Pre-Medical Preparation at UHMānoa: Allopathic Medicine
(Text compiled from the American Association of Medical Colleges website, the American Medical Association website, NAAHP's Medical Professions Admission Guide, UHM's JABSOM website, and the UHM 2010-2011 Catalog.)
Hawai'i Allopathic M.D. program: John A. Burns School of Medicine
Allopathic M.D. Programs
Prerequisites for Admission
What makes a strong candidate?
The MCAT
Researching Schools
The Application Process
Pre-Med Programs for UHM Students
Additional Information
Downloadable Brochure
Medical doctors, or physicians, are highly trained healthcare professionals who perform medical examinations, diagnose illnesses, prescribe drugs, and treat patients suffering from injury or disease using a variety of techniques.
Physicians serve in all types of communities, from rural to inner city, and in a wide variety of settings, from private practice to clinics and hospitals. They also work in specialized settings, such as homeless shelters, schools, sports programs, prisons, nursing homes, third-world countries, and the armed forces. About one-third of the nation’s physicians are generalists, or “primary care” doctors, although that percentage is declining as more physicians choose to become specialists. Generalists include fields such as internists, family physicians, and pediatricians. Specialists focus on a particular system or part of the body; examples include neurologists, hematologists, cardiologists, and podiatrists, to name only a few.
Physicians also serve in research, studying and developing new treatments for disease, in academia, sharing their skills by educating medical students, in health organizations, pharmaceutical companies, medical technology manufacturing, health insurance companies, and in corporations with health and safety programs.
Related Professions: physician assistant, nursing, medical technician, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, biomedical research, biomedical engineering, and hospital administration.
There are five primary fields in medicine: Allopathic, Chiropractic, Naturopathic, Osteopathic, and Podiatric, all of which diagnose and treat disease.
- Allopathic physicians (M.D.s, Medical Doctors, or Doctors of Medicine) focus on diagnosing and treating disease; treatments include prescription medication and surgery. Allopathic medicine offers both primary care and a large number of specializations, but many MDs specialize.
- Chiropractic physicians (D.C.s, Doctors of Chiropracty, or Doctors of Chiropractic Medicine) focus on the promotion of health through the alignment of the musculoskeletal structure. D.C.s do not use invasive procedures such as surgery.
- Naturopathic physicians (N.D.s, Doctors of Naturopathy, or Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine) focus on maintaining physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness through lifestyle choices and natural remedies such as acupuncture, reflexology, homeopathy, etc. D.N.s do not use invasive procedures such as surgery.
- Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s, Doctors of Osteopathy, or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) focus on diagnosing and treating disease with an emphasis on primary care, holistic evaluation, and the prevention of diseases. D.O.s can specialize but many work in primary care. D.O.s receive training in the manipulation of the musculoskeletal structure, also known as osteopathic manipulative medicine, or OMM, in addition to the core medical training. The scope of practice for M.D.s and D.O.s is very similar.
- Podiatric physicians (D.P.M.s, or Doctors of Podiatric Medicine) focus on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases concerning the foot and ankle. Podiatric medicine is an early specialization of allopathic medicine and includes the prescription of medications and surgery.
Allopathic M.D. Programs
Becoming an M.D. requires 11 to 16 years of education:
- Bachelors Degree (~4 years);
- Medical School (4 years);
- Residency (3-8 years, depending on specialty).
Some schools offer combined degree programs: M.D./ Ph.D. to combine the practice of medicine with research or teaching; M.D./ J.D. to combine medicine with law; M.D./ M.B.A. to combine medicine with business administration; M.D./ M.P.H. to combine medicine with public health; and so on. Combined degrees can be offered concurrently, sequentially, or in combination, and often extend the number of years in medical school.
Medical schools use a variety of curricula, including standard (2 years of science followed by 2 years of clinical instruction), problem-based learning (PBL), systems-based learning, or a hybrid.
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. After the first two years of medical school, students must pass USMLE Step 1 before continuing. Years three and four generally consist of clinical rotations. USMLE Step 2, administered at the end of Year 3, assesses students’ Clinical Skills (CS) and Clinical Knowledge (CK), and helps to determines admission to residency programs. Students are assigned to residency programs through a computerized process called “The Match.”
Upon graduation from medical school, new physicians work as residents under the supervision of an attending physician. Residents must pass the USMLE Step 3, and apply for licensure from the Medical Boards of their states before they can become fully licensed. All physicians must be licensed to practice.
Prerequisites for Admission
Most importantly, remember that requirements vary from school to school! You must research to create a list of all the prerequisites you will need to apply to the medical schools you are interested in attending.
The following UHM courses are commonly required for admission to medical schools:
BIOL 171/L and 172/L |
Introduction to Biology I and II |
CHEM 161/L and 162/L |
General Chemsitry I and II |
CHEM 272/L and 273/L |
Organic Chemistry I and II |
PHYS 151/L and PHYS 152/L
(or PHYS 170/L and 272/L) | College Physics I and II (or General Physics I and II) |
ENG 100 and higher |
Composition I and higher (1-2 courses) |
Additional requirements may include courses such as biochemistry, calculus, and humanities. It is also recommended that non-science majors take additional upper-division or advanced science electives beyond the prerequisites listed above.
For the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), the following courses are also required:
BIOL 275 (+275L) |
Cell and Molecular Biology |
BIOL/MBBE/PEPS 402 or BIOC 441 |
Biochemistry |
For the MCAT2015, the following courses are also required:
MATH 140 |
Precalculus |
PSY 100 |
Survey of Psychology |
PSY 212* |
Survey of Research Methods* |
PSY/SOCS 225 or ECON 321* |
Statistics* |
SOC 100 |
Introduction to Sociology |
BIOC 241 or higher |
Biochemistry |
*These courses may not be required for the MCAT2015, depending on what material is covered in PSY 100.
What makes a strong candidate?
Tuition, as high as it is, covers only a fraction of the cost of educating a medical student, which means that each new student represents a huge investment by the medical school. Schools need to be certain that the students they accept will be capable of completing the medical curriculum and are likely to become good physicians.
Are you capable of completing the medical curriculum?
Medical school admissions committees are looking for students who have:
- completed the prerequisites
- a high overall GPA
- a high science/math GPA
- performed well on the MCAT
- balanced their course load so it is challenging yet realistic
Are you likely to become a good physician?
Admissions committees look for students who have:
- demonstrated empathy, compassion, and a commitment to public service
- high ethical and moral standards and a conscientious work ethic
- demonstrated maturity (judgment, responsibility, dependability)
- a broad liberal arts education that includes the humanities and social sciences
- experience in the field and with what medicine entails
- a well-rounded life that balances academics, community service, social activities, and personal interests (hobbies, skills, sports, etc.)
- excellent oral and written communication skills
- strong letters of evaluation or recommendation
The MCAT
Overview: Almost all medical colleges require applicants to take a standardized test called the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The MCAT assesses your knowledge and skills in Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Verbal Reasoning. There is also an optional experimental section, which will be rewarded with a $30 Amazon gift card if completed. The test requires ~5 hours to complete, and entails ~144 multiple choice questions and two 30-minute essays. The MCAT is administered in a computer-based format, and is offered about twenty times each year.
Scoring: The three sections are each scored 1-15, for a possible total of 45.
Preparation: Your most important preparation for the MCAT is your undergraduate courses (not only the prerequisites for medical school), many of which sharpen your writing and verbal reasoning skills. Remember that your verbal reasoning score is not only the most accurate predictor of how well you will do in medical school, but also the most difficult score to improve.
Official Test Preparation Material: The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam from AMCAS
Practice Exams on AMCAS website
Click here for the current MCAT Breakdown
Click here for the MCAT2015 Breakdown
Researching Schools
There are now over 160 public and private medical schools in the U.S. and Canada, each one unique in its mission, philosophy, criteria, and strengths.
Although there are resources that “rank” schools (The Gourman Report, U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, etc.), the rankings are rarely pertinent for individual applicants. More important is whether there is a good match between applicant and school.
To find schools that are good a fit for you:
- Assess your individual strengths and weaknesses, your professional interests, learning style, and personality;
- Start with a list of all schools you would consider attending, which usually includes all 160+ schools;
- Using the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR), create your “Long List” by omitting the schools that do not match your professional interests, learning style, and personality (PAC offers a list of 7 factors to consider, found here: Choosing a School Handout);
- Once you have your MCAT scores, create your “Short List” by categorizing the schools into ‘Reach’, ‘Match’, and ‘Safety’, ranking the schools by preference, and finally choosing how many schools to apply to (PAC peer advisors can help with this process);
If possible, visit the schools to see their facilities, talk to Admissions Directors, and chat with students.
The Application Process
There are three general steps in applying to allopathic medical schools: the primary application, the secondary application, and the interview.
1. Primary applications must be filed with the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS), which is a centralized application system. Once the application is complete, AMCAS forwards it to whichever schools the student has designated.
2. Secondary applications are specific to individual medical schools, and are sent to applicants after receiving the AMCAS application. Some but not all schools screen applicants before requesting secondary applications. Secondary applications commonly request additional information, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Note: Instead of secondary applications, some schools, including JABSOM, may send “supplementary forms.” Supplementary forms are not formal applications, but are similar to secondary applications in that they ask for additional information, essays, and letters of recommendation.
3. Interviews: After reviewing applicants’ complete application packet (including both primary and secondary applications), medical schools invite promising applicants to interview. Applicants are responsible for all costs of interviewing, including airfare, lodging, professional attire, and meals.
Traffic Rules: Although the application process varies from school to school, AMCAS has established “traffic rules” to ensure fairness for all concerned. The rules, available online, stipulate both schools’ and applicants’ rights and responsibilities in the application process. Before applying, all applicants should be familiar with the traffic rules found on the AAMC website at: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/recommendations/applicants/
Tips:
- The more you know about the school, the better your chances of being accepted.
- Most application questions can be answered by reading the MSAR
- Contact individual schools' Admissions Offices to find out how they handle:
- Advanced Placement (AP) credits
- International Baccalaureate (IB) credits
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits
- military credits
- courses taken at a community college
- non-U.S. coursework
- courses taken for credit/no credit instead of a grade
- residency issues
- time limits on prerequisite science courses
Pre-Med Programs for UHM Students
Problem-Based Learning Demo
http://ome.hawaii.edu/demo.htm
A demonstration of JABSOM’s student-centered system called Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is held on the JABSOM campus twice each year, and gives students the opportunity to take part in a PBL exercise. A description of the entire educational program and a tour of the facilities are also provided. This session is strongly recommended for those applying or planning to apply to JABSOM.
JABSOM Scholars
http://manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/undergrad/early_admissions/
The JABSOM Scholars is a Doctor of Medicine Early Acceptance Program (DMEAP) for entering Hawai’i resident freshman. The primary goal of DMEAP at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (UHM) is to increase the number of highly qualified state residents attending UHM’s John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).
Health Sciences RLP
http://manoa.hawaii.edu/housing/rlp
In the Residential Learning Program, students with similar majors or interests live together on selected resident floors. Residents will be able to study together, work together, and learn from each other. This particular program is designed for freshmen considering a career in the health fields.
Native Hawaiian Student Pathway to Medicine
http://www.hawaii.edu/nhcoe/students/native-hawaiian-student-pathway-to-medicine/
The Native Hawaiian Student Pathway to Medicine (NHSPM) is a program that provides support for Native Hawaiian pre-medical students who demonstrate potential to be competitive medical school applicants. The program focuses on preparation during the sophomore and junior years.
Medical Student Mentorship Program
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~msmp/
The Medical Student Mentorship Program (MSMP) pairs current medical students at the John A. Burns School of Medicine with undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. MSMP provides support to students applying to medical school and helps to foster relationships between undergraduates and medical students and faculty.
Pre-Medical Association’s Physician's Directory
PMA members have the opportunity to shadow physicians participating in the Physician's Directory. Contact PMA for more information.
Imi Ho’ola Post-Baccalaureate Program
http://jabsom.hawaii.edu/jabsom/admissions/special.php
The Imi Ho’ola Post-Baccalaureate Program aims to improve health care in Hawai’i and the Pacific Basin by increasing the number of physicians through a 12-month educational program that addresses disadvantaged students’ academic and social-emotional needs. Imi Ho’ola’s goal is to increase diversity in the physician workforce and produce physicians who demonstrate a strong commitment to practicing in underserved communities in Hawai’i and the Pacific.
MD-MPH Combined Degree Program
http://jabsom.hawaii.edu/jabsom/admissions/mdprogram.php
The MD-MPH Combined Degree Program is now an available AMCAS option for students applying to JABSOM for the 2012 admissions cycle. The AMCAS deadline for the MD-MPH Program is November 1st (EST). Applicants are required to submit applications to both AMCAS and to UHM’s Graduate-MPH Degree Program.
MCAT2015
The MR5 Advisory Committee will be implementing a new version of the MCAT test beginning January 2015. Exam content may require additional preparatory courses, including introductory psychology (PSY 100), introductory sociology (SOC 100), research methods (PSY 212), statistics (PSY/SOCS 225 or ECON 321), and biochemistry (BIOC 241 or higher).
Additional Information
UHMānoa’s Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC) has reference books, lists of volunteer opportunities, academic planning worksheets, and one-on-one advising by peers who can help you prepare for and apply to medical schools.
| UHM's Pre-Medical Association (PMA) | www.hawaii.edu/premed premed@hawaii.edu |
| UHM's Biology Club | www2.hawaii.edu/~bioclub bioclub@hawaii.edu |
| Medical Student Mentorship Program | http://www2.hawaii.edu/~msmp/ |
| American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) | www.aamc.org |
| American Medical Association (AMA) | www.ama-assn.org |
| American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) | www.aamc.org/students/amcas |
| Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) | www.aamc.org/students/mcat |
| MCAT2015 Information & Preview Guide | https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/ |
| Medical School Admission Requirements by AAMC | Available in PAC in 2 parts:
|
| Medical Professions Admission Guide: Strategy for Success by NAAHP | available in PAC |
| Preparing for Graduate School by the Honors Program | http://preparingforgraduateschool.weebly.com/ |
| Student National Medical Association | www.snma.org |