Planning and Exploration
Medical schools value Haverford’s liberal arts education for the development of strong critical thinking and communication skills, as well as intellectual curiosity and cultural awareness.
There is no preferred major for pre-medical students, and many students find it not just possible, but advantageous to major outside the sciences while preparing for medical school. In addition to your coursework, medical schools are looking for candidates who have taken full advantage of opportunities to get involved in their communities, and to explore the medical field.
Our Academic Planning Template can be used as a guide to create your own master schedule.
There are several paths to becoming a physician:
Allopathic Physician (M.D.)
Attends medical school for 4 years before earning the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. Graduating students select specialties for residency training after completion of medical school. Residency training can require a minimum of 3 years to complete.
Osteopathic Physician (D.O.)
Attends medical school for 4 years with an added emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and holistic medicine before earning the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. The application process is similar to M.D. with an additional letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician required. Like M.D.s, graduating students select specialties for residency training after completion of osteopathic medical school.
MD-PhD Dual Degree
These training programs are specifically designed for those who want to become research physicians. They typically take 7 years and the degree is granted by medical schools through one of the various Medical Scientist Training Programs. Because research is at the heart of an MD/PhD program, candidates need to demonstrate a serious interest in and exposure to research, and will need to be very familiar with their research projects.