Pre-Med Track
GENERAL
What is a physician?
A physician is a person who is qualified to practice medicine.
SIMMONS REQUIREMENTS FOR PRE-MED
What major lines up best?
1. Biochemistry
2. Biology
3. Chemistry
4. Neuroscience
5. Biology + Nutrition and Health Promotion (4+1)
6. Nursing: Sequence 2
7. Chemistry Management
8. Physics
Is it possible to be Pre-Med and Pre-PA (or Pre-Vet or Pre-Dent) at the same time?
Absolutely! It is not a "major," but rather a "track."
EXAMINATIONS
What exam do you need to take in order to apply to med school?
MCAT is the big exam, but there is also the CASper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics), which is another exam that determines if you are fit for an interview. Such schools/programs that require CASper are listed on this website:
Are there test exempt schools? If so, which ones?
How long is the exam?
How often is it administered?
Basically, no. Here is a list of schools on this website:
The MCAT takes about 7 hours.
The MCAT is given in January, March, April, May, June, July, August, and September. Refer to:
Can you take this exam multiple times?
The MCAT is 3 times in a single year, 4 times in 2 years, and 7 times in a lifetime.
What is the 50th percentile?
500 - 501. See here for more:
How much does it cost to send test scores?
$315 is the cost of taking the exam which includes sending the test scores to schools. If you apply 1-2 weeks before the exam, the cost is $370.
ADMISSIONS
What is the application portal that is used?
You will most likely have to make an account through AMCAS. Schools that DO NOT go through this channel are:
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- Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine
- Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
- University of Texas Medical School at Galveston
- University of Texas School of Medicine at Houston
- University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio
- CUNY School of Medicine - The Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program
What is the general timeline?
1. Primary Applications:
"The AMCAS application cycle opens in early May for matriculation into medical school the following calendar year. For example, if you wish to begin medical school in 2020, you will apply with AMCAS in 2019." - AAMC
This includes: all medical schools have their own deadline for applications. This can be seen in the link below. Most are between November and December, although some fall during October. You also have a deadline for transcripts and letters of evaluation (official documents). Early decision is August 1st for application and official documents.
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2. Secondary Applications:
Most schools have a secondary application deadline no later than December/January. However, some schools will only give you about 2 wees after the secondary application is given to you. Check your AMCAS account often to ensure you have time for the secondary applications.
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3. Interviews:
Schools begin interviews during August/September and can run through March. Again, check with your AMCAS account to verify.
Are there Committee Letters needed to apply?
It is a recommendation, but there are other ways for some schools where a Committee Letter is not mandatory.
Is it rolling admissions?
Almost all schools are rolling admissions. Any schools that do not have rolling admissions also have late application dates, which basically ensnare the whole rolling admissions anyway.
When are decisions sent?
October 15th is the first day schools can start accepting students, and can go until April 30th. Beyond that, there are acceptances if you were previously on the waiting list.
What is the primary application?
Personal Comments Essay, which is an essay that will be sent to all the medical schools you apply to. You can stand out at this point in the application process with you personal stories and what led you to want a career in medicine. This is general, so do not include the schools in your essay.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Medical School Profiles
GREATER BOSTON AREA
Boston University School of Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 1.75% Average MCAT: 516
Harvard Medical School
Acceptance Rate: 2.16% Average MCAT: 518
Tufts University School of Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 1.65% Average MCAT: 514
TOP 5 MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN THE U.S. AS OF 2019
1. Harvard Medical School
Location: Boston, MA Acceptance Rate: 2.16% Average MCAT: 518 Do requirements match up with Simmons? No, take Molecular Biology and Inorganic Chemistry
2. John Hopkins Medical School
Location: Baltimore, MD Acceptance Rate: 1.87% Average MCAT: 518 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? No, take Inorganic Chemistry.
3. Stanford Medical School
Location: Stanford, CA Acceptance Rate: 1.31% Average MCAT: 518 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? There are no specific requirements for Stanford
4. University of California, San Francisco
Location: San Francisco, CA Acceptance Rate: 2.11% Average MCAT: 516 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? Yes.
5. University of Pennsylvania Medical School
Location: Philadelphia, PA Acceptance Rate: 1.43% Average MCAT: 520.6 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? There are no specific requirements for U Penn.
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Location: Maywood, IL Acceptance Rate: 1.10% Average MCAT: 508 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? Yes.
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General Timeline:
June 1st - November 1st = Accepting Applications
August 1st - February 28th = Interviews
October 15th Until Class is Filled = Acceptance Notice
Late July Unitl Classes Start in August = Orientation
MEDICAL SCHOOL PROFILE IN THE NORTH WEST
Oregon Health & Sciences University Medical School
Location: Portland, OR Acceptance Rate: 2.45% Average MCAT: 509 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? There are no specific requirements for OHSU.
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General Timeline:
May 31st - October 15th = Accepting Applications
Mid July - December = Secondary Applications
May 1st = Initial Offers
July 15th = Commit to Enroll Deadline
MEDICAL SCHOOL PROFILE IN THE SOUTH
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Location: Miami, FL Acceptance Rate: 2.41% Average MCAT: 513 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? Yes
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General Timeline:
June 4th = AMCAS Submission
July 13th = Interviews Begin
December 1st = AMCAS Application Deadline
January 15th = Secondary Application Deadline
March 31st = Interview Ends
April 30th = Multiple Acceptance Deadline
May 15th = $100 Deposit Due
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Logistics
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is a DO?
A doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) is a fully trained and licensed doctor who has attended and graduated from a U.S. osteopathic medical school. A doctor of medicine (M.D.) has attended and graduated from a conventional medical school.
The major difference between osteopathic and allopathic doctors is that some osteopathic doctors provide manual medicine therapies, such as spinal manipulation or massage therapy, as part of their treatment.
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After medical school, both M.D.s and D.O.s must complete residency training in their chosen specialties. They must also pass the same licensing examination before they can treat people and prescribe medications.
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So essentially, they focus more on the patient holistically rather than the disease. Their main goal is to prevent diseases. This creates the best environment for primary care education.
What are Simmons requirements for Pre-Med?
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The curriculum for DO school is the exact same for Pre-med students, including the curriculum in med school. By 2020 the residencies will be the same as well.
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Shadowing a DO is also crucial.
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35 Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine ( only 6 are public)
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55 Teaching Locations
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32 States
*The Examinations and Admissions are the same as M.D.
A DO SCHOOL PROFILE IN THE MIDWEST
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT: 507 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? Yes
A DO SCHOOL PROFILE IN THE NORTH WEST
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT: 502/3 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? Yes
A DO SCHOOL PROFILE IN THE SOUTH
Nova Southern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Location: Florida Acceptance Rate: 53.3% Average MCAT: 506 Do the requirements match up with Simmons? Yes
