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Requirements for Admission
Students admitted to the College of Medicine commit
themselves to a lifelong process of self-education. They
should be prepared for a challenging medical curriculum
and the demands of a rapidly changing health care environment.
The development of scholarly motivation, independence,
and creativity is vital to professional medical competence.
Gaining an understanding of people, their societies, and
their history is considered an invaluable asset for the
practice of medicine. Consequently, a liberal education
in humanities and the arts, as well as in the sciences,
at a superior level of performance, provides the best
pre-professional preparation. The applicant should have
demonstrated competence and concentrated study in a discipline
or field of special interest. Laboratory exercises are
important in all sciences, library skills are essential,
and students are expected to have basic computer skills.
 Biology: One
year of college biology plus laboratory is required.
The importance of genetics and genomics is rapidly
increasing in biomedical science and familiarity with
evolution, ecology, and natural history is very helpful.
Chemistry: Two years of college chemistry
(organic and inorganic) with laboratory is required.
The principles of physical chemistry are particularly
helpful.
Humanities: One-half year (or one semester)
of humanities is required. Courses recommended are
in disciplines such as philosophy, history, literature,
language, anthropology, ethics, and theology. Studies
in these areas deepen the student's understanding of
the basis for human values and offer the opportunity
to develop an appreciation of other cultures and ethnic
groups. This background is vital to the health care
providers.
Physics: One year of college physics with
laboratory is required. Physics provides an important
basis for understanding quantitative medical science.
Students should have exposure to nuclear sciences,
electromagnetic radiation, and radiobiology.
Mathematics: One year of college mathematics
is required. Biomedical science emphasizes the quantitative
approach. Students should have a background in calculus,
basic statistical methods, and probability.
 Behavioral
Science: One semester of college study in the
behavioral sciences is required. Understanding the
range of variation of behavior as a biologic phenomenon
is essential in the practice of medicine. Courses
recommended are in disciplines such as psychology,
sociology, cultural anthropology, and ecology.
English: Although there is no formal course
requirement for English, students are expected to have
a strong background in writing, oral communication,
and critical reading skills.
Applicants for admission to the College of Medicine
are required to have completed three years of undergraduate
study at an accredited college of university, and must
have completed a baccalaureate degree by the time of
matriculation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to
complete required science courses before applying.
All academic prerequisites must be completed before
matriculation.
Applicants may have fulfilled many of the prerequisite
requirements listed above by way of Advanced Placement
courses. Penn State College of Medicine recognizes
advanced placement credits only if they appear as earned
credit on an applicant’s college transcript.
However, it is also true that the most competitive
applicants also will have fulfilled advanced course
work in those same areas on the collegiate level during
their baccalaureate years.
Selection Factors
Applicants must present a record of strong undergraduate performance and
outstanding personal qualities. The Admissions Committee seeks to identify
individuals from diverse backgrounds who have a strong potential for leadership
and service in wide areas of patient care, research, medical education, administration,
and service.
 All
completed applications are reviewed by the Admissions
Committee and a decision is reached after a thorough
evaluation of many factors including academic record,
the Medical College Admissions Test, extracurricular
activities, commitment to service, life experiences,
letters of recommendation, and the personal interview.
International Applicants
International applicants must complete all academic requirements for admissions
listed above in an accredited United States or Canadian College or university.
If accepted to the College of Medicine, international applicants must verify
the ability to finance their medical education. Foreign nationals are not eligible
for financial support from the federal government or the Pennsylvania State
University. Please refer to the Financial
Aid Section for the verification procedure for the College of Medicine.
Medical College Admissions Test
Completion of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required for
application to the College of Medicine. Applicants are encouraged to take the
examination during the spring of the application year. Exam dates offered during the summer
can be used but will delay consideration of the application. The College of Medicine will not accept MCAT test
scores earlier than three calendar years previous to the year of matriculation, nor those taken during the year of matriculation (January dates). Information about the examination
can be obtained from college pre-health advisors or the MCAT Program:
MCAT
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037-1127
Phone: (202) 828-0690
Email: mcat@aamc.org
Website: www.aamc.org/students/mcat
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