Typical Undergraduate Course Requirements for medical school admission for OHSU, other medical schools are similar but may differ somewhat.

  • Biology — One academic year of general biology to include one genetics course. Laboratories are recommended.
  • Chemistry — One course each of general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. Laboratories are recommended. (Since undergraduate curricula vary from school to school, in fulfilling this requirement it is implied that the required prerequisite sequences in general and organic chemistry will have been completed in order to take the biochemistry course.)
  • Physics — One academic year of general physics. Laboratories are recommended.
  • Mathematics — One mathematics course (not including statistics). A course in statistics is strongly recommended.
  • Humanities, Social Sciences and English — Two academic years of humanities and/or social sciences to include one course in English composition (or equivalent writing emphasis).

Most schools require a Bachelor's degree prior to starting medical school.

Important Sources of Information:

Misc Pre-Med Web sites:

Entrance Examinations

MCAT (Medical College Aptitude Test)

Administered on about 24 dates from January to early September. Format:

  • Physical sciences
    • 70 minutes, 52 questions on physics and general chemistry
  • Verbal reasoning
    • 60 minutes, 40 questions
  • Writing sample
    • 60 minutes, 2 questions
  • Biological sciences
    • 70 minutes, 52 questions on general biology and organic chemistry
  • Total time ~5.5 hours

For more details, see Association of American Medical Colleges

Admission Information

There are over 125 accredited allopathic medical schools in the US and 16 medical schools in Canada that are affiliate institutional members of the AAMC.

The admissions cycle starts June 1, 15 months prior to entering medical school. Closing dates for applications vary depending on the school. (Oct. 15 at OHSU)

The Early Decision Program allows exceptional students to apply to one medical school by August 1 to receive confirmed acceptance by October 1 of the year prior to entrance.

"Local" Medical Schools

  • Oregon: OHSU (Portland)
  • California: UC Davis, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC San Francisco, Loma Linda University, USC, Stanford University
  • Idaho: see WWAMI
  • Nevada: University of Nevada (Reno)
  • Washington: University of Washington (Seattle)
  • WICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education): in-state tuition for residents of Montana and Wyoming
  • WWAMI: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho students admitted to University of Washington at in-state tuition

Options: see MSAR for details

Combined M.D. - Ph.D. Programs
Combined M.D. - J.D. Programs
Combined M.D. - MBA Programs

Post-graduate Licensing Information / Requirements

See the AMA (American Medical Association)

Medical school graduates need to pass the USMLE (U.S. Medical Licensing Exam) as a major requirement of their licensure to practice medicine.

Books Available at the LRC

  • Becoming a Physician: A Practical and Creative Guide to Planning a Career in Medicine, Jennifer Danek, Marita Danek
  • The Complete Medical School Preparation and Admissions Guide, Andew Goliszek
  • Getting into Medical School: The Premedical Student's Guidebook (8th Ed), Sanford J. Brown
  • Getting into Medical School Today, Scott H. Plantz, et al
  • The Gold Standard MCAT*, The Ultimate Comprehensive Science Review, Brett Ferdinand, Peterson's, Princeton, NJ., 2000
  • Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice, Donald Asher
  • How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School, Richard J. Stelzer
  • Insider's Guide to Medical School Admissions, Rolando Stephen Toyos
  • Kaplan MCAT Comprehensive Review (book with CD-ROM), Rochell Rothstein
  • Peterson's Gold Standard MCAT: 2000-01, Brett Ferdinand

Interview Preparation

List of commonly asked interview questions that you should prepare answers for

Mock interviews can be scheduled through Oregon Tech's Career Services, CU 209