An M.D. degree is a degree in allopathic medicine. Allopathic medicine is “a method of treating disease with remedies that produce effects different from those caused by the disease itself”. A D.O. degree is a degree in osteopathic medicine, which involves a holistic or "whole-person" approach to healthcare. Both allopathic and osteopathic physicians are trained for the same exams; both are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine in all 50 states; and both have the same kinds of daily duties. While both M.D.s and D.O.s practice in all types of environments, the primary focus of osteopathic medicine is primary care.

To learn more about osteopathic medicine, see the website for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) .

To learn more about allopathic medicine, see the website for the  Association for American Medical Colleges (AAMC).  The  AAMC's website is a great resource for learning about the process of becoming a physician, especially these pages:

• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Resources for Students
• AAMC Aspiring Docs: Information and inspiration for future medical students

1. Am I competitive at this institution?

Applying for medical school is time-consuming and can be expensive. Therefore, you should apply to schools that match your level of academic and extracurricular accomplishment. Pay attention to average MCAT scores and GPAs as well as types and amounts of volunteer/extracurricular activities that accepted applicants have. Use the Medical School Admission Requirements database to compare programs.

Along with academic requirements, find out where accepted applicants are coming from--in-state or out of state? State universities' medical schools may accept very few students from outside their state or region. 

Finally, pay attention to the overall mission of the medical school. Some schools may focus on primary care, on rural and medically under-served populations, or on another specific area of need. Your goals should match those of the medical schools to which you are applying.

2. Would I feel comfortable attending this institution?

Medical school is a strenuous, though rewarding, experience. Consider whether you would be happy attending a particular medical school. Do you prefer an urban or more rural environment? Do you need to stay close to home? Do you feel strongly about living in a certain climate? Do you prefer lecture-style classes or small group activities? Do you hope to conduct research?

Additional factors to consider:

• Tuition/Cost of Living Expenses
• USLME scores and residency matching rate
• Research opportunities
• Options for clinical rotations (in the same city or spread around the state)
• Satellite campuses
• Dual-degree programs

• Principles of Biology I and II (BIOL 2107K/L & 2108K/L)
• Principles of Chemistry I and II (CHEM 1211K/L & 1212K/L)
• Introductory Physics I and II (PHYS 1111K/L & 1112K/L) or Principles of Physics I and II (PHYS 2211K/L & 2212K/L)
• Organic Chemistry (CHEM 2211K/L & 2212K/L)

This list is not definitive; check with individual schools for specific requirements.

To enter medical school, you will need a strong science GPA and a strong overall GPA. Admissions committees look for trends on transcripts, so don't panic if you stumble in your first semester or two as long as you improve in each subsequent year. However, admissions committees will notice negative trends such as consistently withdrawing from or performing poorly in hard science courses. One or two instances is not a deal-breaker, but a pattern of behavior should be avoided. You must demonstrate the ability to handle difficult scientific content.

Average numbers for successful medical school applicants : overall GPA 3.7; science GPA 3.7; MCAT 510/85th percentile.

Science GPA calculations:

• M.D. programs via the AMCAS application use the BCMP GPA, which takes into account biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses. All attempts at a course will be included in the GPA calculation.
• D.O. programs via the AACOMAS application use the BCP GPA, which only includes biology, chemistry, and physics courses. All attempts at a course will be included in the GPA calculation.

Shadow, volunteer, do research, build relationships with faculty as you are completing required and recommended courses.

• Fall: Continue shadowing, doing research, volunteering, etc. Register for Spring MCAT dates in October. Apply for graduation from MGA.
• January through May: Study for the MCAT.
• February/March/April: Write personal statement .Ask for letters of evaluation (give letter-writers at least a month's lead time).
• April/May/June: Take MCAT.
• May: Begin completing AMCAS or AACOMAS application.
• June: Submit AMCAS/AACOMAS (submit as soon as possible – even if MCAT score or letters of evaluation are not in).
• June/July: Prepare for secondary applications (look online for previous year’s questions).
• July/August: Complete secondary applications within 2 weeks of receiving them.

• Fall: Interview (beginning late August/early September through spring). Continue shadowing, doing research, volunteering, etc. 
• Spring: Graduate.

The Medical College Admission Test is required for admission into medical school. It is offered multiple times per year at a cost of $315.

Retakes: Plan to take the exam only once and retake the exam only if your score is significantly different than what you have scored on practice exams. Retakes are limited and should be considered very carefully. You will receive your score a month after the exam date.  

Practice exams: Plan to take 5-6 full length practice exams (~$40 each) since this is the best way to prepare and to gauge your progress. Commercial prep courses can provide structure for studying, but you can succeed on the MCAT without them.

Most medical schools require at least three letters of evaluation, but requirements vary. Two letters from hard science faculty is a common requirement. (Note: research mentors do not always count for these letters since some schools distinguish between mentorship and classroom instruction. But you should plan to include a letter from your research mentor if you have been involved in research [see below]).

You should build a strong relationship with any faculty member from whom you will request a letter. A letter from an M.D. or D.O. is strongly encouraged as is a letter from a non-science faculty member. Some applications may specifically require a committee letter, which the Department of Natural Sciences can provide-contact Dr. Donna Balding.For additional letters, ask whomever will write the most compelling letter (volunteer coordinator, other faculty, employer, etc.). 

Most students include 4-6 letters in their application, but you are allowed a maximum of 10 for M.D. and 6 for D.O.

As soon as possible, plan to begin "shadowing" (hands-off observation) a physician to experience doctor-patient interaction. Get a variety of experiences with physicians, including specialties you are interested in. There is no specific hour requirement, but ideally, you should build a good relationship with at least one M.D. or D.O. so that you may request a letter of evaluation. 

Medical schools want to see depth of commitment and substantial involvement and leadership in the community. A record of volunteering demonstrates that you not only can perform well in rigorous courses but also are compassionate, enjoy working with people and are dedicated to serving the community. You can volunteer in a clinical setting such as a hospital or hospice, or with community organizations that you are passionate about.

Undergraduate research is beneficial, but is not required for admission into most medical schools. However, the majority of successful applicants have research experience. You are encouraged to pursue research opportunities starting as early as freshman and sophomore year. If you plan to focus on undergraduate research, take Research Methods (SCIE 2998), Directed Studies (SCIE 2999), and Research (BIOL 4894) in the Department of Natural Sciences.

Plan to dedicate at least a year to a specific research project and be able to discuss your project at various levels (“elevator speech” and in-depth). If you want to enter an M.D./Ph.D. program, you will need to be substantially more involved in research during your undergraduate career.

Personal interviews are required for admission at essentially all medical schools. Interviews are offered only if you are academically qualified and the admissions committee is carefully considering you for admission. The interview allows you to demonstrate what type of person you are and show that you have the qualities that the school is looking for. The interview is extremely important, particularly if your grades and MCAT scores are borderline. Be prepared to answer some personal questions about your background, beliefs, and experiences, as well as some general moral and ethical questions. In addition, the interview will gauge your familiarity with current events, especially events which have an impact on medicine and its practice.

A physician must have well-developed interpersonal skills and be able to demonstrate grace under pressure. Most interviewers will try not to place unnecessary stress on you during the interview, but may ask questions or exhibit attitudes designed to cause stress. Do your best to remain composed and answer questions candidly and straightforwardly. 

One-on-One: A one-on-one meeting with a member of the admissions committee--a current medical student, faculty member, or even a member of the community--is the most common type of interview. One-on-one interviews can last from 30-60 minutes and can be open or   closed, with most medical schools using a combination of both. In open interviews, the interviewer has reviewed your application. Therefore, they may ask you specific questions about activities or experiences that you described when you applied. Be ready to speak intelligently and in detail about everything you included in your application--review your application responses before your interview day! Closed interviews are those in which the interviewer does not have your application and will ask you to provide information about yourself that you may not have included in your application. Do not be surprised if you are asked about your family, hobbies, or what you believe you would be doing if you never went to medical school.

Group:  Some programs pair one-on-one interviews with group interviews, which may include 1) a single interviewer and multiple applicants, 2) a single applicant and multiple interviewers, 3) multiple interviewers and applicants. In group interviews, take note of what is being said, even if a particular question has not been directed to you. You may be asked the same question or asked to follow up on someone else's response.

Multiple-Mini:  The Multiple-Mini Interview or MMI is a new interview format that assesses an applicant’s skill and proficiency in areas such as problem solving, logical thinking, interpersonal skills, and ethical judgment. In an MMI, you will rotate through 6-10 "stations" in which you will interact with an interviewer or actor in a brief question, scenario, or task that will assess your verbal and nonverbal communication skills.  These scenarios often involve hypothetical and ethical problems that you may one day face as a physician.  There are also scenarios that involve teamwork and assess the ability to work with a partner to solve a problem. It can be difficult to prepare for these interviews ahead of time. The most successful candidates are consistent in their own value systems and have considered how to react to various bio-ethics challenges before the interview day. Medical College of Georgia  will be using MMIs starting with the 2019 application cycle.

MD/PhD Dual-Degree Interviews: Interviews for admission into MD/PhD programs are often much longer (a full day or two) and usually include social activities in which prospective students can meet with key faculty and current students. You will typically interview with the admissions staff at both the medical school and the graduate school. Therefore, be prepared to explain both your reasons for pursuing a career in medicine and your research interests. Be ready to explain your research experiences in-depth and describe the investigative process as well as the significance of the lab beyond your individual project.  What is your research about? What was your role in the project? Why is your research important on a global scale? In addition, prepare a shorter explanation of your work that can be used in casual conversation. Finally, make sure you know the research interests of the faculty with whom you are interviewing and the type of research you would be interested in pursuing if admitted. Admissions committees for MD/PhD programs are looking for applicants whose intellectual interests match the work in progress among their faculty. They are also looking for students that understand how research is conducted and disseminated, and who are prepared to work independently.

• When you are offered admission to medical school, you will usually be given two or three weeks to accept the offer, which you must confirm in writing. A medical school may ask you to choose in May before an August matriculation. Most allopathic schools will require a deposit of about $100, which may be applied to the first term tuition. This deposit is usually fully refunded if you decide to attend another school, as long as you notify the school from which you are withdrawing in writing by the listed deadline. You can hold multiple acceptances until you find out how much financial aid you will receive. 
• Osteopathic medical schools in general require higher deposits, which may be nonrefundable, and some will require "prepayment of first term fees", which may be a few thousand dollars and are due months before the term begins. 
• “To help ensure that all M.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. applicants are provided timely notification of the outcome of their application and timely access to available first-year positions, and that schools and programs are protected from having unfilled positions in their entering classes, the AAMC has distributed recommendations. They are provided for the information of prospective students, their advisors, and personnel at the medical schools and programs to which they apply”.

If you are not accepted to medical school and must decide whether to reapply: 

Assess your position and figure out why you were not accepted:

• Were your GPA and/or MCAT scores competitive? 
• Which parts of your application could you improve?
• Did you apply to programs that matched your goals, interests, and credentials?
• Is this the path you wish to continue pursuing?

Consider applying to an early decision program: Many medical schools will accept students with slightly below-average GPAs and MCAT scores through the Early Decision Program  (EDP) if the applicant is clearly committed and motivated. For instance, the Medical College of Georgia will waive their EDP minimum requirements for students who wish to apply for their Certificate of Rural Community Health program.

Consider an alternative health career: Being a physician is not the only way to have a rewarding career in healthcare. Optometry, dental, allied health, and nursing careers are popular. While these fields are competitive, their admission qualifications are not as high as those for medical schools. A medical school applicant will have most of the prerequisite requirements for admission to other graduate healthcare programs.