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First Professional
Degree
Medical school usually lasts four years and students graduate
with the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. Study combines
classroom experience with observation and clinical work. Admission
requirements include an undergraduate degree, preferably from
a U.S.-accredited institution. Degrees in almost any discipline
are acceptable as long as the student's course load includes
the required minimum number of prerequisite courses in the
biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics, behavioral and
social sciences, and humanities. Additional requirements include
an excellent undergraduate academic record; fluency in English;
extracurricular activities such as work experience and volunteer
commitments; and a satisfactory score on the Medical College
Admission Test (MCAT), a standardized entrance examination
administered around the world on computer. More information
on the MCAT can be found by contacting the Association of
American Medical Colleges (AAMC) at http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm
or the American College Testing Program, MCAT Program Office,
P.O. Box 4056, Iowa City, IA 52243, USA; Telephone: 319-337-1356;
Fax: 319-337-1122 Some state-supported
schools will consider only U.S. citizens and permanent residents
for admission or require at least two years of undergraduate studies in the United States prior to enrollment.
Students interested in studying toward an M.D. degree should
carefully consider the level of difficulty of entrance requirements,
length of time involved (four years of undergraduate study
plus another four years of medical school), and recognition
of a U.S. medical degree and licensing qualifications in their
home country to determine if medical study is appropriate
for them. The Association of American Medical Colleges (Web
site at http://www.aamc.org)
publishes an annual guide to medical schools that includes
useful information and statistics on admission requirements.
Your U.S. educational information or advising center may have
this resource and other reference material to help you get
information on particular schools and evaluate your qualifications.
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