Becoming a Physician
Undergraduate Curriculum
Most medical schools require a bachelor’s degree with coursework in these areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- English
- Math
While there is no preferred major, most University of Akron students who are preparing for medical school pursue a Biomedical Science, Biology, Biochemistry, or Biomedical Engineering degree.
Although some students with interests in the Social Sciences or Humanities may select one of our non-STEM majors that accommodates the addition of the recommended pre-med coursework. Students pursuing a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.) will complete four years of coursework at the undergraduate level (bachelor’s degree), four years of coursework at the medical school level (doctor of medicine degree or doctor of osteopathic medicine), and a minimum of three years of residency training.
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Being a Competitive Applicant
The national acceptance rate for U.S. medical schools is approximately 40%, with the average admitted student earning a 3.7 overall GPA and 511.9 MCAT score (). In addition to strong academic credentials, medical schools encourage students to shadow physicians, gain clinical experience through employment or volunteering, participate in community service work, and research. Learn about research opportunities by talking with UA faculty. Shadow a physician by contacting your own physician or local hospital, clinic, or private practice. Joining is a great way to become involved on campus and the in local community.
Entrance Exam
Curriculum at 国产精品 of Akron prepares students for the Medical College Admissions Test (). The MCAT is typically taken during the spring of students junior year of college, and it is important to have taken the MCAT before applying to medical school as most medical schools will not consider students who have not received their MCAT score.
Application Process
Although each medical school has different application deadlines, admissions applications tend to be available in June. It is imperative that students check the application deadlines for the medical schools in which they are interested. Most allopathic medical schools (offer M.D. degree) require applicants to apply through the American Medical College Application Service () while most osteopathic medical schools (D.O.) require applicants to apply through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (), and the majority of medical schools will require a secondary application. As part of the application, applicants will be required to submit recommendation letters. Therefore, it is important that students develop professional relationships with natural science faculty and physicians. Students will also submit a personal statement or essay.
Medical schools will invite applicants to an on-campus interview with their teaching and clinical faculty. It is important to do several mock medical school interviews. To assist with preparing for this interview, schedule a meeting with a BCAS career liaison by calling 330-972-7880.
If accepted to medical school, all medical schools will conduct a criminal background check.
For additional information about pre-medicine advising, contact the pre-health adviser. Also, please carefully review the websites of the medical schools in which you are interested.
Additional Resources
Timeline
In order to prepare for the medical school and application process, by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
Statistics on Applicants and Matriculants
View on both applicants and matriculants. Keep in mind, students should compare themselves to the matriculants as these are applicants who were admitted to medical school.
Ohio Medical Schools
The medical schools in Ohio are:
| Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Ohio State University College of Medicine | Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| University of Cincinnati College of Medicine | University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences |
| Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine |
For a complete listing of U.S. and Canadian Allopathic Medical Schools (M.D.), click and for a complete listing of Osteopathic Medical Schools (D.O.), click .
Paying for Medical School
The Association of American Medical Colleges has many resources to assist students through the financial aid process. Visit their websites and Financial Aid Fact Sheets. Students who are considering a career in primary care may want to consider the scholarship and loan repayment options offered through the .