Medicine (MD/DO/DPM)

There are many pieces to the medical school application, including your GPA, MCAT score, personal statement, list of experiences, letters of recommendation, and biographical information. Use the navigation below to explore each aspect of preparing for medical school.
  • What is...

  • Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)
    Allopathic physicians receive a medical degree, or M.D.

    Allopathic physicians treat patients in a wide variety of specialties using prescription drugs, surgery, and preventative measures.

    See the AAMC's Deciding if Medicine is for You

    Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
    Osteopathic physicians receive a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O.

    Osteopathic physicians receive the same medical training as allopathic physicians, as well as 200 hours of "osteopathic manipulative medicine" (OMM) training. Learn more about OMM from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOMAS). 

    What makes a good osteopathic medical student?

    Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.)
    "A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), known also as a podiatric physician or surgeon, qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg." American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine

    Podiatrists can work in a variety of health care settings including private practice, hospitals, and clinics. Podiatrists can specialize in orthopedics, sports medicine, surgery, pediatrics, diabetic wound care, and more. 

  • Becoming a Doctor     
  •  M.D. & D.O.D.P.M.
    Obtain a Bachelor's Degree & complete all pre-medical requirements, including prerequisites, the MCAT, and experiences4+ years4+ years
    Attend Medical School4 years4 years
    Complete Residency3-7 years2-3 years
    Optional: Complete a Fellowshipvaries in lengthvaries in length
    Become Licensedin the state you wish to practice, scope varies depending on specialityscope of practice varies depending on the state you practice in
    Maintain Certification & Complete Continuing Medical Education (CME)ongoing ongoing

     

  • Medical School Prerequisites

  • To prepare academically as a pre-medical student, you'll need to take the medical school prerequisites and coursework to prepare for the MCAT. School prerequisites and MCAT prep coursework overlap but are not the same. MCAT prep coursework must be done before you take the MCAT and prioritized over non-MCAT prerequisites. You can choose any major and apply to medical school. If you choose a non-science major, you still have to take the science prerequisites required by most schools. Always cross-check your major requirements and the medical school requirements when choosing classes.

    Medical School Prerequisites

    **1 year = 2 semesters = 3 quarters

    		Courses to take at UC Davis to Fulfill Prerequisites
    Required for the MCAT?
    Most schools require:  
    1 year General Chemistry with LabCHE 2ABC or CHE4ABCYES
    1 year General Biology with LabBIS 2ABCYES
    1 year Organic Chemistry with LabCHE 118ABCYES
    1 year Physics with LabPHY 7ABC OR PHY 9ABCYES
    Some schools require:  
    BiochemistryBIS 102 & 103*YES
    1 year of Math (1 Statistics course required)Statistics (STA 13 OR STA 100)* & Calculus (MAT 16 OR MAT 17 OR MAT 21)*Strongly Recommended
    1 year of English 

    Any combination of 3 quarters of ENL and UWP courses*

    *Make sure the course is writing intensive, there may be some grey area with some courses. Updated 11/2022

    		Strongly Recommended
    Additional recommended courses to consider:  
    GeneticsBIS 101Recommended
    Cell BiologyBIS 104 OR NPB 110ANo
    ImmunologyMMI 188 OR NPB 134 OR PMI 126No
    Microbiology with LabMIC 102/103LRecommended
    Human Physiology with LabNPB 101/NPB 101L  OR NPB 110C/NPB 101L Strongly Recommended
    Human Anatomy with LabEXB 106/106L OR CHA 101/101LNo
    PsychologyPSC 1, PSC 41Recommended
    SociologySOC 3Recommended

    * If you have already taken BIS 105, we encourage having the syllabus ready to share with schools. Applicants don’t necessarily need to take additional classes before they apply. Requirements vary by school. Please call HPA’s Express Advising for questions.​ Updated 2/2023.

    See the Allopathic Medical School Prerequisite Chart for a sample list of allopathic medical schools and their requirements.
    See the Osteopathic Medical School Prerequisite Chart for a sample list of osteopathic medical schools and their requirements.
    See the Podiatric Medical School Prerequisite Chart for a sample list of podiatric medical schools and their requirements.

    Additional things to consider:

    Each medical school has different prerequisites. Some schools don't require any courses and instead use the AAMC 15 core competencies.

    You can choose any major and apply to medical school. If you choose a non-science major, you still have to take the science prerequisites required by most schools. Always cross-check your major requirements and the medical school requirements when choosing classes.

    Complete all of your prerequisite courses for a letter grade - DO NOT take any of them P/NP.

    HPA recommends that pre-medical students maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, although many medical schools will have GPA averages above this minimum.

    In the application process, medical schools look at your overall GPA as well as your science GPA.
    -  For AMCAS, your science GPA or “BCPM,” GPA includes all Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math grades. Learn more about AMCAS course classification.
    -  For AACOMAS, your science GPA includes Biochemistry, Biology/Zoology, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Other Science. Learn more about AACOMAS course classification.
    -  For AACPM, each podiatric medical school has different prerequisites. Learn more about the DPM admissions. 

  • Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

  • What is the MCAT?

    The MCAT is a standardized, multiple-choice exam that tests your critical thinking and knowledge of the basic sciences. It is required by all medical schools. The content is divided into four sections:
         - Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (C/P)
         - Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
         - Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (B/B)
         - Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (P/S)
     

    What are the Sections of the MCAT?

    The MCAT is broken into four 90 to 95 minute-long sections. They are as follows:
         - Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (C/P)
         - Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
         - Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (B/B)
         - Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (P/S)
     

    What classes will help me with the MCAT?

    Each section of the MCAT will test different skills and knowledge that medical educators, physicians, medical students and residents have identified as key prerequisites for success in medical school and beyond. As such, different classes may be helpful for different sections of the MCAT. For C/P, it’s recommended that you complete a year of general chemistry, a year of organic chemistry, a year of physics, and a course in biochemistry. While there are no specific courses you must take for CARS, reading and writing-intensive courses can improve your CARS skills dramatically – as such, consider taking courses in UWP, ENL, or COM. For B/B, you should plan to take a year of introductory biology, a course in biochemistry, and a course in physiology at minimum. Additionally, consider a course in genetics, and a course in microbiology or cell biology. For P/S, you should take an introductory psychology course, and an introductory course in sociology. Additionally, consider taking a research methods course, as well as additionally upper-division coursework in sociology or psychology.


    When should I take it?

    It’s important to take the MCAT only when you are prepared to do so. Before beginning to study for the MCAT, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve taken courses that cover content that will be tested on the exam – this is often covered in your basic science coursework. To ensure that you’re ready, it’s recommended that you review the AAMC’s “What’s on the MCAT Exam?” tool to make sure you’ve covered all of the topics on the exam.

    Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you give yourself enough time to study adequately for the exam. People who do well tend to spend somewhere between 300 and 500 hours studying for the MCAT. Accomplishing this within a reasonable timeframe often requires finding a 10- to 12-week timeframe in which you can study full-time for the MCAT. Many people choose to take it in the summer the year before they apply.

    If you have questions about your specific MCAT timeline, please schedule an appointment with one of our advisors.

    * See HPA's Guide to Standardized Tests to learn more.

  • Pre-Medical Experiences

  • Asking, "Will this look good on a medical school application?" is the wrong way to approach your pre-medical experience. Medical schools will see who you are and what you care about through experiences that align with your interests, goals, and passions. Whatever you choose to do, be sure you are dedicated, passionate about it, and motivated to pursue it for the right reason!
    -  See more about Work/Activities on AMCAS
    -  See more about entering Experiences in AACOMAS
    -  Learn more about inputting Experiences in AACPMAS

    There are no hour requirements for medical school, but all pre-med students should have some clinical experience. Some examples of clinical experience include:
    -  Health-Related Experiences (HRE’s)
    -  Student-Run Clinics
    -  Scribing
    -  Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
    -  Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
    -  Medical Assistant (MA)
    -  Hospice Volunteer
    -  Behavioral Technicians
    -  Medical Translator

    Choose experiences that are meaningful to you and think outside the box! Here are some good places to start looking for experiences at UC Davis:
    -  Health Related Experiences through the Career Center (CC)
    -  Opportunities to publish and present research through the Undergraduate Research Center
    -  Participate in the Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program (EMRAP)
    -  Become an EMT
    -  Global Health Internships through Study Abroad
    -  Health Internships through the Washington Program
    -  Volunteering for the UC Davis Pre-Health Conference
    -  Completing community service 
    -  Join a Pre-Health related club or other student organizations through the (CSI) Center for Student Involvement
    -  Volunteer at a Student Run Clinic

    HPA recommends that you first build a strong GPA and gradually build up your experiences. This may require that you take some time off after graduating before you apply, but it is much better to apply later with a strong GPA than to apply early with lots of experience but a weak GPA.

Helpful Links

Applying To Medical School

Centralized Application Systems/Primary Applications

  • AMCAS (Allopathic Medical Schools)
  • The American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) is the first stage of your medical school application. It is also referred to as your “primary application.”

    AMCAS opens in early May, but the first day you can submit your application will be in early June. 

    You must apply the year before you plan on starting medical school. (For example, if you plan to start medical school in the fall of 2020, you must apply in the spring of 2019.) 

    There are 9 sections of your primary application:
    -  Identifying Information
    -  Schools Attended
    -  Biographic Information
    -  Course Work
    -  Work/Activities
    -  Letters of Evaluation
    -  Medical Schools
    -  Essay(s)
    -  Standardized Test

    Experiences
    You may enter up to 15 significant experiences with a 700 character count limit for each. You will have the opportunity to expand your descriptions further as there will be an additional 1,325 characters for three activities that you identify as the most significant. 
     

    For each entry, choose an experience type from the list below:
    - artistic endeavors
    - community service/volunteer – medical/clinical
    - community service/volunteer – not medical/clinical
    - conferences attended
    - extracurricular activities
    - hobbies
    - honors/awards/recognition
    - intercollegiate athletics
    - leadership – not listed elsewhere
    - military service
    - other
    - paid employment – medical/clinical
    - paid employment – not medical/clinical
    - physician shadowing/clinical observation
    - presentations/posters
    - publications
    - research/lab
    - teaching/tutoring/teaching assistant

    Choose a name for the experience or the title you held.  If an experience had no explicit name choose a name that you feel best describes the experience.  

    For each experience description, you should describe the nature of the organization or experience, what you did or accomplished, and if applicable, what you learned. It is important to describe your experiences clearly and positively. Try to use active verbs to describe your activities. Use numbers and figures to back up your descriptions when possible. Whenever possible, focus on achievements or special responsibilities. Use this space to describe the most meaningful experiences you have had. Quality is more important than quantity so do not worry if you have fewer than 15 experiences.

  • AACOMAS (Osteopathic Medical Schools)
  • AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) is the first stage of your osteopathic medical school application. It is also referred to as your “primary application.”

    Key AACOMAS Dates:
    -  Early May: AACOMAS application cycle opens for submissions.
    -  Mid June: Schools begin receiving and processing cycle applications.
    -  Each school will have its own AACOMAS deadline, and most school deadlines fall between October and April. You can find a list of individual school deadlines here.

    You must apply the year before you plan on starting medical school. (For example, if you plan to start medical school in the fall of 2022, you must apply in the spring of 2021.) 

    There are 4 sections of your primary application:
    -  Personal Information
    -  Academic History
    -  Supporting Information
    -  Program Materials
  • AACPMAS (Podiatric Medical Schools)
  • The AACPMAS Application Service (AACPMAS) is the first stage of your medical school application. All podiatric medical schools participate in AACPMAS.

    AACPMAS opens in the beginning of August each year.
    Priority deadline: March 1st 
    Final deadlines: June 30th

    You must apply the year before you plan on starting medical school.  

    You can create an account in AACPMAS at any time, even if you aren't applying that cycle. AACPMAS will transfer information you input from one year to the next. 

    You will designate all podiatric schools you're applying to in AACPMAS. The first school costs $200, and each additional school costs $65 each.

    There are 4 sections of AACPMAS:
    -  Personal Information
    -  Academic History
    -  Supporting Information
    -  Program Materials

Personal Statements

  • Allopathic Medicine
  • Your personal statement should answer the question "Why do you want to go to medical school?"

    AMCAS allows 5300 characters for your personal statement.

    Your personal statement should not be a list of experiences. The Work/Activities section will be a list of your experiences. Use your essay to tell them something they do not already know about you.

    The personal statement is your first chance to provide medical school admissions committees with subjective information about your qualifications and your reasons for choosing a particular career. In other words, the personal statement is your initial opportunity to present yourself as an interesting and unique applicant who deserves a closer look.
  • Osteopathic Medicine
  • Your personal statement should answer the question "Why osteopathic medicine?" The formal prompt is the following: In the space provided write a brief statement expressing your motivation or desire to become a DO.

    AACOMAS allows 5,300 characters for your personal statement.

    Your personal statement should not be a list of experiences. The Experiences and Achievements sections will be a list of your experiences. Use your essay to tell them something they do not already know about you.

    The personal statement is your first chance to provide medical school admissions committees with subjective information about your qualifications and your reasons for choosing this particular career. In other words, the personal statement is your initial opportunity to present yourself as an interesting and unique applicant who deserves a closer look.
  • Podiatric Medicine
  • You will answer the following prompt in the "Essays" section of AACPMAS: "State below why you are interested in becoming a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Provide information about your development for a career in Podiatric Medicine. Your essay should be limited to 4500 characters."

    Your personal statement should not be a list of experiences. Use your essay to tell them something they do not already know about you.

    The personal statement is your first chance to provide medical school admissions committees with subjective information about your qualifications and your reasons for choosing this particular career. In other words, the personal statement is your initial opportunity to present yourself as an interesting and unique applicant who deserves a closer look.

Work, Activities, & Experiences

  • Allopathic Medicine
  • AMCAS allows you to report up to 15 meaningful experiences in the Work/Activities section of the application.  

    You will have 700 characters to describe each of these experiences. 

    Of the 15 experiences, you will choose 3 most meaningful experiences that were especially impactful. You will have an additional 1325 characters to describe these experiences. 

    Experiences can include paid or volunteer clinical experiences, community service, extracurriculars, hobbies, publications, research experience, work experience, shadowing, leadership, and awards.
  • Osteopathic Medicine & Podiatric Medicine
  • In AACOMAS/ACCPMAS, you will designate each of your experiences as one of the following types of experiences:
    -  Non-Healthcare Employment
    -  Extracurricular Activities
    -  Non-Healthcare Volunteer or Community Enrichment
    -  Healthcare Experience

    You will have 600 characters to describe each of these experiences. 

    You can add additional experiences after you submit your application, but you cannot update or delete completed ones. 

    You need to keep track of the details of every experience you aim to include on the application, including the organization name, location, a supervisor's contact information, the date you started and ended, and how many hours a week you spent at this experience. HPA's Experience Tracker document can help you with this task.

Letters of Recommendation (Evaluations)

  • Allopathic Medicine
  • Most medical schools will require at least three letters of recommendation.

    Often times schools will ask or recommend that your letters come from specific people, including:
    -  Science faculty (Usually schools ask for 2 letters from science faculty)
    -  Non-science or major faculty
    -  Non-academic professionals
    -  Physicians or other health professionals

    Guide on how to get letters of recommendations into AMCAS
  • Osteopathic medicine
  • Most medical schools will require at least three letters of recommendation.

    Often times schools will ask or recommend that your letters come from specific people, including:
    -  Science faculty (Usually schools ask for 2 letters from science faculty)
    -  Non-science or major faculty
    -  Non-academic professionals
    -  Osteopathic physicians or other health professionals

    Once a reference is completed on the AACOMAS application, it may NOT be removed or replaced. Research your schools' requirements before entering evaluator information in AACOMAS.

    Some schools may want letters mailed directly to them rather than uploaded to AACOMAS. Visit the Program Page in AACOMAS for each school you plan on applying to to see school-specific instructions.
  • Podiatric Medicine
  • AACPMAS does not collect your Letters of Recommendation. You will send your letters directly to each school or use a letter service such as Interfolio or Virtual Evals. 

    Each school has different letter requirements, but you should aim to have letter(s) from the following individuals:
    -  Two science faculty from UC Davis (one can also be from a school / community college you transferred from)
    -  A podiatric physician that mentored you or that you have shadowed
    -  A professional outside of school

Supplemental Applications (Secondary Application)

  • Allopathic Medicine
  • Supplemental applications are sent by each school you've applied to after the primary application has been submitted.

    Some medical schools will send a supplemental application to every applicant, while others will pre-screen the applicant pool and only send them to those who are most qualified.

    In most cases, supplemental applications contain additional short essays specific to that school. They can also include questionnaires, ask for a resume, or ask for a professional headshot.

    While each school's supplemental essays will be different, some common questions include:
    -How would you bring diversity to this medical school?
    -Why have you chosen to apply to this medical school? 
    -Given our mission statement, what makes you a good fit for our medical school?
    -If you are currently not a matriculated student, please indicate what you have been doing since the time of graduation until now.
    -Is there anything else you would like us to know?
    -What makes you an unique individual? 
    -What challenges have you faced?
    -Do you consider yourself a person who would contribute to the diversity of the student body?
    -Please use this space to describe any challenge or obstacle you have faced prior to your application to medical school and how you addressed that challenge.
    -Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this.
    -Describe yourself.
    -What else do you feel is important for us to know about you? Please use this space to highlight something not addressed in your application, including new experiences not in your AMCAS application.
    -What personal accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
    -Describe the steps you take to reduce your personal stress when confronted with difficult situations.
    -Describe the community in which you were nurtured or spent the majority of your early development with respect to its demographics. What core values did you receive and how will these translate into the contributions that you hope to make to your community as a medical student and to your career in medicine? What improvements do you think might make the described community better?
    -Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores.
    -Has your college or university, graduate or professional school attendance been interrupted for any reason?  If yes, please explain. Also, please explain any extended gaps in activity/employment in your post-graduate history.
    -Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee.
    -Briefly describe the one clinical experience you have had that has most significantly influenced your decision to study medicine. Do not replicate your AMCAS personal statement.
    -Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity.
    -Discuss briefly why you have decided to pursue a M.D. degree program.
    -Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment.


    Supplemental applications cost anywhere from $50-$120 per school.
  • Osteopathic Medicine
  • Some supplemental applications are sent by each school you've applied to after the primary application has been submitted, however some schools will have additional questions that serve as supplemental application questions directly on the primary application.

    Some medical schools will send a supplemental application to every applicant, while others will pre-screen the applicant pool and only send them to those who are most qualified.

    In most cases, supplemental applications contain additional short essays specific to that school. They can also include questionnaires, ask for a resume, or ask for a professional headshot.

    While each school's supplemental essays will be different, some common questions include:
    -How would you bring diversity to this medical school?
    -Why have you chosen to apply to this medical school? 
    -Given our mission statement, what makes you a good fit for our medical school?
    -If you are currently not a matriculated student, please indicate what you have been doing since the time of graduation until now.
    -Is there anything else you would like us to know?
    -What makes you an unique individual? 
    -What challenges have you faced?
    -Do you consider yourself a person who would contribute to the diversity of the student body?
    -Please use this space to describe any challenge or obstacle you have faced prior to your application to medical school and how you addressed that challenge.
    -Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this.
    -Describe yourself.
    -What personal accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
    -Describe the steps you take to reduce your personal stress when confronted with difficult situations.
    -Describe the community in which you were nurtured or spent the majority of your early development with respect to its demographics. What core values did you receive and how will these translate into the contributions that you hope to make to your community as a medical student and to your career in medicine? What improvements do you think might make the described community better?
    -Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores.
    -Has your college or university, graduate or professional school attendance been interrupted for any reason?  If yes, please explain. Also, please explain any extended gaps in activity/employment in your post-graduate history.
    -Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee.
    -Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity.
    -Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment.

    Supplemental applications cost anywhere from $50-$120 per school.
  • Podiatric Medicine
  • Schools will have additional questions that serve as supplemental application questions directly on the primary application.

Interviews

  • Allopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Podiatric Medicine
  • Most medical school interviews take place between September and February.

    There are different types of interviews, including:
    Traditional Interviews
    One-on-one interviews with a medical school faculty member, admissions officer, or medical student. Questions can range from "Tell me about yourself" to in-depth questions about specific information in your application. Some traditional interviews are open (the interviewer has your full application), while some are closed (the interviewer knows nothing about you). Sometimes it is partial (parts of your application are missing, such as test scores/GPA). If you are going to a traditional interview, be sure to know your application VERY well.
    Multiple Mini Interviews
    The MMI typically consists of six to 10 very short interviews that revolve around a specific scenario. Scenarios might include interactions with an actor, essays, short traditional interviews, teamwork stations, ethical scenarios, and rest stations. The MMI is designed to measure communication skills, specifically verbal and nonverbal skills that cannot be measured using standardized written exams or by reviewing coursework transcripts. 
    Situational Judgement Tests
    SJTs present hypothetical scenarios through a variety of formats, including text, video, or live standardized patients. They ask applicants how they would respond or behave in that situation. The scenarios are based on one or more competencies, and the test taker’s responses provide insight into his/her ability within each relevant competency. Many schools are employing standardized patients (paid actors trained to exhibit medical ailments) during interview days to test applicants' communication skills and ability to problem solve. There is little you can do to prepare other than be a strong communicator, be flexible and able to think on your feet.
    Click here to learn about CASPer Testing.
    Behavioral Interviews
    These interview questions aim to identify how you would behave or what decisions you would make in a given situation. They may catch you off guard, but if you answer honestly and thoughtfully, you will show them that you make informed, rational decisions based on strong ethics. Example questions might include:
                 -  What has been your best idea so far?
                 -  Walk me through a difficult decision you recently made. What factors contributed to your decisions?
                 -  Tell me about a time you led a team with members who did not agree with your decision-making. How did you resolve the situation?

Choosing Schools

International Students

  • Allopathic Medicine
  • International students are those requiring a student visa to remain in the United States to study.

    Applying to medical school can be more complex and challenging for international students, but Health Professions Advising and other campus resources like SISS can help you achieve your dreams of becoming a physician. 

    Some things international students should keep in mind:
    -  Not all medical schools accept international students. 
    -  Most medical schools require citizenship or permanent residency and a Bachelor's degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution.
    -  Schools will usually only accept a very small number of international students each year, so the applicant pool is very competitive.
    -  International students cannot receive federal financial aid such as Direct Stafford, Direct PLUS, and Perkins Loans.

    Learn more about applying to allopathic medical schools as an international student. 
  • Osteopathic Medicine
  • International students are those requiring a student visa to remain in the United States to study.

    Applying to medical school can be more complex and challenging for international students, but Health Professions Advising and other campus resources like SISS can help you achieve your dreams of becoming a physician. 

    Some things international students should keep in mind:
    -  Not all osteopathic medical schools accept international students. 
    -  Schools will usually only accept a very small number of international students each year, so the applicant pool is very competitive.
    -  International students cannot receive federal financial aid such as Direct Stafford, Direct PLUS, and Perkins Loans.
     
  • Podiatric Medicine
  • Podiatric medical schools accept international students.

DACA Students

Medical School Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming a Doctor

  • What's the difference between an M.D. and D.O.

  • M.D.s attend allopathic medical school, while D.O.s attend osteopathic medical school. 

    Both M.D. and D.O. physicians are licensed in all 50 states. They receive identical medical educations, except that D.O.s also learn osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), which involves hands-on care to treat, prevent, and diagnose disease. Both M.D. and D.O. students can enter any specialty of medicine. 

  • I am considering an MD/PhD. What do I need to know?
  • If you apply as an MD/PhD applicant, you will follow the same application procedures. However, when you choose your program type in AMCAS, you will be asked to complete an additional essay describing your research. You should have significant research experience when applying MD/PhD. This can include: Multiple summer projects, Senior thesis research, One or more years pursuing research activities after undergraduate degree
    There are over 100 MD/PhD programs, but not all are fully funded.
    MD/PhD degrees can take as long as 8 years to complete. A typical MD/PhD pathway includes:
    • Years 1-2: Preclinical years (some PhD work); Complete the USMLE Step 1 exam
    • Years 3-6: Medical sciences & explore research opportunities (lab rotations); Complete research
    • Years 6-8: Clinical rotations; Complete MD degree
    • Apply to residencies
  • Is podiatric medical school different than allopathic or osteopathic medical school?

  • In recent years, the American Podiatric Medical Association pursued an initiative, called Vision 2015 - The Path to Parity, to ensure that podiatrists are universally recognized to be on par with allopathic and osteopathic physicians. Podiatric medical students receive the same curriculum as allopathic or osteopathic medical students that is no less rigorous or intense.

    One key difference between the three medical professions is that osteopathic medical students also learn Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in addition to their other curriculum. 

    Download the 2021-2022 Podiatric Medical College Information Book for a year-by-year breakdown of podiatric medical school curriculum. 

  • What is an osteopathic medicine?

  • "​Developed more than 130 years ago by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, osteopathic medicine brings a unique philosophy to traditional medicine. Osteopathic medicine focuses on the whole person, the relationship of the body’s nerves, muscles, bones and organs, and the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest growing health professions, with one out of every five medical students enrolled in a college of osteopathic medicine. 

    Osteopathic physicians (DOs) apply the tenets of osteopathic medicine to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, disease and injury. Osteopathic physicians are fully trained, licensed to prescribe medicine and practice in all medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties."

    - American Osteopathic Association

  • I am an international student. What do I need to know?

  • Applying to medical school can be more complex and challenging for international students, but Health Professions Advising and other campus resources like SISS can help you achieve your dreams of becoming a physician. 

    Some things international students should keep in mind:
    -  Not all medical schools accept international students. 
    -  Schools will usually only accept a very small number of international students each year, so the applicant pool is very competitive.
    -  International students cannot receive federal financial aid such as Direct Stafford, Direct PLUS, and Perkins Loans.

    Learn more about applying to allopathic medical schools as an international student. 
    Learn more about applying to osteopathic medical schools as an international student. 
    Learn more about applying to podiatric medical schools as an international student by visiting each school's website and viewing their requirements for international students.

Classes & Prerequisites

  • Which classes count towards the science GPA?

  • You can see which courses count towards the science GPA calculated by AMCAS here. 

    You can find a list of the courses that will be calculated into your AACOMAS science GPA here.

    You can see which courses count towards the science GPA calculated by AACPMAS here. 

    To calculate your science GPA, pull up your Academic Record in OASIS. Along the left side of the course list, you will see boxes. Check off the boxes for the courses you wish to be included in the GPA calculation on the right side of the page.

  • What courses satisfy the English requirement for medical schools?

  • Lower and upper division English (ENL) and UWP courses will satisfy the English requirement for medical schools. You may also take similar classes at a community college.

    Note: Testing out of the upper division UWP course requirement via the Upper Division Composition Exam (UDCE) for graduation does not count towards the medical school requirement. 

    Many pre-health students take UWP 104F (see course description here). This is a great option because in this class you will produce a personal statement draft. Consider waiting to take UWP 104F until your junior or senior year, or closer to when you will submit your application.

  • If I repeat a course, does it affect my GPA?

  • Every class that appears on an official transcript with a grade is calculated into your AMCAS GPA. For example, if you get an F in organic chemistry but retake it for an A, both grades will factor into your AMCAS GPA. 
     

    Starting with the 2017-2018 application cycle, AACOMAS is no longer forgiving first instances of repeated courses. 
    What does this mean? This means that every grade you have earned for a course will factor into your medical school application GPA. For example, if you get an F in organic chemistry but retake it for an A, both grades will count towards your GPA. 

    Starting with the 2017-2018 application cycle, AACPMAS is no longer forgiving first instances of repeated courses. 
    What does this mean? This means that every grade you have earned for a course will factor into your medical school application GPA. For example, if you get an F in organic chemistry but retake it for an A, both grades will count towards your GPA. 

  • Should I take BIS 102/103 or BIS 105?
  • We recommend taking BIS 102/103 because BIS 105 does not provide enough units for some Medical Schools and has a less in-depth overview of biochemistry. Additionally, check your major requirements before choosing one over the other. 
  • Do medical schools accept AP Credit or Pass/No Pass courses?

  • Medical schools are not consistent in how they handle AP Credit. In general, pre-medical students should take all prerequisite courses at a college level. 

    Most schools will not accept P/NP classes to satisfy prerequisites. 

  • If I'm going to get a C- in a class, should I intentionally get a D or F in that class in order to retake it for a better grade?

  • Do not fail a class on purpose in order to retake it for a better grade. Even though the lower grade will not be included in your UC Davis GPA, it will remain on your transcript and most centralized applications will count that first grade into your application GPA.

    Additionally, the health profession schools will still see it. It is better to have a C- in the course and improve through other courses in the same discipline than to take a D or F.

    Most health professional schools require all prerequisites to be completed with a C or higher. Although you cannot repeat the C- at UC Davis, you will need to repeat it somewhere else either over a summer or after graduation.

    If you need to discuss this or any other academic difficulty futher, please make an appointment with a staff advisor.

  • Can "study abroad" courses count as prerequisites?
  • Allopathic Medicine:
    If your study abroad program was through UC Davis Study Abroad or UC Education Abroad (UCEAP), then your coursework will be on your official UC Davis transcript and fullfil prerequisites. If you studied abroad directly through a foreign institution, then your coursework will be on a "foreign transcript," which AMCAS does not accept. Learn more about entering study abroad coursework in AMCAS.

    Osteopathic Medicine & Podiatric Medicine:
    Studying abroad is a wonderful experience that we encourage you to pursue. It is a valuable experience that provides the opportunity for growth in both maturity and cultural awareness.

    You should not study abroad because you are pre-health in an effort to make your application stand out. You should study abroad because you want to gain the experience.

    If your study abroad program was through UC Davis Study Abroad or UC Education Abroad (UCEAP), then your coursework will be on your official UC Davis transcript and fullfil prerequisites. If you studied abroad directly through a foreign institution, then your coursework will be on a "foreign transcript," which most health professional schools do not accept.
  • What should I do if I'm going to get a low grade in a class?

  • Although no one wants a C, it is not the end of the world if you get one or two C’s. You can still get into a medical school. HPA recommends taking other courses in the same discipline to make up for a low grade. For example, if you do poorly in BIS 2A, take BIS 101 and do well in that. 

    You may have heard that if you know you'll get a C-, you should take a D or F intentionally in order to repeat the course. HPA does not recommend failing a class on purpose in order to retake it for a better grade. Even though the lower grade will not be included in your UC Davis GPA, it will remain on your official transcript, will factor into your AMCAS GPA, and will be seen by medical schools. 

    UC Davis will not allow you to repeat any courses in which you earned a C- or higher. However, you can retake the course through UC Davis Open Campus after you graduate or at another situation. Please keep in mind that you will not be eligible for financial aid through the FAFSA if you repeat classes this way; you must either pay out-of-pocket or apply for a private loan.

  • Can participating in more experiences make up for a low GPA?

  • In most cases, no. This idea is a common myth among pre-health students, but unfortunately no experience can make up for a GPA lower than 3.0. 

    Most pre-medical experiences aren't going anywhere - you can always take a gap year (or more!) to do research, work as a scribe, volunteer, etc. - but you really only have one chance to do well in your classes here at UC Davis. It is much more valuable to graduate with a higher GPA and less experiences than lots of experiences and a low GPA. Taking classes to improve your GPA after you graduate is often a time-consuming and expensive process. 

    Make an appointment with an advisor if you'd like to discuss your academics in more detail. 

  • Do I have to complete all of the prerequisite coursework before applying?
  • No, you are not required to complete all of the required coursework before applying unless a school states otherwise. However, you should complete a majority of the science coursework before you apply. You must complete all of the coursework before you start at the health profession school.

MCAT

  • When should I take the MCAT?
  • You should begin studying for the MCAT after you have taken all of the coursework that HPA recommends students take before the MCAT. Many students take the MCAT the summer before they apply to medical school. Consider making an appointment with an advisor to create an application timeline. 

    See the AAMC's MCAT Testing Calendar for this year's testing dates.
  • When should I start studying for the MCAT?
  • When you are taking your prerequisite courses, you are essentially studying for the MCAT. You should formally begin studying for the MCAT after you have taken all of the coursework that HPA recommends students take before the MCAT. 

    Keep in mind that the new MCAT is 7.5 hours long. The test is a content test, but it is also an endurance test. You need to practice reading efficiently and coherently for long periods of time. If you struggle with reading comprehension or test anxiety, we strongly recommend that you address those areas before you attempt the test, such as through a SASC workshop.
  • Do I need a test prep course?

  • According to the AAMC, about half of MCAT examinees report that they used a test prep course to prepare for the test. Whether or not you need a course depends on how you study. If you prefer to study at your own pace, there are many resources available online to help you prepare for the test without using a company. 

    Learn more about studying for the test.

Applying to Medical School

  • When should I apply?
  • Allopathic Medicine:
    You will apply to medical school the spring of the year before you wish to start. For example, if you want to start school in Fall 2020, you must apply to AMCAS in spring 2019. 

    Osteopathic Medicine:
    You will apply to medical school the spring of the year before you wish to start. For example, if you want to start school in fall 2020, you will apply to AACOMAS in spring 2019. 

    Podiatric Medicine:
    You will apply to medical school the spring of the year before you wish to start. For example, if you want to start school in fall 2020, you will apply to AACPMAS in spring 2019. 

    There is no right or wrong time to apply, but you should apply when you feel most confident about your application. When you choose to apply is a very personal decision, and we encourage students to talk out their plans with an HPA advisor before settling on a timeline.
  • What is a gap year?
  • The term "gap year" refers to the time after your undergraduate education and prior to entering a health professional school. What you decide to do if you take a gap year is up to you. Students spend their gap year(s) doing a variety of activities, including (but not limited to):
    -  working and earning money to finance their professional/graduate education
    -  pursue things they didn't have time to do as a student (i.e. study abroad, Teach for America, etc.)
    -  completing post-bac classes or a master's degree
    -  volunteering pursuing community service projects
    -  research

    Your gap year is a chance to expand and develop in areas you were unable to develop during your undergraduate years.
  • What are advantages of taking a gap year (or years)?
  • Benefits of a gap year include:
    -  An extra year of coursework towards your GPA
    -  An extra year to gain experience (both work and life experience)
    -  An extra year to build relationships with faculty for letters of recommendation
    -  Having more time to take MCAT prep coursework
    -  Not missing classes to travel to interviews during your fourth year of college
    -  Not being stressed out worrying about acceptances, financial aid, finding housing during your fourth year of college
    -  Working and making some money before starting your next step
  • When should I start writing my personal statement?

  • The personal statement should be a reflective, well-polished document. You can create your first draft as soon as you want. The more time you give yourself to get feedback and revise the better. The advisors at Health Professions Advising are happy to read your essay and give you feedback, but please make the appointment at least a month before your deadline. 

    Please bring a printed draft of your personal statement to appointments and drop-in advising.

  • What is holistic review?

  • "Holistic review is a flexible, individualized way for schools to consider an applicant’s capabilities, providing balanced consideration to experiences, attributes, and academic metrics. These factors are considered in combination with how the individual might contribute value as a medical student and physician. The use of holistic review by schools has increased in recent years and is becoming more and more common."

    - AAMC, Holistic Review in Medical School Admissions

  • What does "verification" mean?

  • "Once you submit your application to AMCAS, you will receive an acknowledgment of its receipt via email (provided you have included a valid email address). Such acknowledgment does not indicate that your materials (i.e., official transcripts) are complete or that deadline requirements have been satisfied.

    The AMCAS Verification process starts when your application has been submitted and your official transcripts have arrived at AMCAS. Once all your materials have been received, your application joins the verification queue. Processing can take up to 6 weeks from the time that your application and all required official transcripts are received.

    During the Verification process, AMCAS verifies your coursework against your official transcripts, ensuring that the course information entered in your application matches that on your official transcripts.

    AMCAS may return your application to you—which could result in missed deadlines—if major errors or omissions in course listings are found during verification. AMCAS will stop verifying your materials and send an email notification if any missing or incomplete transcripts are discovered during verification."

    - AMCAS FAQs