Allopathic Medicine
| DESCRIPTION | Physicians are licensed to perform medical examinations, diagnose illnesses, treat people suffering from disease or injury and advise patients on how to maintain good health. They may be general practitioners or specialists and may combine medical practice with research and/or teach in medical schools. |
| DEGREE | M.D. |
| PROGRAM LENGTH | 4 years, plus training (1-7 years) in area of specialization. |
| PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS' ORGANIZATION | AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) Allopathic Medical Schools U.S. and Canadian Medical School Admissions Offices |
| APPLICATION SERVICE | AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) AMCAS Medical School Application Deadlines AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) |
| ACADEMIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS | 1 year each: Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Math (through calculus), Physics, English. Links to prerequisites for each U.S. allopathic medical school are found at the bottom of the Choosing Your Courses page. |
| ADMISSION EXAM | MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) |
| PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES & EXPERIENCES | Integrity, responsibility, leadership, social maturity, purpose, motivation, initiative, curiosity, common sense, perseverance and breadth of interests; humanitarian concern; understanding of profession developed through experiences in health care settings, especially clinical, talking to health professions, reading the literature, exposure to undergraduate research. |
| RECOMMENDATION LETTERS | Health Professions Committee letter (usually confidential) sent with additional individual letters of support. |