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2013-2014 REQUIREMENTS & ACADEMIC CRITERIA (Coming Soon!!)

Although strong academic credentials are important in the admissions process, equally as important are interpersonal skills, exposure to medicine, well-roundedness and qualities such as professionalism, empathy and leadership ability.

General

Applicants for admission must complete a course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree at an accredited US or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation. If you have received your undergraduate degree outside the US, then you must complete at least 1 year of advanced science-based course work at an accredited US institution prior to application.

Academic Pre-Requisite Requirements

In preparation for the changes that the 2015 MCAT will bring, we have modified our pre-requisite requirements. Given the variability in the way undergraduate institutions are modifying their curricular structure for the 2015 MCAT, we have made our pre-requisites requirements and recommendations more flexible. Please closely review the charts below for each track. (COMING SOON!!)

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.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CREDIT

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.

The MCAT

All applicants are required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Review "MCAT Essentials" for more information and registration instructions.

The September 11, 2012 MCAT testing date will be the latest exam date accepted (see the 2012 MCAT exam schedule) for the 2012-2013 application year. We will not accept MCAT scores from the January 2013 MCAT for the 2012-2013 application year.

The oldest MCAT year that will be accepted for the 2012-2013 application cycle is 2009.

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. Letters of recommendation should come 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). 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.

Letters of Recommendation Requirements For All Tracks:

• 3-5 Letters of Recommendations. At least two should be from science advisors/professors.

OR

• 1 Pre-Medical Committee evaluation letter will be accepted in lieu of the 3-5 individual letters if your institution offers this service.

An additional evaluation letter from a research advisor is required for the College Track and Medical Scientist Training Program and recommended for the University Track, if applicable.

ALL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH AMCAS

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! More infomation can be found HERE.

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.