Admission Requirements for Medical or Dental School
A student must have an outstanding undergraduate record to be competitive for admission to medical or dental school. Criteria used to evaluate applicants include:
academic achievement with emphasis on performance in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics
scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Dental Admission Test (DAT)
motivation to pursue a career in medicine or dentistry
clinical and/or research experience
participation in extra-curricular activities
letter of recommendation prepared by the applicant's undergraduate Pre-Med/Pre-Dent committee
interview with members of the medical or dental admissions committee
Although educational philosophies and specific undergraduate course requirements differ among the nation's medical and dental schools, these institutions recognize the value of a broad undergraduate education including a strong foundation in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics), well-developed communication skills, and a solid background in the humanities and social sciences.
Program Policy on Granting Committee Interviews and Providing Committee Letters and Letter Packets
The Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Committee reserves the right to decline a requested interview by any student whose Grade Point Average is less than 2.8 at the time of the request.
Following the Committee Interview, the Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Committee will upon request provide a letter of recommendation to medical/dental schools. Ordinarily this will be a Composite Letter, also known as a Committee Letter. This letter is a comprehensive evaluation including impressions from the interview. For a student whose MCAT score is less than 20 or whose DAT score is less than 16 at the time the letter is requested, a Letter Packet may be offered instead of the Composite Letter. A Letter Packet consists of all individual recommendation letters that have been submitted to the Committee, along with a brief cover letter.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
