Pre-medicine is not a degree-granting major, but rather a track for students who plan to attend medical school after their undergraduate studies. Pre-medical students take a prescribed sequence of courses that prepare them for medical school, which is a four-year professional program that awards the medical doctorate, or M.D. Pre-medical students can major in any field as long as they complete prerequisite courses for medical school and have completed the Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT. Pre-medical students work with a pre-medical advisor who helps with course sequencing and academic preparation for medical school.
UI undergraduates must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the end of their third semester to maintain their premedical designation. The mean cumulative GPA for the entering 2021 class at the UI College of Medicine was 3.80 and the mean science GPA was 3.75. Applicants with GPAs well below the averages are unlikely to be accepted to medical school. Admissions committees are able to choose from a large applicant pool of extremely talented students. Therefore, we encourage UI premedical students to aim for a GPA at or above the mean. Undergraduate applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA for all college work undertaken to apply to the UI College of Medicine. Other medical schools have a minimum GPA to apply. Check their websites for details.
Required courses for admission to the UI College of Medicine (Adapted from UI CCOM website):
- Chemistry: Two years of chemistry to include general and organic both with lab
- Biological Sciences: Two semesters of biology with the appropriate laboratories
- Biochemistry: at least one semester
- English: Two courses (to include composition and literature)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities: four courses
- Physics: A complete introductory sequence of 1 year, including lab and instruction
- Mathematics: An advanced college mathematics course or a statistics course
Recommended courses:
- Starting with the 2022 application cycle, applicants to Carver College of Medicine are strongly encouraged to complete a course on race/racism in the United States. Other recommended courses include behavioral psychology, sociology, foreign language, and other non-science, writing-intensive courses.
Other medical schools may have different requirements. Consult the MSAR available from The Association of American Medical Colleges.
- UI College of Medicine Admissions Requirements: http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/
- Association of American Medical Colleges: https://www.aamc.org/
- Association of Osteopathic Medical Colleges: https://www.aacom.org/
- Explore Health Careers: https://explorehealthcareers.org/
- Bureau of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, physicians: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
- AMCAS: https://students-residents.aamc.org/
- All prerequisite courses must be completed by time of matriculation. The application deadline for the UI College of Medicine is November 1st and accepted students begin in August the following year. All applications for the UI College of Medicine are completed through AMCAS, the online application portal.
- All applicants must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Information on registering for the MCAT and reporting scores to schools can be found here:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/ - Applicants must provide at least three letters of reference submitted through AMCAS.
- Competitive applicants will be invited for a personal interview.
- All applicants must submit consent for a criminal background check.
- Read How to Apply to Medical School
- Read How to Apply to Osteopathic Medical School
- The admissions profile for matriculated students to the UI College of Medicine in 2022:
152 enrolled from 74 different colleges (Iowa-39; ISU-10; UNI-2)
70% of the MD class is made up of residents of the State of Iowa.
Age Range: 20-37
Mean GPA: Cumulative 3.79, Science 3.74
Mean MCAT Scores:- CARS 127
- PSBB 129
- CPBS 129
- BBFL 129
- The UI College of Medicine takes a holistic approach when evaluating candidates. The competitive candidate will have:
- Medical shadowing, ideally with multiple physicians in multiple settings
- Demonstrated success in academics, particularly in science
- Multiple semesters of rigorous coursework with multiple science courses
- Strong letters of reference from a science faculty, research mentors, or volunteer coordinator. Reference requirements vary at other medical schools.
- Commitment to serving others. Students can demonstrate this in many ways such as volunteering with human service organizations, medical facilities and student organizations.
- Leadership experience
- Remember, it’s not about what “looks good” but rather, doing what sparks an interest in medicine. Medical schools seek engaged, intellectually well-rounded students who are naturally curious, adept at science, invested in helping others, and open to working with diverse groups of people.
- Some things to consider when considering medical school:
- Am I committed to serving others?
- Do I have a strong interest in science?
- Do I enjoy working with people?
- Do I enjoy working with others in a team-setting and problem-solving?
- Have I shadowed a doctor? Am I interested in the work that doctors do?
- Am I committed to the time, money and effort involved in a medical education?
- Do I have empathy? Can I see myself working with people who may be in pain or afraid?
- Do I have a parallel plan outside of medical school?
- How to get started
- Meet with your pre-medical advisor
- Shadow physicians in multiple specialties. Ask questions and document what you learn.
- Research volunteer opportunities.
- Check out AAMC’s student pre-medical website: https://students-residents.aamc.org/
- Thinking about a post baccalaureate program?