendations
- timely applications to medical schools
- good communication skills
To get into medical school is not rocket science. We hope reading the medical school requirements included in this report will help.
