APPLICATION TO MEDICAL SCHOOL

A candidate for medical school should file applications the summer after the junior year. Most medical schools require applications to be submitted electronically through the central processing service, the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) should be taken as early as the spring of the junior year. Before taking the MCAT, students should complete the science courses that it covers: a year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. The MCAT evaluates reading, writing, and quantitative skills with a strong emphasis on writing ability, scientific problem-solving, and analytical thinking. A student should contact his premedical advisor in the spring semester of his junior year to begin the preparation of the materials that his advisor and the AMCAS will need. With these items a student history, essay, and letters in support of the student's candidacy from his advisor and the other referees can be thoughtfully prepared to ensure the best application possible is being submitted to the most appropriate medical schools.

Medical schools are among the most competitive programs for admission. For example, for the entering class of fall 2011, the Georgia Health Sciences University accepted about ten per cent of those that applied. Thus, in addition to a competitive GPA (>3.65) and MCAT scores (>30), it is essential that students also acquire hands on experiences with practicing physicians. This may be accomplished through shadowing or internship with a community physician, specialist, or a hospital. Undergraduates should seek opportunities to cultivate such experience and knowledge before applying. At Georgia College we have an active premedical student club that works to provide some of these opportunities.