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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I prepare myself for applying to CHM?

A: Learn about CHM and its mission. A major focus of our mission is to educate primary care physicians interested in working with underserved populations (rural, inner city) within Michigan. In support of this, students spend their third and fourth years of medical school at one of six community campuses located throughout the state.

The following publications will help you become familiar with what CHM is looking for in an applicant, as well as assist you in assessing how well CHM fits with your medical career goals:

Q: How many students attend CHM?

A: Approximately 480 students are educated at CHM each year, of whom 57 percent are
female and 43 percent are male.

Q: How is CHM’s curriculum structured?

A: CHM’s curriculum is structured into three blocks. Block I (year 1) includes courses in basic biological and behavioral sciences, basic clinical sciences, clinical correlations, and mentor groups. Block II (year 2) focuses on the application of basic biological and behavioral sciences to human disease. Block II also introduces students to problem-based-learning, or PBL. The main component of PBL is working in small, interdisciplinary groups mimicking the real-world practice of medicine to analyze a patient case study from multiple, interplaying medical perspectives. Block III (years 3 and 4) feature required and elective medical clerkships with physician-supervised learning experiences in which students work with patients at clinical health care sites.

Q: What is meant by “CHM’s Community Campus?”

A: CHM has six community-hospital campuses across Michigan where students serve their Block III (years 3 and 4) medical clerkships. An important component of CHM’s mission is serving the needs of Michigan’s people. By integrating CHM students with the state’s communities, CHM allows for significant, meaningful patient contact that best prepares students by exposing them to real world situations where they can make a difference. Community integration allows CHM students to make the maximum positive impact on the health of Michigan’s population. CHM has community campuses in Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Flint and the Upper Peninsula.

Q: Do applicants who earned degrees at Michigan State University or other
Michigan colleges/universities get special consideration when applying to CHM?

A: No, we do not give preference to a particular undergraduate college or university. However, because we give preference to Michigan residents, a large part of our class is filled with undergraduates from Michigan State and the University of Michigan, as a substantial number of applicants are both Michigan residents and students at MSU or U of M. When choosing an undergraduate college or university, consider what you can afford, where you feel at home, and which schools offer excellent premedical advisement and programs.

Q: What are the CHM premedical course requirements?

A: Premedical course requirements are minimum requirements that must be fulfilled
prior to matriculation at CHM. Requirements are:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree.

2. Completion of eight semester credits or 12 term credits in each of the following areas, with no final grade below a 2.0:

3. Completion of one upper-level (junior- or senior-level) biological science course from within the following areas: biochemistry, cell biology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, or physiology.

4. Recommended computer literacy includes basic word processing skills, communicating via email, and navigating the World Wide Web.

Q: Does the College of Human Medicine require the MCAT?

A: Yes.

Q: I am an out-of-state (non-Michigan) resident. Do I have a chance of being admitted to CHM?

A: Yes. The Committee on Admissions believes that non-Michigan resident diversity is an important component of every entering class. Because CHM's mission is to educate physicians who will serve the needs of the people of Michigan, residents of Michigan are given preference. However, approximately 16-20% of each entering class is from outside of Michigan.

A competitive non-Michigan resident should fit CHM's mission. A major emphasis of the mission is to educate physicians who desire to become excellent, compassionate, primary care physicians who are dedicated to lifelong learning and are willing to work with the underserved in rural or inner city areas within Michigan. Applicants need to have demonstrated their passion for medicine with a history of community service and clinical experience. Competitive non-Michigan residents should have MCAT scores of 9-10 (O-P) or higher in each category as well as a cumulative science GPA of 3.50 or better.

Q: Do you offer a combined B.A.-B.S./M.D. Program?

A: Yes. The MD Medical Scholars Program is the College of Human Medicine's combined B.A.-B.S./M.D. Program. This program is open only to high school seniors who have been accepted to MSU. Each year the College of Human Medicine's (CHM) MD Medical Scholars Program offers a unique enrichment opportunity to 10 academically talented entering freshmen at Michigan State University. Successful applicants to this program are outstanding high school seniors who demonstrate their interest in becoming physicians and leaders through their academic achievement, medical/clinical experiences, and community leadership experiences.

For more information:

Q: What is the Federal School Code for Michigan State University?

A: 002290

Q: What financial aid is available to students attending CHM?

A: The College of Human Medicine recognizes that earning a medical degree is a financial struggle for most students. In keeping with its philosophy of service to students, the MSU Health Professions Financial Aid Office strives to lessen that struggle through grants, fellowships, loans, and other forms of aid. It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements for financing his or her medical education. Students with excellent credit ratings have fewer struggles in obtaining the financial assistance necessary to meet their financial needs.

Q: What is the tuition at the College of Human Medicine?

A: For 2004-2005 class, tuition for Michigan residents was approximately $22,000 per year. Out-of-state tuition was approximately $48,000 per year. Tuition at MSU is subject to change by the MSU Board of Trustees.

Q: Where can I find more information about becoming a student at CHM?

A: The CHM Admissions Department’s homepage is: http://mdadmissions.msu.edu/