When reviewing an applicant's academic profile, the Admissions Committee looks at the most recent eligible MCAT and science and non-science GPA. They also consider such factors as courses taken, GPA trends, course loads, extracurricular activities, and other aspects of the academic experience.
We suggest applicants seek assistance from their health careers advisor on their campus before applying. Even if an applicant has been out of school for a while, we still advise them to seek assistance from a college level health careers advisor. The Office of Admissions will not advise applicants as to the appropriate college courses that should be taken nor will they review transcripts prior to application.
All applicants must meet the following requirements:
A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university is required prior to matriculation to medical school. No particular major is preferred, but a broad educational background is encouraged.
The following are the minimum acceptable college-level courses that must be successfully completed prior to matriculation to medical school:
Biology - One academic year of general biology to include one genetics course. Laboratories are recommended.
Chemistry - One course each of general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. Laboratories are recommended. (Since undergraduate curricula vary from school to school, in fulfilling this requirement it is implied that the required prerequisite sequences in general and organic chemistry will have been completed in order to take the biochemistry course.)
Physics - One academic year of general physics. Laboratories are recommended.
Mathematics - One mathematics course (not including statistics). A course in statistics is strongly recommended.
Humanities, Social Sciences and English - Two academic years of humanities and/or social sciences to include one course in English composition (or equivalent writing emphasis).
(Note: One academic year is equivalent to two semesters or three academic quarters.)
An eligible MCAT. An eligible MCAT is one that is taken from one to three years prior to the year in which the applicant seeks matriculation to medical school. For the 2007 entering class, eligible MCAT scores are those recorded in 2004, 2005 or 2006. All decisions are based on an applicant's most recent eligible MCAT.
United States citizenship or resident alien status with a current green card indicating they are a permanent resident of the United States. (Resident aliens are encouraged to have at least one year of full-time course work at a college or university in the United States.)
Both the minimum academic and MCAT qualifiers set for that entering class. For the 2006 entering class, the minimum qualifiers are a cumulative total GPA of 2.8 and a cumulative score of 24 on the most recent eligible MCAT. Minimum qualifiers are subject to change from one admissions cycle to the next.
All applicants must apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). AMCAS offers a web-based process which receives applications to OHSU from June 1 through October 15. To access the application, visit the AAMC website at www.aamc.org and click on the AMCAS link.
After the Admissions Office receives your application packet from AMCAS, the admissions staff will review/screen your application and send a secondary application if appropriate.
Letters of recommendation from three college or university faculty from any department also are required. (It is recommended that at least one of these three letters be from a science department faculty member.) An applicant who is attending or has attended an institution that provides a premedical committee evaluation report may submit this committee report in lieu of the three separate recommendations. Applicants who have been out of college for five years or more may submit two letters from employers and one academic faculty letter. Additional recommendations, academic and nonacademic, may be submitted if an applicant so desires.
Academic and Selection Factors
The following is a listing of the estimated averages for the entering class:
Average overall GPA of 3.63
Average science GPA of 3.57
Average MCAT scores of:
10.2 in Verbal Reasoning
10.0 in Physical, Sciences
10.7 in Biological Sciences
P in Writing Sample
Candidates for admission are considered comparatively on the basis of:
Assessment of motivation, ability to communicate, problem-solving ability and maturity
Review of overall scholastic record
Review of MCAT scores
Review of letters of recommendation
Understanding and appreciation of health care issues and/ or biomedical research
Interest in rural health, underserved areas and primary care
With respect to the M.D./Ph.D. Combined Degree Program, commitment to and potential for biomedical research
Applicants are selected for admission regardless of race, gender, age, religion, national origin, color, marital status or disabilities. The School of Medicine gives preference to the following applicants:
Residents of Oregon.
WICHE-Certified applicants from Montana and Wyoming.
Those applying to the M.D./Ph.D. and M.D./M.PH. Combined Degree Programs.
Applicants with superior achievements, such as academics, related experiences, etc.
All applicants must have citizenship or resident alien status with a greencard indicating they are a permanent resident of the United States. Resident aliens are encouraged to have at least one year of full-time college work at a university or college in the United States. Resident aliens are more competitive if they can speak English fluently.
ATTENTION: Summary of Key Considerations in Determining Classification as a Resident:
1. Establishment of a domicile in Oregon for a period of 12 months or more prior to the beginning of the term for which residency is sought.
2. Financial dependence on an Oregon resident or financial independence.
3. Primary purpose for being in Oregon other than to obtain an education.
4. Nature and source of financial resources.
5.Various other indicia of residency, e.g., ownership of Oregon living quarters, permanent Oregon employment, payment of Oregon income taxes.
For complete information on residency rules refer to the Residence Classification Policy and Procedures located at http://www.ohsu.edu/registrar. Click on Residency Policy located under the Registrar Information section.
The tuition and fee schedule and residency information listed above are provided for information purposes only. The Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, or program reserves the right to make changes in fees, tuition and other costs which range from minimal to substantial without advance notice. This document should not be construed in any way as forming the basis of a contract.
Because the M.D. degree signifies that the holder is a physician prepared for entry into the practice of medicine within postgraduate training programs, it follows that candidates for graduation must have the knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgement to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. Therefore, the following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the School of Medicine. Students/Applicants who may have questions regarding these technical standards are encouraged to contact the Education & Student Affairs Office.
Candidates must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences.
Candidates must have sufficient use of the sensory, vision, hearing, motor, and the somatic sensation necessary to perform a physical examination. Candidates must be able to perform activities such as palpation, auscultation, percussion, the administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the movements, equilibrium and functional use of the sense of touch and vision.
Candidates must be able to learn to respond with precise, quick and appropriate action in emergency situations.
Candidates must be able to communicate with accuracy, clarity, efficiency, and sensitivity.
Candidates must have the skills to be able to analyze and synthesize information, solve problems, and reach diagnostic and therapeutic judgements.
Candidates must be able to acknowledge evaluation and respond appropriately.
Candidates must possess the interpersonal skills to develop rapport and positive relationships with patients.
Candidates are expected to possess the perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the medical school curriculum. Candidates, therefore, must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads, to function effectively under stress, to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients.
