Medical physicians or medical doctors (MDs), also known as those who practice allopathic medicine, are health professionals who diagnose illness, prescribe and administer treatment, and advise patients on disease prevention and medication.
MD programs require four years of medical education followed by residency training of three to eight years depending on the specialty area. Pre-medical students typically obtain a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree while completing the requirements for admission to medical school.
Medical schools do not require or prefer a particular undergraduate major.
How do I apply to medical school?
Students apply to medical school through a centralized application system called the
American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Similar to the common application for undergraduate programs, students can apply to any of the medical programs through a single application on the AMCAS. The AMCAS opens early May.
As of 2016, the AMCAS application cost: $160.00 for one school + $38.00 for each additional school.What are the prerequisites for medical school?
| General Biology with lab |
1 year |
General Chemistry with lab |
1 year |
| Organic Chemistry with lab |
1 year |
| Physics with lab |
1 year |
| Biochemistry |
1-2 quarters |
| Statistics |
1 quarter |
| Psychology |
1 quarter |
| Sociology |
1 quarter
|
It is important for students to check each school's requirements carefully as some schools will require courses not listed above. For more information about a specific program, please contact the school directly.
Sample Timeline - Traditional 4 Year
Students should meet with their academic advisor and the pre-health
advisor each quarter to make sure they are taking the correct courses
for their major/professional interest.
Below is a sample timeline for a health sciences major. Please be aware if you are pursuing a traditional four year bachelor's degree, medical schools do not require or prefer a specific major. The below sample
should not be used to replace meeting with an academic advisor.
Sample Timeline - Accelerated 3+ with RFUMS
Accelerated 3+ medicine program with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is only available to Pathways Honors students with a declared health sciences major. ![]()
Students should meet with their health sciences academic advisor and the pre-health
advisor each quarter to make sure they are taking the correct courses
for their major/professional interest.
Below is a sample timeline for a health sciences major, and it should not be used to replace meeting with an academic advisor.
Volunteering and Shadowing Opportunities
The Pre-Health Program has a shadowing opportunity during Winter and Summer Break at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. For more information please setup an appointment with the pre-health advisor by calling 773-325-8490 or scheduling an appointment online through
BlueStar. Into what medical programs have DePaul students been recently admitted?
Boston University
Commonwealth University
Case Western University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Indiana University
Loyola University Chicago
Marshall University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Rush University
St. Louis University
University of California - San Francisco
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Iowa
University of Louisville
University of Minnesota
University of Pittsburg
University of Rochester
University of Wisconsin
What is considered a competitive GPA and entrance exam score for medical school?
National Average Cumulative GPA: 3.8
National Average Science GPA: 3.7
MCAT 2015 Scoring
- The total score of the MCAT 2015 will be between 472-528. Students should attempt to be in the 70% percentile to be considered competitive.
- Each section will be scored between 118-132.
Old MCAT National Average Scores:
- Biological Science: 9.8
- Physical Science: 10.5
- Verbal Reasoning: 10.9
- Total: 32
It is important for students to check each school's requirements carefully as some schools will require information not listed above. For more information about a specific program, please contact the school directly.