High school students should be encouraged to obtain the best college education that is within the reach of their ability and resources. A strong academic record is needed to prove that you can cope with the rigorous academic curriculum of medical school. However, students with lower grade point averages are occasionally admitted if they demonstrate unique and original accomplishments which show that they would do well in medical school and would be well suited to a medical career. Just as important in the medical school admissions process as evidence of scholastic success are other attributes such as evidence of curiosity and initiative, evidence of compassion and concern for the welfare of human beings and evidence that the student's interest in medicine is genuine. Nationwide there are approximately three applicants for each available place in American medical schools.
Many students choose to enter medical school as soon as they have completed their college education.
In that situation, the decision to apply to medical school must be made by the spring of the student's junior year. However, many students decide to go to medical school many years after they have completed their undergraduate education. Indeed, evidence of maturity is one of the things that medical school admissions committees look for in their selection of medical students. These tuition rates are slightly below the national averages for publicly supported medical education and greatly below the tuition rates of private medical schools. Nevertheless, most medical students acquire some indebtedness during the years of their medical education.