"Navigating Medical School Admission: Is Direct Entry from High School Possible?"

Many parents aspire to send their children to medical school in the U.S. Recently, through the analysis of questions from parents in both Korea and the U.S., let's explore the methods of gaining admission to medical school in the U.S.

Case 1

My child has an excellent GPA in a prestigious public high school near Chicago Land. My child aspires to become a doctor in the U.S. How should we prepare for medical school?

Case 2

My child attends a prestigious boarding school in the U.S. So far, they have received straight A's in all high school subjects and scored a perfect 36 on the last ACT exam. My child wants to enroll in Harvard Medical School. Would you take on the consulting for our child?

Case 3

My child is taking U.S. preparatory classes at a specialized high school in Korea. Both GPA and SAT scores are excellent. My child wishes to attend medical school in the U.S. Please provide consulting.

The above three cases represent the most common questions received from Korean parents of Korean students and parents residing in Korea. Parents in the U.S. also often ask similar questions to Case 1 or 2. To answer these questions, let's first examine the medical school system in the U.S.

U.S. Medical School System

It consists of Medical School/College for postgraduate medical education and Guaranteed Medical Programs such as BS/MD or BA/MD.

1. Medical School (Graduate Level)

The most commonly discussed type of medical school in the United States is the medical school at the graduate level. In other words, most medical schools in the U.S. are not part of undergraduate programs but are graduate-level institutions. This structure is similar to the current system in Korean medical graduate schools.

Students typically pursue a different undergraduate major, such as biology, chemistry, psychology, etc., and take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during their undergraduate studies. After completing their undergraduate degree, they apply to medical graduate schools based on their GPA, MCAT scores, extracurricular activities, and other relevant criteria.

To prepare for the MCAT exam, students often take courses in biology and chemistry during their undergraduate studies. Therefore, students aiming for medical graduate school usually major in biology, chemistry, or other related fields, or pursue a diverse range of majors such as English or literature. Many aspiring medical students participate in programs known as "Medical Track," where they take biology and chemistry courses in preparation for the MCAT exam.

In the U.S., there are approximately 20,000 students entering medical graduate school each year, and the acceptance rate for most U.S. medical schools is less than 2%.

2. Guaranteed Medical Program (BS/MD or BA/MD)

Some universities in the U.S. offer programs at the undergraduate level that guarantee admission to medical graduate school. These programs are commonly known as BS/MD or BA/MD programs. They ensure a seamless progression from earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at the undergraduate level to pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in medical graduate school.

Students in BS/MD programs can choose various majors during their undergraduate studies, including biology and chemistry. They also take foundational undergraduate courses that provide a solid background for medical studies. However, the intensive medical curriculum typically begins at the graduate level.

These programs are offered by very few universities in the U.S., usually fewer than 50, and they admit a minimal number of students, often fewer than 10. Therefore, the acceptance rate for BS/MD programs is significantly lower than the admission rates of top-tier universities.

For instance, in Illinois, the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC), is the only university that selects students for the BS/MD program. Northwestern University, which used to admit BS/MD students, has announced that they no longer enroll students in this program.

The competition for BS/MD programs is extremely fierce. For example, UIC in Illinois selects only around 35-45 students through the BS/MD program, and given the thousands of applicants, the acceptance rate is almost close to 0%. Achieving admission to a BS/MD program is often more challenging than getting into top-tier universities.

However, once accepted into a BS/MD program, students experience less pressure to gain admission to medical graduate school after completing their undergraduate studies. Additionally, many of these programs provide financial support, making them attractive to high-achieving students. To increase their chances of acceptance, students should demonstrate a strong academic record, excel in ACT/SAT exams, and participate in extracurricular activities related to medicine during high school. Despite the extremely low acceptance rates and limited program availability, it is challenging to focus solely on applying to BS/MD programs due to their scarcity.

3. Pre-Medical Program

Some universities in the U.S. offer a Pre-Medical Program as an undergraduate major, similar to Korea's pre-medical track. While most universities do not have a dedicated pre-medical program, students aspiring to attend medical graduate school often follow a pre-medical track to qualify for the MCAT exam. However, certain universities do confer degrees for Pre-Medical Programs at the undergraduate level.

These programs assist students in acquiring the necessary qualifications for medical graduate school and include courses that are beneficial for preparing for the MCAT exam. However, it's important to note that most Pre-Medical Programs do not guarantee admission to medical graduate school.

Immigration Status

In both of the previously discussed cases, especially for students coming from Korea to study in the U.S. or for students attending specialized high schools in Korea, one crucial aspect I inquire about is the student's immigration status.

Most U.S. medical graduate schools do not admit students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. According to statistics from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), out of approximately 20,000 new medical graduate school entrants each year, only about 200 are international students without U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

Additionally, less than 50 out of around 150 medical graduate schools in the U.S. admit international students without citizenship or permanent residency. Realistically, studying with the goal of attending U.S. medical graduate school without U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is highly improbable and considered nearly impossible.

Conclusion

The U.S. medical school system differs from other countries' in that there is no undergraduate medical education. Instead, students pursue diverse majors at the undergraduate level, take the medical school entrance exam during their undergraduate studies, and then proceed to medical graduate school upon graduation. Therefore, students aspiring to become doctors should prioritize undergraduate studies for university admission and later prepare for medical graduate school after entering university.

For students aiming for BS/MD programs, excelling in academics and SAT/ACT scores is crucial. Additionally, participating in medical-related extracurricular activities like doctor shadowing is essential. However, due to acceptance rates being close to 0%, students should also consider the possibility of entering medical graduate school through other regular undergraduate majors.

Jay’s EDU Northbrook & eLearning 224.213.7620 www.jaysedu.com