Applicants admitted to USCSOM-Greenville are selected by an admissions committee composed of members of the biomedical science and clinical science faculties of the School of Medicine and the offices of diversity, academic services and research at Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center. In making selections from each year's group of applicants, members of the Admissions Committee recognize that they are selecting future physicians. The admissions procedure is therefore an effort to select applicants who possess the individual characteristics required for both the study and practice of medicine. The Admissions Committee is intent upon selecting not only the most academically qualified applicants but also those applicants with distinctive personal qualities and life experiences. Prior to extending an offer to interview, the Admissions Committee will evaluate previous academic performance to include undergraduate GPA and MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, clinical and research experience, work and volunteer experience, leadership roles, unique accomplishments, ability to overcome adversity, long term goals and extracurricular activities.

Following an initial review of the AMCAS application, a supplemental application (and a $95.00 processing fee) will be requested from applicants. The supplemental application is due on January 15, 2014. Students granted an AMCAS fee waiver are granted a waiver for the $95.00 processing fee. At least three, and no more than five, individual letters of recommendation or a pre-medical committee evaluation packet is required. Each application is screened for attainment of minimum academic achievement requirements on a rolling basis by staff members in the Office of Admissions. Complete applications are forwarded to a subset of the Admissions Committee for selection of applicants to be interviewed. The School interviews those applicants judged to be highly qualified who exemplify the high standards of the School of Medicine. The Committee determines competitiveness for admission based on aptitude and suitability for a career in medicine. In its effort to include diversity among its students, The University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Greenville is intent upon selecting not only the most academically qualified applicants but also those applicants with distinctive personal qualities and life experiences who will bring added value to the learning environment.

The applicant's credentials are considered from the perspective of the School of Medicine's Guiding Principles. The School strives for a medical student class that exhibits diversity commensurate with the population it serves. It seeks to enroll students with diverse backgrounds who have achieved academic excellence and who exhibit exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, integrity, honesty, empathy, a propensity for team work, maturity, emotional stability, leadership, a strong work ethic, self direction, and passion for becoming a doctor.

We are only able to accept applications from US citizens or from international students who are permitted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to reside permanently in the United States.

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

All applicants to the School of Medicine are required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The MCAT must be taken no more than three years prior to the time of application and no later than the end of September of the year of application. For the current admissions cycle, the MCAT deadline is September 2013. We will accept MCAT scores from 2011, 2012 and 2013. The MCAT is offered on multiple dates during the year and is administered at sites throughout the country. Registration materials can be accessed here.

> Technical Standards for Admission

Preparation

The following minimum course requirements for admission have been adopted by the Admissions Committee. These requirements have been designed to provide flexibility for the Admissions Committee in evaluating the varied backgrounds of qualified applicants.

Required course work includes two semesters each of:

• Biology, with laboratory
• General inorganic chemistry, with laboratory
• Organic chemistry, with laboratory
• Physics, with laboratory
• English composition/literature

Additional coursework in biochemistry, cell biology and conversational Spanish is recommended, but not required, for admission. 

Preference is given to applicants who will, upon enrollment, hold a bachelor's or higher degree.  Applicants may be admitted on the basis of at least 90 semester hours of outstanding undergraduate achievement.

For most applicants, a strong preparation in the natural sciences is the best basis for the study and understanding of the medical sciences. For this reason, the Admissions Committee recommends that applicants complete more than the minimum requirements in the natural sciences. However, the Committee welcomes applicants with preparation in the humanities and liberal arts who have completed the minimum course requirements.