Prerequisites for the M.D. program

All candidates, regardless of nationality, religion, ethnicity, creed, or socio-economic status are welcome to apply. Foreign nationals must be eligible for obtaining a visa to the Republic of Lebanon. SGUB-FM seeks a diverse input of backgrounds and capabilities to enrich its programs and develop physicians with wide-ranging skills and attitudes.

Degrees

All applicants must have a Bachelor's degree (BA, BSc, or equivalent) from an accredited college or university in any undergraduate discipline.

Competencies

SGUB-FM uses in its decision for admission the “15 Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students”, which have been endorsed by the American Association for Medical Colleges (AAMC) in the United States of America.
These competencies provide a framework for considering how the candidates’ work, activities, and life experiences demonstrate their readiness for medical school.
Successful medical school applicants are able to show that they possess skills, knowledge, and capabilities in the following 15 core competencies:

These competencies and are normally expressed, acquired, and assessed by:

1. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
The MCAT is required of all applicants. Applicants must have a current MCAT score (within three years of application to SGUB-FM). The SGUB-FM Admissions Committee uses the total score and the scores in each of the four sections to rank the applicants, while taking into consideration the equivalent score bands. It identifies any areas of excellence (not counted in the scoring below). The most recent MCAT score will be considered.
Information regarding the MCAT and the procedure for reporting scores to SGUB-FM may be obtained from the SGUB Admissions Office or by directly contacting:
MCAT Program
P.O. Box 4056
Iowa City, IA 52243-4056
Phone: +1-319-337-1357
E-mail: [email protected]

Following the suspension of the MCAT administration in Lebanon, the SGUB-FM waived the MCAT score in the selection for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. Therefore, the MCAT exam is considered a plus but not mandatory. 

2. The following undergraduate courses given by most universities:

a. One year of biology and/or zoology (with one year of lab)
b. One year of inorganic chemistry (with one year of lab)
c. One year or organic chemistry (with one year of lab)
d. One year of physics (with one year of lab)
e. One course of biochemistry

Core courses in humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and languages (English and Arabic), the latter needed for communication with patients. These are typically required courses in most undergraduate majors. All applicants must have these prerequisite courses completed by June 15 of the planned matriculation year.
Depending on the Baccalaureate exam taken, credits may be considered premed-equivalent according to the following table.

3. Dates and deadlines
 
For the upcoming academic year (2022-2023) we will be accepting applications till June 30, 2022. However, decisions of acceptance will be issued starting May 22, 2022. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to secure their places, preferably before May 6, 2022.

Selection Of Candidates

SGUB-FM uses a primary review to select candidates to interview for acceptance.

Primary Review

Factors included in the primary review are:
1. Academic record including GPA
2. MCAT score
3. Extracurricular activities: examples include, but are not limited to, community service involvement, leadership and research experience, health care exploration, and hobbies.
4. Personal statement
5. Letters of recommendation

The Total and Core GPAs each counts for 20%, the MCAT counts for 40%, and the extracurricular activities count for 20% of the total score. The extracurricular activities, the personal statement, and the letter of recommendation will all together account for 20%. Applicants will be ranked based on their primary review scores and the highest-ranking candidates will be invited for an interview.

Interview

The Admissions Committee selects qualified applicants for a structured interview at SGUB-FM. The candidates for early admission will be informed of the date and venue of the interview by December 31 and the candidates for regular admission by March 30 of the application year. Interviews will be conducted between January 1 and January 31 for early admission candidates, and between March 15 and April 15 for regular admission candidates, of the application year.
The interview process will consist of two types of interviews:

1. Students will be evaluated in eight stations according to the multiple mini-interview (MMI) format.
2. Students will have a traditional interview with two faculty members from SGUB-FM.

The MMI score accounts for two-thirds and the traditional interview accounts for one-third of the total interview score.

Selection and Notification

1. The total primary review score accounts for 70% of the final score of interviewed applicants.
2. The total interview score accounts for 30% of the final score of interviewed applicants.

Applicants will be notified of the decision by the end of January for early applicants and by the end of June for regular applicants.