Feb 18, 2008

Getting Into Medical College

This is for my son - who wants to get into Medical Colleges. Not having gone through the college system in U.S. myself, I am trying to get myself acquainted with the various options, costs, aid packages, issues and problems. Well - might as well write it down, if not for anybody else ... just for myself.

Here are the sites that I have bookmarked, for starters
  1. College Discussions - http://talk.collegeconfidential.com
  2. Peterson's College Planner - http://www.petersons.com
  3. 2008 Top Medical Schools - http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/school_rankings/med
Most of the information below, would be gleaned from either of the three sites above. If not, I will try to put an annotation as regards its origin.


BS/MD Programs (See listing below)
If you are absolutely sure that you want to be a doctor, and unless you manage to get admitted into HYPS (HYPS => Harward,Yale,Princeton,Standford), you should very seriously consider going down the BS/MD route. In this day and age, guaranteed admission into a med-school (provided you satisfactorily complete the BS requirements of the BS/MD program) is tremendously valuable. Remember that almost half of all premeds nationwide who apply to med-school get rejected from every single med-school they apply to. That's right - every single one. Furthermore, some (not all, but some) BS/MD programs allow you to apply to other med-schools once you earn the BS. So if you think you can get into a better med-school, you are free to apply. But you will have your existing med-school as a backup.

Here are some critical questions I would ask to the BS/MD program:
  1. How many students who enter the program as freshman actually make it into the MD part of the program? Lots of these programs have minimum GPA requirements for you to stay alive and eligible, and in some of these programs, only a small minority of the entering students of the program actually manage to complete it. For example, if only 10% of the entering students actually survive to the med-school phase, then that basically means that they are using the BS phase as their 'de-facto' admissions stage, and so that's really no different from just going to some other premed program and then applying to med-school as a regular premed student. You will probably have to ask this question to program alums, for I doubt that the program's admissions staff would want to tell you this information.
  2. Are you free to apply to other med-schools upon completion of the bachelor's? Or, put another way, does the program confer upon you the BS degree while you are in the middle of the program, which would allow you the freedom to take that BS and use it to apply to other med-schools?
  3. If you are seriously looking into this option, you might consider buying or consulting (at your local library) the most recent MSAR, Medical School Admissions Requirements, since as of this writing (07/15/03) some of the links on the AAMC web page are outdated, and the list of programs does not appear to be entirely complete.
College Admissions Facts
  1. The reality is that med-school admissions are highly numerical. Most rejectees are rejected even before their application has been read by a human being. What happens is that med-school applications are handled in 2 rounds. In the first round, you send a consolidated record of your academic achievement from AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) to the med-schools you are considering. The adcoms (ADmissions COmmittee Members) of those med-schools will then only select the most promising candidates and invite them to submit a round-2 application, which is the "real" application. If you're not invited, then you can't submit the round-2 app.
Other sites
BA/MD School Listing




Albany Medical College (AMC) and Union College (UC) (8 year program) Guaranteed admission into medical school. MCAT not required. Siena College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Contact: Betty Sullivan

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and Rice University (RU) (8 year program) Guaranteed admission into medical school. The average SAT score for entering applicants was between 1330-1490 and applicants establish a strong interest in pursuing medicine. MCAT not required.

Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) (7 year program) Provisional admission into medical school. Typical applicant has an average 1500 SAT score, 33-34 ACT score, 3.9 G.P.A., and three SAT II subject tests (writing, chemistry and math IIc) Students must take the MCAT and maintain a minimum G.P.A average. Applications are due Dec 1 on the year prior to matriculation. International students: Eligible for this combined program (link) Contact phone number: Admission representative 617-353-2300

Brown Medical School (BMS) (8 year program) Guaranteed admission into the medical school. Applicants have an average 710 verbal SAT score, 730 mathematics SAT score, and graduated in top 2 percent of high school class. Three SAT II subject tests required (one should be in science). Applicants interested in Brown Medical School, may also apply to the following undergraduate campuses: University of Rhode Island (RI), Providence College (PC)

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (CWRUSM) (8 year program) Provisional admission to medical school. As a high school student you must apply for the pre-professional scholars program. Students had an average SAT score of 1410-1510. If students take the SAT I only they are required to take three SAT II tests (writing and 2 other subjects) If a candidate is interested in engineering it helps to take the SAT II tests in math or science. The ACT test can be taken in lieu of the SAT I and SAT II because ACT scores are divided into individual categories (average ACT score between 30-34). Students must maintain a minimum 3.6 undergraduate G.P.A. while in the program. MCAT not required but if it is taken a minimum score of 32 is needed. All applicants considered for the Trustees scholarship, President's scholarship and Provosts scholarship.

Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCM) (7 year program) Applicants require minimum SAT score of 1360, minimum 3.5 GPA, in top 10% of high school class, and maintain a minimum 3.45 GPA as an undergraduate (no grades less than a C), and a minimum MCAT score of 30. If interested in Drexel University College of Medicine, applicants can choose from the following undergradutate campuses: Wilkes University (WU), West Chester University (WU), Muhlenberg College (MC), Monmouth University (MU), Lehigh University (LU), Villanova University (VU), Rosemont College (RC), and Ursinus College (UC).

Finch University Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School (FUHS) and Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) (8 year program) Guaranteed acceptance into medical school after matriculating into the program. MCAT must be taken but no bearing on acceptance, 3.25 minimum GPA must be maintained while at IIT. Contact phone number: 312-567-3025

George Washington School of Medicine (GWSM) and George Washington University (GWU) (7-8 year program) Provisional admission into medical school. Each year a student's progress is monitored. Applicants require minimum SAT 1400, MCAT not required, and must maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA as an undergraduate. Students required to take SAT II in writing, science and mathematics. Students must have 100 hours of community service per year. 20 students matriculate into the program every year. Freshman scholarship options (FSO) available. International students: Not eligible for the combined program. Contact phone number: 800-447-3765

Howard University College of Medicine (HU) and Howard University (HU) (6 year program) Contact phone number: 202-806-7231

Indiana University School of Medicine (IU) and Indiana State University (ISU) Rural Health Program. Provisional admission into medical school. Applicants require a mininimum G.PA. of 3.5, minimum 1200 on SAT, and applicant must have spent a majority of their life in a rural area. At ISU, students must maintain a 3.5 G.P.A, obtain the mean average score on the MCAT to receive acceptance into Indiana University School of Medicine and complete interview process at IU. Contact phone number: 812-237-2781

Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University (JMC) and Penn State University (PSU) (6 year program) Guaranteed admission into medical school upon matriculating into the six year accelerated program. Applicants requires minimum SAT 1440, top 10 percent of high school class. MCAT needed in junior year. Contact Robert Mitchell at 814-865-5471

Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (KSM) (8 year program) Provisional admission into medical school based on maintenance of GPA and MCAT scores. Contact phone number: 213-740-5930

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine (MMC) with Tennessee State University (TSU) (7 years) Contact: Dr. Harlston

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine (MMC) with Fisk University (FU) (7 year program) Applicants not guaranteed admission into Meharry Medical school upon applying to Fisk University. Applicant must enroll in Fisk University and will be evaluated on the following: Grades (minimum GPA 3.3), high school ranking and SAT scores. A joint committee screens and interviews the applicants for medical school. In the junior year, the MCAT is taken and a minimum score of 24 is needed. After matriculating into Meharry Medical School for one year, a BA degree is granted from Fisk University.

Michigan State University (MSU) and MSU College of Human Medicine (MSU) (8 year program) Contact phone number: 517-353-9620

Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NOU) (6 year program) Guaranteed admission into the medical school. Average applicant has a 3.86 GPA, SAT score of 1273, and admission preference given to Ohio residents. International applicants: Must have a green card to apply. If interested in Northeastern College of Medicine, applicants can choose from the following undersgraduate campuses: University of Akron (UA), Kent State University (KSU) and Youngstown State University (YSU). Contact: Dr. Martha Kory at 330-972-7154

Northwestern University- Feinberg School of Medicine (NUFS) (7 year program) Applicants require SAT I and SAT II subject tests in writing, mathematics level IIc, and chemistry. You must take a year of calculus, including differential/integral calculus and simple differential equations. Contact phone number: 708-491-7271

Rush Medical College (RMC) and Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) (6 year program) Applicant not guaranteed admission into medical school. Applicant applies after second year at IIT, students must complete research at IIT, and students have the option to apply to MD/PH.D program. Contact phone number: 312-567-3025

State University of New York Upstate Medical University (SUNY) and Wilkes University (WU) Applicants must be from rural counties in the southern tier of New York. Applicants must have a minimum SAT score of 1200 and rank in the top 10% of their graduating class. Binghamton University, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Educaition (SBD)

Stony Brook University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine (SBU) (8 year program) Must apply to the Scholars in Medicine Program. Applicant must achieve a minimum 1350 SAT score, complete the undergraduate Scholars Program at Stony Brook, maintain a minimum 3.4 G.P.A, obtain a minimum average MCAT score.

Temple University School of Medicine (TUSM) (8 year program) Provisional admission into medical school based on undergraduate performance at Temple. Must apply to the TempleMed Scholars program. Applicants require a minimum 3.2 GPA and minimum MCAT score of 9 on each section. International Students: Not eligible for the combined program. Contact: William Nathan 215-204-8669; Wiedener University (WU)

Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) Provisional admission into medical school. Applicants apply in sophomore year after being students at Brandeis, Tufts or Boston College. Applicants require a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and applicants must take the MCAT exam the before the August of their senior year. In addition it helps to have volunteer training.

University of California- Los Angeles School of Medicine (UCLA) and University of California, Riverside (UCR) (7 year program) Contact phone number: 908-787-4333

University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine (UCSD) and University of California, San Diego. Applicants must apply to medical scholars program and provisionally accepted in the medical program. Applicants require California residency, minimum SAT score of 1500, minimum high school GPA of 4.0, and MCAT not needed. Contact phone number: 858-534-3880, somadmissions@ucsd.edu

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (UC) and University of Cincinnati (UC) (9 year program) BS-MD

John Carrol University, University of Dayton,

University of Connecticut School of Medicine (UCSM) Connecticut residents receive special preference and 25 applicants chosen for interview. Applicants require SAT I, minimum high school G.P.A of 3.5, graduate in top 5% of graduating class, As an undergraduate student must maintain a 3.5 GPA and minimum MCAT score of 28 with no individual score less than 7. Contact: Keat Sanford, Ph.D. 860-679-4713.

University of Florida College of Medicine (UFCM) (7 year program) Applicants apply their sophomore year and guaranteed admission into the College of Medicine. Applicants must be Florida residents and non-Florida residents may apply, minimum SAT score of 1200, minimum G.P.A.of 3.5, secondary application must be completed. Contact phone number: 352-392-4569

University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine (UIC) (8 year program)
Guaranteed admission into medical school. Minimum composite ACT score of 28 or minimum SAT score of 1240, top 15% of graduating class, and applicant must be Illinois resident. GPPA Scholarships available to deserving candidates. International students: Not eligible for this program. Contact phone number: 312-996-8365

University of Miami School of Medicine (UM) (HPME program; 6 year program) Guaranteed admission into the medical school. Applicants requires minimum SAT score of 1360, be in the top 10 percent of high school class, take SAT II by Jan. 15 of senior year in high school, must maintain a 3.2 science GPA and 3.4 cumulative GPA. International students: Not eligible for the combined program. Contact: Maria Fallon at 305-284-4323

University of Miami School of Medicine (UM) (6-7 year program) Apply to medical school in second year at the undergraduate school. Applicants require an SAT 1 score of 1270 and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.4. Applicants will be interviewed by faculty members. Contact: Maria Fallon at 305-284-4323

University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine (UMKC) and University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC) (6 year program) Contact phone number: 816-235-1870

UMDNJ- New Jersey Medical School (UMDNJ) and Boston University (BU) (7 year program) Applicants must be New Jersey residents. The program requires research experience during one summer at UMDNJ.

UMDNJ- New Jersey Medical School (UMDNJ) in conjunction with Drew University (DU) (7 year program) Provisional admisison into medical school. Applicants must have minimum SAT I score of 1400, an interview on Drew University campus, and graduate in the top 10% of graduating class. Students required to take their MCAT their junior year. Students are not required to attend NJMS if they are interested in another program. Drew Merit Awards available.

UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (UMDNJ) in conjunction with Rutgers- New Brunswick (Rutgers) (8 year program) Applicants matriculate after sophomore year, need five letters of recommendation from Rutgers faculty, minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3, and must provide high school/college transcripts.

UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (UMDNJ) and Rutgers- Newark (Rutgers) (7 year program) Guaranteed admission to medical school. Applicants require minimum SAT of 1400, must be ranked in top 10% of high school class, and must maintain a 3.4 GPA while in the undergraduate program. If you are interested in UMDNJ Medical School, you may apply to the following undergraduate universities: The College of New Jersey (CNJ), Montclair State University (MSU), New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Richard Stockton College of New Jersey (RSC)

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (URSM) (8 year program- Rochester Early Admission Scholar Program) Guaranteed admission into medical school. Applicants require SAT scores in top quartile of Rochester entering class and exemplary grades. International students: Eligible for this combined program. Contact: Chris Antal 585-275-8595

University of South Florida College of Medicine (USF) (7 year program) Guaranteed admission into medical school. Applicant requirements: Florida resident. SAT score minimum 1300, minimum GPA of 3.7, ranked in the top 10% of high school class, maintain a science GPA of 3.5 while in the undergraduate program.

University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine (USC) and University of Southern California (USC) (8 year program)

University of Wisconsin Medical School (UWMS) (8 year program) Medical Scholars Program. 40 high school students offered positions in program. Applicants must be Wisconsin resident. Applicants are not required to take the MCAT. International students: Not eligible for combined program. Contact phone number: 608-263-7561

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (VDUSM) (8 year program) Guaranteed admission into the medical school. Students must fulfill requirements of honors program, maintain a 3.5 GPA, SAT score minimum of 1270, and graduate in the upper 15% of high school class.

SUNY Downstate, University of Michigan and University of Nebraska College of Medicine are no longer accepting applicants for their discontinued combined program as of 2003
Texas A&M discontinued the Medical Scholars Program as of Summer 2003

No comments: