Getting into medical school requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice on the part of the student applying. Getting into the medical school you want, is daunting, to say the least. Accordingly, I would like to share the path I have chosen and a few paths open to you if you want to attend medical school.

I am an integrated life sciences major along with a little over 70 other students here at Kent State. This major is different in that it is specifically designed with acceptance to medical school guaranteed. In other words, I am already accepted to the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED, formerly NEOUCOM), as long as I meet certain requirements. My undergraduate coursework (average 124 credit hours) is accelerated so I am able to graduate in two years (or three if I so choose). I then proceed on to the medical school for a traditional four year medical education. At the end of these 6 to 7 years, I will graduate as a Medical Doctor and accordingly the program is termed the B.S./M.D. program.

Unfortunately, if this program interests you, only graduating high school seniors can apply, but there is still hope if you too desire to acquire your M.D. at Neomed.

NEOMED is unique in that it is one of the only stand-alone medical universities that is not part of a larger university or hospital system. Rather, it is affiliated with local hospitals and fills the majority of its seats through its BS/MD program at Kent State, Akron, and Youngstown State Universities; and now, there are seats available through Cleveland State University. It is this last option that may give current pre-med majors the needed opportunity to get into medical school.

Cleveland State offers several paths toward admittance into Neomed. The first is the Post Baccalaureate/M.D. path, and it is for students who have already completed their bachelor’s degree. The Post Baccalaureate option offers students pre-medical, life science, urban health and seminar coursework focused on preparing the student for the reserved seat they have at the medical school.

The second path is the Baccelaureate/M.D. path. First of all, you must transfer to Cleveland State to apply so this is definitely for those folks who want to be a doctor more than they want to attend Kent State. Also, you must attain (or be attaining) sophomore status to apply, once you you are at CSU. The bachelors degree is not accelerated and has an Urban Health focus.

The third path is Direct Entry. You can apply to NEOMED directly from Kent State as you would any other school. Your chances of getting in are greatly reduced as the majority of the spots are filled through the above programs.

If medicine is not your thing, NEOMED also offers degrees in pharmacy and public health.

NEOMED is a great school that only has been expanding and improving in the recent years. If medicine is not your thing, NEOMED also offers degrees in pharmacy and public health. Either way, I wish you the best if you aspire to become a physician.