Common Medical School Admission Requirements

Every year, students compete for the few open medical school seats in the United States. While entrance requirements vary from school-to-school, there are some common admission requirements all students must meet before applying.

What’s it take to get into med school?

Students who wish to attend medical school must have certain character qualities necessary to become a good physician. Since medical school is especially demanding, all students must be extremely motivated to study and complete clinical rotations at hospitals and other medical facilities. Good communication skills and leadership qualities are also important character qualities for future physicians.

Medical school applicants must have a well-rounded education throughout high school and college. Courses including anatomy, psychology and science is key to successful admission into a quality medical school. All college prerequisite courses for medical school generally must be completed before applying for medical school admission. Those who have a grade point average of at least 3.5 to 4.0 will have the best chance of being admitted.

How your MCAT score is considered.

Before applying to medical school, all students must study relentlessly for the Medical College Admission Test or MCAT. In order to qualify for medical school admission, students must take the MCAT in a timely manner after completing college courses and perform well on the test. Those with the highest MCAT scores are usually offered medical school placement before other students who received an average grade. When applying for a position at a medical school, students are required to write a personal statement as part of the application process. A well-written personal statement should accurately reflect the students desire to dedicate their life to the field of medicine.

The next steps to becoming a physician.

To work as a physician in the United States, students must obtain a doctor of medicine or MD degree at a school accredited by the Liason Committee on Medical Education or LCME. Students may also obtain a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree or DO from a school of osteopathic medicine. Once students begin their residency, a specialty field must be chosen. Some of the most popular specialties include family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, oncology, surgery, orthopedics or internal medicine. There are always openings in these fields for competent physicians.

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Category: Medical School