Application Guidelines
Academic Achievement
Grade Point Average
- 5% of those accepted had below a 3.0 GPA
- The average GPA of those accepted is 3.5
- GPA is examined in context of the student's overall educational data
- The easier it was to be accepted to your undergraduate college, the higher your GPA must be
- An upward pattern in your GPA demonstrates the ability to adjust to educational demands over time
Science Course Grades
- A solid level of good performance (3.5 or better) will demonstrate the ability to handle the intellectual demands of medical school
- Effort given to achieve those grades gives a pre-med student the opportunity to evaluate his/her abilities and career choice
College Attended
- Attendance at a university with an affiliated medical school will offer some degree of priority because universities accept a number of freshmen from their own college
- Those who attend a private college have a better chance of getting into a private medical school
- An undergraduate college with an established medical school admission record is an advantage
Intellectual Potential
MCAT Scores
- Indicator of academic potential
- Will be used to support academic record
- Confirms your status as an attractive applicant
Letters of Recommendation
- Supplement the quantitative data provided by transcripts and MCAT scores
- Adds to overall impression that your college work established
- Medical schools prefer letters from the Health Professions Advisory Committee, natural science or other faculty members
Personal Attributes
Exposure to Medicine
- Extracurricular activities like Summer Enrichment Programs are useful (see Barron's Guide to Medical and Dental Schools by Paul Wischnitzer)
- Special Achievements such as acceptance to honor societies and receiving awards for scholastic achievement
- Leadership Activities such as developing teams to visit the sick in the school infirmary or visiting the elderly
Am I a Competative Applicant?
A quick way to determine if you are a competitive applicant for medical school is to use this formula:
Science GPA x 10 + MCAT = >65
That is, multiply the GPA of your science classes by 10, then add your MCAT score. If the result is greater than or equal to 65, then this is a good indicator that you are a competitive candidate for medical school.
For assistance or more information, please contact us, either by stopping by the Career Center or by making an appointment with a Career Counselor.
