Overview:
Physicians diagnose, treat, and help prevent illness and injury. They evaluate patients, take medical histories, order and interpret tests, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Physicians work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, research, and academic environments. Some also engage in research, teaching, or leadership roles.
There are two types of physicians: MDs (Doctor of Medicine) and DOs (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). Both are fully licensed physicians who can practice in all medical specialties. DOs receive additional training in osteopathic principles and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), a hands-on technique for diagnosis and treatment. Physicians typically choose a specialty during residency after medical school. Students do not need to select a specific medical specialty before applying to medical school.
Need additional information on this career path, check out: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/physicians-and-surgeons/allopathic-physician/ OR https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/physicians-and-surgeons/osteopathic-physician/
Explore:
What major should I choose? When preparing for a career as a physician, prerequisite requirements can vary between programs. Most science-based majors will cover many of the common prerequisites needed for health-related programs.
When choosing a major, we recommend selecting one you’re genuinely interested in. Students who do so often earn higher GPAs, which is an important factor when applying to graduate and professional programs.
How do you find accredited MD and DO programs? You can find accredited MD programs using the AAMC’s MSAR tool. You can find DO programs on the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. When selecting programs, students are encouraged to research programs based on factors such as admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, healthcare experience requirements, location, cost, program length, and overall fit.
Prepare:
*These courses are intended as general prerequisite guidelines and may not include all requirements. Students are responsible for reviewing the specific prerequisite coursework and course equivalencies required by each medical program they are considering.
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CSU Recommended Courses |
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General Biology (2 semesters w/lab) |
LIFE 102 and LIFE 103 |
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General Chemistry (2 semesters w/ labs) |
CHEM 111/112 and CHEM 113/114 |
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Organic Chemistry (2 semesters w/lab) |
CHEM 341, 343 and 344 |
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General Physics (2 semesters w/lab) |
PH 121 and PH 122 or PH 141 and PH 142 |
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Biochemistry (1 semester) |
BC 351 |
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Psychology (1 semesters) |
PSY 100 |
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Sociology (1 semester) |
SOC 100 |
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Calculus (1 semester) |
MATH 155 or MATH 160 |
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Highly recommended courses (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, statistics, medical terminology, or other upper-level science coursework) |
BMS 301, BMS 300, LIFE 205/206 or MIP 300/302, STAT 301 or 307, OT 215 |
How to create a competitive application
Building a competitive medical school application involves more than meeting minimum admission requirements. Successful applicants often demonstrate strong academic performance, complete upper-level science and math coursework when possible, gain meaningful direct patient care experience, shadow physicians, participate in research or leadership activities, and develop a clear understanding of why they want to pursue the profession. Focus on gaining experiences that align with your interests while learning about the expectations and requirements of the programs you plan to apply to.
Direct Patient Care/Clinical Hours:
Many medical schools encourage students to have direct patient care hours or healthcare relevant experience. These hours can be accomplished in volunteer or paid settings.
Undergraduate research:
While not required for admission, it is highly recommended that students participate in research. For more information about undergraduate research at CSU, visit the Office for Undergraduate Research & Artistry page.
Shadowing:
Shadowing is often not required, but highly recommended for medical school applicants. It allows students to observe and develop rapport with physicians who can go on to write them strong letters of recommendation. Students generally gain anywhere between 50-200+ hours of shadowing across different specialties.
Volunteering and Extracurricular Activities:
While there are no specific requirements for volunteer and extracurricular activities, it is highly encouraged that students gain other experiences that improve transferable skills and career competencies and create a more competitive application.
Premedica Club:
For more information and to connect with club officers, email premedica officers or Instagram: CSUPremedica For more information and to connect with club officers, email premedica officers or Instagram: CSUPremedica
Apply:
Possible Entrance Exams:
- To apply to medical school, students should prepare for and take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
- Some programs may require a situational judgement assessment such as the Casper or AAMC PREview professional readiness exam.
Letters of Recommendation:
- Most medical schools require 3 letters of recommendation and will allow students to submit more.
- Many programs require letters from physicians, science professors, or other academic or professional references.
- Consider individuals who can speak to your academic ability, clinical readiness, and personal character.
- Program requirements vary, so be sure to verify each program’s requirements before applying.
Committee Letters:
A committee letter is a letter of evaluation written by a college or university’s pre-health advising committee on behalf of a medical school applicant. CSU does not offer committee letters due to their general nature.
Application Service:
- To apply to MD programs, you will use AMCAS.
- To apply to DO programs, you will use AACOMAS.
- To apply to a Texas medical school, you will use the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).
- Gather transcripts, experiences (maximum of 15 for MD & 20 for DO), letters of recommendation, and personal statements and essays.
- Rolling admissions is used so submit your application as early as possible.
Personal Statements:
The personal statement for medical school is typically limited to 3,500 characters ~ about 1 page in length. In this essay, you can highlight relevant experiences and demonstrate an understanding of the profession. Programs use the personal statement to assess professional competencies. Because it is an important part of the holistic review process, students should take time to reflect on their clinical experiences, academic journey, and long-term career goals when drafting their essay. Check out our website for personal statement resources.
Resources:
Timeline: This timeline may not apply to every student and can vary depending on transfer credits, academic preparation, and other individual circumstances.
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Freshman and Sophomore year: |
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Junior year- Fall: |
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Junior Year – Dec-April: |
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Junior Year- Spring-Summer: |
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Senior Year: |
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FAQ
Are AP credits allowed?
AP credits are not always accepted by medical schools. Be sure to review your programs’ AP credit policies before utilizing them to meet medical school requirements.
How do I register for the MCAT?
MCAT registration typically opens in October through the official AAMC website.
When should I take the MCAT?
For students applying to medical school directly after college, a common timeline is to take the MCAT in the spring of the application year or during the summer before the application cycle begins.
Do MCAT scores expire?
MCAT scores are typically valid for about three years, but students should always check individual school requirements, as policies may vary.
What classes do I need to complete before taking the MCAT?
It is generally recommended that students complete two semesters of general biology, two semesters of general chemistry, one to two semesters of organic chemistry, one semester of biochemistry, two semesters of physics, and one semester of psychology, sociology, and statistics before taking the MCAT. Utilize the AAMC website for more information.
How many medical schools should I apply for?
Many students apply to 15–25 or more programs. However, it is highly dependent upon financial aspects, competitiveness of your application, and preferred program location. For more financial information on applying, check out this resource.
How do I find shadowing experience or clinical opportunities?
Many students find shadowing and clinical experiences by reaching out to local hospitals, clinics, private practices, and healthcare organizations to inquire about volunteer or shadowing opportunities. You can also utilize personal and professional contacts or attend career fairs to network. Many students will also pursue paid health care opportunities such as CNA, EMT, or phlebotomy.
Do prerequisites expire?
Some medical schools require prerequisite coursework to be completed within a 5- or 10-year timeframe, while others accept older coursework. Check each program’s requirements before applying.
What GPA is competitive for medical schools?
Some medical schools have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, but average GPA may vary between MD and DO programs, ranging between 3.5 and 3.8.
Do online classes and community college courses count?
Policies vary; some medical schools require in-person labs or accept community college coursework, while others prefer upper-level science coursework to be completed at a four-year university.
How do I track or log my experiences?
No specific documentation is needed to be signed by a physician or submitted for the application. We recommend starting a document or spreadsheet including location, contact information, date ranges of your experience, total number of hours, and a brief description of what you observed or participated in for your own reference.
When do I apply?
Application cycles can vary depending on the medical school. Most programs use rolling admissions, which means applicants are reviewed as soon as they submit. For programs that use rolling admissions, students generally submit between June and August.