Pre-Medicine

Visit us on the web at georgiasouthern.edu/prehealth. Familiarize yourself with the Georgia Southern University Pre-Health Professional Review Board requirements.

Make it official. Add your Pre-Professional Program by filling out the Office of Pre-Professional Advisement Interest Form on our home page. This step will ensure that you receive up-to-date information from Medical Professions Advising staff regarding events, programming, and advising.

Study + Excel. A competitive GPA is essential when considering a career in the health field. You must have a minimum of a 3.0 to remain in the Pre-Medicine Program at Georgia Southern University. Talk with your academic advisor, professors, and the Academic Success Center for help with study skills through various workshops and tutoring.

Resume + Interviews. Create and/or improve your resume at the Office of Career and Professional Development. You can also gain confidence and develop your interview skills with a mock interview.

Job Shadow. We recommend that you gain experience by shadowing with physicians in a variety of settings, including general practice and specialties. Document your experiences in a physical or digital format, and obtain at least one letter of reference from a physician you have shadowed.

Volunteer + Lead. We recommend that you participate in volunteer activities that benefit others. Contact the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement for more information about volunteering with local weekly trips, Alternative Break Trips, and more. We also recommend that you participate in leadership seminars, workshops, retreats and LEAD courses. Get involved and join a student club or organization, such as Phi Delta Epsilon (co-ed academic medical fraternity).

Connect + Explore. Get to know your professors and local health care professionals. These individuals are valuable resources for research experience, volunteering, shadowing and letters of recommendation. Consider Study Abroad programs through the Office of International Programs and Services. Attend information sessions, workshops, field trips, and other events for pre-medical students offered by the Office of Medical Professions Advising.

Research. Talk with your professors and peers who are involved with undergraduate research and consider opportunities within the College of Science and Mathematics.

Prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This test requires substantial amounts of preparation and study time, so it is never too early to begin. Typically, students prepare to take the MCAT in the spring of their junior year, so it is important that necessary coursework be completed by this time.

When a student meets the requirements of the articulation agreement (partnership), the student is guaranteed an interview with the school. Georgia Southern University currently holds an articulation agreement with the following program, with multiple additional partnerships in development.

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS)

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS) is an accredited medical school located on the lush Caribbean island of St. Kitts. Students earn their MD through UMHS’ rigorous education, which includes four semesters of basic science in St. Kitts, and six semesters of pre-clinical and clinical science at affiliated teaching hospitals across the US (including Georgia). UMHS prides itself on its small class sizes, affordable tuition, and excellent student retention rate (96%). A testament to UMHS’ quality as a medical school are its consistently high USMLE Step 1 test scores and its track record of excellent residency placements in the US. Additionally, UMHS is the first offshore medical school to achieve approval by the Georgia Composite Medical Board, allowing its students the opportunity to complete all clinical rotations, residency and licensure in the state of Georgia.

As a result of UMHS’ articulation agreement with Georgia Southern University, seats at UMHS are now reserved for qualified Georgia Southern University applicants. The $75 application fee is waived for students who take advantage of the articulation agreement.

Please contact the Medical Professions Advising Office for assistance with the UMHS application process and/or scheduling your interview.

Helpful UMHS links: University of Medicine and Health Sciences website
Alumni Profiles
Attend a Webinar
Contact Admissions: admissions@umhs-sk.net or 866-686-0380

Degree: MD and DO.There are two kinds of practicing physicians in the United States, allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO). Both physicians can choose any specialty, perform surgeries, prescribe drugs and are licensed to practice medicine anywhere in the United States. Osteopathic physicians have additional training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment or Medicine (OMT or OMM) that involves hands-on treatment. DO training also emphasizes integration of the entire body’s systems.

Pre-Medicine students may also elect to apply to a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) program. Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the lower extremities, feet and ankle and perform related surgery. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required for all medical and podiatric schools.

Entrance Exam: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) introduced a substantially revised MCAT in 2015. The revised exam necessitates additional preparatory coursework. Our current recommendations are that students incorporate the following courses into their curricula at some point before taking the exam:

• A course in Biochemistry – BCHM 3200 (3) or BCHM 5201 (4)
• A course in Statistics – STAT 2231 (3)
• An introductory course in Psychology – PSYC 1101 (3)
• An introductory course in Sociology – SOCI 1101 (3)

Students are strongly encouraged to discuss course selections leading up to the MCAT with the Pre-Health Advisor. Additionally, the AAMC has provided a brief overview of the new MCAT2015 score scale for students to help understand the new score scale. For more information about the new MCAT2015 score scale, please visit www.aamc.org/mcat2015.

Medical Programs in US: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR)

There are five medical schools in Georgia. Specific admissions requirements are available on each medical school’s website:

Emory University School of Medicine
Mercer University School of Medicine
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Morehouse School of Medicine
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine