2 answers
hammad
Student
Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2
Questions
Asked
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can i get admission into a medical school in America after i studied arts in my matric and than FA
i want to become a doctor and want to get admission into a medical school in America. Unfortunately i have been an arts student. Will i be able to get admission into a #medical college? Is there any other procedure to get admission? Will it be possible?
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2 answers
Desiree Giler Mann
Attorney
166
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Desiree’s Answer
There is a lot of available guidance for this on-line. For instance, the process is summarized here: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/article/applying-medical-school/ (you can also find specific admission requirements by US university on this site). The short answer is that you cannot go from secondary school/high school directly to medical school in the US, first you need an undergraduate science degree (usually, 4 years).
Note that US medical schools typically require (1) an undergraduate science degree with a very strong Grade Point Average (GPA), and (2) sufficient score (often in the 85 percentile or greater) on the admission exam -- the Medical College Admission Test or "MCAT", The MCAT tests knowledge of Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills. Without taking a serious science course load with labs as an undergraduate, it is difficult to perform well on the MCAT. Some medical schools require additional course work in calculus, statistics, genetics and/or physics, as well. Students planning to attended medical school have to be mindful of the courses their top choice medicals schools require, so that they can plan their undergraduate study accordingly.
You should research this for yourself on-line, but the US really focuses on the undergraduate degree - for example, a Bachelor of Science in Biology or Chemistry, not your matric/secondary school/high school work. In the US, you could major in Biology or Chemistry at university regardless of your high school work (although it might be more challenging with no prior science background and you'd have to work extra hard). Also, be mindful that US medical schools may have strict requirements for the accreditation of overseas universities, so double check that before you enroll if you wish to have any foreign classes/undergraduate degree count towards US medical school admission.
At the end, I'd say it's possible if you are willing and able to take on a science major as an undergraduate (Bachelor of Science in Biology or Chemistry) at an properly accredited university and can excel on the MCAT. Good luck!
Research on-line U.S. medical school admission requirements
Research on-line the the Medical College Admission Test or "MCAT"
Plan to get an undergraduate science degree (Bachelor of Science in Biology or Chemistry), as per your chosen medical schools' requirements
Confirm the accreditions of your proposed undergraduate university will meet the requirements for US medical school admisson
Note that US medical schools typically require (1) an undergraduate science degree with a very strong Grade Point Average (GPA), and (2) sufficient score (often in the 85 percentile or greater) on the admission exam -- the Medical College Admission Test or "MCAT", The MCAT tests knowledge of Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills. Without taking a serious science course load with labs as an undergraduate, it is difficult to perform well on the MCAT. Some medical schools require additional course work in calculus, statistics, genetics and/or physics, as well. Students planning to attended medical school have to be mindful of the courses their top choice medicals schools require, so that they can plan their undergraduate study accordingly.
You should research this for yourself on-line, but the US really focuses on the undergraduate degree - for example, a Bachelor of Science in Biology or Chemistry, not your matric/secondary school/high school work. In the US, you could major in Biology or Chemistry at university regardless of your high school work (although it might be more challenging with no prior science background and you'd have to work extra hard). Also, be mindful that US medical schools may have strict requirements for the accreditation of overseas universities, so double check that before you enroll if you wish to have any foreign classes/undergraduate degree count towards US medical school admission.
At the end, I'd say it's possible if you are willing and able to take on a science major as an undergraduate (Bachelor of Science in Biology or Chemistry) at an properly accredited university and can excel on the MCAT. Good luck!
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
Jessica Furey
Physician- Primary Care
5
Answers
Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hello! Medical schools in the US are glad to see you major in anything you are interested in, as long as you have a 4 year degree. Medical schools actually LIKE to see that you're well-rounded and have an interest and/or strength in a topic other than science/medicine. An English Literature or Writing degree, for example, indicates you are likely a good communicator, which is an important quality in a physician. You do have to take the prerequisite courses so that you are prepared to take the MCAT, but this doesn't have to be all you study. I think an admissions board at most medical schools would love to see that you've taken your science classes AND have an art degree! This makes you an interesting person. It's true that you have to make sure you follow all of the guidelines for admissions for students from outside the US, but as far as an undergrad degree goes, the sky is the limit! Good luck!