Academic Requirements
Undergraduate Education
Students applying for admission to the USF College of Medicine MD Program must complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree at an accredited US university or college by the time of matriculation. In addition, all prerequisites must be completed from a United States accredited institution by the time of matriculation into the College of Medicine. Applicants who are currently pursuing graduate level work toward a Ph.D. degree or other professional degree are obligated to complete all degree requirements prior to matriculation into the MD Program.
Basic Science Requirements
The minimum basic admission requirements include introductory courses and laboratories in the following:
2 Semesters / 3 Quarters in each subject
English
Biological Science including laboratory
General Chemistry including laboratory
Organic Chemistry including laboratory
Mathematics
Physics including laboratory
College courses recommended, but not required, include physical chemistry or biological chemistry, biochemistry, embryology, cell biology comparative anatomy, genetics, histology, microbiology and statistics. Course work in communication arts, humanities, and natural sciences is encouraged. No specific requirement is set in the area of mathematics since, at most colleges; some mathematics are a prerequisite to physics and chemistry. College level work in calculus is strongly recommended. Additionally, familiarity with the principles of statistics and their application to the analysis of data are important assets for any medical student. Consideration should be given by the student to participation in honors courses, independent study, and scientific research. These activities present opportunities for unstructured learning experiences.
Electives
The remainder of the college work should be distributed throughout the humanities and the social and behavioral sciences. The student should select subjects that tend to broaden the educational experience.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities and employment both during the undergraduate academic year and the summers are important contributions to an individual's development. Experience in medical and paramedical areas often contributes to an understanding of health care delivery systems and helps to solidify the student's motivation to study medicine. Volunteering and community service provide insight to the humanistic nature of an applicant.
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
The MCAT is required for admission and must be taken within three years PRIOR to entry to the MD Program. MCAT scores older than three years will not be considered for admission to the USF MD Program. We strongly encourage taking the MCAT exam in the spring or early summer so that your application will be completed and in the applicant pool for the start of the interview season. The interview season at USF generally begins in September.
The final MCAT test that is accepted is those taken in September with results transmitted to your AMCAS application in October.