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. New Requirement 7/2008
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.
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).
The September 13, 2008 MCAT testing date will be the latest exam date accepted (see the 2008 MCAT exam schedule ) for the 2008-2009 application year. We will not accept MCAT scores from the January 2009 MCAT for the 2008-2009 application year. Review "MCAT Essentials" for more information and registration instructions. See what other schools are accepting September 2008 MCAT scores.
The oldest MCAT year that will be accepted for the 2008-2009 application cycle will be 2005.
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 you thoughtfully describe your medically-related experiences and interactions with physicians. The AAMC provides a number of resources and advice for students that aid in career exploration.
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.
It is acceptable to have your letters sent before your Secondary Application is received, but make sure your recommenders include both your full name and AMCAS ID number. Utilizing an applicant's complete identification may significantly expedite the attachment of letters to your application. Another method of accelerating the attachment of letters to your application is to utilize an electronic transmitting service such as VirtualEvals or Interfolio. Check with your advisor or career center to see if either of these services is available to you.
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 Admissions Committee. This will delay the review of your application! Hard copy letters of recommendation may be sent to:
Case Western Reserve University
School of Medicine
Office of Admissions, T-308
10900 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106-4920
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