Medical Schools in South Carolina: How to Get Accepted In 2024

Application Strategies for South Carolina Medical Schools

We at International Medical Aid (IMA) developed this guide to assist aspiring physicians in reviewing each of the four medical schools in South Carolina. You may have found us by searching online for “medical schools near me,” and perhaps you’ve come across a plethora of information that can get a little overwhelming. One of the benefits of this guide is that we’ve been able to take a lot of information and condense it into a brief glance at the best medical colleges in South Carolina all together in one place. We hope this will help you make your decision or come up with a shortlist.

Bear in mind that every medical school is different, and each admissions committee has its own list of requirements, preferences, goals, and bottom lines when it comes to selecting candidates. It will be important to thoroughly explore each school you are interested in, and we do have detailed medical school guides to help with that process as well.

There are some foundational assets that will be highly valued by most, if not all, medical schools. Maintaining a high GPA, particularly in the science courses, is a plus, and a solid MCAT score can also help a great deal. Make sure to take all recommended and required prerequisites during your undergraduate work and take up any opportunity to get some clinical experience along the way. Medical colleges in South Carolina are highly competitive, and the caliber of students matriculating has gone up and up over the years. Being as prepared as possible is going to give you the advantage needed to advance to the interview stage and to acceptance.

When you do your “medical schools near me” search and select a few schools to apply to, you should take some time to research what each individual school is known for, passionate about, and looking for in candidates. This is how you’ll determine if you’re a good fit for the school and if it’s a good fit for you. Do you share the same values, goals, and vision for medical care?

Take your time to do the research and save yourself the time, stress, and money of applying to schools where there is clearly a difference in the core beliefs.

Make Your Application Count: Medical School Admissions Consulting

You may discover, as you do your research, that there is plenty of advice out there for how to get into medical school, but these all tend to be very general bits of information. The truth is, earning acceptance into a medical school is a very personal endeavor because most admissions committees are really looking to get to know what makes each applicant an individual. They want to know what makes you unique.

At IMA, we believe that every journey to medical school is as unique as the candidates who are applying. That’s why we offer personalized, one-on-one guidance that takes your application to a whole new level. We have experts who can make themselves available to you for personalized advice, support, and preparation coaching.

Services at IMA include strategy meetings, essay editing services, interview prep, and even mock interviews. Our professionals will help you put your best foot forward, stand out to the admissions committee, and be as prepared as possible for the interview.

If you’d like to know more about IMA’s Medical School Admissions Consulting page and schedule your own initial consultation.

South Carolina Medical Schools: Pre-Med Considerations

If you’re among the future medical professionals who are researching and planning early, there are some great ways you can work on building up a solid admissions application now by following the following advice:

• Take some good science classes that are likely to be prerequisites for medical schools, such as Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, etc. You’ll want to do well in your science classes and keep up your GPA. You may want to visit IMA’s Medical School GPA Calculator for more help in this area.
• Leave yourself plenty of time to take the MCAT – maybe even twice in case the first score doesn’t meet your expectations or make you a competitive candidate.
• Sign up for clubs and extracurricular activities. Get involved with the student body. Student government is a great option. Sports are fantastic. Look also for clubs and activities that are related to science and medicine.
• Volunteer or sign up for clinical experiences as often as possible. You can work for a doctor’s office, get involved with medical research, or simply volunteer at a clinic. The more experience, the better.

One of the best clinical experiences you can participate in is one of the pre-med shadowing study abroad programs available at IMA. This experience will provide you with immeasurable value as you learn about practicing medicine in a foreign country with patients who speak a different language and come from a vastly different background than you can imagine. Whether you’re interested in pre-medical internships in Peru, Uganda, Kenya, or more, you’ll discover this is the opportunity of a lifetime. If you’re interested in learning more, visit our site.

When it comes to your GPA, you’ll find that all medical schools in South Carolina, regardless of how holistically they approach their application process, will be more drawn to applicants with great GPAs. GPAs from medical colleges in South Carolina tend to be between 3.5 and 4.0. You’re going to need to calculate your GPA and also check to see what the college of your choice expects or requires from your GPA score. Our Medical School GPA Calculator can shed a lot of light on the topic for you and help you with this important step.

IMA has compiled a list of the average GPA and MCAT score for every medical school in the US, and this can be useful as you plan your pathway to matriculation. This may motivate you to work hard to raise those scores to the best of your ability, and to get an idea of what the best medical schools in South Carolina and around the country are looking for.

Ultimately, if you want to get into one of the best medical schools in South Carolina, get that GPA as high as possible.

South Carolina Medical School Profiles and How to Get Accepted

Below is an alphabetical list of medical schools in South Carolina. Click on the links to find out more about the school, details about the application process, and what these colleges are looking for in a candidate. There is also information about campus life, interview processes, and essay prompts with sample answers.

• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
• The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
• The University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Columbia)
• The University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Greenville)

University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Greenville)

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Greenville prides itself on being different from other medical schools in South Carolina with the inclusion of their immersive EMT program for all new students and the systems-based focus in the curriculum.

Medical Degrees:

• 4-Year MD
• MD/PhD Dual Degree
• Certificate in Psychiatric Rehabilitation

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Greenville) Highlights

Here are a few key pieces of information about the University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Greenville) that set it apart from other South Carolina medical schools.

EMT Immersion Training – All new students of the University of South Carolina Medical School in Greenville will go through immersive EMT training their very first week. This gives them a real-life look at the challenges of the healthcare system. Certified students will work as EMTs 12 hours a month.

Integrated Practice of Medicine – This faculty focuses on bringing the art back to practicing medicine. They work towards this goal through small-group learning and specialized training. The University of South Carolina Medical School is also focused on Lifestyle Medicine, which addresses the health of the whole patient.

Here is the University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Greenville) rankings:

This school is unranked.

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Greenville) Selection Factors

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine admissions committee focuses on a few key factors about your application when they are considering your eligibility and suitability as a candidate.

GPA – There is no minimum GPA, but the average GPA for new students is 3.7-3.75.

MCAT – There is no minimum MCAT requirement, but the average MCAT score is 509.

Letters of Recommendation – The University of South Carolina School of Medicine requires 3-5 letters of recommendation to be submitted with their application. If your college or university provides you with a Premedical Advisory Committee letter, this is going to fulfill your requirements. The admissions committee does not require certain types of letters but advises students to submit letters from people who know them well, are familiar with their gifts in science, and are familiar with how they’ve succeeded in coursework.

How Competitive is the University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Greenville)?

The University of South Carolina Medical School is a challenging school to gain acceptance into, and those applicants who are successful were the ones who were meticulous about the application process, made an impression by being their unique selves, and were as prepared as possible.

• Total Enrollment: 100 new students
• Average MCAT – 509
• Average GPA – 3.75
• 70% In-state students
• 30% Out-of-state students

The acceptance rate at the University of South Carolina Medical School is 2.5%, making it very difficult to gain acceptance. For more information and helpful tips about successfully applying, check out How to Get Into the University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Greenville): The Definitive Guide.

University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Columbia)

Located in the lovely state capital of Columbia, South Carolina, the University of South Carolina School of Medicine has been educating medical professionals since 1973. Medical programs at the University of South Carolina Medical School are fully accredited and provide students with an integrated academic and clinical education. They also developed a faculty mentorship program that is quite special and effective.

Medical Degrees:

• Four-year MD
• Dual Degree MD/PhD
• PA
• Biomedical Science
• CRNA
• Genetic Counseling

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Columbia) Highlights

Here are a few key pieces of information about the University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Columbia) that set it apart from other South Carolina medical schools.

Community-Focused Care – Being community-focused, preparing physicians and medical professionals of all types to serve the people of South Carolina, particularly the underserved population, is a key part of their vision and goals.

Research – If you are interested in the research aspect of medicine, the University Medical School of SC is a great choice. They believe the key to truly understanding how to treat ALL patients is extensive research.

Here are the University of South Carolina School of Medicine rankings:

• #1 in Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas

• #44 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
• #65 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas (tie)
• #71 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care (tie)
• #93 in Best Medical Schools: Research (tie)
• #97-125 in Most Diverse Medical Schools

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Columbia) Selection Factors

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine admissions committee focuses on a few key factors about your application when they are considering your eligibility and suitability as a candidate.

GPA – There is no minimum GPA requirement, but the average GPA for current matriculants is 3.7.

MCAT – There is no minimum MCAT requirement, but the average MCAT score is 508.

Letters of Recommendation – The University of South Carolina School of Medicine requires applicants to submit a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 letters of recommendation, one of which was written by faculty from the science department of your college or university. Letters may also be authored by a pre-health committee or advisor or a letter packet put together by your college.

How Competitive is the University of South Carolina Medical School (Columbia)?

The University of South Carolina Medical School is a highly competitive school to gain admission. They have no minimum MCAT score or GPA, and the admissions committee takes a holistic approach to selecting candidates.

• Total Enrollment: 100 students
• Men: 45%
• Women: 55%
• Average MCAT – 508
• Average GPA – 3.75

The acceptance rate at the University of South Carolina Medical School is 3%, making it very challenging to gain acceptance. For more information and helpful tips about successfully applying, check out How to Get Into the University of South Carolina School of Medicine: The Definitive Guide.

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Located in Charleston, South Carolina, MUSC boasts of being the only comprehensive academic health system in the state. The clinical health system is manned by around 25,000 medical professionals and team members who treat patients at 14 hospitals and more. The goal is to meet the needs of patients head-on while preparing the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and other health professionals to do the same.

Medical Degrees:

• Four-year MD
• Combined MD/PhD
• PharmD
• DMD
• Combined DMD/PhD
• PhD in Nursing Science
• APRN
• CRNA

MUSC Highlights

Here are a few key pieces of information about MUSC that set it apart from other South Carolina medical schools:

Integrated Healthcare System – The integrated healthcare system consists of 14 hospitals with around 2,500 beds. More hospitals are being designed and developed. There are also more than 300 telehealth sites and more than 700 care locations throughout South Carolina. Students have all of this potential at their fingertips.

Six Colleges – The Medical University of SC consists of six colleges: Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, and Health Professions. Residency training is also available at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Here are the MUSC’s rankings:

• #6 in Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
• #56 in Best Medical Schools: Research (tie)
• #65 in Most Diverse Medical Schools (tie)
• #75 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas (tie)
• $76 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care (tie)
• #108 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields (tie)

The Medical University of South Carolina Selection Factors

The Medical University of SC admissions committee focuses on a few key factors about your application when they are considering your eligibility and suitability as a candidate.

GPA – There is no minimum GPA for applicants to MUSC, but applicants who have a GPA of less than 3.4 are usually encouraged to earn a graduate degree before applying. The average GPA for matriculating students is 3.7.

MCAT – MUSC has a minimum MCAT score requirement of 500, but the average matriculating student scores around 511.

Letters of Recommendation – MUSC requires applicants to submit a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 letters of recommendation, one of which was written by faculty from the science department of your college or university.

How Competitive is the Medical University of South Carolina?

The Medical University of South Carolina is a competitive school to gain admission. Their minimum MCAT score requirement of 500 restricts who may apply. It is important that applicants do their best to follow all instructions.

• Total Enrollment: 188 students
• Men: 40%
• Women: 60%
• Average MCAT – 511
• Average GPA – 3.77
• 87% In-State Students
• 13% Out-of-State Students

The acceptance rate at the Medical University of SC is 4.8%, making it a challenging school to gain acceptance. For more information and helpful tips about successfully applying to MUSC, take a look at How to Get Into the Medical University of South Carolina: The Definitive Guide.

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM Carolinas)

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) opened its doors to students in 2003 to remedy a tremendous shortage of osteopathic doctors in the rural areas of certain southern states. In fact, if you search for DO schools in South Carolina, you’ll find VCOM to be the only one of its kind. The first campus opened in Virginia. Campuses were later added in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Auburn, Alabama, and Monroe, Louisiana. The mission from the beginning was clear: to educate osteopathic doctors who would provide quality healthcare to the underserved regions of these states.

Medical Degrees:

• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• DO/MPH (parallel dual degree)
• Master of Arts: Biomedical Sciences (affiliated)
• Master of Science in Applied Healthcare Data Analytics (affiliated)

VCOM Highlights

Here a few key pieces of information about VCOM that set it apart from other South Carolina medical schools:

Rural Practice – From the very beginning, VCOM has had one very prominent purpose: to train osteopathic doctors who would set up practices in underserved, rural regions of the country. Recruiting and graduating students who would bridge the gaps in healthcare availability for residents of rural areas, minorities, and people of poverty status.

Osteopathic Medicine – Osteopathic medicine focuses on the whole patient and not just a handful of symptoms. VCOM seeks to promote and educate people about osteopathic medicine in order to promote healthy living that stops illness before it happens whenever possible.

Here are the VCOM’s rankings:

• #9 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
• #38 in Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
• #40 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas
• #91 in Most Diverse Medical Schools (tie)
• #94-124 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Selection Factors

The VCCOM admissions committee focuses on a few key factors about your application when they are considering your eligibility and suitability as a candidate.

GPA – For candidates who apply with a minimum of 90 credit hours and who have a bachelor’s degree, the minimum GPA requirement for VCOM is 3.4 for science and 3.4 cumulative.

MCAT – Most students who apply for VCOM have an average MCAT score of 500-506, but the minimum score accepted is 596.

Letters of Recommendation – The admissions committee at VCOM requires a letter of recommendation from a faculty member of the science department or from a pre-medical committee from your university or college. You may submit additional letters as well, but they should be from individuals who know you well and have knowledge of your performance in your coursework, specifically science.

How Competitive is Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine?

It can be difficult to gain acceptance into VCOM due to its shining reputation and the school’s minimum GPA and MCAT requirements. It’s crucial that applicants follow the application process carefully and put all of their effort into every step of the way.

• Total Enrollment: 160 students
• Minimum MCAT – 496
• Minimum GPA – 3.4

The acceptance rate at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine is around 2%, making it one of the difficult medical schools to get into. For more information and helpful tips about successfully applying to VCOM, take a look at How to Get Into Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM): The Definitive Guide.

How Can IMA Help?

International Medical Aid (IMA) is an organization that offers an incredible array of useful tools and exciting experiences to medical students and clinicians. Our global internship opportunities provide participants with experiences that change their lives as future doctors and human beings forever. IMA’s pre-med shadowing study abroad programs allow students the opportunity to work with patients who live in underserved parts of the world and are lacking access to quality, consistent medical care. This clinical experience will look great to the admissions committees of the best medical schools in South Carolina.

IMA also offers medical school admissions consulting as a tool for gaining acceptance into the medical school of their choice. Our experts provide one-on-one, personalized guidance, tips, and preparatory coaching throughout the process. Guidance on essay-writing and mock interviews goes a long way.

Another IMA source that might be incredibly useful to you is our Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts Database. One cannot take the essay prompt section of the secondary application too seriously. It is a big part of how the admissions committee makes their decision about each candidate because it gives them a glimpse into what makes the applicant a unique individual, how they will be a positive force on campus, and what kind of medical professional they are likely to become.

Good Luck!

As you do your research into which of the best medical schools in South Carolina is the right one for you, or DO schools in South Carolina for that matter, we hope this guide comes in handy. You may want to print it and keep it nearby. If you’re still wondering “what are the best medical schools near me”, look at the individual guides for a deeper dive into each school.Please don’t hesitate to contact us at IMA if you are interested in taking advantage of our medical school admissions consulting or if you’d like more information about gaining clinical experience through our pre-med shadowing study abroad programs. Let us help you earn your acceptance to one of your favorite medical colleges in South Carolina.