Medical School Preparation

Courses

Each medical school has its own prerequisite course guide available on its website.  Please open this printable Course Requirements for Michigan Medical Schools for a handy summary of courses required by the 7 medical schools in the state of Michigan.

Additional recommended courses, experiences, scores, and grades

Central Michigan University College of Medicine 

Other recommended courses:  Inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, behavioral sciencs (psychology, sociology, anthropology), medical humanities, physics, communications, ethics, biostatistics
Also:  200 hours combined experience in health, community service, research, and leadership positions.  Must include clinical and voluntary community services.
Competitive GPA: 3.6 science, 3.7 overall
Competitive MCAT: 29

MSU College of Human Medicine

Requires two upper level biological science courses, typically withing the following areas:  Highly recommended - anatomy, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, or physiology.  Also recommended - embryology, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience.
Competitive GPA: 3.58 science, 3.67 overall
Competitive MCAT: 30

MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine

Strongly encouraged: An additional 4 to 6 courses in senior level biological sciences such as anatomy, physiology, histology, microbiology, immunology, and neurobiology.   Ideally, at least 4 of these classes completed prior to submitting application.
Also: Service to community, military service, paid employment, sports, overseas study and travel, leadership
Competitive GPA: 3.6 science, 3.7 overall
Competitive MCAT: 28

Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Other recommended courses: 1 semester biochemistry, 2 semesters social/behavioral sciences (sociology, pshychology, anthropology). 
Also: Humanities, English/writing
Competitive GPA: 3.54 science, 3.65 overall
Competitive MCAT: 31

University of Michigan Medical School

Suggested electives: Comparative health care systems, epidemiology, gender and health, genetics and cell biology, health policy, health services research and evaluation, human physiology, introduction to the American health care system, medical anthropology, medical ethics, medical economics or finance, medical history, medical sociology, psychology and sociology of aging, statistics.  In general, the study of fewer subjects, but in more depth, is recommended.
Competitive GPA: 3.83 science, 3.85 overall
Competitive MCAT: 36

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Other recommended courses: Biochemistry, genetics, physiology, comparative anatomy, cell or molecular biology
Notes regarding prerequisites: AP courses are accepted, but AP basic science courses should be augmented with higher level college courses; online courses are not accepted; community college courses are accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Competitive GPA: 3.78 science, 3.81 overall
Competitive MCAT: 31

Western Michigan University School of Medicine

Strongly recommended: Biochemistry, genetics, psychology/behavioral science, social science
Additional recommendations: Anatomy, physiolgy, microbiology, statistics or biostatistics, communication, research design/methodolgy & data analysis, critical thinking & logic, ethical theory & values
Competitive GPA: Minimum 3.25 overall will be considered
Competitive MCAT: Minimum 24 will be considered

Professional attributes

Every medical school looks for candidates who demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills, commitment to service, compassion, cultural competence, social skills, effective written and oral communication skills, capacity for leadership and collaborative teamwork, a value system centered on ethical behavior and responsibility, intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and a commitment to lifelong learning.  Students who take initiative to seek experiences and service opportunities and to form meaningful connections with professors and mentors in academia and the work world will have stronger applications.

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