Pre-Medical | Health Professions Advising | BYU-Idaho

# Pre-Medical

Academic Preparation

Extracurricular Preparation

MCAT Preparation

Application Process

Application Timeline

International Students

Academic Preparation

Extracurricular Preparation

MCAT Preparation

Application Process

Application Timeline

International Students

Academic Preparation

Extracurricular Preparation

MCAT Preparation

Application Process

Application Timeline

International Students

## Academic Preparation Overview

Academic preparation for medical school requires a Bachelor's degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, which can vary slightly from school to school.

We have many major options at BYU-Idaho. Medical schools do not have a preference regarding your choice of undergraduate major, so study something you love!

## Required And Recommended Courses

The link below is a guide designed for applying to a range of medical schools. ****It is not a comprehensive list.**** Requirements may vary by school. See a Health Professions Advisor if you have additional class planning questions.

Medical School Pre-Requisites

## AP And Community College Credits

Most medical schools will ****NOT****accept Advanced Placement (AP) credits earned in high school towards their prerequisites. Students with AP credits in science, math or writing should consider taking the introductory course in that subject area (even if the requirement has been met at BYU-Idaho) or a higher level class in the appropriate subject area. AP credit is acceptable for General Education requirements and other degree requirements.

****Medical schools vary on their view of prerequisite classes taken at Community Colleges.**** Some medical schools will not accept them at all. Some accept them but look on them with some disfavor, other schools readily accept them. Students should be aware of this when planning their education.

## Grading Policies And GPA Requirements

- GPA--Medical schools generally look at three GPAs: Overall GPA, Science GPA, and All Other (Non-Science) GPA. 
 - Generally, the minimum GPA required for Overall, Science, and all Non-science is 3.0 but may be higher or lower depending on the school.
 - To be most competitive, strive to earn at least a 3.7-4.0 Overall GPA.
 - Your Science GPA is an important indicator of how well you will handle medical school curriculum. It is essential to do well in all Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math courses. To be most competitive, strive to earn at least a 3.6-4.0 Science GPA.
- Withdrawals--W's should be used only for emergencies, although W's will not affect your GPA.
- Repeated/Retaken Courses--All grades from ALL attempts at a class are counted in your GPA when you apply for medical school. BYU-Idaho does have a retake policy, but medical schools take every grade you earn. For example, if you take CHEM 105 and earn a D, but retake the course and earn an A, both grades will be factored into your GPA for medical school admission.
- CLEP Credit & Correspondence Study-- Not acceptable as part of the premed curriculum.
- AP Credits-- Generally, students must take coursework beyond introductory classes waived by AP.

## Preparing For Letters Of Recommendation

When it is time to apply to medical school, you will need 4-5 letters of recommendation. It is important to keep this in mind as you begin your academic preparation. Your letters should support your application by speaking to things such as your academic ability, your commitment to service, leadership, teamwork, reliability, and resilience.

****Types of letters needed:****

- Academic Letters: ****2 Science Professors**** (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Math)
- Mentoring Letters: ****Patient Exposure Supervisor, Community Service Supervisor, Research Supervisor, Medical Professional, etc.****

****Collecting letters:**** As you prepare to collect your letters of recommendation, it is best to subscribe to a service like Interfolio.com. Interfolio.com allows you to collect all your letters in one place and have them sent to each application service when the application opens up. It in not best to wait until your application opens to obtain your letters of recommendations.

****Tips to Get to Know Your Professors/Mentors****

- Visit their offices regularly
- Look for mentors, not just letter writers
- Be genuinely interested in those you seek as mentors
- Be humble and gracious
- Ask thoughtful questions
- Share your academic and career goals
- Inquire about their areas of interest and research
- After you have gotten to know professors, ask about further opportunities, e.g., teaching assistantships, individual research projects, etc.

## Helpful Websites And Resources

- AspiringDocs.org Find out about Allopathic Medicine and pre-medical education.
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Find about Osteopathic Medicine and pre-medical education.
- 2023 Association of American Medical College Awards.

## Extracurricular Preparation Overview

Preparation for medical school involves engaging in experiences that develop and demonstrate skills in communication, leadership, community service, research, and familiarity with the medical profession. ****What you do with your time helps define who you are in your application.**** Medical schools will learn what you care about and who you are through experiences that align with your interests and goals. Keep in mind that activities complement your coursework but will not compensate for low grades. ****Both are important****!

- Keep a detailed record of all hours and experiences -- document contact information and reflections on each activity. Most students create an Excel spreadsheet to track experiences.
- All activities should ****be completed**** during your undergraduate study.
- Try to complete activities consistently throughout the school year.
- Be intentional and deliberate in planning your experiences so you are prepared to apply when the time comes.

When considering the time needed to accrue the necessary types of extracurricular hours, it is strongly recommended that you utilize your flex semester to leave campus and travel home or to another location where these hours can be obtained in bulk without the need to worry about classes at the same time. This should free you to focus on academics and other needs while you are on campus.

## Shadowing

Shadowing should be one of your first experiences as a premedical student. Observing physicians in action will help you gather the information you need to commit to the profession fully. It will help you learn about a variety of medical specialties in a hospital, clinical, community, or private practice setting. It is a good idea to shadow both MD and DO doctors. Shadowing requires professional dress and conduct.

****Competitive applicants shadow at least 3-5 different physicians and accumulate a minimum of 100 hours of shadowing. They should have a balance between primary care and non-primary care physicians.****

## Patient Exposure

Interacting well with patients is one of the key indicators of a successful future provider. Your experience can be ****either paid or unpaid.**** It may or may not require certification. Examples include ER or hospice volunteer, EMT, CNA, medical scribe, etc.

****Competitive applicants will complete 1-2 different experiences each lasting at least 6 months to a year for a total of 100+ hrs.****

## Volunteer/Community Service

Because you are preparing for a humanitarian profession, it is important to have volunteer experiences that demonstrate a consistent and long-term commitment to serving others in your community. Look for service opportunities with an underserved population, in your community, on campus, or in a humanitarian setting. Volunteer activities need not be medically related but should be something important and meaningful to you. Quality of the experience is more important than quantity.

****Competitive applicants complete at least 3 different experiences and gain 300-400 hours of volunteer experience during their undergraduate study--this is in addition to any church service.****

## Leadership Experience

As a physician, you will be a leader in many ways. Professional schools admit students who have experience making and recognizing the consequences of their decisions. Leadership involves teamwork and builds solid communication skills. Examples of leadership could be mentoring, tutoring, society presidencies, student government, in a job, coaching, or church callings.

****Competitive applicants complete 3 different experiences and gain 100-200 hours. Two experiences need to be non-church related.****

## Research Experience

Schools desire applicants who understand scientific literature, know how research is performed, and can distinguish credible research. Any research, as long as it is hypothesis-based and utilizes the scientific method, can build your experience. As you participate in research, make sure you understand the hypothesis, the procedure, and your responsibility in the project. Participate in research through faculty-directed work, Idaho INBRE, the UC-Davis internship, or other internships nationwide.

****Competitive applicants complete at least 1 experience and gain 100+ hours. Publishing or having a poster presentation is highly beneficial.****

## Hobbies

While medical schools do not have requirements for hobbies, they are interested in well-rounded students who know how to balance work with recreation. Hobbies and interests can make your application unique to you.

## "Double-Dipping"

To be competitive, you should strive to meet the requirements in ****each individual area****. One activity should not be counted in two areas. This is called "double-dipping," and makes it appear you are not taking the time to develop yourself fully. While an activity may be both volunteer and leadership, or volunteer and patient exposure, you will list the experience as a single experience on your application--recognizing there may be overlap in some experiences.

## Helpful Websites And Resources

- Anatomy of an Applicant

## MCAT Preparation Overview

The MCAT is the Medical College Admissions Test and is required for any student applying to M.D., D.O., or Podiatry schools. It is recommended you take the MCAT at least a month before school applications open. However, if you need to test later, the latest recommended test date would be the end of May in the year you are applying. It is best to take it right after you finish the classes tested on the MCAT, so the content is fresh. The MCAT is administered in January and then between March and September each year.

## What Content Does The MCAT Contain?

The MCAT is broken down into four sections:

1. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
2. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
3. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
4. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

## How Is The MCAT Scored?

A score is given for each of the four individual sections and the total. Each section is scored from 118 to 132 points. The total score given is out of a range from 472 to 528 and is the total of the individual sections. Competitive scores are:

- Allopathic (M.D.): 510 or above
- Osteopathic (D.O): 506 or above
- Podiatry: 500 or above

## What Classes Should I Complete Before Taking The MCAT?

SOC 111, PSYCH 111, BIO 180, BIO 181, BIO 385, CHEM 105, CHEM 106, CHEM 351, CHEM 352, CHEM 481, CHEM 482, PH 105, and PH 106 are all foundational courses to prepare you for the MCAT.

Other courses that may be helpful for your preparation are BIO 375, BIO 461, BIO 240, BIO 321 and CHEM 482.

## What Are The Costs Associated With Taking The MCAT?

The registration fee for the MCAT is found at students-residents.aamc.org.

The costs for study materials, travel, and the exam can be between $500-$10,000, depending on if you choose to self-study or purchase programs and materials.

There is a fee assistance program. Fee assistance is awarded on a first come basis, so early application is recommended.

## How To Register For The MCAT

Go to students-residents.aamc.org to register for the exam. You will need to create an AAMC account before you can register.

When you register, you will have access to test dates, times, and test locations. Make sure that whatever information you put in the registration system matches your government issued ID (ex. Driver's license) exactly. If it does not match on test day, you will not be allowed to take the exam.

## Where Do I Take The MCAT?

The MCAT is administered at approved testing centers throughout the country. The closest location to BYU-Idaho is at Idaho State University in Pocatello. When registering, you will be able to see the different testing center options and select the best one for you. Register early because the testing dates fill fast. If you don't register early, you may have to travel some distance to take the test.

## How Do I Prepare For The MCAT?

Studying for the MCAT is the equivalent of a part-time job. It's best to study for the MCAT during a flex- track semester. On average, students study at least 3-4 months for the exam and spend a minimum of 400 hours preparing. Do not try to cram studying into a few weeks. The biggest mistake students make when preparing for the MCAT is not spending adequate time studying. Even if you feel you are a good test-taker, it is important not to take studying for the MCAT lightly. The MCAT is designed to test critical thinking and is very different than other tests.

The AAMC website offers a free guide to preparing a study plan for the MCAT. If you decide to undertake your preparation by self-study, make sure you have a good plan and stick with it.

There are multiple test prep courses available. When deciding between the courses, consider the following:

- Cost: compare what resources will be available through each test prep course for the expense.
- Location: some test prep courses are only available online, while other test preps will have in-person classes or tutoring available.
- Guarantee: look into what kind of guarantee the program is offering and what resources will be available if a retake is needed.
- Teaching Style and Structure: Compare the length of the programs, the teaching style, and how the programs are structured.

## Helpful Resources And Websites

- MCAT FAQs
- What is on the MCAT?
- Learn About MCAT Scores and Score Reports
- Free Resources from the AAMC to help with test preparation
- How to Avoid Common Mistakes on the MCAT

## Application Process Overview

US medical schools admit students once a year in the fall, but applications are submitted 12-15 months before the desired medical school enrollment date. Applications open each year in early May for the following year admission.

When you apply depends on when you will complete your degree, take necessary premedical coursework, and successfully take the MCAT. Timing is sensitive, so you will want to plan well.

Apply ****early**** in the cycle, but make sure your application is the best it can be. Medical school requirements vary slightly from school to school -- research schools early for specific information on their requirements.

Before submitting your application, have someone with an unbiased eye go over your ****entire**** application to catch any errors.

Medical School Application process includes 5 main components

1. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
2. Primary Application
3. Letters of Recommendation
4. Secondary Applications
5. Interviews

## Application Reimbursement Funds Available

The Hemming Foundation, a private donor, has provided funds to assist students who are applying to allopathic (MD) schools to help offset expenses associated with application fees and travel to and from medical school interviews. Here is the application.

## The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

The MCAT is administered in January, and March through September. Taking the exam by spring will enable you to apply earlier in the application cycle.

The MCAT is divided into four multiple-choice sections:

- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

You can obtain the most updated information from students-residents.aamc.org.

## Primary Application

Primary Applications are processed through a central processing service and can be sent to every school affiliated with that service. There are ******three centralized****** application services processing primary applications for US medical schools.

1. AMCAS, for applying to ****MD Medical Schools****
2. AACOMAS, for applying to ****DO Medical Schools****
3. TMDSAS, for applying to schools in the ****University of Texas System****

These services are very similar, but not identical. They open online in early May each year to allow applicants to start building applications. Deadlines vary between services and also by the school.

The information you will be asked to provide is very similar, although it is organized in different ways. READ ALL INSTRUCTION MANUALS AND DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!

All Three Application Services will require:

- Your MCAT score
- A list of all college classes taken, as well as official transcripts from each college where you have earned credit
- A list and descriptions of your activities since graduating from high school
- A Personal Statement outlining your motivation for pursuing a career as a physician
- Letters of Recommendation

****NOTE: To help us advise other students, we would appreciate it if you would release your statistical information from your applications to the Health Professions Advisor when prompted. This information will always be kept confidential.****

## Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a very important piece of your application and should be given a high degree of attention in the process. You can begin creating your first draft at any time, but serious work should be done a few months before applying. A personal statement is about you and your motivation for pursuing a career as a physician.

PLEASE NOTE, your audience has more medical knowledge and knows what it is like to be a physician. Don't try to impress them with your knowledge of the field.

Get feedback! Have 3 or 4 people you can trust to be honest with you (professor, doctor, medical student, parent, advisor, etc.) read your essay and offer feedback. Give yourself plenty of time to make revisions.

A great personal statement will answer the following:

- Motivation - Why medicine? Why medicine over another helping profession?
- Capacity - How have you prepared to become a physician?
- Fit - What makes you a good fit for the profession?
- Vision - What impact do you wish to make?

****GENERAL PERSONAL STATEMENT DOs AND DON'Ts:****

DO answer the question, "Why medicine?"

DO concentrate more on actual experiences rather than speculation about future accomplishments.

DO focus more on what you can **give** rather than on what you can **get** by becoming a physician.

DO "show" more than "tell."

DO limit the number of "I" statements you use.

DO share your background if it is appropriate.

DO describe meaningful experiences.

DO pay careful attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

DO pay attention to the character count (5300 for AMCAS and AACOMAS; 5000 for TMDSAS).

DO NOT use the "I want to help people" theme if possible.

DO NOT devote too much space to writing about other people (family, patients, a doctor you know).

DO NOT summarize or merely repeat what is on the activity list on your primary application.

DO NOT use overly flowery language.

DO NOT use your essay to criticize medicine today.

DO NOT overuse medical terminology or abbreviations.

DO NOT assume everyone knows what you know.

DO NOT try to make jokes.

DO NOT use a foreign language.

DO NOT begin your essay with a quote.

## Letters Of Recommendation

All three applications have a service that allows your letter writers to upload your letter directly to the application and have them distributed to all schools to which you have applied. However, ****application services do not share letters:**** Be sure to plan ahead regarding where to have your letters sent.

- Applicants who plan to apply only to ****one****application service should take advantage of the Letter Service provided by the application service.
- If applying to both MD and DO schools, or TMDSAS schools, unaffiliated schools, or an international program, it is easiest to subscribe to a service like Interfolio.com, which allows you to collect all your letters in one place and have them sent to each application service when the applications open up. It is not best to wait until your applications open to obtain your letters of recommendation.

Requirements for letters vary between schools, so research schools early and know what you need. Most schools require 3 or 4 letters.

****Requesting Letters of Recommendation****

- Ask if potential writers feel capable of writing a STRONG letter. If anyone is hesitant, you should probably try someone else.
- Ask if recommenders would welcome any written background material. You could include a brief biographical sketch or resume, your interests and activities, career goals, and motivation toward your intended profession.
- For recommenders who are unsure of how to write a good letter, you can provide them with the guidelines found here.
- Always give recommenders ample time. Two to three weeks at a minimum.
- Follow-up with your letter writers and be sure to send thank you notes.

Once medical schools receive your Primary Application, they will send out Secondary Applications. These are specific to each school, and vary in length and structure, but often require one or more additional essays, or ask you to list certain experiences in a specific format. ****FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.****

Some schools send Secondary Applications to every student who submitted a Primary Application. Other schools will screen Primary Applications first and only send Secondary Applications to students who are under consideration for admission.

Secondary Applications usually have a fee attached, so it is a good idea to reevaluate your list of schools at this point. If you have changed your mind about applying to a school, you do not have to complete their Secondary Application.

Make sure you promptly return your Secondary Applications with well-written, thoughtful, and professional responses.

Some schools may require you to complete the ****CASPer****test prior to an interview invitation. More information about the test and how to prepare can be found on the Take Casper website.

## Interviews

The final stage of the application process is the interview. If you receive an invitation for an interview, that is an indication that a school has decided that you are a qualified applicant and they want to get to know you better. 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, the Standardized Judgement Test (SJT), school tours, and opportunities to meet students and faculty. Remember, ****the entire day is the interview****, not just those times when you are in a formal meeting. Be on your best professional behavior all day!

Interviews can take many forms, so it is essential to research your schools and be prepared. A Health Professions Advisor 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 20-30 minute 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 question. Additional questions or a role-play situation could be part of the interview.
- Group interview--Either one applicant interviewed by several interviewers or a group of applicants interviewed by one or more interviewers.
- Zoom Interview--More schools are implementing video interviews. Before the interview, applicants are sent a link to a site like Zoom, Teams, HireVue, etc., where they will be asked to provide a timed video or written response to questions.

## Application Timeline Overview

- Applications are submitted 12-15 months before the desired medical school enrollment date.
- Applications can be submitted in May/June for the following year. For example, if you apply in June 2025, it would be for admission in Fall 2026.
- It is helpful to create a timeline for yourself when applying to medical school. Having an academic plan, a plan to complete extra-curricular activities, and a plan for test preparation all contribute to your timeline. The AMCAS website has a general timeline that covers an applicant's four years at a college or university: AMCAS Timeline (PDF)
- For specific application deadline dates, you should always check the AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS websites.

## Preparing To Apply

- Talk to the potential writers of your Letters of Recommendation early. Give them plenty of time to write the letters. If you plan to apply through more than one application service, you may wish to use a letter service such as Interfolio. If your letters are stored in Interfolio, you will be able to upload them to the specific application service when it opens.
- Continue with your volunteer, work, or research activities until you have received an acceptance letter from a medical school. Do not stop these activities until you have an official offer of admission. It may take two or more application cycles to gain admission, so you need to be continually improving your application until you do.
- Prepare for and take the MCAT - Register for the MCAT and take it by the end of May in the year you submit your medical school application.
- Consult online Medical School Guides to see requirements for each school. For MD schools, use the MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements). To view the MSAR, you need to purchase access to it from AAMC. For DO schools, you can search Choosedo to find and filter DO school options. Always confirm school-specific requirements by checking each school's website directly.
- Continue to save money for the application process.

MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICATION TIMELINE (PDF)

****Application Reimbursement Funds Available****

The Hemming Foundation, a private donor, has provided funds to assist students who are applying to allopathic (MD) schools to help offset expenses associated with application fees and travel to and from medical school interviews. View the application.

## Helpful Websites And Resources

- AAMC: Association of American Medical Colleges 
 Information on the MD application process and the MCAT
- AACOM.org 
 Information on the DO application and process.
- Student Doctor Network 
 A non-profit organization that helps students who are interested in Doctoral Level Health fields. Includes information and forums.

## International Students Overview

International students are students who are not green card holders or permanent residents. A permanent resident is generally considered the same as a US resident for application purposes.

International students not holding a green card face a challenge in medical school admissions. Only a limited number of schools will accept non-resident international students. Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) indicates that of the 20,000 or so places in medical schools in the US, between 200-300 non-US-citizen/non-permanent residents were accepted.

If an international student is accepted, schools have policies that may require a student to show evidence of their capacity to pay tuition above and beyond the INS requirements for an I20. Some schools may expect the student to ****pre-pay**** tuition for the entire four years or create an escrow account for these funds. Some institutions will accept loans co-signed by a US citizen.

International students do not qualify for Federal Financial Aid, but a few institutions may provide merit scholarships. Research-oriented international applicants should explore joint MD/Ph.D. programs in which a research mentor's grant might support the student.

## Research Schools And Plan Accordingly

****Not all US medical schools accept international students.****Each school is different, and it is imperative that you check individual admissions websites to view policies regarding international applicants, coursework requirements, financial requirements, etc.

## Create A Financial Plan For Medical School

Medical school is an expensive endeavor. ****The average cost of attending a 4-year program can range from $160,000 to $240,000. International non-resident students do not qualify for Federal Financial Aid**** so consider alternate options. For instance, some institutions offer ****school-specific loan programs****. Additionally, some major banks offer ****private student loans**** to international applicants, but would need to have a co-signer who is a citizen of the US.

The key is to evaluate the available options and have a plan in place before starting school.

## Consider MD/Ph.D. Programs

Some medical schools offer combined MD/Ph.D. programs. These are often fully funded. The consensus is that this is a great option for international students as it makes paying for school much more feasible. It should be noted that these programs are ****highly competitive**** and will certainly require the applicant to have significant research experience.

A list of institutions offering these programs can be accessed via the Medical Scientist Training Program website sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

## Most Important, Make Yourself A Competitive Applicant

This really is the key to the whole process.

Achieve high grades in your premedical coursework. Study diligently for the MCAT and secure a competitive score. ****You may need to score higher than the normal matriculant average, as the process is more competitive for international applicants.****

Work at a hospital or clinic, and pursue other volunteer and extracurricular opportunities. Consider taking a year to work in a lab and perform additional research--especially if you plan to apply to MD/Ph.D. programs.

****When you apply, it is imperative there are no gaps in your application.****

## Helpful Websites And Resources

- How to Find a Med School that Accepts International Students
- Medical Scientist Training Programs
- Why is it hard to get into Med School as an International Applicant?