Medical School (Allopathic Medicine) (pdf - 83.7 KB)
Physicians Occupational Outlook
Also see a sample 4-year plan.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Organization has the most comprehensive and up-to-date information about applying to medical school. Please bookmark their website and refer to it for the best information.
About Being a Doctor
Physicians diagnose and care for people of all ages who are ill or have been injured. They are life-long learners, good listeners, and problem solvers, and are intrigued by the ways medicine can be used to improve life. Doctors are interested in science, the intricacies of human body’s systems, and care deeply about helping people to relieve pain, restore health, and promote well-being.
Our Winthrop Biology student experience
What are some daily activities/experiences of physicians?
What are 3-5 personal characteristics important for happiness and success in the medical profession?
What are 3-5 key questions students should ask themselves as they prepare for a career in medicine?
While intellectual capacity is important to success as a physician, so too are other attributes—those that have the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with patients, work collaboratively with other team members, act ethically and compassionately, and in many other ways master the “art” of medicine. An AAMC publication entitled Learning Objectives for Medical Student Education: Guidelines for Medical Schools (AAMC Medical School Objectives Project (MSOP) describes the personal attributes required of a physician. While making note of the fact that graduating medical students must be knowledgeable about medicine and skillful in its application, the publication also emphasizes how vital it is for future doctors to:
Preparing for Admission
Prerequisite Coursework - Some schools require applicants to complete a certain list of premedical course requirements while others have moved to a competency-based admissions. At a minimum, students will likely complete the following types of courses:
You need to research specific requirements for the schools that you plan to apply to. Each school's specific prerequisites are detailed on their individual websites or collectively in the Medical School Admission Requirement website. A one-year subscription is required to access this information and may be purchased from AAMC Publications.
In addition to challenging coursework, applicants should look for opportunities to demonstrate a range of competencies. To gain experience, applicants should consider volunteering at a local hospital or clinic to gain practical experience in the health professions. A well-rounded sampling of extra-curricular activities or work experiences, both related and unrelated to medicine, will help broaden an applicant's knowledge and development. Chapter 7 of the Official Guide to Medical School Admissions, “The Admissions Decision,” describes the evaluation process in to further detail.
Post-baccalaureate programs begin after an undergraduate degree and are designed to support the transition to professional school. Please refer to AAMC page for further information.
The Admissions Cycle
AMCAS for most MD and MD/PhD programs
MCAT information
The Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess the examinee’s problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine. Administrations of the new MCAT exam began on April 17, 2015. The updated exam reflects the changes in medicine and science and tests examinees not only on what they know but how well they use what they know.
The AAMC offers free resources for both students and advisors. These include an interactive content outline of the new exam, a course mapping tool, a sociology/psychology “road map” to help identify courses that match to the content on the new exam, and instructional materials recommended for teaching prehealth competencies.
The AAMC has many resources to help you understand what is on the MCAT exam. Including:
MCAT preparation courses
There are many commercially based MCAT review courses that can help you prepare.
While specific prerequisites may vary slightly between medical schools, most U.S. allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) programs have a set of common course requirements designed to prepare students for the rigors of medical education and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Additional Notes
INTRODUCTION
Medical Doctors (M.D.) diagnose and care for people of all ages who are ill or have been injured. They are life-long learners, good listeners, and problem solvers, and are intrigued by the ways medicine can be used to improve life. Doctors are interested in science, the intricacies of human body’s systems, and care deeply about helping people to relieve pain, restore health, and promote wellness. While intellectual capacity is important to success as a physician, so too are other attributes—those that have the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with patients, work collaboratively with other team members, act ethically and compassionately, and in many other ways master the “art” of medicine.
There are three M.D. granting institutions in South Carolina: The University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, The University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Greenville, and The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston.
Pre-Medical students at Winthrop select a major in one of the academic departments. Because of the large number of undergraduate biology and chemistry courses required or recommended by medical schools, biology is a popular major for Pre-Med students. For the best chance of graduating from Winthrop in four years and moving directly on to medical school, students should maintain an overall grade-point-average at or above 3.6 and a science GPA at or above 3.7 (out of 4.0), and take a sequence of courses designed to prepare them to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during the summer following their junior year. Students should be aware that such a path is extremely challenging and it is becoming more common for students to take a growth year between graduating and beginning medical school. This allows an additional year to complete the recommended coursework prior to taking the MCAT and initiating the application process. To strengthen their application and be better prepared for medical school, students should also seek out opportunities to gain clinical experience, participate in undergraduate research, perform community service, and develop their leadership abilities.
COURSEWORK
In consultation with a Pre-Med advisor, students should plan their schedules to complete as many of the courses listed below as possible prior to taking the MCAT and applying to medical school. This list is based on the concepts and content currently covered on the MCAT and the courses most commonly listed as prerequisites at medical schools. Students should carefully examine the preferences and requirements of all medical schools they plan to apply to and register for classes accordingly.
Biology:
Chemistry*:
*Note that this sequence (with either Biochemistry option) may satisfy the requirements for a minor in Chemistry
**While the Biochemistry I and II sequence will provide more breadth and depth of coverage, the CHEM 520 option leaves more room for upper level BIOL electives, research, and/or an internship in the schedule (8 credit sequence vs. 3 credit course).
Physics:
Math (two of the following):
Social Science:
The courses above represent only the subset that we strongly recommend taking prior to the MCAT. The biology department offers many additional courses that will help prepare you for medical school. We encourage you to examine our course offerings and consult with a Pre-Med advisor to select the best combination of courses for you. You might also want to structure your coursework to allow you take advantage of the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree with one year of additional coursework if you choose to take a growth year or in the event that you are not admitted in your first application cycle.
THE MCAT
The MCAT is the standardized entrance exam required by medical schools. For most students, it represents the most challenging component of the medical school application process. The “New MCAT” (adopted in 2015) is broken into four separately scored sections that are added to give a total score ranging from 472 to 528. A total score of 500 is intended to represent the 50th percentile. Students should familiarize themselves with the structure of the exam and the scores needed to be competitive at the schools they are applying to. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website has excellent information and statistics about the MCAT as well as resources to assist you in preparing for and applying to medical school. A Pre-Med advisor can also provide information/statistics on competitive MCAT scores and GPAs at different medical schools.
While the courses listed above cover much of the content on the MCAT, none of them are specifically to prepare you for the MCAT. Thus, students should plan to spend an extensive amount of additional time preparing for the MCAT. There are several online resources available for free as well as books and other study materials available for purchase as well as online and classroom courses you can take. We highly recommend that you invest as much time and effort into your MCAT preparation as possible. Speak to one of the Pre-Med advisors about developing the best plan for you.
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL
The admissions process for medical school is highly competitive. Winthrop offers several opportunities for you to gain experience and skills that will help prepare you for medical school and distinguish yourself as an applicant. You should speak to an advisor about identifying opportunities at Winthrop and in the community. Opportunities available within the Biology Department include:
According to the AAMC data for accepted applicants:
To be ready for medical school, understanding the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is essential, as it plays a major role in admissions decisions. Here’s what you need to know to be well-prepared:
1. Purpose of the MCAT
The MCAT assesses skills and knowledge that are considered important for success in medical school. It tests:
2. MCAT
The test is approximately 7.5 hours long and includes four sections:
3. Scoring
4. Preparation Timeline
5. When to Take the MCAT
6. Registration and Cost
7. Retaking the MCAT
8. Role in Admissions
MCAT scores are one of several key components, along with:
A high MCAT can help offset a lower GPA, and vice versa.
Medical School Acceptance Rates Based on MCAT and GPA (PDF - 222KB)
MCAT Scores and Percentiles (PDF - 313KB)
9. Best resources
Clinical experience is a critical part of preparing for medical school and is often one of the first things admissions committees look for in applicants. It shows that you’ve had direct exposure to the medical field, understand the realities of patient care, and have confirmed your interest in becoming a physician.
What Counts as Clinical Experience?
Clinical experience involves direct interaction with patients or being in a healthcare setting where you observe or assist in patient care. It can be paid or volunteer-based.
Examples:
Qualities of Strong Clinical Experience
What Admissions Committees Want to See
How Much is Enough?
There’s no fixed number, but a strong applicant typically has 100–300 hours of clinical experience. More important than the hours is how intentional and reflective the experience was.
Tips for Getting Clinical Experience
Community service and volunteering are key parts of a strong pre-medical school application. They show that you're compassionate, socially aware, committed to service, and that you're developing the interpersonal skills necessary to become a great physician.
What Makes a Good Community Service Opportunity?
Popular & Impactful Community Service Opportunities
Tips for Making the Most of Your Service
Letters of recommendation (LORs) are a critical component of the medical school application process. They help admissions committees assess your academic capabilities, personal qualities, work ethic, and potential to succeed as a future physician, from the perspective of professionals who know you well.
Most medical schools require 3–5 letters, and they generally prefer a mix of academic and professional references.
Strong letters are:
Timeline for Requesting Letters
How to Request a Letter
How Letters Are Submitted
Most medical schools use centralized application services:
Tips for Students
A strong personal statement for medical school is a crucial part of the application; it gives admissions committees insight into who you are, why you want to become a physician, and what makes you a compelling candidate beyond grades and test scores.
Structure of a Strong Medical School Personal Statement
Key Qualities to Demonstrate: Your skills should be illustrated by your experiences. Do not say how good you are at teamwork or how empathetic you are. You need to demonstrate. Empathy and compassion, Resilience and maturity, Teamwork and leadership, Intellectual curiosity and commitment to learning, Cultural competence and awareness of healthcare disparities
Tips for Writing
Medical school application fees can add up quickly, especially if you're applying to multiple schools. Here's a breakdown of the major costs involved in the medical school application process (in the U.S.):
Breakdown of Medical School Application Fees (2025 Cycle)
Total Estimated Cost (Conservative Range)
Fee Assistance Program (FAP) – AAMC
If you qualify based on income, the AAMC Fee Assistance Program can help by covering: Free MCAT registration, Free MSAR subscription (Medical School Admission Requirements), Waived AMCAS fees for up to 20 schools, Reduced fees for some secondary applications (varies by school). Learn more about FAP here.
Medical schools look for far more than just strong grades and MCAT scores. They seek well-rounded, mature, and service-oriented individuals who are ready for the rigors and responsibilities of the medical profession.
Winthrop offers several opportunities for you to gain experience and skills that will help prepare you for dental school and distinguish yourself as an applicant. You should speak to an advisor about identifying opportunities at Winthrop and in the community. Opportunities available within the Biology Department include:
The following come from the AAMC Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students, which most medical schools use to evaluate applicants:
Key Skills Medical Schools Look For
Valued Experiences for Applicants
Bonus: Holistic Traits Gained from Life Experiences
Medical schools also appreciate: First-generation college students, overcoming personal adversity. unique cultural, linguistic, or international experiences, career changers with previous professional experience, medically related certificates, artistic, athletic, or creative pursuits that build discipline and perspective.
Below is a current list (as of 2025) of all MD and DO medical schools in North Carolina and South Carolina, organized by state and degree type.
Medical Schools in North Carolina
MD (Doctor of Medicine) Programs
DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) Programs
Medical Schools in South Carolina
MD Programs
DO Program