To get into medical school, students must meet requirements that can be seen as somewhat stringent and extensive. This is because renowned medical schools are highly selective when it comes to picking the right candidate.
As prospective medical students, it is important to know the common medical school requirements beforehand, so that applicants can enhance their application to stand out from the crowd. Applying to medical school can feel like navigating a maze, so in this article, we’ve covered everything from medical school prerequisites and experience to MCAT scores and grades. Take this opportunity to learn about all of the admission requirements that students should be aware of in 2022.
Undergraduate degree
The most popular degree in medical school is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, which is a postgraduate degree program. It, therefore, requires a bachelor’s or undergraduate degree to apply for the course. An undergraduate degree in a relevant major can best prepare a medical school applicant. The undergraduate major can be a significant factor in strengthening your application.
GPA score
Grade Point Average (GPA) significantly impacts medical school acceptance. It is a factor that determines whether or not an applicant is invited to the interview, which can eventually lead to acceptance. Even though it is possible to get into medical school with a low GPA, the applicant must demonstrate strong performance in all other areas.
Prerequisite coursework
The medical school’s curriculum underpins the study of advanced medical and biology subjects. Therefore, medical school applicants are expected to have basic knowledge of medical subjects to better understand the highly advanced and technical topics. Medical applicants are commonly expected to have at least one year of general biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and English.
MCAT score
MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test, a standardized test for admission to medical colleges in countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean islands. This exam evaluates the student’s medical knowledge and assesses their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. An MCAT score of approximately 506 is acceptable in most medical schools. However, the acceptance score can vary between medical schools.
Research experience
While having research experience is not mandatory for most medical schools, with it, your probability of getting accepted into a medical school increases. Having research experience allows you to demonstrate your skills in research and shows that you can apply the learning throughout your medical education.
Letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation can drastically improve your chances of acceptance into medical school. These letters validate your skills and character for the selection committee from reputable sources, like a physician or faculty member. The medical schools often recommend students have two letters of recommendation including one from a medical doctor.
IELTS or TOEFL score
English is the medium of instruction in medical schools in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Therefore, students applying for medical schools abroad must present language proficiency proof in the form of a TOEFL or IELTS score.
These are some of the most important requirements to get into medical school in 2022. Now that you know the medical school requirements, nothing is stopping you from enrolling in a medical program and starting your journey to become an MD today!
