There are two accredited medical schools in Maine available if you desire to pursue a career in Medicine.
Many people aspire to attend medical school and become doctors, and for good reason. Medicine, in addition to being a highly respected and lucrative profession, allows you to combine your love of science with your desire to directly help people.
While the latter is cliched, it is true and necessary if you want to be fulfilled as a doctor. You wouldn’t put in so many years of training if you were only motivated by money or prestige.
Traditionally, the most common route has been to complete a four-year college degree and apply to medical school during the summer between your junior and senior years of college. If you are successful, you will begin medical school a few months after graduation.
This path is also known as “going straight through.” However, the average age of admission to medical school is 24, implying that the majority of students take at least one gap year before enrolling.
Gap years are commonly used to supplement or strengthen your application, whether you need to complete outstanding prerequisite courses, improve a low or so-so GPA, or deepen your involvement in various extracurricular activities, such as research.
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While a gap year is not required, it can be beneficial for students who are not prepared to go straight through.
Furthermore, some people take longer than two years sometimes much longer to enroll in medical school. While there is no universal definition, nontraditional applicants are typically those over the age of 24.
They could be career changers or people who prioritized personal responsibilities (such as raising children) before returning to school.
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Medical Schools in Maine
See below for the list of accredited medical schools in Maine;
1. University of Medicine & Health Sciences
The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS) is a private medical institution with campuses in New York City, Portland, Maine, and Saint Kitts in the Caribbean.
Its Basic Science campus is in Saint Kitts. The fifth semester of the UMHS program, which includes the mandatory courses Introduction to Clinical Medicine II and Biological Basis of Clinical Medicine, will see students transfer from St. Kitts to this site in Portland.
The fifth semester in Portland is a transitional time when students split their time equally between the classroom and the clinical setting, collaborating closely with medical preceptors from all around the area.
There is a live USMLE review course during the final six weeks of the semester. The Portland, Maine UMHS facilities include:
- A learning resource center with a library
- an enormous classroom
- a training facility
- different examining rooms
Two courses are required for the fifth semester: Biological Basis of Clinical Medicine and Introduction to Clinical Medicine II.
During the final six weeks of the semester, Kaplan Medical is offering a live USMLE review course. When students finish the fifth semester, they are ready to take the USMLE Step 1 exam, pass it, and enter the clinical program without any problems.
A group of knowledgeable Maine-based doctors, many of whom have decades of medical practice and teaching experience, oversee all of the student’s clinical experiences. In hospitals, clinics, and office health centers nearby, students are tasked with assisting doctors in real patient care settings.
Address: 24 Atlantic Pl, South Portland, ME 04106, United States
Contact: +1 207-209-2691
2. University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Biddeford, Maine is home to the private University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM).
The college, which was established in 1978 and is a component of the University of New England, offers the Master of Medical Education Leadership degree and the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.
In comparison to other U.S. medical schools, UNECOM graduates the sixth-highest number of doctors who go on to specialize in primary care. Both the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Commission of Higher Education and the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) have granted UNECOM accreditation. In 1978, the New England Osteopathic Foundation established the college.
The University of New England was founded in 1979 after the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and St. Francis College combined.
Stella Maris Hall served as the medical school’s original home, but in 1996, the Harold Alfond Center for Health Sciences opened, moving most of the first and second years’ coursework there but keeping the administration and faculty offices in Stella Maris Hall.
Leonard Hall, a new classroom facility for first- and second-year medical courses, was inaugurated by UNECOM in August 2013. Westbrook College and the University of New England joined in 1996. The Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Pharmacy, and College of Dental Medicine are all located on the former Westbrook College campus, currently referred to as the UNE Portland Campus.
Today, UNE is one of a select group of private universities with a broad commitment to health education, including programs in nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and medicine. It is one of the few medical schools specializing in osteopathic medicine to be ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
Address: 11 Hills Beach Rd, Biddeford, Maine 04005
Contact: +1 207-283-0171
How to get into Med School
- Choose a pre-med major you have a real interest in.
When selecting a pre-med major, keep in mind that medical school admissions committees have no degree prerequisites.
Choose a degree or major that piques your interest. Regardless of your major, you must take English, biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math (college algebra or higher).
- Research the admissions requirements for specific medical schools.
Begin researching specific medical school admissions requirements, timing, and other application factors as soon as possible, even during your freshman and sophomore years of college.
- Establish a solid academic record that extends beyond your GPA.
Although GPA is important, medical school admissions committees look for students who can balance academic success with other interests.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) publishes the average applicant GPAs and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores from the previous academic year for US medical schools.
This data will provide you with an idea of current averages. Whether you meet or exceed the reported averages, keep in mind that each application takes into account a variety of factors, including but not limited to academic performance. Don’t let your GPA decide whether or not you apply.
- Begin studying for the MCAT as soon as possible.
Except for a few special consideration medical programs, the MCAT is a requirement for admission to most medical schools in the United States.
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The computer-based, multiple-choice, standardized test measures critical thinking, writing abilities, and basic scientific knowledge.
- Create a personal statement that distinguishes you.
A personal statement will be required when applying to medical school. Although this essay is frequently the final step in the application process, you should begin preparing for it as soon as possible.
This is one aspect of the admissions process over which you have direct control and should strive to produce the best product possible.
While admissions committees frequently emphasize that they do not advise students on what to write in their personal statements, certain themes and topics can be included. Your personal statement should reflect your goals as well as the qualities that make you stand out.
As you begin your essay, consider the academic foundation you have established as well as the experiences that have contributed to the development of your character and led to your decision to pursue a career in medicine.
- Get ready for in-person interviews.
Personal interviews are required for medical school admission, though the specific processes vary by school.
Interviews can take place both on and off campus. Interviews may be conducted by an admissions committee member, a group of admissions committee members, or by off-campus interviewers such as practicing physicians and/or current students. In most cases, the interview evaluations are added to the admissions file.
- Engage in extracurricular activities.
Extracurricular activities are highly valued by medical school admissions committees. If you can maintain a competitive grade point average while also actively participating in extracurricular activities, you have a strong aptitude and work ethic.
Check also: 4 Best Medical Schools In Georgia
Many successful pre-med students participate in a variety of organizations, participate in varsity and intramural sports, and volunteer. Leadership positions in these areas can also demonstrate dedication and personal growth.
However, it must be emphasized that no amount of participation in extracurricular activities can compensate for a strong academic record or MCAT scores. Successful pre-med students have established clear priorities and learned to manage their time effectively.
- Gain some work experience in the medical field.
When applying to medical schools, work experience in the medical field is especially valuable. Working in a hospital, doctor’s office, public health clinic, or a nursing home will give you more exposure to the field and will help you decide whether you want to pursue a career in medicine.
Many admissions committees will look favorably on this type of medically-related work experience.
- Intern with health professionals to learn more about the field.
Students who have shadowed health professionals demonstrate that they have taken the initiative to research their career choice and have invested time and effort in learning about it. It is critical to keep track of which physicians you have shadowed and how many hours you have spent in their offices.
It is a good idea to shadow a variety of professionals, not just physicians, to gain a broad understanding of the health care system. It’s also a good idea to shadow one or two professionals on a regular basis so they can get to know you and your career goals.
These people are more likely to write you a letter of recommendation if they have mentored you or allowed you to follow them on a regular basis.
It’s also a good idea to keep a journal of your shadowing experiences. Journaling allows you to record your experiences for future application materials and experiences that you can write about in your personal statement.
- Volunteer in your community to get involved.
Volunteering not only helps students decide if the medicine is the right field for them, but it also allows them to give back to the community.
- Learn about academic research.
This type of experience is required if you want to work in academic medicine or research. While working on projects in a faculty member’s laboratory, many undergraduates develop an interest in pursuing research as a career.
Conclusion on the medical schools in Maine
Admission to medical school is competitive, and the coursework that follows requires an individual to think critically and with discipline.
Though the road to a medical career is long, it is intellectually stimulating, financially secure, and personally rewarding.
Understanding the factors to consider when applying to medical school is a good first step toward pursuing your medical career interest.
It is never too early to educate yourself so that you can take advantage of opportunities to prepare for the application process.
A medical school admissions committee is likely to include clinical faculty teaching physicians, biological sciences research faculty, and medical students.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the medical schools in Maine
- What is the difference between DO and MD?
In general, an MD and a DO perform the same functions. An MD and a DO both complete comparable residencies, prescribe medications and are licensed to practice in all 50 states.
The primary distinction between a DO and an MD is that DOs receive additional hands-on training in a technique known as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM).
- What is the University of Maine famous for?
UMaine provides the most diverse academic experience in the state. Nearly 100 majors and academic programs, 75 graduate degree programs, and 30 doctoral programs are available.
The Honors College, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honors colleges, invites top students to apply.
- What GPA is required to be admitted to the University of Maine?
To be admitted to the University of Maine, applicants must have above-average high school grades. The admitted freshman class at the University of Maine had an average high school GPA of 3.36 on a 4.0 scale, indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend.
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.
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