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REQUIREMENTS & ACADEMIC CRITERIA

Although academic credentials are important in the admissions process, high grades and a high score on the MCAT are not the only criteria for admission. Just as important are interpersonal skills, exposure to medicine, well-roundedness and qualities such as professionalism, empathy and leadership ability.

Academic Requirements

In order to understand modern biomedical information, you must have a solid foundation in the basic sciences. At a minimum, you should engage in the following coursework:

• Biology - Students ordinarily satisfy this requirement if they've taken a one-year biology course, including lab, that stresses molecular and quantitative concepts. Courses in taxonomy, botany and ecology will not satisfy this requirement.
• General/Inorganic and Organic Chemistry - Students normally meet this requirement if they’ve completed a one-year course in basic chemistry with lab and a one-year course in organic chemistry with lab.
• Basic Physics- Students generally satisfy this requirement if they’ve taken a one-year course in physics with lab.
• Writing skills- Students typically meet this requirement if they’ve taken one semester of an introductory course in expository writing. The committee will consider other courses that required extensive writing, however.
• Biochemistry- A course in biochemistry is required of all students applying to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Program. It is not required (although highly recommended) for those applying to the University Program and MSTP .
• Calculus - One year of college Calculus is required for students applying to the Medical Scientist Training Program.

If these pre-requisites were not fulfilled at an accredited, four-year, degree-granting American or Canadian college or university, you should be prepared to take at least 1 year of challenging, upper level sciences at one of these institutions prior to application.

If all science pre-requisites were taken at a community college we strongly recommend that you take at least of year of upper-level sciences from an accredited four-year degree granting university within the United States or Canada. If a few science pre-requisite courses were taken at a community college we will evaluate them on a case-by-case basis.

AP credits are acceptable for physics and general chemistry. They are not acceptable for organic chemistry or biology. If a student does have AP biology credits, they must complete two upper level biology courses to satisfy the premedical requirements.

General

Applicants for admission must complete a course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree at an accredited college or university prior to matriculation.

The MCAT

All applicants are required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

The September 11, 2010 MCAT testing date will be the latest exam date accepted (see the 2010 MCAT exam schedule ) for the 2010-2011 application year. We will not accept MCAT scores from the January 2011 MCAT for the 2010-2011 application year. See what other schools are accept January 2011 MCAT scores here. Review "MCAT Essentials" for more information and registration instructions.

The oldest MCAT year that will be accepted for the 2010-2011 application cycle is 2007.

Exploration of Medicine and Shadowing

It is imperative that you demonstrate on your application that you have carefully considered a career in medicine, make sure to thoughtfully describe your medically-related experiences and interactions with physicians. The AAMC provides a number of career exploration resources and advice for students.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are considered critical to the decision-making process. We require three to five letters of recommendation from individuals who know the candidate well and who are in a capacity to judge the applicant's performance objectively (no family members or friends of family). At least two letters should be from research or science advisors/professors. A letter from a research advisor is required for the College Program and recommended for the University Program if applicable. A premedical committee evaluation will be considered in lieu of the three to five required letters with the addition of a letter from a research advisor for the College Program. Confidential letters and a specific statement that a student is in good standing are preferred. Commentary on any institutional action taken is desirable, when applicable.

FOR 2010-2011 APPLICATION CYCLE
ALL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH AMCAS

There is no deadline for letters of recommendation, but keep in mind that your application will not be considered complete until ALL letters have been received by the AMCAS. Late submission will delay the review of your application!

Technical Standards

As outlined below in the School of Medicine's Specific Standards for student admission, each medical student must possess sufficient use of sensory faculties to acquire and assimilate relevant information, the capacity to learn, evaluate, and utilize information in a stable, predictable, and responsible way, and the other motor skills necessary to carry out responsibilities.  A disability does not preclude a student from admission or progression, and the Medical School makes reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.  However, each enrolled student is expected to demonstrate, without unreasonable dependence on technology or intermediaries, the skills, attributes, and qualities set forth in the specific standards for student admission.

In any case in which a medical student appears unable to meet the technical standards set forth in the specific standards for admission, the student’s entire folder and current functioning in all areas of technical skills assessment are formally reviewed by the Admissions Committee and/or the Committee on Students.  Additional information may be sought if deemed necessary by either Committee.

Specific Standards

In addition to documented academic ability and other relevant personal characteristics, the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine expects all applicants for admission to possess and be able to demonstrate the skills, attributes, and qualities set forth below, without unreasonable dependence on technology or intermediaries.

• Physical Health
  A medical student must possess the physical health and stamina needed to carry out the program of medical education.
• Intellectual Skills
  A medical student must have sufficient powers of intellect to acquire, assimilate, integrate, and apply information.  A medical student must have the intellectual ability to solve problems.  A medical student must possess the ability to comprehend three-dimensional and spatial relationships.
• Motor Skills
  A medical student must have sufficient use of motor skills to carry out all necessary procedures, both those involved in learning the fundamental sciences and those required in hospital and clinical environments.  This includes the ability to participate in relevant educational exercises and to extract information from written sources.
• Communication
  A medical student must have sufficient use of speech, hearing, and vision to communicate effectively with patients, teachers, and peers in both oral and written forms.
• Sensory Abilities
  A medical student must have sufficient use of the senses of vision, hearing, touch, and smell to observe effectively in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical setting.  Students must possess the ability to observe both close at hand and at a distance.
• Behavioral Qualities
  A medical student must possess emotional health sufficient to carry out the tasks above, must have good judgment, and must behave in a professional, reliable, mature, and responsible manner.  A medical student must be adaptable, possessing sufficient flexibility to function in new and stressful environments.  A medical student must have appropriate motivation, integrity, compassion, and a genuine interest in caring for others regardless of gender, sexual orientation, cultural and ethnic background, socio-economic status, religious affiliation and age.