As one of the most competitive professions in the world, the demand for places in medical schools is quite high. The number of aspiring doctors often exceeds the total number of spaces available at medical schools. A strong application increases your chances of getting admitted into one of these colleges.
Understanding the medical school prerequisites may help you submit a strong application that can give you an edge over others. While admission requirements vary in each school, some requirements are standard for all.
So, what are these requirements that can increase your chance of admission?
Undergraduate degree
Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a postgraduate program that you can apply for once you have completed an undergraduate degree. Most medical schools prefer students with a relevant science or biology major but non-science students are also considered for admission based on this program if their application status and other criteria.
GPA score
To prove your academic skills, you will need to achieve a good GPA score for your undergraduate degree. Most schools have set a minimum GPA as a standard to ensure the academic qualification of their students. A low GPA score can affect your chances of getting shortlisted and being selected for an interview.
Pre-med coursework
The medical school curriculum is an advanced study of multiple biological and technical concepts. Therefore, it requires you to know the basics of certain subjects to ease your way into advanced studies.
Here are a few medical school prerequisites:
- One year of general biology or zoology with laboratory practice.
- One year each of organic and inorganic chemistry with laboratory sessions.
- One year of college-level English to prove your proficiency in reading, writing, and communication.
- A background in humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, or computer skills is also considered for admission.
Students can replace one semester of organic chemistry with coursework in biochemistry. As well as additional coursework in any biology subjects including cell biology, anatomy, genetics, and molecular biology, which are given preference during the admissions process.
MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is preferred by medical schools for admission. A good MCAT score demonstrates your medical knowledge as well as critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Though not mandatory for everyone, a median score for MCAT can improve your chances of admission success.
English proficiency
As the curriculum in medical schools is taught in English, you must know the language for essential communication and understanding. All applicants who are non-natives must participate in any valid English proficiency test such as a TOEFL or IELTS, before applying.
Patient care experience
The possibility of getting accepted to medical schools increases with previous research and patient care experience. Most schools require a minimum of 50 hours of experience working as volunteers in any hospital setting or clinic.
Letter of recommendation
Including at least two letters of recommendation with your application is preferred by many medical schools. These letters from reputable sources act as a validation of your skills and abilities and can impress medical school admissions.
Following these standard requirements can help you to get admitted into reputable medical schools. So, make sure that you meet the above criteria before submitting your application!
, depending on their application status and other criteria.
