Course Requirements
By the end of their junior year, prospective
applicants should have completed the following virtually universal minimum
requirements for American medical schools:
At least 90 semester hrs (3 years) of college work in an accredited institution,
including:
2 Semesters (8 hr) of General Biology with lab (BIOL 107-108)
2 Semesters (8 hr) of General Chemistry with lab (CHEM 120-121)
2 Semesters (8 hr) of Organic Chemistry with lab (CHEM 329-330-331-332 or
333)
2 Semesters (8 hr) of General Physics with lab (PHYS 185-186)
2 Semesters (6 hr) of English Composition (designate Writing Enhanced Classes
on application)
Some schools have additional requirements and "strong recommendations." For example, the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine requires 6 hrs of advanced biology (beyond BIOL 107-108) and 2 semesters of College Algebra and Trigonometry (or calculus). Information and data about specific schools and their requirements, as well as other valuable advice about applying to medical schools may be found in Medical School Admissions Requirements United States and Canada, published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). This book is available in the library and is available for purchase on-line a the AAMC website (http://www.aamc.org). Likewise, each year the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) publishes a pamphlet entitled College Information for the Entering Class; this information is available online at the AACOM website (http://www.aacom.org).
Grades and Course Load
The detailed academic record is the prime indicator
of an applicant's talent, performance, and judgement. In general, admissions
committees like to see evidence that you can do well while carrying a substantial
(15-17 semester hours) course load, but remember that you must establish a
very good GPA and it may be very difficult to do so with a heavy course load.
Medical schools look for A's and B's in science classes and overall. Faced
with the prospect of a C, some students will want to withdraw (W) and try
for a higher grade later. More than one or two W's indicates a lack of judgement
and an inability to handle difficult situations. Remember that course withdrawals
must be recorded on medical school applications!
The average overall and science GPAs for Truman students who have been accepted into medical school from 1994-2001: Allopathic Medical Schools - overall GPA: 3.74 ± 0.22; science GPA: 3.70 ± 0.25 GPA: Osteopathic Medical Schools - overall GPA: 3.44 ± 0.29; science GPA: 3.38 ± 0.34. The overall and science GPAs of studentsnot accepted into medical school for the same period of time: overall GPA 3.39 ± 0.38; science GPA 3.29 ± 0.47.
Choosing a Major
Students are accepted into medical schools with
a wide variety of academic backgrounds. No particular major is given preference,
although the most common major is biology. In choosing a major, the rule is
to follow your own interests. Ideally, the major should be one that will support
an alternative career. Your choice may range from a concentrated science major,
to health and exercise science, to a major in social sciences or the humanities.
However, since so much of medicine is derived from a scientific basis, the
student who majors in a nonscientific field and elects the minimum number
of science courses must do well in them. The point to realize is that demonstrated
ability in the sciences is of greater importance to admissions committees
than the quantity of science course work taken.
When to Take the MCAT (Medical
College Admission Test)
The MCAT, administered by AAMC, is given twice
per academic year and is required for admission into nearly all medical colleges.
Most students take the MCAT in April of their junior year or August before
their senior year (or both). It is preferable to take the exam in April if
possible, since taking the exam in only in August will delay the processing
of your application by medical schools until the scores have been reported
to them (some time in October). Applications, as well as information pertaining
to the content and form of the exam, are available in the Science Division
office and in the Assessment and Testing Office.
To do well on the MCAT, students should have completed, and reviewed the material covered in therequired courses listed above before attempting this exam. It cannot be emphasized enough that students should prepare for this exam. Approximately 25,000-30,000 people take the MCAT each time it is administered. Your score on the MCAT is based upon how well you perform relative to the other people who have taken the same exam.
For the past few years, the University has sponsored a 1 credit MCAT Science Review Workshop. This workshop is taught by Science Division faculty members and reviews material on which students will be tested in the biological science and physical science sections of the MCAT. Thus, this course will provide students with an overview of introductory physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry and introductory biology. The students also take two mock MCAT exams to assess their review progress.
The average MCAT scores for Truman students who have been accepted into medical school from 1994-2001: Allopathic Medical Schools 29.2 ± 3.4; Osteopathic Medical Schools 24.7 ± 4.0. The average MCAT score for students not accepted into medical school for the same period of time: 23.7 ± 4.7.
When and How to Apply to Medical
School
Generally, start applying once you have completed
90 credit hours or the equivalent of 75% of the hours needed for graduation.
Usually this means during the summer (after June 1st) just following
the junior year. The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
is a non-profit, centralized application processing service for most American
allopathic medical schools. Similarly, the American Association of' Colleges
of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) will process applications
for most American schools of osteopathic medicine. Some schools require applications
and forms in addition to those provided by these services. The general
deadlines for applying to these services are November 15 (AMCAS) and March
1 (AACOMAS); these dates, however, may be subject to change each year. Many
students complete their applications during the summer prior to the senior
year.
The application process to allopathic and osteopathic medical school is done on-line. Visit the AAMC web site to access the AMCAS application (http://www.aamc.org). Similarly, the AACOMAS application can be accessed through the AACOM site (http://www.aacom.org). It is important to complete your applications early in the applications process since medical schools have a rolling or a batch admissions policy; the earlier you apply the better your chances of being accepted since there are more available seats in the entering class.
Letters of Recommendation
Instructors, advisors, physicians, employers
and others can act as references for students applying to medical school.
You should ask 3-5 persons to provide confidential reference letters; of these,
at least 2-3 should be science professors. First, seek their consent to evaluate
you. Be prepared to supply them with copies of any information (transcript
and/or biographical sketch listing extracurricular activities and/or personal
statement) they may request. Letter writers should include the following in
their letters:
- Extent and nature of their relationship with you
- Your academic performance and intellectual ability (intellectual keenness, depth of knowledge, originality, creativity, resourcefulness)
- Your motivation for a career in medicine
- Your ability to communicate with others (interpersonal relations, empathy, communication skills, leadership skills, ability to work well in a group)
- Your personality (maturity, emotional stability, judgment, self-confidence, independence, industry, dependability and responsibility)
- Students can request their letter writers to mail their letters directly to each of the individual medical schools. If students choose to do this, they should provide each of their letter writers with a list of schools to which they are applying, the address of the admissions office for each school, the deadline that the letter must be received, and mailing labels with the medical school address already typed on them.
- The second option is for letter writers to submit a copy (preferably electronic) of their letter to Luann Regagnon in the Science Division office. Each of the letters will be included in a single letter to be sent out to medical schools at the student's request. The individual letters of reference will not be edited except to correct spelling and grammatical errors. This editing is done by the Coordinator of Pre-Medical Student Advising, who will then sign this combined letter. (Please note that the Division of Health and Human Potential has a coordinated letter of reference service for its majors. Dr. Fontaine Piper signs off on those letters.)
Extracurricular Activities
Work, volunteering in an appropriate health setting
and independent research are viewed very favorably by admissions committees,
and such opportunities should be sought out throughout a student's undergraduate
career. Most medical schools require students to have demonstrated a desire
to volunteer/work in a health care setting, or if opportunities are limited,
to have performed a substantial amount of community service. You should get
experience interacting with a number of physicians (with different areas of
specialty) and interacting with patients.
Personal Statement
The most common topic to write about in a personal
statement is your motivation for pursuing a career in medicine. This could
include the influence that important people have had in your life and what
you have learned from your work or extracurricular activities. You may wish
to discuss any academic irregularities or below-average grades, but this should
not be the sole topic of your essay. Allow yourself plenty of time to write
and edit your essay; it should be perfect in regard to spelling and grammar.
Try to get plenty of feedback from a variety of people, which means you should
start the statement early (i.e., Spring semester of your Junior Year). Avoid
just re-stating activities from other pages of your application. You should
be describing what these activities had on you personally and on your decision
to pursue a career in medicine.
To get started, try asking yourself the following questions: What is important about you? What three adjectives describe your suitability for studying medicine and how can you persuade your reader to conclude these about you? What experiences or events changed your life ... what happened, what was the impact? Why should the medical school accept you over other applicant? What will you contribute to the medical school and to the profession? Remember that the personal statement is the place in your application where you can describe your own unique features. It is a place to distinguish yourself from the other applicants.
Interviews
The purpose of the interview is for the applicant
to project their own unique image and to gather information about the school.
Representatives of the medical school will be assessing your personal characteristics
(attitude, maturity, enthusiasm, etc.), clarifying/ confirming the applicant's
image presented in the AMCAS/AACOMAS file and marketing the school. www.interviewfeedback.com
You should prepare for the interview by re-reading your AMCAS/AACOMAS application, keeping up with news about health care issues (i.e., Healthcare Systems (HMO, PPO, Single Payer System, etc.), euthanasia, abortion, AIDS, etc.), planning your appearance, and finding out the format of the interview (i.e., open file vs. closed file, one-on-one vs. other formats). It is important to display honesty, interest, and a sense of direction at the interview, and to answer questions to the best of your ability. You should expect to be nervous!
Be able to answer the following common interview questions:
- Tell me about yourself and the process that has led you to be interested in a career in medicine. I see from your AMCAS/AACOMAS file that you have had experience with ______, tell me about that.
- How would your best friend describe you to me?
- Describe your strengths and weaknesses.
- Why do you want to attend this school?
- Describe a difficult event in your life and how you dealt with it.
- How do you spend your free time?
- What medically related experiences have you had?
- What do you think are the pros and cons of managed care?
- Describe the kind of physician you want to be and what changes will you need to make in order to reach that goal.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Do you have any questions for me?
Overall Acceptance Rate
The overall rate of acceptances of Truman State
University students and alumni into allopathic and osteopathic medical schools
is greater than 74%. This success rate is almost double the current national
acceptance rate. Approximately 60% of our students attend allopathic medical
school and 40% attend osteopathic medical school.
Medical Schools to which Truman
Students have been Accepted (1994-2001)
Allopathic Medical Schools:
Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX)
Boston University School of Medicine (Boston,
MA)
Creighton University School of Medicine (Omaha,
NE)
Dartmouth Medical School (Hanover, NH)
Georgetown University School of Medicine (Washington,
DC)
Howard University College of Medicine (Washington,
DC)
Loma Linda University School of Medicine (Loma
Linda, CA)
Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of
Medicine (Maywood, IL)
Medical College of Ohio (Toledo, OH)
Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI)
Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA)
New York Medical College (Valhalla, NY)
Northwestern University Medical School (Chicago,
IL)
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
(Hershey, PA)
Rush Medical School (Chicago, IL)
Saint Louis University School of Medicine (St.
Louis, MO)
Southern Illinois University (Springfield, IL)
Temple University School of Medicine (Philadelphia,
PA)
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
(Bethesda, MD)
University of Arizona College of Medicine (Tuscon,
AZ)
University of California at Los Angeles School
of Medicine (Los Angeles, CA)
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
(Chicago, IL)
University of Colorado School of Medicine (Denver,
CO)
University of Illinois College of Medicine (Chicago,
IL)
University of Iowa College of Medicine (Iowa
City, IA)
University of Kansas School of Medicine (Kansas
City, KS)
University of Louisville School of Medicine (Louisville,
KY)
University of Michigan Medical School (Ann Arbor,
MI)
University of Missouri at Columbia School of
Medicine (Columbia, MO)
University of Nebraska School of Medicine (Omaha,
NE)
University of New Mexico School of Medicine (Albuquerque,
NM)
University of Texas, Medical College at Houston
(Houston, TX)
University of Texas, Medical College at San Antonio
(San Antonio, TX)
University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School
(Dallas, TX)
Wake Forest University School of Medicine (Winston-Salem,
NC)
Washington University School of Medicine (St.
Louis, MO)
Wayne State University School of Medicine (Detroit,
MI)
Osteopathic Medical Schools
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (Glendale,
AZ)
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (Downers
Grove, IL)
Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center
(Des Moines, IA)
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (Kirksville,
MO)
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic
Medicine (East Lansing, MI)
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
(Athens, OH)
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic
Medicine (Tulsa, OK)
Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine
(Pikeville, KY)
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
(Mare Island, CA)
The University of Health Sciences-College of
Osteopathic Medicine (Kansas City, MO)
Western University of the Health Sciences/College
of Osteopathic Medicine (Pomona, CA)
GPA and MCAT Scores of Truman
Students accepted into selected Medical Schools (1994-2001)
| Allopathic Medical School | |
Overall GPA ± SD | MCAT ± SD |
| University of Iowa | 16 | 3.82 ± 0.20 | 31.8 ± 4.4 |
| University of Kansas | 5 | 3.72 ± 0.27 | 30.4 ± 4.3 |
| Loyola University - Stritch | 4 | 3.78 ± 0.27 | 27.3 ± 2.9 |
| Medical College of Wisconsin | 8 | 3.83 ± 0.14 | 29.9 ± 2.0 |
| University of Nebraska | 5 | 3.71 ± 0.29 | 28.3 ± 3.2 |
| Northwestern University | 3 | 3.66 ± 0.21 | 29.0 ± 6.0 |
| Rush Medical School | 7 | 3.57 ± 0.52 | 28.3 ± 2.1 |
| Southern Illinois University | 9 | 3.75 ± 0.18 | 26.7 ± 4.4 |
| Saint George's University (Grenada) | |
|
|
| Saint Louis University | 24 | 3.78 ± 0.28 | 30.0 ± 3.6 |
| University of Missouri at Columbia | 63 | 3.79 ± 0.17 | 29.8 ± 3.6 |
| University of Illinois | 5 | 3.70 ± 0.37 | 28.4 ± 3.8 |
| University of Texas at Houston | 2 | 3.64 ± 0.11 | 27.0 ± 0.0 |
| Wake Forest | 2 | 3.87 ± 0.13 | 30.0 ± 1.0 |
| Washington University at St. Louis | 2 | 3.88 ± 0.07 | 36.0 ± 0.0 |
| Osteopathic Medical Schools | |||
| CCOM (Downers Grove, IL) | 2 | 3.49 ± 0.09 | 25.5 ± 2.1 |
| DMU/COM (Des Moines) | 3 | 3.48 ± 0.25 | 21.3 ± 3.0 |
| UHS/COM (Kansas City) | 9 | 3.35 ± 0.25 | 21.6 ± 4.0 |
| KCOM (Kirksville) | 69 | 3.44 ± 0.30 | 25.2 ± 3.7 |
Early Acceptance Programs at Truman State University
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine - Pre-Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program
The Pre-Osteopathic Scholars Program is an early acceptance program designed to provide admission opportunities to outstanding students who have as their goal to become Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. Up to five advancing Truman sophomores will be selected annually for this program.
Students selected for the Pre-Osteopathic Scholars Program are offered acceptance to Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine conditional on their achieving certain academic standards as undergraduates. Acceptance into the program is based upon high academic achievement, commitment to a career in osteopathic medicine, possession of personal characteristics expected for quality physicians, and participation in community service. Specific requirements include a composite ACT score of 28 or higher, science and overall GPA of at least 3.4, completion of Introductory Biology I and II, General Chemistry I and II, and enrollment in Organic Chemistry I.
University of Missouri at Columbia - Bryant Medical Scholars Program
The Medical Scholars Program is designed to address the declining level of health care available in small towns and rural areas of Missouri. Two advancing Truman freshmen, plus alternates, are select for this program annually. Students selected for the program are offered acceptance to the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine conditional on their achieving certain academic standards. While undergraduates, students participate in periodic activities at the University of Missouri-Columbia's School of Medicine.
Acceptance in the Missouri Medical Scholars Program is based on high academic achievement commitment to a career in medicine, possession of personal characteristics expected for quality physicians, and a small town or rural background. Specific requirements are Missouri residency, and ACT composite score of 30 or higher, evidence of higher academic achievement during high school and the first year of college, and evidence of leadership and interest in a variety of extracurricular and service activities. Selection preference will be given to students who reside in communities of 18,000 people or less.
Timetable of Important Dates
JUNIOR YEAR
November Through April:
- Begin review for MCAT. Register for a somewhat lighter spring course load so that you have time to study for the MCAT during the spring semester.
- Register for spring MCAT.
- Think about which medical schools to apply to.
- Request letters of recommendation.
- This is the suggested time to take MCAT.
- Get the AMCAS/AACOMAS application packet from Science Division Office.
- Interpret MCAT scores and GPA with your academic advisor.
- Make first draft of AMCAS/AACOMAS essay.
- Send for medical school catalogs.
- Send transcripts to AMCAS and AACOMAS schools.
- Revise and polish AMCAS/AACOMAS essay.
- Submit AMCAS/AACOMAS application at earliest allowed date.
- Register for August MCAT if scores were low and you feel you are now better prepared.
- Inform Luann in the Division Office where to send your composite recommendation letter (if you choose to use such a letter).
September:
- Make sure that your applications are complete and that letters of recommendation have been received. Call to confirm if necessary.
- Try to schedule interviews during Winter Break for convenience.
- Fill out GAPSFAS form for financial aid.
- Send updated transcripts if requested by schools.
- If you are wait-listed, send a letter expressing continued interest.
- Acceptance letters are still sent out during this time.
- Make sure medical schools can reach you or a family member by telephone at all times.