Have you been searching for a college of medicine with five decades of experience shaping the minds of future physicians? Well, it’s time to stop googling “medical schools near me” and look no further than NEOMED. Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) has been doing just that and more for over 50 years. NEOMED is an LCME accredited university and is dedicated to their values, mission, and diversity.
Northeast Ohio Medical University values three key traits above all else: compassion, curiosity, and integrity. The college aims to shape all students into exemplary physicians through their curriculum, research, and public service opportunities. NEOMED also aims to improve the healthcare available to those residing in Ohio, both in urban and underserved areas, so the school highly values students who are likely to practice in Ohio after graduating.
Be an Informed Applicant
Medical schools in Ohio, much like those across the United States, have specific requirements and guidelines. Developing an understanding of the college’s identity, programs, and selection criteria will help students focus on their med school applications and put their best foot forward when applying.
This article covers:
- Northeast Ohio Medical University Rankings
- Medical Programs at NEOMED
- Selection Factors: What NEOMED Looks for in an Applicant
- Academic Requirements
- NEOMED Acceptance Rate, Class Profile, and More
- Northeast Ohio Medical University Tuition and Cost of Attendance
- AMCAS Application and NEOMED Secondary Application
- NEOMED Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
- Medical School Admissions Consulting for Ohio Medical Schools
- Voluntary Healthcare Internships Abroad
Personalized Help
It is not uncommon for pre-medical students to find themselves feeling stressed out and overwhelmed by the application process. We know it can be tough applying to multiple med schools as each school has their own unique requirements and admissions process. To best aid, your chances of getting into the medical school of your dreams, consider enlisting the help of a medical school admissions consultant.
A medical school admissions consultant, like those at International Medical Aid, help guide and advise students through the application process. They offer personalized support and feedback to help you navigate the process and strengthen your application. If you want to put together a competitive application that highlights your strengths not only as a student but as a future physician, we highly recommend speaking with a consultant.
If you are like the vast majority of medical students, we know that you and your application will benefit greatly from IMA’s medical school admissions consulting.
Why Northeast Ohio Medical University?
Northeast Ohio Medical University began shaping the minds of aspiring doctors roughly 50 years ago, and since then, they have made quite the name for themselves as one of the best medical colleges in the state of Ohio. The majority of the students who graduate from NEOMED go on to work in primary care and underserved areas throughout Ohio. Even though this is the path most of NEOMED’s grads choose to take, it is not the only option. Many other students study and become well-trained in specialty areas such as pediatrics, surgery, and psychiatry.
Another wonderful benefit of choosing NEOMED is their connection to 24 plus teaching hospitals and healthcare partners. The university also has over 2,300 staff members within 15 academic departments to provide students with the best and most up-to-date education possible.
Northeast Ohio Medical University Rankings
- #95 Best Medical Schools: Research
- #95 Best Medical Schools: Primary Care
- #85 Most Diverse Medical Schools
- #150 Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
- #94 Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
- #90 Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas
Medical Programs at Northeast Ohio Medical University
Before applying to any medical school, it is important to understand and be informed about the various med programs the college offers. Researching the various medical programs offered by NEOMED will help you make an informed decision about if the university is a good fit for you and help you further focus your application.
NEOMED offers degrees in medicine, medical science, public health, health research, and much more.
In this guide, we will focus on the main degree programs offered by the university including the standard 4-year program and dual degree options.
Four-year MD Program
The MD program at NEOMED follows the college’s new curriculum, implemented in July 2020. The new, improved curriculum focuses on active learning.
Key points of the new program curriculum are:
- 23 classroom hours or less per week
- Single modules covering a specific topic that run for 4 to 8 weeks
- Content is theme/system based and integrated
- Primarily active classroom instruction
- Systematic use of NBME exams
- Module dyads that include one base science and one clinical faculty member
Other Degrees and Concentrations
Aside from the standard 4-year program, NEOMED offers several degree options. All of these programs follow the same curriculum guidelines as their 4-year program.
Integrated Pharmaceutical Medicine (MS or PhD) – This NEOMED program is designed to train and educate students on how to be leading independent scholars and scientists. Students are trained through the integrated curriculum with a unique perspective on the mechanisms of disease and targets for therapeutic interventions.
MPH – This program offered by NEOMED provides students with a foundation of various public health skills which can be applied to many jobs and other skill sets. The program is designed for those working professionals who want to broaden their roles or advance their careers.
Biomedical Sciences (MS or PhD) – The Biomedical Sciences program through NEOMED is in partnership with Kent State. This program is designed to promote both research and education in the biomedical disciplines. Research focuses on most of the aspects of biomedicine including cellular, molecular, and organism levels of biological organization.
Master of Leadership in Health Systems Science – This program develops a student’s leadership skills and professionalism while further developing their knowledge base of health systems science. Students within this program focus on analyzing the way care is delivered within a health organization.
Selection Factors: What NEOMED Looks for in an Applicant
What is Northeast Ohio Medical University looking for in an applicant—GPA, MCAT scores, internships, and more?
The majority of colleges in the US review medical school applications using a holistic approach. A holistic approach to application review means the admissions committee views your application as a whole and tries to capture the big picture idea of who you are as a student, candidate, and individual. Most admissions committees follow the AAMC Core Competencies as their guide during the review process.
Northeast Ohio Medical University lists a few key factors that they feel make a student an ideal candidate on their website. Those factors include:
- Someone who possesses integrity, intelligence, and personal and emotional characteristics needed to become a competent physician.
- Those who seek careers as a physician practicing patient-centered care
- Those who want to serve as leaders of change in healthcare in Ohio and beyond
- Those who strive to uphold the mission and values of NEOMED
If you want to be accepted into one of the various medical programs at NEOMED, be sure to focus on these factors as you create your application. For more information about the college’s mission and values, check out their website.
Application Requirements for Northeast Ohio Medical University
Similar to most colleges in Ohio and across the US, Northeast Ohio Medical University has specific academic criteria that applicants must meet to be considered for acceptance. Failure to meet these outlined criteria will result in applicants not receiving a secondary application.
GPA and MCAT Requirements for NEOMED
The GPA and MCAT requirements for NEOMED are listed on their admissions website along with any other academic criteria that applicants must meet. These stats are subject to change for each school year, but let’s review the current requirements.
For those who are considering applying to NEOMED in 2023, the college lists both an overall GPA and a GPA average. An applicant’s overall GPA should fall between 3.51 and 3.86 (middle 50%) with an average GPA score of 3.68. Northeast Ohio Medical University also includes the GPA stats for college BCPM (biology, chemistry, physics, and math) which should fall in the range of 3.40 to 3.82 (middle 50%) with an overall average of 3.59.
As for MCAT score requirements, the college also lists these as a range and overall average. If you are looking to be a competitive applicant, then your MCAT score should fall in the range of 505 to 515 (middle 50%) or hit the MCAT average of 510 as listed by NEOMED.
When applying to NEOMED, like most med schools, they will accept MCAT scores of up to 3 years old. If you took your MCAT exam more than 3 years ago, you will need to register for another upcoming MCAT test date to provide the college with an accurate and up-to-date score. If you are applying prior to taking your MCAT, please note this in your AMCAS primary application as the admissions committee will not review your application until your MCAT score has been received.
Volunteer Service and Clinical Experience
While Northeast Ohio Medical University does not list any specific requirements for clinical or volunteer experience, it is always a good idea to include these on your application. Many colleges do not have specific requirements for these but do like to see them on a student’s application. Adding any relevant clinical and volunteer experiences will make you a more competitive candidate and hopefully give you the edge needed to be accepted into your dream program.
If you do not have any of these experiences, but would like to incorporate them into your application, we highly recommend a pre-med shadowing study abroad program. Pre-med shadowing study abroad programs are conveniently offered by International Medical Aid and give you the opportunity to travel to a new location, such as South America, the Caribbean, or East Africa and gain real-life hands-on clinical experience.
Northeast Ohio Medical University Letters of Recommendation
Unlike most medical colleges, Northeast Ohio Medical University states on their admission requirements webpage that they do not require nor accept letters of evaluation for their MD programs.
For many students, this is likely a relief as you are already trying to collect multitudes of letters of recommendation for other colleges you intend to apply to. However, this also means that your application needs to be as good and as competitive as possible to further help you stand out from other applicants.
Required Coursework for NEOMED
The following prerequisite courses are required by NEOMED and applicants, regardless of pathway must have completed these courses to be considered for acceptance. Additionally, you must have earned a C- or higher in each of these courses.
Organic Chemistry – 2 Semesters With Labs
Physics – 2 Semesters With Labs
Biology – 2 Semesters With Labs
Biochemistry – 1 Semester
Additional Recommended Courses
These courses are listed by NEOMED as additional courses that while not required for acceptance into their med program they feel all M1 students would benefit from taking.
Anatomy
Calculus
Cell Biology
Writing/Composition
Genetics
Immunology
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Neuroscience
Physiology
Sociology
Statistics
Please keep in mind that Northeast Ohio Medical University lists these as recommended but not required. While we recommend students complete as many recommended courses as possible to build a competitive application, it is not always feasible to take on a heavy course load. Additionally, NEOMED does not provide a recommendation for how many semesters of each class applicants should complete.
Does Northeast Ohio Medical University Require the CASPer exam?
The CASPer exam is an online test designed to assess the non-cognitive abilities of an applicant. This test is not required by every college, but you should thoroughly research each school’s unique requirements.
Per NEOMED’s list of required application materials, CASPer test results are required as part of the college’s application process.
Northeast Ohio Medical University’s Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics
Northeast Ohio Medical University has an acceptance rate of 5%.
Let’s take a look at the stats for their most recent class.
Out of 4,069 applicants, 188 were accepted with 161 choosing to enroll at NEOMED.
Of those 161 students, 47.8% are women and 52.2% are men.
The matriculants have an average GPA of 3.71 and an average science GPA of 3.64.
The average MCAT score amongst the matriculants is 506.
Northeast Ohio Medical University Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Aside from tuition and fees, students hoping to attend NEOMED should budget for textbooks, supplies, incidentals, and living costs. Northeast Ohio Medical University has provided the projected tuition costs for students M1 through M4 for the 2022-2023 school year.
Keep in mind that non-Ohio residents will pay a surcharge in addition to the standard tuition. This surcharge is listed as $41,687 for M1, M2, and M4 and $55,576 for M3.
Year 1:
- $43,369 for Tuition and Fees
- $3,530.50 for Living Costs
- $46,899.50 Total for Resident Students
Year 2:
- $43,069 for Tuition and Fees
- $3,788 for Living Costs
- $46,857 Total for Resident Students
Year 3:
- $57,013 for Tuition and Fees
- $3,951 for Living Costs
- $60,964 Total for Resident Students
Year 4:
- $43,069 for Tuition and Fees
- $1,498 for Living Costs
- $44,567 Total for Resident Students
AMCAS Primary Application and Northeast Ohio Medical University Secondary Application
The AMCAS application is the primary standardized application used by med schools in the United States. This primary application is sent to all of the medical colleges that you wish to apply to. In general, it will take NEOMED 4 to 6 weeks to review your AMCAS application after they have received it.
Upon receiving and reviewing your primary application, if Northeast Ohio Medical University views you as a good potential fit for their program, they will invite you to complete the NEOMED secondary application. Please note that you will be required to pay a $95 fee for the secondary application. All secondary applications are specific to each university and ask more in-depth questions to help the admissions committee determine if you are a good fit for the college.
If you do not meet the academic requirements previously listed in this guide, you will not be invited to move forward and fill out the secondary application.
For those who may need further clarification about the differences between primary and secondary applications, check out this helpful article.
Northeast Ohio Medical University Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
A critical part of applying to medical school includes filling out a college’s secondary application. The secondary application prompts and questions often give you additional space to further tell the admissions committee who you are as an individual, including your motivations, ambitions, character, and more. This is an opportunity for you to showcase and demonstrate what makes you a unique NEOMED candidate. Here are some of our top tips for submitting a well-thought-out and successful secondary application.
- Carefully read each essay prompt, ensuring that you pay close attention to all parts of the prompt or question and address them in your response.
- To support your responses you should use concrete evidence, meaning evidence from your academic, extracurricular, or professional experiences.
- Do not repeat information already provided in your AMCAS primary application. While you can further elaborate on a topic you feel you did not get to flesh out in your AMCAS application fully, do not repeat the same info as this is your chance to stand out.
- Carefully edit and proofread your essays and other application materials for errors.
- Write your responses in a clear and concise manner. Avoid filler, unnecessary sentences and words, and be sure to remain on topic.
- Consider IMA’s admission consulting service. At IMA, we understand that this can be a difficult and stressful time for students. Our consultants can help by reviewing your application and identifying areas that may need improvement.
NEOMED applicants are only given 1 essay prompt for their secondary application. This has its pros and its cons. On the one hand, you do not have to spend hours writing responses for essay questions like you may need to do for other medical schools you applied to. However, you also only have one chance to showcase your unique personality, traits, and experiences to NEOMED.
Essay #1
What do you hope to achieve from your experience as a NEOMED student? (5000 characters max).
This is the essay prompt pulled from Northeast Ohio Medical University’s most recent secondary application. Keep in mind essay prompts change each year. If you come across a prompt similar to this one, you will have a good opportunity to discuss what drew you to apply at NEOMED and give the admissions committee a bit more information about yourself.
Here is a sample answer:
After researching dozens of medical schools in the local area and throughout the country, I chose to apply to Northeast Ohio Medical University as I feel I can gain unique experiences at NEOMED that I can not at other universities.
Upon beginning my medical education at NEOMED, I hope to gain a wealth of experience both in the classroom and in a clinical setting that will prepare me to build my own private practice after graduating. From my educational experience at Northeast Ohio Medical University, I hope to achieve new insight surrounding the healthcare system in rural Ohio areas as this is where I want to establish my own primary care practice. As a future private healthcare practice owner, I find the mission and values of NEOMED align with not only my own values but also some of the values I wish to adopt throughout my education.
NEOMED’s aspiration to be a national leader in community-centered medical care is truly an inspiration to me and makes me want to further aid the communities of rural Ohio in any way that I can. I know by attending NEOMED I will be able to give back to the state and local communities through clinical experience in the local hospitals and healthcare networks. I hope to achieve a further developed sense of compassion for those who do not have access to healthcare due to income, location, or any other list of reasons.
Ultimately, my goal is to achieve a newfound sense of compassion and respect for patients through my education. This sense of respect and compassion will aid in my endeavors as a medical professional and help me provide patient-centered care throughout my future career and make me a better physician in the long run.
Medical School Admissions Consulting
At International Medical Aid, we make it a point to provide students with thorough and highly informative content. We understand that applying for medical schools and getting accepted into a college’s MD program is a highly stressful and often overwhelming time for many.
We want to see all aspiring physicians succeed and be accepted into the university of their dreams. One of the best ways that you can help boost your chances of achieving your dreams and create a competitive med school application is by seeking the professional services of a medical school admissions consultant. Medical school admission consultants provide a wealth of knowledge for all stages of the application process, whether you need help navigating the process from start to finish or just want some guidance perfecting your secondary application essays, IMA has plenty of amazing consultants who can help you succeed.
If you are interested in learning more about the services we offer, we highly recommend you schedule a free consultation with IMA today.
Voluntary Healthcare Internships Abroad
Our pre-med shadowing study abroad programs provide aspiring physicians with amazing opportunities to travel, shadow doctors, and gain hands-on experience in a variety of clinical environments. All of the healthcare internships we offer are intensive and patient-facing.
These internships extend far beyond helping you create a more compelling and competitive application for NEOMED or other medical schools. IMA’s program seeks to serve various struggling populations in locations such as East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Through these programs, you can develop and hone your doctoring skills, serve the medically underserved, gain insight, broaden your perspectives, and make lifelong memories. Don’t just take our word for it though, read through our alumni testimonials and hear what those who have been a part of these internships have to say.
There is a lot involved in our internships and we recommend that those who are interested take time to research and learn about all of the programs we offer by checking out our website.
Good Luck!
From all of us at International Medical Aid, we sincerely want to wish you the best of luck and success in all of your future medical career endeavors. When filling out your med school applications, remember to always take your time, be strategic, and never hesitate to ask for and enlist help if you feel that you may need additional guidance.
If you want to know more about other top medical schools in Ohio or across the US or are curious to know “how NEOMED stacks up to other medical schools near me”, check out our other ultimate school guides.
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- University of Toledo College of Medicine
- Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
- Ohio State University College of Medicine
- Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM)
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS)
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU)
- A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine
- University of Missouri Medical School
- Kansas City University (KCU)
- UMKC School of Medicine
- New York Medical College
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- University of Wisconsin Medical School
- VCU School of Medicine
- University of Maryland School of Medicine
- Case Western Medical School
- University of North Carolina Medical School
- University of Florida Medical School
- Emory University School of Medicine
- Boston University College of Medicine
- California University of Science and Medicine
- UC San Diego Medical School
- California Northstate University College of Medicine
- Touro University of California
- CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
- UC Davis School of Medicine
- Harvard Medical School
- UC Riverside School of Medicine
- USC Keck School of Medicine
- UT Southwestern Medical School
- Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio
- University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
- UT Austin’s Dell Medical School
- UTMB School of Medicine
- McGovern Medical School at UT Health
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- McGovern Medical School at UT Health
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
- UNT Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of Houston College of Medicine
- Texas A&M College of Medicine
- Johns Hopkins Medical School
- Baylor College of Medicine
- George Washington University School of Medicine
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
- St. George’s University School of Medicine
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (in Pennsylvania)
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine
- Western University of Health Sciences (in California)
- Drexel University College of Medicine
- Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago
- Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Yale School of Medicine
- Perelman School of Medicine
- UCLA Medical School
- NYU Medical School
- Washington University School of Medicine
- Brown Medical School
