What is an MD?
ALLOPATHIC PHYSICIAN - The M. D. or Medical Doctor practices allopathic
medicine which can be defined as the treatment of disease through drugs
and surgery accompanied by a special concern for preventive and public
health measures.
What is a DO?
OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN - Osteopathic medicine is distinctive form of
medical care founded on the philosophy that all body systems are
interrelated and dependent upon one another for good health. Like MD's,
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine ( DO's) are complete physicians, meaning
that they are fully trained and licensed to prescribe medication and to
perform surgery.
What are the Minimum Requirements for most
U.S. Medical Schools?
Inorganic Chemistry - 1 year Chem. 131 and 132 or
Chem. 161 or 211
Organic Chemistry - 1 year with labs Chem. 345, 346, and 349
Physics - 1 year with labs Phys 130, 131, 170 & 171
OR Phys 145, 146, 175, & 176
Biology - 1 to 3 years depending on the Medical School
Bio 101P, 208 ,218, and two additional classes
English - Composition and Literature Eng 101, 201 and 134
Social Sciences - Psychology/Sociology
What is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)?
The MCAT is required by almost every medical college. This is a
standardized exam that has 4 sections: verbal reasoning, physical sciences
(inorganic chemistry and physics), biological sciences (biology and
organic chemistry), and timed writing. The maximum score is 15 for each
section with the writing samples receiving an alphabetic rating. The
average score for the exam is usually 7.5-8.5. This is a very rigorous
exam !!!
The MCAT is given twice a year: April and August. Before taking the
MCAT a student should have completed both years of chemistry, the year of
physics and for CMU students it is highly suggested that they have
completed Bio 208 Microbiology, Bio 324 Cell Biology, Bio 326 Genetics and
Bio 392 Mammalian Physiology. It is best to take the MCAT in April of your
junior year so that you can apply to medical school late in the summer
before your senior year or early in the 1st semester of your senior year.
MCAT scores are a very important tool in the screening of applicants by
medical schools.
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What do I major in to go to Medical School?
Medical Schools do not require any special major. Pre-medicine is not a
major. There is no "correct" major for pre-medicine. The best advice is to
major in a field that you are interested in and you will do well. Most
successful applicants are Biology Majors ( about 70% ), Chemistry Majors
(about 20% ) and all others majors make up the rest. The Biology Major
Pre-Professional Option is a very good choice for students interested in
medical careers ( see below for information on this major).
What Grade Point Average ( GPA ) should I
have?
The GPA is an important part of admission to medical school. You do NOT
have to have a 4.0 to get in medical school. It is probably better to have
a solid GPA (>3.6) with other activities to show you are
multi-dimensional. If you have a poor first year but steadily improve,
that will be taken into account. If you start strong and then fate, that
will also be considered ( but not in a positive manner!)
Are there other activities that I need for
Medical School?
Some medical and or clinical experience is helpful but is not required.
You need to know what a doctor does before you try to become one. This
does not mean a full-time job or even a steady part-time job.
Occasional volunteer activities or summer work is good. You should
shadow a physician to see what the profession is really like. Other
volunteer activities should as church , and school groups ( such as the
Pre-Med Club ) are useful. Medical schools are looking for a well-rounded
individual, not just a one-dimensional ( book worm ) student.
