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The Commonwealth Medical College

Scranton, PA Class Size: 0
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Statistics Tuition Friendliness Mission Statement Situational Judgement Tests Dates & Deadlines Prerequisite Courses Dual Degree Tracks Contact Information Secondary App Questions Interview Questions

Gaining admission to The Commonwealth Medical College is Moderately Competitive. Applicants typically have an average GPA of 3.87 and an average MCAT score of 514.03.

Statistics

To summarize, listed below are the most important academic statistics for The Commonwealth Medical College applicants:

Average GPA:
3.87
Average MCAT:
514.03
Competitiveness:
Moderately Competitive
Note: Competitiveness is assessed based on the school's acceptance rate, average MCAT, and average GPA.
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Tuition

Affording medical school can be tough, often requiring students to take on significant loans. Information about the yearly tuition for The Commonwealth Medical College is below.

In-State Tuition:
$$64,604
Out-of-State Tuition:
$$71,766

For more information about tuition at The Commonwealth Medical College, visit the following link: https://www.geisinger.edu/gchs/education/gcsom/admissions-financial-aid/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance-md-program

Friendliness

Some schools prefer in-state candidates, while others are more receptive to out-of-state or international applicants. View our school "friendliness" scores for The Commonwealth Medical College below:

IN-STATE

In-State Friendliness:
Neutral

OUT-OF-STATE

Accepts Out-of-State:
Yes
Out-of-State Friendliness:
Neutral

INTERNATIONAL

Accepts Canadian:
No
Accepts International:
Yes
International Friendliness:
Neutral

Note: Most schools will be labelled "Neutral" for In-State Friendlines because they don't have a strong bias for in-state applicants compared to out-of-state applicants. In other words, we believe these schools view In-State and Out-State applicants more or less equally. Schools labelled as "Out-of-State Friendly / Very Friendly" have a high proportion of their class filled with Out-of-State applicants.

Mission Statement

It is always important to read and understand a medical school's mission statement before applying. Often, you will find out what the medical school stands for, and if you fit in with the general "vibe" of the medical school. However, being honest, most medical schools have the same run-of-the-mill mission statement as everybody else. Anyways, you can be the judge. Below you can find the mission statement for The Commonwealth Medical College:

The Commonwealth Medical College Mission Statement:
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine educates aspiring physicians and scientists to serve society using a community-based, patient-centered, interprofessional and evidence-based model of education that is committed to fairness and respect for all, promotes discovery and employs innovative techniques.

For more information on the mission statement for The Commonwealth Medical College, visit the following link: https://www.geisinger.edu/gchs/education/gcsom/about/mission-history#:~:text=Mission%20statement,discovery%20and%20employs%20innovative%20techniques.

Situational Judgement Tests

The Commonwealth Medical College does not require the completion of either the Casper® nor the AAMC PREview™ examinations.

Casper®:
No
AAMC PREview™:
No

Dates, Deadlines, and Fees

Throughout your application cycle, there are many dates to be cognizant of in order to ensure the successful completion of your application.

Primary Application Deadline:
Dec 15
Secondary Application Deadline:
Jan 15
Secondary Application Fee:
$100
Note: The primary application deadline refers to when your primary application (i.e., the initial AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS application) needs to be completed. Please be aware that there are processing times associated with primary applications—for instance, there can be a several week processing time associated with verifying your acadmic transcripts when initially submitting the AMCAS application. Upon receipt of the primary application, most schools will then shortly send you a secondary application with targeted essay questions relevant to the specific school.

The secondary application deadline is the final day for all your application materials to be together, which includes submitting the secondary essays, all letters of recommendation, all test scores, etc. Sometimes, schools may have earlier deadlines for letters of recommendation. However, note that for the vast majority of schools it is best to submit your secondary application as soon as possible: within 2 weeks of receiving the secondary application is a good rule-of-thumb.

Below are some other helpful dates:

Interview Cycle Start:
Sept
Interview Cycle End:
March
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Prerequisite Courses

Most schools have a list of prerequisite courses that you need to have completed before matriculating. View information provided for The Commonwealth Medical College below:

Interpreting Semester Hours
Typically,
3 Semester Hours = A single semester-long course = 1 or 2 quarters
4 Semester Hours = A single semester-long course + associated lab unit
6 Semester Hours = Two semester-long courses = 3 quarters
8 Semester Hours = Two semester-long courses + two associated lab units

PHYSICS

Semester Hours:
Lab?
Not Required

CHEMISTRY

GenChem = General Chemistry

OChem = Organic Chemistry

Biochem = Biochemistry

GenChem Semester Hours:
GenChem Lab?
Not Required
OChem Semester Hours:
OChem Lab?
Not Required
Biochem Semester Hours:
Biochem Lab?
Not Required

BIOLOGY

GenBio = General Biology

HL Bio = Higher Level Biology

GenBio Semester Hours:
GenBio Lab?
Not Required
HL Bio Semester Hours:
HL Bio Lab?
Not Required

HUMANITIES & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Semester Hours:

ENGLISH/WRITING

Semester Hours:

MATHEMATICS/STATISTICS

Mathematics Semester Hours:
Statistics Semester Hours:

OTHER REQUIRED COURSES

OTHER RECOMMENDED COURSES

Biochemistry with lab; biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics (2 courses each with lab); statistics. MCAT taken June 2023 through Sept 2026. AAMC PREview strongly encouraged. Interviews are virtual MMI.

SOURCE: NA

Special Programs

Many schools have dual-degree programs for motivated applicants. View the ones offered at The Commonwealth Medical College below:

MD+PhD (MSTP - Medical Scientist Training Program):
MD+MPH (Public Health):
MD+MBA (Business, Healthcare Administration):
MD+JD (Law):
MD+MA (Master of Arts):
MD+MS (Master of Science):

Contact Information

View contact information (phone and email) available to contact The Commonwealth Medical College below:

CONTACT #1

Title:
E-mail:
mdadmissions@geisinger.edu
Phone:
570-504-9068

CONTACT #2

Title:
E-mail:
Phone:

Secondary Application Essay Prompts

Below are the past secondary (supplemental) application essay prompts for The Commonwealth Medical College.

Given Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine's unique mission and values, please tell us why you believe you are a good fit for our institution. (1500 characters)
List the five most important attributes you believe a physician should possess. Please choose one that you believe you embody and describe a personal experience that demonstrates this trait. (1500 characters)
Geisinger Commonwealth values diversity, health equity, inclusion, and social justice. Tell us how you will share in this mission. (1500 characters)
If you have previously applied to medical school, please describe your significant experiences between this year’s application and your previous application. If you are not a previous applicant, please type, “N/A” in the response area. (1500 characters)

Interview Questions

Below are common interview questions that you might encounter on your important day for The Commonwealth Medical College.

(If applicable) Can you provide an example of a memorable shadowing experience you have had?
What drives your passion for pursuing a career in medicine?
What aspects of this medical college interest you the most?
How can we encourage medical students to practice in underserved areas after graduation?
In your opinion, what does resilience mean and how does it apply to your journey?
If you considered other academic paths, why did you decide on the MD program?
(If applicable) Please elaborate on your involvement in your organizations.
What factors are you considering when choosing a medical school?
Please provide a brief overview of your background and experiences.
Can you explain the difference between empathy and sympathy?
Is there any additional information you believe the admissions committee should know about you?
What specialties in medicine are you currently considering?
Tell me about a book you recently read and what insights you gained from it.
(If applicable) Can you discuss your previous professional or academic experiences?
According to you, what is the most pressing challenge currently facing healthcare?
Among the qualities that you believe a physician should possess, which one stands out to you the most and why?
If you encountered a situation where staff were hesitant to treat a patient due to biases, how would you handle it?
How do you demonstrate resiliency in challenging scenarios?
What motivates your choice to pursue a career in medicine?
What are your greatest strengths and potential areas for growth?
How would you respond if you don't get accepted into medical school this cycle?
(If applicable) Do you have any connections to the region where this medical college is located?
(If applicable) Can you share a significant clinical experience you've had?
How do you manage stress and maintain well-being?
Why did you choose to pursue an MD degree, and how does it align with your professional aspirations?
Can you describe how you effectively work within a team setting?
(If applicable) What motivated your transition from a different field to medicine?
Reflecting on your undergraduate experience, what aspects did you appreciate the most?
Are there specific healthcare challenges in the region that you're passionate about addressing?
Are there any particular medical specialties that currently interest you?
(If applicable) How do your current responsibilities or roles relate to the attributes of a physician?
How do you plan to stay updated with the ever-evolving field of medicine?
How do you handle feedback, both positive and constructive?
Describe an instance where you had to make a difficult ethical decision.
What would you bring to the diverse community of this medical college?
How do you envision your role as a physician in community outreach and advocacy?
What are some values you think are essential for medical professionals?
How do you plan to balance the demands of a medical career with personal and family life?
What experiences have prepared you for the rigors of medical school?
How do you approach lifelong learning and professional development?