The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, situated in Hanover, New Hampshire, can be the ideal choice for you if you are a premed looking for a medical school that would support your research and clinical objectives.
Known as the fourth-oldest medical school in the country, Geisel is a significant research hub. The first clinical X-ray in America and the first stethoscope for medical education are just two examples of the numerous firsts that Dartmouth Medical School has contributed to the nation.
This article is for you if you want to know how to get into Dartmouth University Medical School. We have listed the requirements and the procedures you must follow to get admission.
Why Dartmouth University Medical School?
The Dartmouth University Medical School (also Geisel School of Medicine) is the fourth-oldest medical school in the U.S. It is situated in Hanover, New Hampshire, and was established in 1797.
Today, Geisel is a significant research institution where students study and collaborate with experts to conduct fundamental research, clinical trials, health policy analyses, and more.
The Dartmouth University Medical School produces doctors who excel in the fundamental sciences, provide excellent clinical care, find and disseminate new knowledge, and endeavor to enhance healthcare delivery systems. They are committed to research and innovation, assessing and improving healthcare delivery systems, and training the best medical and scientific professionals.
Furthermore, Dartmouth University Medical School university also offers joint programs that combine, among other degrees, an M.D. with an MBA or Ph.D. The White Coat Ceremony, at which first-year students medical students get their first white coat, and the Transition Ceremony, which honors students' transition from the first two years of medical school's preclinical work to the clinical years, are just two of the annual events that Geisel presents for its students.
Moreover, many first- and second-year M.D. students join the school's numerous student organizations, including the student government and specialty interest groups, and most engage in community service. Suppose they need a break from their studies. In that case, students can visit the charming town of Hanover and the adjacent trails, ski resorts, and cultural attractions.Programs Offered in Dartmouth University Medical School
The Dartmouth University School of Medicine offers several top-notch medical programs.
As a result, there are numerous options to meet your demands. Among the available programs are:
1. Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
The medical school curriculum at Dartmouth Medical School has a strong emphasis on fundamental science. Throughout all four years, experiential learning is used to train clinical skills. For first-year students taking on doctoring, a clinical skills course, a simulated clinical experience is used to improve education, observation, and feedback.
The simulated clinics run from September through April in the first year. Patient and Populations is a well-liked course that exposes students to topics crucial to the healthcare industry. Dartmouth Medical School places a high priority on educating its students to be capable change agents who can advance the healthcare system and respond to contemporary hot-button topics like the national opioid crisis or the ethics of global medical research.2. Doctorate of Medicine and Philosophy (M.D. – PhD)
To be considered for the program, you must satisfy all requirements. The dual degree and the MD-only program will accept applicants for the MD-PhD program. Geisel advises applying as soon as possible.
The MD-PhD programs last seven to eight years. The first two years of your studies at Geisel will be devoted to finishing the pre-clerkship M.D. program. You will next need to spend the Ph.D. portion of the curriculum.
A Ph.D. typically takes four years to complete. After that, your clerkships — the M.D. section of the program — will be finished.
3. Doctor of Medicine / Master of Business Administration
The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth coordinates this program. Graduates of the MD-MBA program go on to lead the healthcare and medical administration fields as well as entrepreneurial endeavors in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical product sectors.
You must apply to the Tuck School during your second year of medical school to enroll. Each year, the MD-MBA program accepts up to 6 new students. The combined program is typically completed by students in five or six years.
4. Health Policy Programs
The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice collaborates with the available MD-MPH and MD-MS programs. You can apply to these combined programs as soon as you have started the M.D. degree.
The programs will enhance your academic knowledge and skill set, enabling you to contribute to quality improvement and evidence-based public health practice.
5. Engineering Program
The Dartmouth Thayer School of Engineering is a partner in the MD-MS program. It is made for those who want to learn more about conducting engineering-related research and who wish to pursue a career in clinical practice. This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals interested in learning more about the technologies used by practicing physicians.
How to Get into Dartmouth University Medical School
Interest in Knowledge. Integrity. Empathy. Compassion. Capacity to Overcome Challenges. Resilience. Coachability.
The Geisel School of Medicine's Admissions Committee seeks to enroll applicants who exhibit all of these characteristics and who will contribute to the institution's distinctively close-knit and engaging learning environment.
Each year, Dartmouth receives over 7,000 complete applications for its entering class's (approximately) 92 available spots. The reach and influence of Geisel's student body are nationwide.
Here are the prerequisites and crucial information for applying to Dartmouth Medical School for your reference:
Dartmouth University Medical School Acceptance Rate
Getting into medical school is complicated everywhere. Numerous selection criteria determine which candidates will make the finest doctors.
Dartmouth Medical School has a 2.4% acceptance rate, making it particularly competitive.
Dartmouth University Medical School Coursework Requirements
Like many other American medical schools, Dartmouth Medical School has rather challenging admittance requirements.
The following requirements and prerequisites are the most important for applicants to the Geisel School of Medicine.
You must have completed eight semester hours (or at least one year) of laboratory-based college biology. A few extra standalone biology courses are also recommended. Mammalian or molecular biology techniques and a semester of genetics are required for this.
Regular collegiate chemistry in a lab for a year (eight semester hours) is also required for Dartmouth University Medical School. In addition, you need to have taken at least four semester hours of organic chemistry in a lab and three hours of biochemistry without a lab.
Many physics-related subjects, like optics and electricity, are crucial to medicine. The minimum requirement for admission to Dartmouth University Medical School is eight semester hours, or one year, of ordinary college-level physics study (in a lab).
Mathematics
Math is a subject that all students should be proficient in since it is necessary for medical professionals. To satisfy the math requirements of the Dartmouth University Medical School, calculus and/or statistics must be studied for a minimum of six semester hours.
Despite the importance of these prerequisites, it is also necessary for applicants to concentrate on the school's mission statement.
According to the admissions website, the committee is looking for applicants who reflect and support the institution's mission, which is encapsulated in Geisel's five guiding principles: "Create Leaders and Leadership; Revitalize Education and Research; Students and Faculty First; Reach Out and Connect Diverse People & Ideas; We Win Together as a Team."
Your secondary application is the perfect place to emphasize how well you match the school's mission and your unique qualities.
Concentrate on improving the essays in your application to stand out from other candidates with comparable test results and academic accomplishments.Dartmouth University Medical School GPA Statistics
Your academic record is the primary determinant of your capacity to keep up with the demands of the M.D. curriculum and your knowledge of the fundamental M.D. prerequisites. Some colleges may overlook a lower GPA if the rest of your application is strong, but we do not advise kids with lower GPAs to apply.
With an average GPA requirement of 3.77, it should not be surprising that the Geisel School of Medicine has a very selective admissions process, given that it is a part of the Ivy League medical schools.
If your GPA falls short of Dartmouth's requirements, there are steps you can take to raise it. If you are a current student, attempt to enroll in classes in subject areas you excel in, but do not forget to finish the prerequisites for medical school and your program's graduation requirements. You can also inquire with them about any assignments available for extra credit.
Geisel recommends that former students who have been out of school for over three years retake the needed science courses to raise their GPA while no longer enrolled. Utilize this chance to improve your grades by joining a study group or working with a tutor.
Dartmouth University Medical School MCAT Statistics
Three years must pass after the date of your application before taking the MCAT.
For entrance consideration, you need to receive a minimum score of 503. MCAT test takers with scores of 502 or lower will not receive a supplemental application.
Remember that the matriculants from the previous year (2022) had an average MCAT score of 516, so it is critical to attempt to acquire this score to be a competitive applicant. You will be judged against other M.D. applicants based on your GPA and MCAT. Try to fulfill these minimums to avoid giving the admission committee a cause to omit you from the initial application pool.
The MCAT preparation process is complicated. You should know the MCAT's requirements and when to begin your preparation. It would be best to have a reliable study plan whether you retake the MCAT or take it for the first time.
Take the MCAT diagnostic test before planning a comprehensive MCAT study strategy. A practice exam will show you what ideas and knowledge areas you need to work on.
Continue completing the diagnostic exams to determine whether your performance is improving and adjust your study program to suit your requirements.
Dartmouth University Medical School Tuition and Scholarships
The cost of attending Dartmouth reflects its renown. Attending this medical school will cost you USD 67,532, and room and boarding are budgeted for USD 11,500.
Fortunately, Dartmouth strives to provide an inexpensive and accessible education for all its students. They achieve this by providing a wide range of merit-based and need-based grants and scholarships to help pay all or a portion of the tuition for students. They offer scholarships to more than 85% of their students.
The financial aid packages include loans and a Geisel School of Medicine scholarship. Students who show they need the loan will be given the regular base loan. The student will receive a portion of the loan if their financial need is lower.
Please visit Geisel's Financial Aid webpage for additional information on the application process and required materials.Dartmouth University Medical School Application Timeline
To apply to the Dartmouth University Medical School, you must fill out the AMCAS form.
The following dates and deadlines are necessary for the application procedure and are listed below:
Note:
This application timeline may change from year to year. To make sure, visit the Dartmouth University Medical School Application Overview.Dartmouth University Medical School Extracurricular Activities
The admission committee can see what kind of activities influenced your decision to apply to medical school by looking at your extracurriculars for medical school. They seek evidence that you have taken the required steps to "test drive" your future job; not all your experiences need to be connected to medicine.
Do not overextend yourself since quality always takes precedence over quantity. You must demonstrate to the committee that you have committed much time to pursuits you genuinely appreciate. Choose an activity you enjoy and stick with it rather than completing various clinical tasks for little time.
Moreover, your extracurricular activity must show a commitment, whether volunteering at a nursing home or a hospital. Consider applying to volunteer at long-term care facilities, retirement homes, hospitals, and clinics if you are still working on improving your med school application.
Aside from working as a health professional's assistant, being a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT), a certified nursing assistant (CNA), a medical scribe, or a personal caregiver are additional options for gaining clinical experience. You must have prior patient-interaction experience if you want to become a doctor. Your sensitivity and compassion will develop due to exposure to patients and their needs, characteristics that admissions committees strongly value.
Furthermore, you should participate in shadowing even if it is unnecessary. Still, it is advised if you want to be a competitive applicant. You can learn about how a practicing doctor has daily duties by doing physician shadowing. Make sure you know the medical school shadowing requirements and how to ask to shadow a doctor.Dartmouth University Medical School Research
Know that the admissions committees highly emphasize applicants' research backgrounds.
If this is a weakness in your application, you must put effort into getting solid research experience. To exhibit your research abilities and experiences that may be used in various scientific topics and disciplines, even one comprehensive, high-quality research project may be sufficient.
If you are a student, ask your professors and teaching assistants (TAs) if they are working on any research projects or need assistance. Look for any ads for research assistants in the campus science departments. Write a standout research assistant cover letter if you apply for research opportunities on and off campus.
Contrarily, if you are no longer enrolled as a student, you can email professors in the departments you are interested in joining as a researcher. Explore research opportunities at institutions in the area.
Please indicate in your email that you are a premedical student needing research experience and are interested in volunteering in their lab. You might also ask doctors you have worked with or observed as a student or recent graduate whether they have any research possibilities for you.
Dartmouth University Medical School Essays
The admission committee will get their first impression of your candidacy outside of your test scores and grades from your AMCAS personal statement through the AMCAS Work and Activities.
Your personal statement should answer, "Why do you want to be a doctor?" Only 5300 characters will be available, meaning you must choose your essay's contents carefully.
The essay must be organized like an academic essay, with an introduction, a body of two or three experiences, and a conclusion.
Consider your prior experiences, generate ideas, and select only the most significant ones to include in your essay before starting to write your statement.
Select your experiences carefully because they should demonstrate your readiness to enroll in a medical school, not just tell about it. Make sure to give examples of what you learned from these encounters and the kind of valuable skills you acquired.
Do not simply list your experiences and expect the readers to understand why they were significant in your route to medical school. Instead, strive to demonstrate the quality of your experiences.
The ability to write plainly and clearly is one that admissions committees highly value. Be aware that registering a quality personal statement can take weeks. It is common practice to polish and edit numerous drafts of your essay to ensure its quality.
To better understand what the admission committee is looking for in applicants, read sample medical school personal statements before writing your own.
Dartmouth University Medical School Interviews
From September through March, Dartmouth conducts interviews on Thursdays. All interviews for the 2023–2024 application cycle will take place online.
Dartmouth University Medical School follows the typical interview method, speaking with each candidate twice, once with a faculty member from the medical school and once with a current student. Each interview usually lasts for 30 minutes.
You should have well-considered responses prepared for the questions "Why Dartmouth?", "What are your most noteworthy experiences that highlight your conviction towards medicine?" and "What makes you stand out from other applicants?" because the interview procedure takes a traditional approach.
You will participate in a 20-minute group exercise, an information session with the financial aid and admission teams, and remarks from the associate dean of admissions on the day of your interview.
On a different day, you will have the chance to interact with current students, which will help you decide if Dartmouth is the most outstanding fit for you.
Dartmouth University Medical School Recommendation Letter
The premedical committee at your school may submit a composite recommendation for consideration by the Geisel School of Medicine. You must submit at least three letters if your school does not have a premedical committee. Five separate letters at most are acceptable.
Additionally, you are urged to send letters from supervisors, employers, and other coworkers who are familiar with you in addition to the three academic references you already have from science and non-science teachers.
If you are a graduate student, one of your three academic reviewers must be your thesis advisor. Send all of your letters to AMCAS using a type of acknowledgment that they accept. Geisel will only read the first five references they receive, so do not submit more than five.
The letters of recommendation you submit with your admission to medical school are crucial. It would help if you had excellent letters of recommendation. Your referees must be knowledgeable about you and qualified to attest to your qualities.
You do not want any subpar or lukewarm letters, so make sure the people you contact to serve as references fully support your application for medical school and are eager to express their support in the letter.
Lastly, make sure the person you plan to ask to write you a letter of recommendation agrees before you ask them to do so.
If you notice hesitancy, asking someone else to be your recommender may be an intelligent option. A draft of your personal statement, your resume, your transcripts, and any other materials that might be useful in the writing process should be sent to your authors.
Summary Table: How to Get into Dartmouth University Medical School
Dartmouth University Medical School | |
|---|---|
Application System | AMCAS |
Acceptance Rate | 2.4% |
Average GPA | 3.77 |
Average MCAT Score | 516 |
Tuition | USD 67,532 |
Total Cost of Attendance | USD 78,532 |
Availability of Funding and Scholarships | Yes |
Additional FAQs – How to Get into Dartmouth University Medical School
Is It Hard to Get into Dartmouth University Medical School?
They only accept the most talented and prospective applicants as a result. This represents less than 3% of their candidates typically.
What Makes Dartmouth University Medical School Special?
Students will have difficulty acquiring comparable resources outside of Ivy League schools.
According to Dartmouth, these resources are employed to create complete physicians — doctors who excel in the fundamental sciences, provide excellent patient care, find and share information, and endeavor to enhance all healthcare delivery systems.