Uab Medical School Acceptance Rate

Applicants must report at least 90 hours of course credit from an accredited college or university in the United States. Applicants are required to achieve at least a “C” in the following courses:

UAB Medical School – Insider Review

UAB Medical School is one of the best medical schools in the United States and one of the Alabama medical schools,ranking number 30 in the 2011 US World and News Report medical school rankings.

If you are interested in getting accepted to the University of Alabama Birmingham Medical School, there are a lot of things that you will

need to do to make you a competitive applicant. Probably the best resource to really understand the UAB medical school admissions process is my eBook, 10 Steps to Accepted. I draw from my experience on the UCLA admissions committee to tell you exactly what you need to do to get accepted to Birmingham medical school.

You can also check out my page on admissions to understand what UAB medical school is looking for.

Now back to information about UAB medical school!

Basic Information

• Name: The University of Alabama School of Medicine
• Location: Birmingham, AL
• Public or Private: Public
• School Website: Click here

Admissions

• Competitive. As with any of the Alabama medical schools, the University of Alabama at Birmingham medical school admissions are very competitive. There were 2,495 applications for the 176 available seats.
• AverageMCAT: 32 (24 minimum)
• Average GPA: 3.85 (science 3.82)
• Selection Factors. The selection factors for UAB medical school are very similar to those of other good medical schools and Alabama medical schools. They look for academic achievement, community service, and compassion, admong others. Also, as with other public schools, Alabama residents are given preference in admission. Also, the school is dedicated to meeting the needs of Alabama’s underserved population, which is a good goal for an Alabama medical school. Click here for a detailed explanation of criteria schools are looking for. Click on these links to find out how to make these characteristics stand out on your interviews and personal statement .
• Multiple programs available. As other good medical schools do, UAB Birmingham Medical School offers various combined degree programs for those interested. These include MD/MPH, MD/MS, and MD/PhD. There are also various programs for specific interests in medical practice, which will be described below.
• Accepts international students: No
• For full information from the admissions page, click here

Financial

• Tuition: UAB medical school is $21,873 for AL-residents/$59,783 for non-AL
• Loans : Federal loans are available as with other US medical schools. Click here to find out more about loans
  .
• Scholarships : As with other medical schools, there are not a lot of scholarships available, and those that are available are need-based. Click here to find out more about scholarships.
• Cost of Living: The cost of living is pretty cheap in Birmingham, which is a benefit of Alabama medical schools. You can expect to pay between $400 and $600 for a one bedroom apartment near UAB Birmingham medical
  school.

Insider Information

Summary

UAB Medical School offers great programs and earns its title as one of the best medical schools in America. What impresses me about UAB is its excellence in both research and rural health. They are leaders in both, making it one of the great Alabama medical schools. As with other public schools, being an Alabama resident will help you here. Also impressive to me is the ability to get into the rural health programs with an MCAT and GPA that would often keep you out of medical school, or at least be screened out by the computer (for more on that, check out my eBook ). So, UAB Birmingham medical school would absolutely be a great choice for your medical education. If you are an Alabama resident you should absolutely apply here. Even if you’re not, you should seriously consider this one of the Alabama medical schools!

Get Accepted to UAB Medical School

The medical school admissions process can be very difficult. Getting into your best medical school is not something that you should leave to chance! This site is designed to help you get into the school of your choice, maybe that’s UAB medical school! Check out my admissions page for understanding the admissions process. And, check out my eBook to understand exactly that it takes to be accepted!

Some students find it useful to employ a service to help them with getting into medical school. I offer editing services of your AMCAS and personal statement here. There are also many companies that will help you with this, but my recommendation is MedSchoolCoach .

MedSchoolCoach is run by doctors with experience on admissions committees. This makes a big difference as many companies are run by business people or others without this essential experience. They also have an excellent track record, placing 100% of students in an MD or DO program and 87% in an MD program for those who sign up for their gold package. They also offer help with personal statements , interviews and help on choosing which schools to apply to. They are the company I recommend.

I also like them because their prices are very affordable compared to other companies you could choose. Also, click here for current deals from MedSchoolCoach.

Medical Schools In Alabama: What You Need To Know

Alabama is home to several allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. For example, US News and World Report placed the University of Alabama—Birmingham 32nd in its Best Medical Schools: Research rankings list.

So, how do you get into a medical school in Alabama? To help you get started, we’ve provided a brief overview of each school before diving into course requirements, class profiles, tuition fees, and admission statistics.

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Attending Medical School in Alabama

Alabama is a varied state with large mountain ranges and major urban and rural centers. Prospective medical students in Alabama can practice in diverse clinical settings and explore different healthcare experiences.

Out of Alabama’s 67 counties, 62 are considered to have a primary care shortage. As such, every med school in Alabama is committed to producing quality doctors to meet the state’s healthcare needs, especially its underserved populations.

While every program adopts a similar goal, the curriculum, structure, and location vary. So, let’s explore the unique qualities of Alabama medical schools.

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List of All Medical Schools in Alabama

Alabama is home to two allopathic and two osteopathic medical schools. Here, we’ll explore where they are and what you need to get into these medical programs.

University of South Alabama College of Medicine (USA COM)

Located in Mobile, Alabama, USA COM has provided students with an excellent medical education since 1973. The school’s small student-to-faculty ratio and above-national-average medical student satisfaction levels speak to its excellence.

Mission Statement

USA COM’s mission statement reads: “As a diverse community focused on the science and practice of medicine for Alabama, the central Gulf Coast, and beyond: We educate, We discover, We serve.”

Tuition and Fees

First-year In-state students at USA COM pay $32,830 in tuition annually, while out-of-state students pay $64,764.

Admissions Requirements

• AMCAS application
• $75 application fee or a fee waiver
• Letters of recommendation
• Undergraduate coursework requirements
• MCAT scores
• Official Transcripts
• Secondary application
• Admissions interview

Tests, GPA, and Coursework Requirements

Incoming students must complete the following coursework requirements to be considered for admission at USA COM:

• General chemistry with lab (two semesters)
• General biology with lab (two semesters)
• Mathematics (calculus is recommended) (two semesters)
• Organic Chemistry with lab (two semesters)
• General Physics with lab (two semesters)
• Humanities (two semesters)
• English composition or literature (two semesters)

The school also recommends applicants take courses in:

• Biochemistry
• Psychology
• Computer Science
• Genetics
• Calculus

USA COM primarily focuses on educating current residents from the state of Alabama, although out-of-state students are welcome to apply.

Letters of Recommendation

Every applicant is asked to submit a letter packet of composite evaluation by their college’s pre-medical committee. If they can’t obtain this, or no committee exists, you must submit five letters of recommendation.

Three of these letters must be from faculty who have taught you, with at least one from a science faculty member. The remaining two letters can come from “people who have known and observed you on a personal basis.”

You are encouraged to request a recommendation letter from your employer if you’re employed, especially by a company in health care.

Interview

USA COM’s interviewers look for several qualities during your interview, including your:

• Interpersonal skills
• Compassion and empathy for others
• Values
• Intellectual curiosity
• Desire and commitment to a career of service aiding a multicultural society

USA COM’s interviews are conducted virtually via Zoom and last approximately 40 minutes. Here’s an example of how your interview day may be structured:

University of Alabama (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is home to one of the country’s largest academic hospitals: University Hospital. The University of Alabama medical school has four campuses in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, and Montgomery. Students spend their first two years in Birmingham and two years at one of the other three campuses.

Mission Statement

UAB Heersink is “dedicated to excellence in the education of physicians and scientists in all of the disciplines of medicine and biomedical investigation for careers in practice, teaching, and research. Central to this educational mission are the provision of outstanding medical care and services and the enhancement of new knowledge through clinical and basic biomedical research. We embrace the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment that values differing perspectives and experiences. This diversity is essential to fulfilling the enduring mission of our medical school.”

Tuition and Fees

In-state students pay approximately $34,662 in annual tuition, while out-of-state tuition is around $66,178.

Admissions Requirements

• AMCAS application
• $100 application fee or a fee waiver
• Letters of recommendation
• Undergraduate coursework and credit hours requirements
• GPA requirements
• MCAT scores
• AAMC Situational Judgment Test (optional)
• Official Transcripts
• Secondary application
• Admissions interview

Test, GPA, Coursework, and Credit Hours Requirements

Applicants must report at least 90 hours of course credit from an accredited college or university in the United States. Applicants are required to achieve at least a “C” in the following courses:

• General Biology with lab (eight semester hours)
• Biochemistry (three semester hours)
• General physics with lab (eight semester hours)
• Biostatistics/statistics or mathematics (three semester hours for biostatistics or six for math)
• English (six semester hours)
• Behavioral and social sciences (three semester hours)

UAB Heersink requires Alabama residents to achieve a 3.0 BCPM GPA to receive a secondary application invitation; out-of-state applicants must earn at least a 3.3 BCPM GPA.UAB typically invites all applicants with a score of 495 to complete a secondary application.

UAB Heersink also recommends you sit the AAMC Situational Judgment Test. The AAMC SJT exam is designed to go beyond your test scores and evaluate your personal and professional characteristics.

Letters of Recommendation

You can fulfill the school’s letters of recommendation requirements in three ways: committee letter, letter packet, or three individual letters.

If you submit three individual letters, you must obtain one from a faculty member and two from other faculty or individuals. Heersink recommends you ask at least one science faculty member to write a letter for you.

Secondary Application

If UAB Heersink is impressed by your AMCAS application and you meet GPA/MCAT score requirements, you’ll receive a secondary application. This application contains several essay questions you must answer. Want to learn more about Alabama med school secondaries? Check out our Med School Secondary Essay Database!

Interview

Heersink invites some applicants to complete a series of virtual interviews. You’ll complete a nine-station MMI and one traditional interview.

Class Profile

UAB Heersink’s acceptance rate is 5%. As such, its 186-strong class is full of high-achieving students. The average GPA and MCAT scores of Heersink’s admitted students are 3.78 and 509, respectively.

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM)

Located in Dothan, Alabama, ACOM is focused on producing DOs passionate about addressing Alabama’s primary care medical needs. It enrolled its first class in 2013.

Mission Statement

ACOM’s mission is to “provide quality, learner-centered osteopathic education, research, and service, while promoting graduate medical education, with emphasis on patient-centered, team-based primary care to serve the medically underserved areas of Alabama, the Tri-State area, and the nation.”

Tuition and Fees

All ACOM students pay an annual tuition rate of $57,658.

Admissions Requirements

• AACOMAS application
• Letters of recommendation
• Coursework requirements
• GPA requirements
• MCAT scores
• Official Transcripts
• Secondary application and supplemental $50 application fee or a fee waiver
• CASPer test scores
• Admissions interview

Coursework Requirements

Applicants must complete the following coursework before enrolling at ACOM:

• Biology with lab (eight semester hours)
• Inorganic Chemistry with labs (eight semester hours)
• Organic Chemistry with labs (eight semester hours)
• Physics with labs (eight semester hours)
• English Composition and/or Literature (six semester hours)

Letters of Recommendation

Prospective students must submit a recommendation letter from a DO, although an MD will do, and another pre-med advisor or committee letter. If you cannot provide an advisor or committee letter, you can submit two letters written by science faculty members instead.

Secondary Application and CASPer scores

If ACOM invites you to complete a secondary application, you must complete two short answer prompts and one essay question. You must also complete the online CASPer test.

Interview

The main goal of ACOM’s interview is to analyze a student’s interpersonal skills and motivation for the profession. It also allows you to learn more about ACOM and its faculty, program, and student life.

Class Profile

ACOM’s accepted 208 students achieved competitive GPAs and MCAT scores of 3.47 and 505, respectively. The acceptance rate is 4.25%.

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) – Auburn Campus

One of two DO schools in Alabama, VCOM is committed to addressing the state’s shortage of primary care physicians “with a focus on addressing the physician shortage in southern Appalachia and the Delta regions.”

The school is spread across four locations:

• Carolinas Campus (Spartanburg, SC)
• Auburn Campus (Auburn, AL)
• Louisiana Campus (Monroe, LA)
• Virginia Campus (Blacksburg, VA)

Mission Statement

Edward Via’s mission “is to prepare globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health.”

Tuition and Fees

The annual tuition fee for VCOM’s DO program is $49,800.

Admissions Requirements

• AACOMAS application
• Letters of recommendation
• Undergraduate coursework requirements
• GPA requirement
• MCAT scores
• Official Transcripts
• Secondary application and $50 processing fee or a fee waiver
• Interview

Test, GPA, and Coursework Requirements

Students applying to the DO program must achieve at least a “C,” although a “B” is preferable, in the following undergraduate classes:

• Biological Sciences: 4 credit hours
• Physics: 6 credit hours
• General and Inorganic Chemistry: 6 credit hours
• Organic Chemistry: 6 credit hours
• English and Composition: 6 credit hours

VCOM also asks you to complete at least six “additional biomedical science credit hours at the 200 level or above.” You can fulfill this requirement by taking classes in:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Virology
• Genetics

Candidates must achieve at least a 3.4 cumulative and science GPA to be considered for admission. The average score achieved by admitted students is between 500 to 506; the school typically doesn’t consider scores under 494.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation: one from a physician and another from a science faculty or pre-medical committee member. It’s recommended you obtain a rec letter from a DO, but an MD will be accepted if you can’t.

Interview

If you’re invited for an interview, you’ll complete three traditional in-person interviews with VCOM faculty or administration members.

Class Profile

The average GPA and MCAT scores of VCOM’s admitted students are 3.67 and 502, respectively.

Tips for Getting Accepted into Medical Schools in Alabama

We’ve provided several tips below to help you ace your application and get into medical colleges in Alabama.

Adapt Your Application to the Schools You’re Applying to

Research your preferred school’s selection criteria, mission statement, and values to uncover what they look for in an ideal applicant. For example, UAB Heersink values an applicant’s potential to meet the needs of “the state of Alabama, particularly those of underserved populations in the state.”

Your personal statement or secondary essays are the best places to align your application with a college’s vision. Use specific examples to show you’ve done your research.

Maintain a Competitive GPA

Every medical school in Alabama evaluates your GPA to see if you can handle the challenging workload. Christina Grabowski, Associate Dean for Admissions and Enrollment at the UAB School of Medicine, says med schools are particularly interested in your science GPA.

“Whether you’re a psychology major or a business major or a biology major,” she explains, “we are going to look at how you did in science coursework specifically.”

Med schools evaluate your science GPA because it provides the best indication of how you’ll handle the med school workload. Of course, getting into med school with a low GPA is possible. However, aim to achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher to ensure your application is competitive and increase your chances of getting accepted.

FAQs

We’ve outlined several tips below to help you understand more about Alabama’s medical schools and how you can get into one.

1. Does every medical school in Alabama require the CASPer?

No, ACOM is the only Alabama medical school that requires applicants to complete the CASPer.

2. Does every medical school in Alabama require the MCAT?

Yes, every medical school in Alabama requires applicants to submit MCAT scores.

3. Which med school in Alabama has the lowest tuition fees?

USA COM has the lowest tuition fees for in-state applicants, and VCOM has the lowest fees for out-of-state applicants. Here is a concise breakdown of the tuition fees for each medical school in Alabama:

4. What are the average GPAs of admitted students at Alabama’s medical schools?

The average GPAs of admitted students at medical schools in Alabama are:

5. Does every medical school in Alabama require the SJT?

No school in Alabama requires the SJT. However, UAB Heersink recommends its Rural, Early Medical School Acceptance Program Advanced Standing, Transfer, and Medical Scientist Training Program applicants sit the exam.

6. Do medical schools in Alabama have low acceptance rates?

Yes, as outlined above, the medical schools in Alabama are selective and have low acceptance rates.

7. What School Has the Best Medical Program in Alabama?

UAB Heersink is the best medical school in Alabama for research, although the best program for you is the one that best aligns with your needs and aspirations.

Final Thoughts

Each Alabama med school has a varied curriculum, structure, and setting. However, they’re bound by a similar mission; they seek to meet the healthcare needs of Alabama and its underserved populations.

If you apply to a medical school in Alabama, align your application with the school’s mission and values. This shows you’ve researched and selected the school because you’d be a great fit. Additionally, maintaining a high GPA makes you a more competitive candidate. Good luck with your application!