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What Do Medical Schools Look For?

      One of the best ways to prepare for getting into medical school is to know what will be required of you when applying. Be realistic when setting your goals. It is true that medical school is highly competitive. If you struggle to pass upper level classes then expect to have troubles getting into and succeeding at medical school. However, just because you struggle in a few classes, it does not mean that you won’t get in or won’t succeed. Realize that your GPA does count as far as getting you an interview when applying, but it does not mean everything! Medical schools look at many things including GPA, MCAT scores, medical experience, extra curricular activities, personal maturity and letters of recommendations when choosing candidates. A few bad grades won’t matter as long as you know how to study, have the aptitude to learn the large amount of material in medical school in a short time and have the desire and emotional maturity to be a physician. Many students remark about how they learned in one week of medical school what took them a whole semester in undergraduate. But with a solid undergraduate education it will also be a lot of review and building on knowledge you are already familiar with. That is also why it is good to know what classes are important to take during undergraduate school even if they are not required. Classes often overlooked include histology, cell biology, anatomy (with dissection) and biochemistry.

      Most schools have a GPA and MCAT cut off for applicants. These range from a minimum GPA of around 3.0 overall and 2.7-3.0 Science GPA. In order to be a competitive applicant one should strive for a solid GPA in both categories. MCAT cut off varies for each school. Most have a cutoff at 20 or 21 but at many schools a 24 or greater is required in order to be competitive. Considering your competitiveness as an applicant is important when deciding which schools to apply to. Remember to always apply as early as possible even if you plan to retake the MCAT. Typically, D.O. schools will accept applicants with lower scores because they tend to look at the entire strength of an applicant. They are known for taking a well rounded applicant with lower scores over an un-experienced or under informed applicant with high MCAT scores. If your score is lower but the rest of your application such as your GPA, Letters of Recommendation, and extra curricular or work experience is strong then you will be more likely to get an interview. The MSAR provides details for what each school requires of their applicants but is a book that must be purchased. Most school websites will post their average scores of previous years.

      Follow these links to learn about which medical schools are right for you.

·        AAMC Member Schools List and websites for all AAMC member schools in US and Canada.

·        AACOM Osteopathic Medical Schools. List and websites for all AACOM member schools in the US.

·        Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service

·        IMED from the ECFMG, Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

·        US News & World Report Official Medical School info 2004

·        Medical School Search provides info and websites for schools.

      As a pre-medical student it is important to do well in all of your undergraduate coursework especially the upper level science classes. Medical school admissions will look at what grades you made in Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Physics, and any other upper level biology classes such as Anatomy, Histology, or Cell Biology.

      Volunteer, spend time at the hospital, do internships, shadow physicians, study abroad, go on medical mission trips, become active in school groups and activities, get a part time job at the hospital or in a doctor’s office. These all fall under EC’s (extra curricular activities) and are important to show 1) you understand what will be expected of you as a physician, 2) that you have the desire to help others, 3) that you are well rounded and have the maturity to be a leader. These also make it easy to get Letters of Recommendation, which are required by all medical schools.