Medical Schools

With limited positions available and a high demand, getting into medical school can be a difficult proposition. The need for a high GPA, high Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores and more than 18,000 applicants applying for fewer than 1700 chairs, may make the prospect of getting into medical school daunting. However, approaching the application process methodically can provide entry into one of the 150 medical schools in the US.

Getting into Medical Schools

Attending medical school begins before a college career is even started. Speak with a counselor about any future career goals and map out a plan of college courses and activities that will further a medical career. With so few positions available, a high undergraduate GPA is crucial and choosing a major of pre-med or science can also help. Core science classes will be required regardless of the undergraduate degree chosen. Extracurricular activities, particularly activities relating to medicine, will also be looked upon favorably by the admissions board. At least a year before applying for medical school, take prep classes and sit for the MCAT.

Medical Schools – Programs and Courses

Medical school is a four year program followed by a one year internship a residency that may take up to seven years depending on the area of specialization. Medical school begins with conferences, lab work, lectures and independent research projects. Expect to take courses in anatomy, pharmacology, biology, neuroscience, immunology and chemistry during the first few years. The next few years are spent in clinical rotations developing hands on experience in family medicine, internal medicine, gynecology, surgery, psychology, pediatrics and geriatrics. Grades are given on a Pass/Fail system, however medical students are required to excel in their performance.

Upon graduation, medical doctors must be licensed. Licensing in most states requires graduation from an accredited medical school with a degree of DO or MD, a satisfactory completion of a residency and passing the United States Medical Exam (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) boards. The first part of the exam is taken during the second year of medical school and test students knowledge of basic medical science. The second part is taken during the fourth year and includes information about treating ill patients and clinical skills. The final part of the exam is taken during residency and reviews how capable physicians are managing patient care.

Top Medical Schools

Medical school ranking is broken down into two parts, research schools and primary care schools. Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University are the top two research schools in the country, while the University of Washington, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center are the top primary care schools. Rankings are subjective, but the more prestigious the university, the better the opportunities will be for getting in to top choice residencies and in attaining future career goals. Medical school ranking is based on seven performance indicators including research scores, entry standards, national student survey and graduate prospects. The U.S. News and World Report, Business Week and the Princeton Review are excellent sources to use to determine medical school rankings.

Because admission into medical school is difficult, strong undergraduate coursework, high scores on the MCAT and volunteer work in the medical community are essential for acceptance. To prospective students, having a comprehensive background and a strong personal statement is important when approaching the application process.