Medicine (Physician/Pre-Med)

There are three main types of physicians: Medical Doctors (MDs), Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), and Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs). The first two types of physicians can provide care for any system in the human body, while a podiatrist (DPM) focuses exclusively on the lower legs and feet. All three physicians diagnose and treat patients for a range of medical issues, although a DO might also utilize preventive medicine and holistic patient care techniques. MDs and DOs train in specialties including radiology, allergy, immunology, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency, dermatology, neurology, cardiology, pediatrics, geriatrics, family medicine, oncology, and many others.

The pre-med curriculum at South Dakota Mines is based primarily on the prerequisite requirements of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and other regional medical schools. Whether you intend to pursue allopathic (MD), osteopathic (DO), or podiatric (DPM) medicine, successful completion of our pre-med curriculum and chosen electives will help you meet the expectations for admission. Add meaningful volunteer work, physician shadowing, internships, and strong scores on the MCAT to strengthen your application and reach your goal.

Student Resources

Professional Associations and Accreditation: Allopathic (MD) Medicine

• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Medical School 101
• AAMC Medical School Admissions Requirements
  
• Recommended Timeline for Application/Admission to Medical Schools (.pdf)
• Accredited Allopathic Medical Schools 

Professional Associations and Accreditation: Osteopathic (DO) Medicine

• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), Become a Doctor
  
• Recommended Timeline for Application/Admission to Medical Schools
• Accredited Osteopathic Medical Schools
  

Professional Associations and Accreditation: Podiatric (DPM) Medicine 

• American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM), Becoming a Podiatric Physician
• Accredited Podiatric Medical Schools
  

Entrance Exam

Medical and podiatric schools require the Medical College Admission Test as an entrance exam. Learn more about the MCAT here.

Resources to Prepare for Medical and Podiatry School

• Applying to Medical School: Understanding the Process
• AspiringDocs.org
• StudentDoc.com
• Student Doctor Network
• National Society for Non-Traditional Pre-Medical and Medical Students
• Medical School Interviews (AAMC)   
• Sample Med School Interview Questions (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Selected Regional Programs – Allopathic (MD)

• Sanford School of Medicine - University of South Dakota
  Vermillion, SD
  
• Mayo Medical School
  Rochester, MN
  
• Carver College of Medicine - University of Iowa
  Iowa City, IA  
  
• Creighton University School of Medicine
  Omaha, NE
  
• University of Minnesota Medical School,
  Minneapolis and Duluth, MN  
  
• University of North Dakota
  Grand Forks, North Dakota
  

Selected Regional Programs – Osteopathic (DO)

• Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
  Des Moines, IA
• Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Selected Regional Programs – Podiatry (DPM) 

• Des Moines College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
• Kent State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, College of Podiatric Medicine

Consult the admissions/application web pages of the professional programs for information on required pre-requisite courses and admissions tests, application procedures, and application deadlines. Some professional/graduate programs will not accept AP or CLEP credits, online courses, or correspondence courses for the core science and math pre-requisite requirements. Many programs also require that all pre-requisite coursework be completed within a certain period of time, e.g., within 5 years prior to application. Policies vary by school and program. Be sure you know the requirements