There are six medical schools in Virginia; four allopathic, and two osteopathic. Virginia, one of the original 13 colonies that formed the United States, has a medical establishment that dates back to the founding of the country. More recently, medical schools in Virginia have been the recipients of several Nobel Prizes in medicine, as well as important discoveries in cancer research, immunology, and neurosurgery. The six medical schools in Virginia continue that tradition, and often rank high on lists of best medical schools in the US in various categories. This blog will give you the latest information on medical school acceptance rates, and medical school requirements for medical schools in Virginia, as well as tried-and-true strategies to get into these schools.
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List of Medical Schools in Virginia (Allopathic)
- University of Virginia School of Medicine
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute
- Eastern Virginia Medical School
How long should you prepare for your med school interview? Watch this video:
List of Medical Schools in Virginia (Osteopathic)
1. Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
2. Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Medical Schools in Virginia
1. University of Virginia School of Medicine
Overall Acceptance Rate: 2.54%
In-State Acceptance Rate: 8.2%
Out-of-State Acceptance Rate: 1.55%
Average GPA of Incoming Students: 3.93
Average MCAT Scores of Incoming Students: 520
Overall Interview Rate: 9.6%
In-State Interview Rate: 15%
Out-of-State Interview Rate: 9.12%
The University of Virginia School of Medicine was the brainchild of Thomas Jefferson, who not only founded the school, but designed many of its buildings, some of which are still in use today. Being one of the original 10 medical schools in the US, the UV SoM has a long history of making important strides in medical education, community-building and engagement, scientific discoveries (three faculty members have won Nobel Prizes) as well as expanding access to healthcare across the state and the US.
The school features two campuses; one in Charlottesville, the other in Falls Church, Virginia, which was opened in part to serve underserved communities and to increase the school’s treatment capacity. In the spirit of inclusivity, the school’s main MD program does not require you complete any medical school prerequisites. Instead, your medical school application will be reviewed and assessed based on your transcripts, medical school recommendation letters, MCAT scores, and your interview.
UV SoM will also review, but not “take into consideration” any AAMC PREview test scores that you may have done previous, although they won’t form a part of your acceptance into the school. Although it does not have any prerequisites, the school does list a few recommended courses in:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Human Behavior
- Statistics
You don’t even need a full bachelor’s degree; 90 full credits will suffice. Along with a no-prerequisites policy, the school, despite being public, has no residency requirements and does not show preference to in-state students, so it is an out-of-state-friendly medical school. With these loose admission requirements, it’s no surprise that the admissions committee puts a lot of weight on your medical school interview. UV SoM uses a traditional interview format, where you will be interviewed by a panel consisting of faculty and fourth-year students. If you apply here, you should put a lot effort into your medical school interview prep by reading over common medical school interview questions, but also participating in various mock medical school interviews.
But the absence of any hard prerequisites is also a part of the school’s revamped curriculum, which has introduced various innovative programs that seemingly make up for your lack of knowledge in the sciences. There are three longitudinal programs integrated into the curriculum aimed at developing your skills in several important areas, including:
- The Patient Student Partnership (PSP) - You are assigned a chronically ill patient in your first year, whom you see regularly throughout your four years.
- Entrustable Professional Activities Program – Your competency in performing various medical procedures is assessed on-the-spot by faculty who then supports and guides you through other procedures.
- Foundations of Clinical Medicine (FCM) - a traditional course aimed at both improving your patient interaction skills, while also delving into the science of medicine.
2. Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Overall Acceptance Rate: 2.5%
In-State Acceptance Rate: 8.05%
Out-of-State Acceptance Rate: 1.31%
Average GPA of Incoming Students: 3.88
Average MCAT Scores of Incoming Students: 514
Overall Interview Rate: 9.29%
In-State Interview Rate: 27.8%
Out-of-State Interview Rate: 5.8%
The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (VCU-SOM) is different from the UV SoM in that it does have a list of medical school prerequisites. But VCU-SOM is also unique for its volunteer or community service work requirements that are mandatory if you apply. Close to 95% of all applicants had some volunteer or community experience, so if you are thinking about applying here, make sure to choose your extracurriculars for medical school in service-based and clinical settings.
The school requires you have experience in both medical and non-medical settings. You need at least 60 hours in clinical settings, but the minimum for community-based volunteer work is 100. Unsurprisingly, matriculated students have well above the minimum and often apply with over 200 hours in each setting. Shadowing experience counts for your clinical hours, so you should know how to ask to shadow a doctor, even though shadowing alone will not fulfill the requirements. While also a state school, VCU-SOM does not have any residency requirements and you can apply as an out-of-state, and Canadian applicant, as the school recognized Canadian degrees.
You also have to be mindful of the medical school GPA requirements at VCU-SOM and you should only apply if you have a 3.3. If your GPA is lower than that, the school has a few post-bacc programs for medical school that can help improve your GPA and give you a pathway to the MD program. The school has also modified its medical school curriculum to prioritize small, team-based learning, rather than the conventional lecture-and-seminar model. You’ll be put into groups with other students to go over standardized patient histories, and work in simulated clinical settings to give you hands-on experience.
3. Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute
Overall Acceptance Rate: 0.72%
In-State Acceptance Rate: 1.44%
Out-of-State Acceptance Rate: 0.62%
Average GPA of Incoming Students: 3.68
Average MCAT Scores of Incoming Students: 513
Overall Interview Rate: 4%
In-State Interview Rate: 4.3%
Out-of-State Interview Rate: 4.1%
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute is one of the hardest medical schools to get into, given its less than 1% medical school acceptance rate. But even with that low acceptance rate, the school receives close to 6000 applicants every year, while, at the other end, it has a perfect Match Rate for all of its graduates, so it is also one of the medical schools with the best match rates.
Why is the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine so difficult to get into? The medical school requirements are not as strict as the VCU-SOM, as there are no minimums to apply. However, you must apply with a full bachelor’s degree; no exceptions. The school also has a lengthy list of prerequisites that covers the traditional subjects such as:
- Biology
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- English or Writing
Virginia Tech Carillon is a medical school that uses MMI, so, you should prepare for your interview by reading over MMI practice questions. The school is open to out-of-state and Canadian students, so it does not have any residency requirements. While it does not make it a requirement, as the VCU-SOM, Virginia Tech Carillon does look at the length and level of participation of your community-service or volunteer work, so make sure to put in the hours for your extracurricular commitments if you want to apply here. VTC has also updated its curriculum to a patient-focused one, but which also integrates four distinct pillars of medical education:
- Basic Science
- Clinical Science
- Research
- Health Systems Science and Interprofessional Practice
4. Eastern Virginia Medical School
Overall Acceptance Rate: 1.98%
In-State Acceptance Rate: 6.48%
Out-of-State Acceptance Rate: 1.15%
Average GPA of Incoming Students: 3.72
Average MCAT Scores of Incoming Students: 512
Overall Interview Rate: 4%
In-State Interview Rate: 32%
Out-of-State Interview Rate: 1.1%
The Eastern Virginia Medical School is one medical school in Virginia that does show a preference for in-state students, particularly students from Hampton Roads, the city where the school’s campus is located. You can still apply as an out-of-state student, but international students, including Canadian applicants, must be either US citizens or permanent residents.
Eastern Virginia has several different professional schools within its system, so it is able to offer a unique MD/MBA, which is an ideal degree if you see yourself in a management or administrator role either in a healthcare organization, or at a medical school. You have to have a full bachelor’s degree to apply, as well as complete a short-list of prerequisites – chemistry, biology, and physics (no English or humanities requirement).
The MD Program at EVMS is four-years and given the school’s focus on community service, and its commitment to the citizens of Virginia, it integrates several community-learning experiences within its curriculum. EVMS medical students are required to put in service hours at any of the school’s community service initiatives, which range from volunteering at the student-run, free clinic, or working with local refugee resettlement agencies to understand and attend to the medical needs of recently displaced peoples.
Medical Schools in Virginia (Osteopathic)
1. Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average GPA: 3.57
Average MCAT Scores: 503.5
The Liberty University Osteopathic School of Medicine is one of the newest medical schools in Virginia and has the distinction of being one of the state’s only medical schools with a Christian background. The school accepts applications from all faiths, but being a Christian school, you will be exposed to tenets of the Christian faith as part of your professional and inter-professional training. You can apply to the school with only 90 credits, but you have to complete the list of prerequisites with a minimum grade of C or higher.
The school also uses minimum GPA and MCAT requirements, as you must have a GPA of 3.0, and a 499 MCAT score to apply. Being based in rural Lynchburg, Virginia the school emphasizes its connection to underserved areas of the state, and you will perform many of your clinical rotations within underserved communities in and near the school. But the school also offers international rotations that you can also take to fulfill your rotations requirements, while also giving your much-valued experience in a foreign healthcare system.
The LUOSM also has near-perfect match rates for its graduates (97% this year; 100% last year), so its graduates are very well-received at other medical schools around the US. LUOSM students also have success with passing their COMLEX Level 1 and COMLEX Level 2 CE exams, as LUSOM graduates have pass-rates of 96.5% for Level 1, and 94.3% for Level 2 CE.
2. Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average GPA: 3.71
Average MCAT: 504.7
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine is a giant in osteopathic medical education and has four different campuses throughout the South, as its mission involves addressing the healthcare needs of underserved populations in each of the four states it operates – Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia. The Virginia campus is in Blacksburg. The VCOM, as well as all the other campuses, shows preference for in-state students, but also regional students from surrounding states.
The school will also consider students who do not meet its GPA or MCAT requirements from these states and regions, although out-of-state students will have to meet the DO school requirements to apply. However, this accommodation is only given on a case-by-case basis, so if you do not meet the minimum GPA of 3.4 or the minimum MCAT of 499, but are only a few points shy, then you should contact the school directly to see where you can improve your application beyond your metrics.
You can apply with only 90 credits of a full bachelor’s degree, but you must also complete the school’s list of prerequisites that include:
- General and Inorganic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Physics
- English and Composition
How to Get into Medical Schools in Virginia
1. Get a Lot of Shadowing/Volunteer/Service Hours
Medical schools in Virginia give a lot of weight to the length, quality and longitudinal aspect of your service commitments, meaning you should have a long-term relationship with an organization, rather than volunteering sporadically. While only one medical school in Virginia has minimum shadowing hours for medical school, having at least 100 hours or more for your AMCAS Work & Activities section as well as your AMCAS Most Meaningful Experiences should be the goal. If you’ve decided early-on that you want to be a doctor, you’d be best served by starting your extracurriculars early so you can develop those relationships over time. But also remember to choose something you are truly passionate about. Only through a genuine connection will you be able to put in the time and effort, as doing something you think will be impressive will not benefit either you or the organization you are volunteering with.
2. Be Prepared to Engage in Community-Based Learning
Community-based learning is something that a lot of medical schools engage in, so it is not particularly unique to medical schools in Virginia. However, many of these schools require students to participate in these initiatives as part of their curriculum, so if you are not particularly keen on community-based learning, and prefer other outlets for learning, such as research, hands-on clinical experience, then you should think about other schools that offer more science-heavy electives and specializations. The Eastern Virginia Medical School stands out in this respect, as it lists over a dozen different school or student-led initiatives that emphasize learning and serving among different community groups.
3. Put a Lot into Interview Prep
All the medical schools in Virginia are clear about how much they value medical school interviews, and some even use MMI as their preferred format. The University of Virginia School of Medicine goes so far as to eschew medical school prerequisites in favor of how well you present yourself in your interview, so going through several rounds of mock interviews, as well as carefully considering your answers to common medical school interview questions such as tell me about yourself, and “why do you want to be a doctor?” should figure highly on your medical school application timeline. For the MMI, you can practice with a trusted colleague or fellow student and act out common MMI acting scenarios to get your prepared mentally and physically.
4. Write Excellent Personal Statements and Essays
A medical school personal statement is an unavoidable part of your medical school application, and if you’re thinking of applying to medical schools in Virginia, you should go in-depth with your particular reasons for wanting to study in the state. Your reasons for wanting to go to medical school in Virginia should not be the only thing you write about. Since medical schools in Virginia are interested in how you’ve given back to the community, you should also talk about the work you’ve done, and why, along with giving concrete examples of how you have made contribution. You should outline times when you went above-and-beyond, without simply listing your commitments or organizations you worked with.
Conclusion
Medical schools in Virginia have a proud history and tradition of serving others, especially in parts of the state that are underserved. Almost 8% of all Virginia residents are uninsured, and they are often located in regions that lack high-quality medical services. For these reasons, medical schools in Virginia make service a part of your learning and training, in the hopes that you will ultimately decide on practicing there. But graduates from medical schools in Virginia are also highly sought after by residency programs around the US, so you will be well-prepared to practice anywhere.
FAQs
1. How many medical schools are in Virginia?
There are four allopathic, and two osteopathic medical schools in Virginia.
2. Why should I study medicine in Virginia?
Medical schools in Virginia act as important hubs of medical education, research and patient care in not only Virginia, but West Virginia, and other neighbouring states in Appalachia and the South. If you’re from these areas, you’ll have a better chance of getting in, as many of these schools show preference for in-state or regional students. Studying medicine in Virginia as an out-of-state student can also expose you to a diverse patient population who are often live in underserved areas.
3. Do medical schools in Virginia prefer in-state applicants?
Three of the four allopathic medical schools in Virginia encourage and admit out-of-state applicants regularly, but the two osteopathic schools and the Eastern Virginia School of Medicine prefer Virginia residents.
4. What do I need to get into a medical school in Virginia?
With many medical schools in Virginia having community-based education models, you need to have a long-list of service-based volunteer work, as well as a minimum of 100 shadowing hours to be more competitive. The medical school GPA requirements vary among the schools, but you should aim to have at least a 3.0 GPA.
5. How do I apply to medical schools in Virginia?
You can submit your medical school application via the AMCAS service used by all allopathic medical schools in the US, while you can send you application to the osteopathic schools via the AACOMAS system for osteopathic medical schools.
6. How much does medical school in Virginia cost?
Tuition and cost-of-attendance figures vary between all the medical schools in Virginia, but you can expect to pay anywhere between $80,650 and $85,774 for in-state applicants. While out-of-state applicants can expect to pay between $92,802 and $97,318 per year.
7. What’s special about medical schools in Virginia?
Medical schools in Virginia were among the first to be opened in the US and have a long tradition of training doctors, along with treating underserved patients. The number of medical schools in Virginia is also reflective of the challenges citizens in the state face in accessing primary care, as many of the state’s medical schools expose their students to various clinical environments throughout the state.
8. Should I go to medical schools in Virginia?
You should go to a medical school in Virginia if you are either from the state or the surrounding area and have a serious interest in practicing in the state. The focus of the curriculum in many of the medical schools in Virginia is on rural or remote areas, but also on the medical conditions with the highest rates of incidence in the state, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and liver disease.
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