PREMED

Admission to medical school is a highly competitive process. Approximately half or more of the students who apply to medical school each year do not get accepted. There are simply more applicants than there are seats available. Because of this, it is vitally important that students who want to pursue a medical degree thoroughly prepare themselves to be competitive applicants during the premedical years.

GPA AND MCAT

GPA is a vital part of your application to medical school. The average GPA for accepted applicants is about a 3.6. Medical schools will consider your science, non-science and cumulative GPAs as well as the trend of grades.  All grades received for college credit will be calculated into your GPA even if you have retaken the class.  If you have taken any classes at a different school or if you have retaken classes, your UVU GPA will not be an accurate calculation for medical schools.

The MCAT is a standardized examination required as part of your application to medical school. It is a very challenging exam that requires extensive preparation in the form of review and practice. Your preparation for the MCAT will begin with the first day of your first premed prerequisite course.

The MCAT consists of the following 4 sections:

• Physical Sciences (General Chemistry and Physics)
• Biological Sciences (Biology and Organic Chemistry)
• Verbal Reasoning
• Writing Sample

The first 3 sections (PS, BS, and VR) are scored from 1 through 15, with the writing sample being scored from J through T. The national average for accepted students has generally been 10s on the first 3 sections and a P on the writing sample. It is recommended that students take the exam in the spring of the year of application so scores can be available for early application to medical school.  For additional information on the MCAT, go to www.aamc.org/students/mcat.

PREREQUISITE COURSES

NOTE: Medical schools determine their own individual requirements. The courses listed below are a general guide. Refer to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) book or the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book and the individual school's website to determine the specific requirements for that institution. 

Required by most medical schools with a grade of C or better: 

• Intro to Writing: ENGL 1010
• Intermediate Writing: ENGL 2010 or 2020
• College Biology I and II with labs: BIOL 1610/1615 and 1620/1625
• Principles of Chemistry I and II with labs: CHEM 1210/1215 and 1220/1225
• Organic Chemistry I and II with labs: CHEM 2310/2315 and 2320/2325
• College Physics I and II with labs: PHYS 2010/2015 and 2020/2025

In addition, some schools require the following courses:

• Biochemistry: BIOL 3600
• Calculus I: MATH 1210 and/or Calculus II: MATH 1220

University of Utah School of Medicine additional requirements:

• Cell Biology: BIOL 3400 or Biochemistry: BIOL 3600
• Diversity Course: Click here for a list of courses at UVU that will fulfill this requirement.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

It is extremely important to be involved in activities outside of the classroom in order to be competitive for admission into medical school. GPA and MCAT scores are important, but they do not make you unique. Extracurricular activities are a chance for you to set yourself apart and display your motivation for pursuing medicine and dedication to serving the community. Preparing to apply for medical school is NOT about checking off boxes.  Medical schools are not going to care if you have done the experiences if you have not learned from them.  Admissions committees want to know that you are willing and able to learn in any circumstance and/or environment.

The activities you should be involved in and the recommended hours are listed below:

• Volunteer Service: 75-100 hours during each of the premedical years including the year of application. To be a strong applicant for medical school you must show dedication to serving the community. Volunteer service can be done with any group or organization and does not have to be medically related. Being involved in 2-3 service opportunities will benefit you more than having several brief experiences.



• Leadership: 3 different leadership positions during the premedical years. These should be experiences that have lasted at least 3 months or more. This includes experiences as tutors, mentors, coaches, teachers or leaders in campus clubs and organizations as well as employment and church leadership.



• Physician Shadowing: 3 different physicians for a total of 24 hours or more during the premedical years prior to application. Students should gain exposure to the medical field and have a clear understanding of what life as a physician entails. Shadowing is an opportunity to observe physicians as they go through a routine day seeing patients, completing paperwork, talking with insurance companies, etc. You should shadow physicians in different fields of medicine to gain a diverse range of experiences. Any specialty or setting is acceptable, but the physician must be an MD or DO who has completed their residency training.



• Patient Contact: 50 hours during the premedical years. Direct patient contact can be in the form of employment or volunteering and can take place in a variety of settings such as hospitals, assisted care facilities, clinics, etc. This shows admissions committees that you are comfortable around people who are sick or injured and have experienced some of the rewards and difficulties associated with patient interaction.



• Research: 50 hours during the premedical years with at least 25 hours completed before Fall semester of senior year. Research is required to apply at the University of Utah School of Medicine and is highly recommended for all other medical schools. Research must involve the testing of a hypothesis and must be supervised. Research cannot be part of a class, but may be an independent project or senior thesis that the student receives college credit for. Many students become research assistants for professors on campus. You should be able to describe the hypothesis and research methods for the project no matter what your role is in the research.

CHOOSING A MEDICAL SCHOOL

Because all medical schools vary in their admissions requirements, it is recommended that students choose 5-10 medical schools they would be most interested in attending and make note of those school's admission requirements. This does not mean that these are the only schools you will apply to, but you will be well prepared for your first choice schools.

It is important that students be familiar with both allopathic and osteopathic medicine.  You do not have to choose one over the other.  There is a good chance that you will apply to both.

• Allopathic (MD) Schools: www.aamc.org
• Osteopathic (DO) Schools: www.aacom.org