Selection Criteria - M.D. Program

Applicants must complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). A minimum MCAT score of 500 is required to be eligible for interview consideration and must be taken within 3 years of matriculation. Though multiple MCAT attempts are permitted, the highest composite MCAT score is factored into an applicant's overall competitiveness.

The average accepted MCAT is 511. Out-of-state applicants must meet the average academic threshold of the current accepted class which is a minimum MCAT of 511 and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.7. In addition to qualifying for the minimum academic metrics, out-of-state applicants must possess strong close ties to South Carolina to demonstrate connectivity to the state. Close Ties are described in the State Residency section below.

The last MCAT test date accepted for Early Decision is July 13, 2024. The last MCAT date accepted for Regular Decision is September 14, 2024. Please visit the MUSC COM Application Timeline webpage for insight into important application deadlines.

The MCAT must be taken within 3 years of matriculation. For Fall 2024 matriculation (2023-24 application cycle), MCAT scores completed prior to May 2021 will not be accepted. For Fall 2025 matriculation (2024-25 application cycle), MCAT scores prior to May 2022 will not be accepted for Fall 2025.

For MCAT information and resources, please visit the AAMC Applying to Medical School: Prepare for the MCAT Exam.

South Carolina residents must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 at the post-baccalaureate or graduate level. The average accepted undergraduate cumulative GPA is 3.7.

Out-of-State applicants must meet the average academic threshold of the current accepted class which consists of a minimum MCAT score of 511 and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.7. In addition to minimum academic metrics, out-of-state applicants must possess strong “Close Ties to South Carolina.” Please see the Residency section below for information surrounding “Close Ties to South Carolina.” Out-of-State applicants who do not possess strong “Close Ties to South Carolina,” will not be considered.

Applicants must have (1) A bachelor of science (B.S.) or bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution at the time of matriculation, or (2) be accepted, at the time of application, into a joint baccalaureate-MD program developed in cooperation with MUSC.

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits may be used to satisfy semester hour requirements as long as the courses appear on and are awarded credit hours on the official transcript from the undergraduate institution awarding a degree. Online courses from an accredited college or university may be acceptable. However, applicants who have successfully completed science coursework in a formal classroom setting will be deemed more competitive in the selection process than students who completed these courses in online programs.

While we prefer letter grades to better show preparation for medical school, we understand that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted instruction in 2020 and 2021. We will accept pass or satisfactory grades during semesters when courses were moved from in-person to virtual format due to the pandemic.

There are no prerequisite courses; however, to perform successfully in our curriculum, MUSC strongly recommends that the following courses be completed at the time of matriculation:

• 2 semesters General Biology with lab
• 2 semesters General Inorganic Chemistry with lab
• 1 to 2 semesters Organic Chemistry with lab
• 1 to 2 semesters Physics with lab

MUSC also suggests that coursework exposing students to the following disciplines may be useful:

• Biochemistry
• Anatomy
• Cell Biology
• Embryology
• Genetics
• Physiology
• Immunology
• Statistics
• College level Mathematics
• Courses involving intensive writing experiences

Online courses from an accredited college or university may be acceptable. However, applicants who have successfully completed science coursework in a formal classroom setting will be deemed more competitive in the selection process than students who completed these courses in online programs.

Transcripts must be submitted through AMCAS. The Office of Admissions does not directly accept or process transcripts.

A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation must be submitted on your behalf with a maximum of 5 letters permitted.

If your undergraduate institution prepares a Pre-Health or Pre-Medical Advisory Committee letter or packet, this will fulfill the minimum letter requirement.

Applicants without a premed committee packet or non-traditional applicants should include at least one letter from a faculty member (preferably a science faculty member) and at least two letters from other faculty or individuals who can provide in-depth evaluation and recommendation.

In addition to the required science faculty letters or committee packet, a variety of letters may be submitted on your behalf. These letters may include an undergraduate or graduate-level faculty members, professional mentors, supervisors/employers, physicians with whom you have worked or shadowed, etc. Letters of recommendation should provide personal insight to your character, professionalism, communication skills, work ethic, enthusiasm for medicine, etc.

Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the AMCAS Letters Service by using AMCAS Letter Writer Application, Interfolio, mail and/or VirtualEvals. Please ensure all letters are submitted to AMCAS through one or more of the above mediums. Only letters submitted through this service will be included in your application for review by our admissions committee. The Office of Admissions does not accept or process letters of recommendation outside of your AMCAS application.

The Admissions Committee conducts a holistic approach to our selection process. Balanced and equitable consideration is given to a variety of factors such as academic preparedness, experiences, and personal attributes essential for achieving success in medical school and as a future physician.

AAMC Anatomy of an Applicant

AAMC Core Competencies of an Entering Medical Students

Clinical shadowing and medically related experiences

Exposure to the field of medicine is an essential part of applicant preparedness and competitiveness. Shadowing is a great way to find out if a career in medicine is the right for you. It will give you a better understanding of what a doctor’s typical day is like, insight into interacting with patients and their families, and gain an understanding of what becoming a physician would mean to you. It’s also a great way to become familiar with different specialties and medical environments.

AAMC Shadowing a Doctor

Service and volunteer activities

Candidates must possess and demonstrate a desire to help others. Through a history of involvement with service-related activities demonstrating a sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings, a desire to alleviate others’ distress, and recognizing and acting on responsibilities to society—locally, nationally, and globally.

Leadership

Leadership comes in many forms. A candidate who has demonstrated leadership qualities is better equipped to work collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals as is required in the medical profession.

Personal attributes

MUSC values candidates who demonstrate critical thinking, compassion, emotional intelligence, motivation, oral communication and social skills, and principles. These qualities are evaluated within the AMCAS application and the interview process.

An applicant may apply for admission to the Medical University of South Carolina a maximum of three times. Exceptions may be granted under exceptional circumstances by the Associate Dean of Admissions only when a previous applicant demonstrates substantial change in their qualifications.

MUSC College of Medicine is a public, state-funded institution; therefore, primary consideration is given to in-state applicants. Out-of-state applicants must meet the average academic threshold of the current accepted class which consists of a minimum MCAT of 511 and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.7. In addition to qualifying for the minimum academic metrics, out-of-state applicants must possess strong close ties to South Carolina to demonstrate connectivity to the state. Close Ties are defined as:

• Having lived in South Carolina for multiple years.
• Parents who currently live full-time in South Carolina.
• Completed an undergraduate and/or graduate degree from a South Carolina institution.
• Currently living in and/or working in South Carolina.

Out-of-state applicants will provide their Close Ties to South Carolina within the AMCAS: Applicant Gateway questions. For detailed information on residency requirements, please visit the MUSC Office of Enrollment Management SC Residency page. Residency-specific questions should be directed to the MUSC University Residency Officer, at oesadmis@musc.edu.

MUSC College of Medicine Office of Admissions is required to verify the legal residency status of all applicants.

International applicants must have a permanent resident visa in order to apply to the regular MD program.

Applicants who have studied or completed degrees at international institutions, please refer to the AMCAS guidelines Applying to Medical School as an International Applicant.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applicants holding DACA status may apply to the MD program and be considered for admission to the College of Medicine under the same policies and procedures as other applicants.

At this time, the Medical Scientist Training Program (combined MD/PhD degree program) is unable to accept international applicants. Please contact the MSTP Program Coordinator, DJ Lester, for questions related to the MSTP program.

Please visit the M.D. Admissions Policy Summary webpage for more information.

The ability to communicate effectively in English, including the ability to read, write, and speak the language fluently is vital to your success as a medical student at MUSC. Applicants are therefore expected to demonstrate proficiency in English.

Final acceptance and matriculation into the College of Medicine is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to satisfy the College of Medicine’s Technical Standards for Admission, Retention, and Graduation with or without accommodations.

The College of Medicine does not accept students with advance standing. The College of Medicine accepts transfer students only under rare circumstances specified in the Transfer Admissions Policy for the MD Degree Program, which is linked here for potential applicants for transfer, their advisors, and for public information.