Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)
Allopathic physicians receive a Doctor of Medicine, or M.D. They provide medical care to patients through the treatment of diseases using prescriptions, surgery, and other preventative measures. Allopathic physicians can practice as generalists, such as in family medicine, general internal medicine, or general pediatrics, providing comprehensive, primary care. Allopathic physicians also have the opportunity to specialize in a specific field such as cardiology, dermatology, and oncology.
For helpful information about becoming an Allopathic Medicine Physician, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Deciding if Medicine is for You.
Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
Osteopathic physicians receive a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree, or D.O. They provide medical care to patients through a comprehensive, whole-person approach that focuses on preventative care and interconnectedness of the body's system. In other words, osteopathic physicians seek to understand the patient’s wellbeing and lifestyle, environment factors, etc., to provide a holistic treatment plan. Osteopathic physicians receive the same medical training as allopathic physicians, and an additional 200 hours of "osteopathic manipulative medicine" (OMM) training, which involves hands-on manipulation of the musculoskeletal system such as the muscles, bones, tissues, and joints to promote healing.
For more information about becoming an Osteopathic Medicine Physician, visit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOMAS): What is Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Explained.
Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.)
According to the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM), “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.” Podiatrists uniquely receive formal surgical training as a required component of their core medical curriculum, whereas surgical training for other physicians depends on their chosen specialty.
Podiatrists can work in a variety of healthcare settings including private practices, hospitals, and clinics. They may specialize in areas such as orthopedics, sports medicine, surgery, pediatrics, diabetic wound care, and more.
For more information about becoming a Podiatric Medicine Physician, visit American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM): Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).
Medicine (MD/DO/DPM) Preparation
- Timeline
1. Obtain a Bachelor’s degree (4+ years) and complete all pre-medical requirements, including prerequisites, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and experiences.
2. Attend an accredited medical school (4 years) and earn a M.D., D.P.M., or D.O. degree.
3. Complete Residency- M.D. & D.O. (3-7 years), depending on the specific residency program.
D.P.M. (2-4 years), depending on the specific residency program.
Optional: Complete a Fellowship (varies in length), providing advanced training and gaining expertise in a specific area of practice.
4. Become licensed in the state you wish to practice
5. Maintain certification & complete Continuing Medical Education (CME)Upon matriculation into medical school, there are additional steps students must complete in order to obtain licensure or professional certification. These steps vary by field and by program, and may include board examinations, supervised clinical hours, background checks, or other school-specific milestones. Once you are in your medical school, your medical school advisor will provide guidance on the post-graduation next steps.
- Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite courses are the academic foundation that most medical schools require students to complete to prepare for the MCAT and before beginning medical school. No matter which major you choose, you will need to fulfill the specific science and non-science prerequisites set by each school. We strongly recommend you complete the prerequisite coursework prior to studying for and taking the MCAT. Always review and cross-check the requirements of your major with the prerequisite coursework for medical school to ensure you are completing both UC Davis undergraduate requirements as well as the requirements of medical schools.
While HPA has developed a suggested prerequisite chart from a sample of medical schools, prerequisite coursework and entrance requirements will vary by schools, so it is important to check individual schools' websites to familiarize yourself with their exact prerequisites.
Program Prerequisites
Courses to Take at UC Davis
Required for the MCAT?
Most schools require:
1 year of General Chemistry with Lab
CHE 2ABC OR CHE 4ABC
YES
1 year of General Biology with Lab
BIO 1 & 2 & 3 AND BIO 1L & 2L
YES
1 year of Organic Chemistry with Lab
CHE 118ABC
YES
1 year of Physics with Lab
PHY 7ABC OR PHY 9ABC
YES
Some schools may require:
Biochemistry
BIS 102 AND 103
YES
1 year of Math (1 Statistics course required)
Calculus: MAT 17AB OR MAT 21AB
AND
Statistics: STA 13 OR STA 100
Strongly Recommended
1 year of English
Combination of 3 quarters of writing-intensive ENL and UWP courses
Strongly Recommended
Additional recommended courses:
Genetics
BIS 101
Recommended
Cell Biology
BIS 104 OR NPB 110A
No
Immunology
MMI 188 OR NPB 134 OR PMI 126
No
Microbiology with Lab
MIC 102 AND MIC 103L
Recommended
Human Physiology with Lab
(NPB 101 & NPB 101L) OR (NPB 110C & NPB 101L)
Strongly Recommended
Human Anatomy with Lab
(EXB 106 & EXB 106L) OR (CHA 101 & CHA 101L)
No
Psychology
PSC 1 AND PSC 41
Recommended
Sociology
SOC 1 AND SOC 3
Recommended
HPA recommendations:
1. Complete all prerequisite courses for a letter grade, not P/NP.
2. Earn a “C” or higher in all prerequisite coursework. Some schools may require no lower than a B in any of your prerequisite courses.
3. Maintain a minimum undergraduate and science GPA of 3.0 or higher. A competitive GPA will likely be higher for most schools.
Additional things to consider:
1. Prerequisites are different for each medical school. Some may not require any courses and instead use the AAMC 15 Core Competencies. Visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Premed Competencies Resources for additional information.
2. Medical schools do accept community college work in varying degrees, some accept all transferable work, some a certain amount of units, and others accept a very limited amount. If you have any questions about your major, prerequisite courses, or grade/GPA concerns, you are encouraged to make an appointment with one of HPA Staff Advisors.About Science GPA:
In addition to a cumulative undergraduate GPA, medical schools also review applicants’ science GPA (sGPA). For M.D. schools that are participating with the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), a science GPA includes all Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math grades, also known as BCPM. For more information, visit AMCAS Course Classification Guide.For D.O. schools that are participating in the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS), the science GPA includes Biochemistry, Biology/Zoology, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Other Science. For more information, visit AACOMAS Course Classification by Course Subjects.
For D.P.M. schools that are participating in the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS), the science GPA includes Biology, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics. For more information, visit AACPMAS Course Classification by Course Subjects.
- Exam
Pre-medical students are required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) as part of admissions requirements. Before taking the MCAT, HPA strongly recommends that students complete the prerequisite courses for the exam prior to taking the exam. The courses provide foundational knowledge to support studying for the test.
AMCAS and AACOMAS do allow applicants to submit their application before taking the MCAT. However, schools will typically wait for the score to review the application. Please speak with an HPA advisor if you are considering taking or retaking the MCAT after the application is submitted to understand any implications or potential delays.
To learn more about the standardized exam and preparing for it, please visit HPA’s Application Preparation tab on Standardized Exams and HPA’s Test Prep Events & Resources.
Applying to Medical School
- Choosing Schools
There are a variety of factors that go into choosing which medical schools to apply to, including degree awarded, location, environment (i.e. urban), transportation needs, tuition, class size, focus or mission statement, etc. Spend some time researching schools online and create a spreadsheet that tracks the factors most important to you. On average, applicants apply to 25-30 medical schools. HPA also recommends meeting with a HPA Staff Advisor to discuss your school list.
To learn more, students can also visit HPA’s Application Preparation tab on Creating a School List.
Allopathic Medicine:
There are over 150 medical schools in the U.S. Check out the Liaison Committee of Medical Education: Accredited MD Programs in the United States for a list of accredited allopathic medical schools in the U.S. For a helpful and easy comparison tool of M.D. schools, students are welcome to utilize the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC): Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR). Limited information is available for free and a paid subscription is required for more detailed content.Osteopathic Medicine:
There are over 40 osteopathic medical schools in the United States. Check out the American Osteopathic Association (AOA): Osteopathic Medical Schools for a list of accredited osteopathic medical schools in the U.S. Students can utilize AACOM: Choose D.O. Explorer as a resource to compare and filter D.O. schools. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) has also prepared a COM Video Showcase, featuring various D.O. schools.Podiatric Medicine:
There are over 10 podiatric medical schools in the United States. Check out the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) for a list of accredited podiatric medical schools in the U.S. Students can visit Explore Pod Med by AACPM for an overview of the profession and D.P.M. schools.- Application System
To learn more about applications and application timeline, please visit HPA’s Application Preparation tab on Applications and Application Timelines.
Allopathic Medicine:
M.D. applicants typically apply the year before they matriculate into the medical school and American College Admissions Centralized Application Service (AMCAS) is a centralized application system that is used by most medical schools. To learn more about AMCAS, visit AMCAS: Applying to Medical School with the AMCAS program. Students are encouraged to refer to the AAMC: Getting Help With Your Application and the most recent AMCAS Applicant Guide for additional guidance on how to complete their application. For a list of AMCAS-participating and non-participating allopathic medical schools, please visit American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC): AMCAS Program-Participating Medical Schools and Deadlines.AMCAS opens in early May and the first day an applicant can submit their application in late May or early June. While most medical schools have a October-November deadline, most M.D. schools admit students on a rolling basis; HPA strongly recommends applicants submit their applicants no later than mid-July to ensure your application is reviewed timely. Come see an advisor at Health Professions Advising to discuss your specific timeline and review your application.
Schools and application systems may have specific guidelines about what is considered a completed application, and these components may vary based on the application system and/or individual school. Students are responsible for ensuring their applications are complete, submitted, and verified by the application deadline. Specifically unique to the AMCAS, your MCAT scores and letters of recommendation do not have to be received by AMCAS before you submit your application. To learn more about this, check out AMCAS FAQs MCAT Scores and AMCAS Application and Finishing the Application.
Osteopathic Medicine:
D.O. applicants typically apply the year before they matriculate into the osteopathic medical school and American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is a centralized application system that is used by most D.O. schools. To learn more about AACOMAS, visit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM): Apply to Medical School. Students are encouraged to refer to the AACOMAS Applicant Help Center for additional guidance on how to complete their applications.AACOMAS opens in early May and closes mid-June of the following year; these dates may vary for schools who are not utilizing AACOMAS. While most medical schools have later deadlines, most D.O. schools admit students on a rolling basis; HPA strongly recommends applicants submit their applications no later than mid-August to ensure your application is reviewed timely. Come see an advisor at Health Professions Advising to discuss your specific timeline and review your application.
Schools and application systems may have specific guidelines about what is considered a completed application, and these components may vary based on the application system and/or individual school. Students are responsible for ensuring their applications are complete, submitted, and verified by the application deadline. Specifically unique to the AACOMAS, your MCAT scores do not have to be received by AACOMAS before you submit your application. To learn more about this, check out AACOMAS Quick Start Guide and FAQs and Submitting and Completing Your AACOMAS Application.
Podiatric Medicine:
D.P.M. applicants typically apply the year before they matriculate into the podiatric medical school and American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS) is a centralized application system that is used by most D.P.M. schools. To learn more about AACPMAS, visit the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM): Information About Podiatric Medical College Admission Requirements & Application. Students are encouraged to refer to the AACPMAS Applicant Help Center for additional guidance on how to complete their applications.AACPMAS opens in early August and closes late June of the following year; these dates may vary for schools who are not utilizing AACPMAS. While AACPMAS remains open until mid-June of the following year, participating schools of AACPMAS may have earlier deadline dates, which are the deadlines applicants should be submitting by. These deadlines may also vary for schools that are not participating in AACPMAS or some may admit students on a rolling basis; please check your individual schools for specific dates. Overall, HPA strongly recommends applicants submit their applications no later than late November to ensure your application is reviewed timely. Come see an advisor at Health Professions Advising to review your application.
Schools and application systems may have specific guidelines about what is considered a completed application, and these components may vary based on the application system and/or individual school. Students are responsible for ensuring their applications are complete, submitted, and verified by the application deadline. Specifically unique to the AACPMAS, your MCAT scores do not have to be received by AACPMAS before you submit your application. To learn more about this, check out AACPMAS Quick Start Guide and FAQs and Submitting and Completing Your AACPMAS Application.
- Personal Statement
- Both AMCAS and AACOMAS have a 5300 character count limit while AACPMAS has a 4500 character count limit for the personal statement. HPA recommends applicants begin drafting their personal statement in advance of the application opening. It is very common for applicants to write multiple drafts before they finalize their personal statement. To learn more about approaching personal statements, please visit HPA’s Application Preparation tab on Personal Statements.
- Experiences and Activities
Experiences and activities help students learn more about their motivations, interests, and goals, and to explore the field of medicine. What you do with your time helps define who you are in your application. Whatever you choose to do, be sure you are dedicated, passionate about it, and understand your motivation for pursuing it. It is important that you balance your co-curricular activities with your academics to ensure you are maintaining strong academic performance while still engaging meaningfully outside the classroom.
There are no hour requirements for M.D., D.O., and D.P.M. schools, but pre-med students are encouraged to have some clinical and community service experience. To further understand what will be asked on the AMCAS, AACOMAS, and AACPMAS applications, students are welcome to review the AAMC’s website on Section 5 of the AMCAS Application: Work and Activities, AACOM Choose D.O.'s website on Experiences, and AACPM’s website on Experiences.
For D.O. and D.P.M. schools, it is strongly encouraged that students have exposure to their preferred health profession. This can be done through shadowing experiences. Students who are interested in D.P.M., can visit Step Into Podiatry: Find a Mentor to connect with a D.P.M. mentor.
HPA recommends that students focus on building a strong GPA and gradually building up experiences. Maintaining a strong GPA is crucial to showing one’s academic ability and potential for medical schools. While it may take some additional time to solidify your experiences, it is more feasible and less costly to improve one’s experiences versus GPA after graduation.
To learn more about experiences and various on- and off-campus opportunities, please visit HPA’s Application Preparation tab on Experiences. UC Davis students are also encouraged to subscribe to HPA Today (HPA’s newsletter).
- Letters of Recommendation
Letter of recommendation requirements vary by health professional schools. For many health fields, HPA recommends two lecture-based science instructor recommendations (this excludes research PI), one lecture-based non-science instructor, and additional letters from your co-curricular experiences. This can include a research PI, mentor, volunteer coordinator, professional you shadowed, etc. Your specific school list will determine what letters you may actually need.
Most osteopathic medical schools may require that one of your references is from an M.D. or D.O. physician, with strong preferences for a D.O. physician.
Most podiatric medical schools may require or prefer that one of your references is from a podiatric physician.
To learn more about the etiquettes for letters of recommendation, please visit HPA’s Application Preparation tab on Letters of Recommendations.
- Verification
Verification is a process that occurs after applicants submit their application to check and ensure several components of the application were entered correctly and consistently. The verification process may take up to 4-6 weeks and the whole verification process must also be completed before the application deadline, therefore students should plan to submit their application in advance.
Allopathic Medicine:
Upon submission of the primary application on AMCAS, applicants will receive an acknowledgement of its receipt via email, however 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 been received by AMCAS. Once all your materials have been received, your application joins the verification queue. Processing can take up to 4 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.
The applicant’s application will be made available to the applicants’ designated medical schools after verification is complete and your application status will be updated to “AMCAS Processing is Complete.” For further information about what happens after an applicant submits their primary application and the verification process, students can visit AMCAS FAQs: After Submission.
Osteopathic Medicine:
Once applicants submit their application and all of your required application materials are received, the application's status changes to “Complete”, and the application is placed in line to be verified. Once the application is verified, you will receive a notification and your application's status will change to “Verified”.If significant mistakes are found in your application during the verification process, your application will be "undelivered," or returned to you for corrections.
To learn more about the verification process, please visit AACOMAS What is Verification?
Podiatric Medicine:
Once applicants submit their application and all of your required application materials are received, the application's status changes to “Complete”, and the application is placed in line to be verified. Once the application is verified, you will receive a notification and your application's status will change to “Verified”.If significant mistakes are found in your application during the verification process, your application will be "undelivered," or returned to you for corrections.
To learn more about the verification process, please visit AACPMAS What is Verification?
- Supplemental Applications
- Supplemental applications (or secondaries) is required for most medical schools. Applicants should carefully review the application process of the schools they are applying to. Supplemental/secondary applications may include additional fees and/or essays. To learn more about supplemental applications, please visit HPA’s Application Preparation tab on Applications.
- Interviews
- Interviews may be required for some medical schools and some may not require it. Students should carefully review the application process of the schools they are applying to. To learn more about preparing for interviews, please visit HPA’s Application Preparation tab on Interviews and HPA’s Interview Week.