1. General Information
Most medical programs do not have specific course requirements for admission. If they do, they are fairly general. At most schools, you will have to have a Bachelor’s degree and you will also have to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Admissions committees look more at your GPA and MCAT scores than at the individual courses on your transcript. You should check with specific medical schools to verify that they do not have any specific course requirements.
As a pre-medical student at FMU, it is recommended that you pursue a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. See your University Catalog for degree requirements. The only difference between you and a “normal” bio major is that you will have slightly less flexibility in your choices of electives. Courses you might want to consider are: Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Developmental Biology and Biochemistry. You should also think about conducting an undergraduate research project. Other opportunities include Health Internships and participation in the ARCH program.
The two medical programs in South Carolina are located at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC (MUSC) and the School of Medicine at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC (USCSoM). Please see their respective websites for specific details regarding these programs.
MUSC Medicine – http://www.musc.edu/com1
USC-SoM – http://www.med.sc.edu/
2. Preparation
Ideally, you should start preparing for medical school in your freshman year. If you get your GPA in trouble it is nearly impossible to repair. That is not to say med school is out of the question – it just means things will be much harder. Set up a visit and introduce yourself to the pre-health coordinator. It is important that you establish a relationship early. It is also up to you to maintain that relationship.
3. The Application
Generally, the sooner you can complete each portion of the application process, the better your chances of admission will be. Do NOT let any of the deadlines pass. Most U.S. medical schools use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). For more information, please refer to the AMCAS website:
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/
The application process usually begins around May/June. The AMCAS application must be filed before December 1 prior to the year you wish to enter. For example, if you are seeking admission in Fall 2012, then your AMCAS application must be complete on Dec. 1, 2011. Please note that some individual schools may post deadlines that are earlier than AMCAS.
Around May, you need to open an AMCAS application and receive an AAMC ID. Then you will begin to enter/ upload information. You will have to provide detailed biographical information including information about your work-related and extra-curricular activities. You will also have to enter your courses and grades from every college you have attended. You need to have ALL of your transcripts forwarded to AMCAS. You need to do this early so AMCAS has time to verify your grades. One of the most important parts of the AMCAS application is the “Personal Comments” section. You should put a lot of time and effort into the construction of this essay. Check the Internet for advice on the writing of a personal statement. The Writing Center is another good resource. Always remember to be honest.
When your AMCAS application is complete, it will be forwarded out to the medical schools of your choice. Once, they receive your AMCAS application most schools will contact you for a supplemental application. This is usually done online and will require a non-refundable processing fee. If an additional essay(s) is requested, do not copy the information that was in your AMCAS statement. Here is another chance to tell more about yourself. If they like the application you may receive an invitation for an interview.
4. The MCAT
It is very important that you take the MCAT before you start applying (or as early in the application process as possible). This means you should plan to take the MCAT between your junior and senior years. You should design your course-work to help you with those plans. Information about the MCAT is found at:
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/
The application process is done over the Internet. The registration dates and testing centers can be found at this website. The test is computerized and takes about 5 hours. The MCAT is usually offered between 20-25 times a year at testing centers all over the country. The nearest testing center to FMU is located at:
PROMETRIC TEST CENTER
Phone: 843-667-3227
Site Code: 5170
2141 C HOFFMEYER RD.
WEST GATE OFFICE PARK
FLORENCE, SC 29501
There are three multiple-choice sections – Verbal Reasoning, Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences. You will also be asked to write two 30-minute essays. It is suggested that you have taken cell biology, genetics, physiology, organic chemistry and physics courses before you attempt the MCAT. You should also prepare specifically for the MCAT. There are many study materials and resources available, ranging from study guides to full courses (like Kaplan). Do your homework and determine which system will be best for your situation.
A maximum of 15 points are available in each of the multiple-choice sections. In order to be competitive, you need to achieve scores of at least 28 and above. People have gotten in with less, but it takes a very special package. Your written essays will be ranked on a scale from T (highest) to J (lowest). Before you ask, I have no idea where this scale came from. Scores are released about 30 days after the testing date.
5. Recommendation Letters
You will need to obtain recommendation letters. You should choose faculty that know you personally. Other good candidates are health professionals that you have shadowed or worked with, as well as an undergraduate research mentor. Health-related experience is a MUST!
Check to see if the med school has a form that needs to be submitted with a letter. If they do, prepare copies of each for your writers and make sure you sign the form before you give it to them. Give the writers enough time to submit letters and check back periodically to remind them. Schools will usually not start to consider your application until it is complete – this includes Recommendation Letters. It is your responsibility to make sure that the letters do not delay the consideration of your application. If necessary, find a new person to write a letter.
6. The Interview
Once your supplemental application is complete (remember to return all materials to them as soon as possible), the Admissions Committee will review your application. Criteria will vary by school (and often among committee members), but will sometimes be listed on their websites. On the day of the interview, 2-3 members of the committee will interview you.
This will be a very important part of your application process. Dress professionally, but also dress to stand out. Prepare yourself to answer questions. Questions can cover anything, but will generally focus around your health-related experience, your volunteer work and current healthcare issues. Make sure you are very familiar with anything you have previously included in your written statements. The key here is to be comfortable, confident and honest. Some of the websites listed in the next section will give you examples of interview questions. You can also find help from the FMU Career Center.
Eventually, you will receive notification of the committee’s decision. Be patient.
7. Helpful Websites
The Student Doctor Network
Alex’s Illicit Guide to Medical School Admissions
Medical Student Resource Guide
Aspiring Docs website
NCSU HealthPAC Center
Premed Prep website
http://www.futuredoctor.net/index.htm
Study Guide Zone
http://www.studyguidezone.com/mcattest.htm
*if you know of any other websites that can be added to this list, please send an email to the Coordinator.
Content copyright 2008, Vernon W. Bauer