Pre-Medicine

Classes

Each Medical School has different requirements for prerequisite courses. A curriculum based on chemistry, biology, physics, and liberal arts is required.

*Please note that each Medical school requirements vary from school to school. Research schools early for specific information about requirements.

The following courses are generally required for most Medical schools:

Two semesters of general chemistry with labs
Two semesters of organic chemistry with labs
Two semesters of Biology with labs
Two semesters of Physics with labs
Two semesters of English with emphasis on communications
One semester of Biochemistry

*In order to be well prepared for MCAT, we strongly recommend that prospective applicants complete courses in cell biology, microbiology, statistics, psychology, and sociology.

Application Process

US Medical schools admit students once a year in the Fall.

Applications are submitted 12-15 months before your desired medical school enrollment date. This means the application process can begin as early as the spring after your Junior year. However, the timing depends on when you will complete your degree and the necessary coursework (and successfully take the MCAT).

Medical school requirements vary from school to school. Research schools early for specific information about requirements.

The Medical School Application process includes 5 main components:

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
Primary Application
Letters of Recommendation
Secondary Applications
Interviews

Application Timeline

May

-Primary Application Services open in May. Begin to fill out primary applications as soon as possible.

-For MD Schools: AMCAS https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying-medical-school-process/applying-medical-school-amcas/

-For DO Schools: AACOMAS https://www.aacom.org/

June-July

-Make final decisions on which medical schools to apply to and submit primary applications.

-Order official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities that you have attended

-Medical school begin sending secondary applications to applicants (if invited to complete a secondary application, begin and submit sooner rather than later).

August

-Continue working on and submitting secondary applications.

-Begin to check medical school application status websites for schools where applied.

September – March

-Prepare for and attend interviews.

-Continue to complete and submit secondary applications (check deadline dates).

-Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, in October.

-Medical school admissions committees meet and decide status: accept/reject/waitlist.

April

-Newly admitted applicants must notify Application Services and the Medical school that they plan to matriculate of their decision by April 30

-Admits with multiple acceptances must choose one school by April 30th and withdraw their application from other schools.

Application Materials: Letters of Recommendation/Personal Statement

Letters of Recommendation/Support:

Requirements for letters vary between schools, so research schools early and know what you need. Many schools require 1-3 letters of recommendation. Begin early to establish a network of professors, supervisors (for volunteer or paid work), and medical staff who are familiar with your work. It is important to choose recommenders who know you well.

At least one to two letters should be from faculty members who have taught you in a class and are able to make specific observations about your personal and academic achievements and your potential for medical school. Most Medical schools ask for letters of recommendations from science professors. Get to know your Professors early, start your Freshman year.

Personal Statements:

The personal statement is about you and your motivation for pursuing a career as a dentist. Remember, why you want to be an optometrist is different from how you were inspired to become one. Describe your current passion for the field with specific examples from recent experiences. Try to choose a theme rather than random thoughts. The primary application activities section provides a list of accomplishments. Your personal essay is an opportunity to provide additional, more in-depth information.

Entrance Exam

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is administrated from January through September. (Ideally, Taking the MCAT when you have finished the necessary coursework.) It is to your advantage to take it early—by April-June in the year you are submitting your application.

For MCAT information and registration, visit: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/

2023 MCAT Schedule: https://www.uky.edu/careercenter/MCAT

Interviewing

Most Medical schools hold “interview days” where they bring in a group of applicants for a day that may consist of some or all of the following: Interviews, written essays, school tours, and opportunities to meet students and faculty.

Interviews can take many forms, so it is important to research your schools and be prepared for each kind. The Stuckert Career Center can help you with preparation tips and practicing your interviewing skills.

The most common types of interviews are:

One on one interview—Usually one or two 30-45 minutes interviews
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)—7-10 rooms with a different prompt or scenario posted on the door. You are typically given 2 minutes to think about the prompt before entering a room, and 5-8 minutes to respond to the prompt and any follow-up questions or play out the scenario with a trained actor.
Group interview—May be either one applicant interviewed by several interviewers, or in a group of applicants interviewed by one or more interviewer.

Involvement/Shadowing/Volunteering

Involvement allows you to supplement a strong academic record. Medical school admissions committees like to see evidence of initiative, creativity, leadership and collaboration, and organizational skills. However, it is important to remember that such activities will not substitute for poor grades, so don’t sacrifice study time for activities.

Search UK Student Organizations/Programs at BBNVolved https://uky.campuslabs.com/engage/

UK Student Organizations related to Medicine

Pre-Medical Activities Council
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Interest Group
The Apollo Society
American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students
Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity

Medical Shadowing/Observation

Applicants are required to demonstrate, at the time of application, medical observation/shadowing in the medical field. Applicants should consider observing in a variety of medical settings. Besides shadowing doctors, applicants may select to utilize the following (but not limited to) medical experiences/roles: CNA, EMT, CMA, Medical Tech., Professional Hospice Volunteer, Athletic Training, Scribe, etc.

*Each Medical school is different on the number of hours they are looking for. Due to COVID-19, the closure or limited opening of medical offices may affect the total number of medical shadowing hours that an applicant has completed. If an applicant is unable to complete the requirements prior to submitting their application, they can indicate this in their application.

Volunteering

As a caring attitude is central to the practice of Medicine, applicants should demonstrate a commitment to service, more specifically direct service, and a desire to help others. Applicants may wish to highlight volunteer and service activities, including tutoring, assisting seniors, volunteer EMT, coaching youth sports, mentoring, etc.

Search UK Service-Learning and Civic Engagement for opportunities to help in the community: https://servelearnconnect.uky.edu/community-organizational-needs