Pre-medicine FAQs

Academics, Advising and Clubs

What's the best major for medical school?

Students can apply to medical school with any major, as long as the required courses are taken. You should choose a major which interests you. Common choices are in Science (Biology, Biochemistry/Biophysics, Chemistry, Microbiology, Zoology), Engineering (Bioengineering, Chemical engineering, Radiation Health Physics, etc), Health and Human Sciences (Exercise and Sports Science, Nutrition, Public Health, etc) or Liberal Arts (Philosophy, Psychology, Spanish, etc.).

What are the required courses for medical school?

Generally these include a year each of General Chemistry, General Biology, General Physics and Organic Chemistry; OHSU also requires Biochemistry, Genetics and a math class. Many schools also require some liberal arts courses, and it is important to take those classes early because the reading and writing are good preparation for the MCAT. Be sure to take those for a grade, and work just as hard in those classes.

What other courses are recommended?

Courses which bridge the sciences and liberal arts, such as Medical Anthropology (ANTH 483), Bioethics (PHL 444), Brain and Behavior (PSY 330), etc. are very relevant. Courses which help you understand more about the human condition are always good; suggestions include Families in Poverty (HDFS 447), Sociology of the Family (SOC 312) etc. Courses dealing with public health such as Intro to Health Services and Organizations, (H 210), are very helpful as well.

Will I have a pre-med advisor?

Yes. There are 11 premed advisors at OSU. They have been trained by the Chief Premedical Advisor and are members of the Premedical Committee. You should meet with him/her regularly in order for the advisor to know you well enough to write a committee letter on your behalf when you apply.

PRE-MEDICAL ADVISING

How can I learn more about medical school and medicine as a career?

Enroll in BI 109 - Premedical Orientation. This is a one-credit course offered spring term that is graded P/N. The course covers information about the field of medicine and the application process; guest speakers visit throughout the term. Also refer to the website http://www.aamc.org/ .

I've heard about a combined MD-PhD program. How does that work?

Many medical schools offer a combined program where the student can combine their passion for research and earn a PhD along with the MD. For more information see http://www.aamc.org/members/great/ .

Where are the medical schools in Oregon?

Oregon Health and Sciences University is in Portland and is currently the only medical school in the state. http://www.ohsu.edu/ There are future plans for an osteopathic medical school in Lebanon. http://www.samhealth.org/hospital_Foundations/lch/health_sciences_campus.html

What's the difference between allopathic and osteopathic medical schools?

Allopathic (M.D.) and osteopathic (D.O.) medical schools both provide the education and training necessary to practice medicine. While both schools employ the benefits of modern medicine (prescription drugs, surgery, and technology), osteopathic medicine uses a holistic approach that also includes hands on diagnosis and treatment (i.e., manipulative medicine). For more information see http://www.aamc.org/ and http://www.aacom.org/ .

What GPA is required to get into medical school?

The average GPA of admitted students varies each year, however, a 3.6 is average for allopathic schools (M.D.) and a 3.45 for osteopathic schools (D.O.). Remember that medical schools look at many factors besides grades when making admissions decisions so there is a broad range of GPA's in each entering class.

What about retaking a class? How will medical schools view repeats?

Medical schools do not replace grades, so they will look at everything you took. You must have at least a C in all required premed classes. It can be a good idea to retake a course in which you earned a C in order to earn an excellent grade (preferably an A) and to show mastery of the material. Check with your advisor.

Can someone from a disadvantaged background gain admission to medical school? What if no one from my family was a doctor?  What if I came from a high school where there were no advanced classes?

Medical schools are very committed to admitting a broad and diverse class in order to meet the healthcare needs of our changing population. There are a lot of resources at OSU that can help you strengthen your academics. There are also summer programs at medical schools that are designed to help support rural, disadvantaged and underrepresented minority students to gain entrance to medical school. An example of one is the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program http://www.smdep.org/ . Check with the Chief Premed Advisor for more ideas.

Does OSU have a Pre-Med Club?

Yes. You can join the listserve to get information on meeting times, guest speakers, volunteer opportunities, etc. Send a blank email to: premedclub-join@lists.oregonstate.edu.

Volunteer Work and Healthcare Experience

How can I get experience in the healthcare field?

Students can gain experience through volunteer work, part-time jobs, internships, and job shadowing. You may also be eligible to participate in OSU's medical preceptorship. http://www.science.oregonstate.edu/node/129

Where can I do volunteer work?

There are many organizations on campus and in the community which need volunteer help. A list of volunteer opportunities is available here (pdf).

Letters of Recommendation

From whom should I request letters of recommendation?

Ask people who know you well. Of the five letters required, one must be from a physician and 2 must be from basic science professors (such as a Biological science, Chemistry, etc.; applied science such as Engineering, Nutrition etc. do not count as basic science). One letter must be from your major. Additional letters can also be from supervisors, volunteer coordinators, nonscience professors, etc. It is extremely important to build a relationship with your professors so that they can get to know you.

When can I have letters of recommendation sent?

Letters on your behalf can be sent to the College of Science any time, and we will keep them until you apply. The best time to ask for a letter is right after the class ends. Do not wait until you are in the application process to start asking; it can take quite a while to get letters. Use this form (pdf) when asking for a letter, and medical schools prefer confidential letters.

Can I use my premed letters for another purpose?

Letters collected for your premed file may not be used for any other purpose including a different health profession or graduate school. The premed letters may only be used for medical school applications or military medical school scholarships.

The Application Process

How can I get help during the application process?

In addition to meeting with your pre-med advisor, the Chief Pre-Med Advisor, Chere Pereira, gives application seminars several times during the school year. Ms. Pereira meets with all students during the application process and messages regarding the application are sent throughout the summer to those who are applying.

How do I open my premed file?

During the year in which you are applying, you must complete the paperwork to open your premed file. All students must first meet with the Chief Premed Advisor. See the Procedures and Deadlines for Applying.  

When should I take the MCAT?

Take the MCAT when you are most ready for it, preferably by the end of July Never take it just to see what it's like, or before you have completed the coursework!. It's a computer-based test offered 23 times during the year from January-September. http://www.aamc.org/ If you plan to take the MCAT in August or September it may be best to defer your medical school application to the following year.

My MCAT score was lower than I expected. Can I retake it?

Yes but it is imperative that you give yourself ample time to review the material before retaking the exam. Talk with your pre-med advisor before retaking the MCAT.

When should I submit my transcripts to AMCAS/AACOMAS, and do I need all of them - even those from that high school band class I got credit for?

You must submit ALL transcripts, even if the credit from a class taken in high school appears on your OSU transcript. Community colleges can be especially slow so be sure to request those early (allow 6 weeks). You should request OSU transcripts as soon as spring quarter is over. Once AMCAS/AACOMAS has verified your grades, there are no updates.

When should I submit my application?

Apply early. Actual deadlines vary; the earliest deadline is Oct. 15 (OHSU is among the schools with this deadline). Early is best, and it really makes a difference to submit your application by mid summer (preferably by Aug. 1). Many schools have rolling admissions and will have fewer openings as the cycle progresses.

What is a committee letter?

When you are ready to apply to medical school, you must first meet with Chere Pereira, then with your regular pre-med advisor to open your pre-med file. The committee letter is a cover letter from your pre-med advisor that accompanies the packet of letters from faculty, doctors, employers, etc. You must have at least five letters in your pre-med file. The cover letter gives an overview of your application, adding insight and additional information (that is why it is SO important for you to stay in touch with your pre-med advisor). Medical schools prefer receiving a committee packet, and they really like our letters. The packet is uploaded through a system called Virtual Evals to medical schools as a single unit, and no updates are allowed.

Do I need to wait to submit my application until my letters are ready?

No. The letters are completely separate from your application.

How can I prepare for my med school interview?

Mock interviews with local physicians are scheduled in the fall. Career Services (Kerr Building) also offers mock interviews and can be tailored to meet the needs of medical school applicants. Dr. Kevin Ahern also teaches a popular class, Science in the Public Eye, where interviewing and writing skills are stressed. Sample interview questions (pdf) are also available online.

How can I pay for medical school?

Medical school training is very expensive, and most students take out loans to pay for it. The average payback time is around 10 years. There are other options such as the military Health Professions Scholarship programs, http://www.army.mil/   http://www.airforce.com/   http://www.navy.mil/swf/index.asp   and the National Health Services Corps http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov//. More information is available at http://www.aamc.org/students/financing/start.htm 

What are my options if I don't get admitted to medical school?

Please do not reapply if nothing has changed. Meet with Chere Pereira to discuss a possible reapplication before making any decisions. There are a number of options to consider, including postbac programs or special master's degree programs that are possible routes for you.

What is a good way to learn about other health professions?

There are many outstanding career opportunities in the health professions, and there are excellent websites that will give you insight into some of these. http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/ is a good place to start. Also consult the Occupational Handbook at http://www.bls.gov/ .

For more information about health careers in Oregon visit the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) website at http://www.oregonhealthcareers.org/ . On campus every year the College of Science sponsors a Health Professions Career Fair in April and this is an excellent opportunity to talk to people who represent many different health careers. Examples of some excellent career options to consider are Audiology, Medical Informatics, Anesthesiologist Assistants, Pathologist Assistants, etc.