College of Medicine

The practice of medicine requires a sound science background, and most medical schools have the same standard list of premedical requirements. Medical schools recruit, and the medical profession needs, individuals from diverse educational backgrounds who bring to the profession a variety of talents and interests. Medical schools review personal qualities, academic qualifications, communication skills, and motivation when considering candidates for selection.

Students considering medicine as a profession should consider carefully their undergraduate major area of study. Students should select a major area of study that is of interest and that will provide a foundation of knowledge necessary for the pursuit of several career alternatives. Students who select a major area of study solely, or primarily, because of the perception that it will enhance the chance of acceptance to medical school are not making a decision in their best interest. A science major is not a prerequisite for medical school, and students should not major in science simply because they believe this will increase their chances for acceptance. The most common majors for matriculating students include biology, biochemistry, psychology, exercise science, and business, and various other nonscience majors.

The AAMC describes the medical profession as demanding in terms of the time, energy, and responsibility for other people's lives, and states that the commitment to continuing service and education is essential. The practice of medicine requires physical, emotional, and intellectual stamina; the desire to work with and for people; and, particularly, the ability to use critical thinking to solve problems. The undergraduate years should be a time for students to discover if they possess these characteristics.

Undergraduate students who are thinking about medical school are encouraged to visit or contact the College of Medicine Pre-health Professions Advising Office, 1115 West Call Street, (850) 644-7678; or e-mail the school at medinformation@med.fsu.edu.

Doctor of Medicine

The FSU College of Medicine trains students in allopathic medicine, which includes the diagnosis, management, and treatment of disease. The College confers upon its graduates the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Upon completion of the four-year Doctor of Medicine educational program, these physicians pursue graduate medical education (internship, residency, and sometimes fellowships), which is necessary for eventual licensure. Training in residency programs may take from three to nine additional years after completion of medical school.

To be considered for graduation from the FSU College of Medicine, a student must be judged by the Student Evaluation and Promotion Committee to be in good standing, must successfully complete all required courses and clerkships, must have a grade point average of 2.5 or greater, must successfully complete the end-of-third-year OSCE (Observed Structural Clinic Examination), must complete all required surveys and evaluations, and must have a passing score on the United Stated Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1, 2CK, and 2CS. Further information may be found in the Graduate Bulletin and in the College of Medicine Student Handbook at http://www.med.fsu.edu/pdf/StudentHandbook.pdf.

Honors Medical Scholars Program

The FSU College of Medicine, along with the FSU Honors Office, has established a BS/MD Program that is open annually to qualified students. The program allows eligible FSU honors students to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree of their choice while also participating in the Medical Scholars Program, which includes a seminar, mentorship program, and required pre-medical courses and experiences. Students participating in the program may be eligible for early admission to the FSU College of Medicine upon completion of pre-med requirements, making it possible to graduate with Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees in seven years. Applications and program details are available from the FSU Honors Office at (850)644-1841.

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences Program is designed to prepare the next generation of health scientists for medical research and teaching in an era of increasing coordination and integration of traditional disciplines. Undergraduate majors in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, or other life sciences are suitable for graduate studies in biomedical sciences. Research rotations during the first year allow students to make an informed choice of the research area and major professor with whom they will conduct their Doctor of Philosophy work. A core curriculum of the fundamentals, a wide array of electives from other departments, and intellectual interaction with faculty and post doctoral fellows all encourage graduate students to mature into independent scientists.

To be considered for graduation from the FSU College of Medicine with the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences, the student must successfully complete all course requirements within five calendar years from the time the student gains admittance to candidacy by passing the preliminary exam. Other requirements for graduation include attending the Health Science Seminar Series; teaching at least two semesters; successfully completing the preliminary doctoral examination; submitting a doctoral research proposal approved by the major professor and the supervisory committee after admission to doctoral candidacy; registering for a minimum of twenty-four semester hours of dissertation credit; and submitting, publicly presenting, and successfully defending a dissertation.

Additional details are available at http://www.med.fsu.edu/biomed/phd/default.asp. For additional information or inquires please contact us by calling (850) 645-6420.

Admission to the MD Program

All inquiries regarding admission should be sent to College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4300; or email at medadmissions@med.fsu.edu.

To apply to the College of Medicine at Florida State University (FSUCOM), an applicant should apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and should have taken the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). To receive the FSUCOM formal secondary application, an applicant should be a US citizen, should meet academic standards predictive of success in medical school (academic grade point average and MCAT score), and should have completed the required prerequisite courses. A listing of prerequisite courses may be obtained by contacting the Pre-health Professions Advising Office in the College of Medicine or on the College of Medicine Web site at http://www.med.fsu.edu. An applicant's MCAT score should be dated no more than three years prior to the beginning of the year of the application cycle. A bachelor's degree is required by the time of matriculation to medical school. If an applicant currently is enrolled in a degree program, the program must be completed and transcripts provided to the College of Medicine Admissions Office prior to the beginning of classes in June.

Admission to the PhD in Biomedical Sciences Program

To apply for the PhD in Biomedical Sciences Program, students should contact the College of Medicine's Office of Research and Graduate Programs at (850) 645-6420 or check the program's Web site (http://www.med.fsu.edu/biomed.phd/default.asp). Admissions requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences Program are as follows: a prospective candidate must: (1) have or be a candidate for a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and be in good standing at the last institution attended; (2) have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale); and (3) have a minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 1000 or above on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). A GRE Subject test is strongly recommended and may include biochemistry and cell biology, general biology, chemistry, or physics. Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not received a degree from an English language institution are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), receiving a minimum score of 600 for the paper test or 233 for the computer based test (CBT). Special admission consideration may be requested based on disability.

Applicants may send the required material to the University Admission Office at https://admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp/.

The Florida State University College of Medicine provides academic advising and counseling to students interested in pursuing careers in the health professions. Currently, over 1,300 students are enrolled in this advising program. Many of the students who seek advising in the advising office are pre-medical students. However, the program is open to all pre-health students including pre-dentistry, pre-veterinary, pre-pharmacy, pre-physician assistant, and pre-optometry. Full-time pre-health professions advisers meet regularly with these students throughout their college years, assisting with career goals, course scheduling, long-term academic planning, and professional school admission procedures.

In addition to one-on-one advising, the advising office also sponsors programs of special interest to pre-health students. Programs include panel discussions with admissions representatives from various medical and professional schools and workshops on succeeding in the application process and on interviewing strategies. The Pre-Health Professions Advising Office also sponsors a number of student organizations (refer to 'Organizations and Societies' below).

Florida State University has a competitive acceptance rate to medical and professional schools nationwide, and many of our graduates have been recognized for their outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of medicine.

To register with the College of Medicine Pre-Health Professions Advising Office, call (850) 644-7678 or visit Suite 2140 at the College of Medicine to set up an appointment with a health professions adviser.

Alpha Epsilon Delta is the Pre-Health Professional honor society. The society welcomes members who are planning careers in medicine, podiatry, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, pharmacy, but with an emphasis on the medical field. To become a national member, students must be in the second semester of their sophomore year and have an overall and a science GPA of at least 3.2. Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to participate in activities of the society. The Florida-Beta chapter at Florida State University was founded in 1946 and is one of the oldest chapters in the Southeast. The society invites speakers who represent the health professions, plans trips to area professional schools, and participates in community service.

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) provides information, support, and leadership for future physicians in training. This organization stresses a strong commitment to service and is open to all FSU students.

The American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) supports women in medicine on the community, national, and international levels by increasing the awareness of health concerns that are exclusive to women.

The International Medical Outreach (IMO) unites the efforts of a small group of pre-med students and medical staff in an international service learning experience that provides first-hand medical care in less advanced countries.

The Multicultural Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) works to enhance the recruitment of culturally diverse students into health care fields and to assist members in becoming more successful candidates for professional health and medical programs.

The Pre-Dental Society is an organization established to further educate those students who plan to enter dental school. The organization strives to advance the education of members by providing an information network in directing their pre-dental education. Members may access information about course work, dental schools, test preparation, and the application process. Guest professionals from the local dental community in Tallahassee are invited to speak at meetings. Membership is available through the Pre-Health Professions Advising Office.

The Pre-Veterinary Society is an organization that provides an environment where students can expand their interests in veterinary medicine. Members build a strong support group to share information about course work, the application process, and volunteer opportunities in the Tallahassee area. A focus is on assisting the community with animal-related issues. Membership information is available through the Pre-Health Professions Advising Office.

The Pre-Physician Assistant Club is an organization for students interested in a career as a physician assistant. Monthly meetings are held at the College of Medicine. The meetings include guest speakers from the community as well as presentations from physician assistant programs.

The Pre-Pharmacy Informational Leadership and Learning Society (PILLS) is a student organization for those interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy.