FAQ's about Medical Careers
What is expected of me academically?
Students who have been successful at gaining acceptance to professional health schools (Professional health schools include: allopathic & osteopathic medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, and graduate nursing programs.) have had these average cumulative and science GPA ranges:
High School:
- GPA range of 3.01 - 4.0 (using a non-weighted scale)
- SAT Combined range of 970-1390, average combined SAT 1252
- ACT Composite range of 22-33, average composite ACT 27
End of College Freshman Year:
- Cumulative GPA range of 2.93 - 4.0
- Science GPA range of 3.0 - 4.0
- Average (Mean) Cumulative GPA - 3.63
- Average (Mean) Science GPA - 3.54
End of Sophomore Year:
- Cumulative GPA range of 3.06 - 4.0
- Science GPA range of 2.94 - 4.0
- Average Cumulative GPA - 3.65
- Average Science GPA - 3.54
End of Junior Year:
- Cumulative GPA range of 3.06 - 4.0
- Science GPA range of 3.2 - 4.0
- Average Cumulative GPA - 3.64
- Average Science GPA - 3.50
Students who were not successful at gaining admission to medical schools possessed these statistical averages and characteristics:
- Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Math (BCPM) average GPA - 3.2
- Range of BCPM GPA: 2.74 - 3.70
- Total/overall average GPA - 3.4
- Range of overall GPA: 2.99 - 3.71
Breakdown of mean (average) MCAT scores by section:
- Verbal Reasoning - 9.5; Range of 6 - 11
- Physical Sciences - 7.4; Range of 6 - 9
- Biological Sciences - 8.5; Range of 5 - 11
- Total Score 25.4
Many of these unsuccessful applicants also lacked significant and/or consistent health care-related experience throughout their undergraduate career.
What should my major be?
You might be surprised to learn that medical schools do not require a specific major of their applicants! Therefore, you really can major in almost anything you wish. As clearly stated in the Association of American Medical College's Medical School Admission Requirements,
"Medical schools recognize the importance of a strong foundation in the natural sciences - biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics - and most medical schools have established minimum course requirements for admission. These courses usually represent about one-third of the credit hours needed for graduation. This approach deliberately leaves room for applicants from a broad spectrum of college majors".
Nevertheless, many premedical students at Randolph-Macon College choose to major in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics because they are very interested in science and understand that one of these majors can be a strong foundation for a variety of career options. Medical Schools also realize that taking upper level science courses can be very beneficial in terms of preparation for the MCAT or other admissions tests as well as performance in professional school.
The bottom line is simply this - "Pre-Med," "Pre-Dent" or "Pre-Vet" is not a major - it is a career intention or goal. With this in mind, you should consider a major which you enjoy, in which you will perform well and which may serve as a basis for further graduate work or employment should you choose not to apply to medical school or are not admitted to the graduate school of your choice. At R-MC, we do recommend that you at the least declare a natural science minor if you choose a non-science major and have career goals for the medical field. This way, it ensures that you will prepare yourself with at least the minimum prerequisite science courses necessary for most medical school admissions. Medical school admission committees expect variety in educational programs. As a rule, there are minimum requirements for each professional health school, and you must at least meet the minimal requirements in course work for the schools to which you apply. It is always a good idea to exceed the minimum requirements since admission to professional health schools is extremely competitive.
What are the minimal requirements of medical school?
Generally, most medical schools require one year each of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics. All courses should have laboratory components. At R-MC, that translates to (insert course listings). Most schools also require or strongly recommend college mathematics through calculus, and many require a year of English composition. For the specific requirements and recommended courses at each school in which you are interested, you should consult the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR), published by the Association of American Colleges (AAMC) and available for purchase through their website. The MSAR should always be consulted for each medical school's specific entrance requirements, curriculum, admission selection factors and important deadlines. There is a copy in the medical reference section of the R-MC library and a copy is available to browse in the office of the Medical Career Coordinator in Thomas Branch Center for Career and Personal Development. If you are interested in a particular school, you should learn as much about that school as you possibly can. A good way to begin your research is by visiting medical schools' websites. Follow this link to go to the AAMC's state-by-state listing of all U.S. medical schools.
What will the Randolph-Macon Early Acceptance Agreements with select Medical Schools mean for me:
An amazing opportunity to secure a place in medical school by the end of your sophomore year at 3 Agreement Schools after meeting all the requirements.
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Minimum Requirements: 1250 or better SAT, 3.4 Overall and Science GPA, Satisfactory performance in general chemistry.
The George Washington School of Medicine
Minimum Requirements: 1250 or better SAT, 3.5 minimum GPA and no science grade below B-, 60 hours completed by end of sophomore year.
Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine
Minimum Requirements: 3.5 overall GPA and 3.4 science GPA by end of sophomore year, 26 MCAT with no section below 7.
What is the most difficult part of being a premedical student?
For many freshmen, the most difficult task is to develop the self-discipline necessary to attain academic excellence. The success of your transition to college level academic work depends not only on ability, but upon preparation, organization and how well you learn how to learn. The rigorous curriculum of a pre-med student demands determination, focus and stamina. There will be "star" students in your pre-med classes and for the first time in your academic career, you may have to work harder than some students. Don't be discouraged, medicine is a collaborative effort in which every team member contributes to the solution.
What do medical schools consider when evaluating applicants?
The criteria for admission varies from school to school, but usually include academic record (GPA), MCAT scores, letters of evaluation, demonstrated knowledge and commitment to the medical profession and a personal interview. The EDGE keeps a current listing of admission criteria and the Medical Career Coordinator presents these in review sessions with students.
Is it all over if I have a bad semester?
Medical school admission committees look at the "big picture" as they evaluate applicants. They realize that every student does not hit the ground running when they enter college. Admission committees expect an excellent academic record, but will occasionally make some allowances for a problem semester, slow start or rough spot. If academic problems arise, you must bounce back and perform better than ever to show that the problem was an exception, rather than the rule. Be sure to address the issue and the steps that were taken to overcome it in your personal statement or elsewhere in your application.
Is it becoming more difficult to get into medical school?
Here are the actual numbers for the last two years:
Class |
# of Applicants |
# of Matriculates |
2010 |
37,089 |
14,301 |
2011 |
39,859 |
14,365 |
Experts predict that the next five years might show a trend of more competition for medical school acceptance as more students decide to apply in our changing economy. There are many qualified people who want to go to medical school. You must be well-informed, well-prepared, and very determined to work hard to gain admission. You should also actively explore alternative careers. The EDGE staff is here to work with you throughout the process.
What is the MCAT?
The Medical College Admission Test is a standardized test that measures aptitude and achievement in science and other areas that are related to the study of medicine. Most medical schools require that you take the MCAT prior to admission. R-MC suggests looking at The MCAT Student Manual (published by the same company who gives the test) as early as your freshman year so that you can plan for the test. Understanding what is on the test can positively affect what you learn in class, and how you choose to retain that knowledge. There are four parts to the test. They are: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences.
Many students who love science courses also seem to avoid courses outside of science that require extensive reading and writing. As you can see, half of the MCAT focuses on reading and writing skills. Stretch yourself in your liberal arts core courses at Randolph-Macon College. The training will serve you well when you take the MCAT. Preparation for the MCAT should include reading outside of science, e.g., The Wall Street Journal or the Economist.
When do I take the MCAT? What scores are competitive?
You should take the MCAT in the spring prior to the year of application to medical school. Generally, you apply to medical schools in the summer following your junior year, so you should take the MCAT in the spring of your junior year. You may repeat the test in the late summer/early fall (August) if you are not happy with your scores AND you have a good reasons to think you would do better the second time. We strongly encourage you to take practice tests throughout your sophomore to junior year so that when you sit for the test, there will be few surprises. Do not sit for the test if your practice scores are not where you want them to be. You can reschedule your test date for a small fee.
The MCAT score breakdown of 2010 successful applicants was: Verbal Reasoning (VR) - 9.7; Physical Sciences (PS) - 9.9; Biological Sciences (BS) - 10.3; and Writing Sample (WS) - P (O is average) for a total of MCAT score of 30P. The writing section will be removed beginning in 2013 in preparation for the new MCAT that will be administered beginning in 2015.
What GPA do I need to get into medical school?
It varies from school to school, but in general, the higher your cumulative and science/math GPA, the better your chances of being accepted. The average GPA for those admitted to medical school in 2010 was a 3.62. It has been rising steadily each year.
Is financial aid available for medical school?
Amounts and types of aid vary from school to school, as does the cost of a medical education. You should investigate the costs early in your undergraduate career. Knowing that you are probably going to incur a substantial loan debt for medical school may affect the way that you borrow for your undergraduate education and the way that you responsibly manage your consumer debt, such as not incurring large amounts of credit card debt and making sure you that you maintain a good credit rating.
How can the Medical Career Coordinator help me?
Preparing for admission to medical school requires careful, early on-set long-range planning and accurate information. The Medical Career Coordinator specializes in providing you with necessary information and helping you develop good planning skills. Our office provides you with help through each step of the way. Course selection, time management tips, information on individual medical schools, MCAT preparation advice, letters of recommendation, mock admission interviews, help finding alternative careers in or out of medicine and links to ways to get experience in health care settings are some of the services provided.
You probably have more questions. We are here to answer them. Contact The EDGE Medical Career Coordinator at joshuaquinn@rmc.edu or the Executive Director at LindaCarne@rmc.edu.