School of Medicine

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Facilities and Research Centers
Admission Information
Student Organizations

According to Thomas Jefferson, medical education was to become part of the curriculum and of the general education at the University of Virginia. A “School of Anatomy and Medicine” was one of the original eight schools authorized by an Act of the General Assembly, passed January 25, 1819, and opened on March 7, 1825.

Today, the University of Virginia Health System serves as a major acute-care referral institutions in central and western Virginia and a quaternary referral center drawing from around the nation and the world. The Health System comprises all of the direct patient care areas and the educational enterprise. It includes University Hospital and its clinics-both primary and specialty care.

The University of Virginia Hospital has come a long way since its beginnings as a 25-bed facility. Today, the Medical Center is the centerpiece of the Health System and also includes the School of Nursing, the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library and the School of Medicine.

The Health System also includes the Children’s Medical Center, the Kluge Children’s Rehabilitation Center, the Private Clinics Building, and the affiliated Virginia Ambulatory Surgery Center. The Center also operates a number of other local clinics and treatment centers. Preventative and family care are available, along with the leading specialists associated with a major medical center.

Address

School of Medicine Admissions
1146 McKim Hall
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 800725
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0725
(434) 924-5571 Fax: (434) 982-2586
medsch-adm@virginia.edu
www.hsc.virginia.edu/education-research/medschl.html

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Facilities and Research Centers

Teaching Facilities At the heart of the 140,000 square feet of School of Medicine teaching space is Jordan Hall, a seven-story structure that houses the lecture halls and laboratory facilities for the preclinical phase of the curriculum. The first floor of Jordan Hall contains two lecture auditoriums, each seating 152 students, as well as a smaller seminar room. The second floor houses additional student laboratories designed for both individual exercises in histology and pathology as well as group experiments and teaching sessions in microbiology. The rest of the second floor contains basic science research laboratories. Third through seventh floors of Jordan Hall are occupied by the academic offices and research laboratories of the departments of Cell Biology, Physiology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, and Microbiology. The newest addition to Jordan Hall is a full-equipped conference center, consisting of a 170-seat auditorium and six adjoining conference rooms.

Claude Moore Health Sciences Library The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library serves the faculty, students, and staff of the University of Virginia Health System, which includes the Schools of Medicine and Nursing, the hospital, and the clinics. The Library’s resources are also available to the University community and to health practitioners throughout Virginia. The Library is a modern, fully networked facility with small group study rooms, computer classrooms, a computer lab, and photocopying machines. Free self-service searching of journal and full text databases, such as MEDLINE, is available. All basic services of the Library are computerized for in-house and remote access.

The Library maintains well-developed collections of books, journals, and audiovisuals in medicine, nursing, and related areas. The Library offers numerous databases related to health care for easy citation retrieval and increasing numbers of full-text online journals and textbooks. Documents from the collection or from other libraries on Grounds can be delivered for a fee. A reserve collection contains basic medical and nursing texts, as well as items put on temporary reserve by course instructors. The reference collection includes directories, dictionaries, indexes, statistical sources, and other research tools.

The Learning Resources Center, on the first floor of the Library maintains a collection of videocassettes and other computer software. A variety of players, projectors, recorders, monitors, and computers is available. A state-of-the-art computer classroom is available for use in computer-based instruction.

The Library’s services, resources, and policies are all accessible from an extensive website at: www.med.virginia.edu/hs-library.

Research Facilities The research facilities of the School of Medicine include laboratories located in the old Medical School Building, Cobb Hall, Jordan Hall, and the Medical Research Buildings on grounds, the Fontaine Research Park, and the North Fork Research Park. Each of the five upper floors of Jordan Hall houses the offices and laboratories of one of the basic science departments. Components of the Cancer Center, the Diabetes Center, and several research service core labs occupy parts of the first and second floors of Jordan Hall. Clinical departments have their research labs in the old Medical School Building, Cobb Hall, the Medical Research Buildings, and the first two floors of Jordan Hall. In addition, the new Bioengineering and Medical Sciences Building houses research labs of the Departments of Pathology, Biomedical Engineering, and the Cardiovascular Research Center.

Medical Student Research Programs Medical students are able to participate to an increasing extent in the research programs of the School of Medicine. There is an active summer research program following the first year of medical school, and further research activities are available thereafter during elective periods. Medical students may also elect to extend their medical education to include a year of basic science or clinical research without an additional year’s tuition. The student will prepare a research proposal outlining the hypothesis for the project, methods, and a time schedule that must be approved by the student’s research supervisory committee. To complete the program, the student will present the initial proposal and a final report in the format of a scientific paper. Recognition for the research year will appear on the student’s transcript.

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Admission Information

The University of Virginia School of Medicine receives applications for admission that greatly exceed the number of places in the entering class. The Admissions Committee is thus placed in the position of having to choose a class from among an applicant population in which the number of academically qualified applicants far exceeds the number of available places. While the School of Medicine could choose its class solely on the basis of academic potential, neither the public nor the profession would be best served by an admissions process that was limited to selecting students by GPA and MCAT scores alone. The faculty believes that the educational process at the School, as well as the medical profession itself, is best served by an admissions process that will result in the selection of a diverse and multi-talented student body. The Admissions Committee, when choosing the class, considers not only academic credentials but also the personal characteristics and life experiences of applicants.

Admission to the School of Medicine will be granted to those applicants who, in the opinion of the Admissions Committee, will make the most significant contributions to society as members of the medical profession. In making its determination the School will consider factors such as: (1) the applicant’s general academic ability based upon a careful examination of all academic transcripts, including factors such as the grade-point average, the difficulty of the curriculum in which the degree was earned and the hours spent on outside employment or other time-consuming extracurricular activities; (2) the applicant’s capacity for the academic study of medicine based upon the MCAT score, and (3) other relevant personal qualities and characteristics of the applicant, including factors such as the applicant’s career goals, cultural and educational background and experiences, moral character, leadership qualities, commitment to community service, ability to think and act independently, and interpersonal and communication skills. The applicant should seek to have those persons writing letters of recommendation discuss such factors. To access the online-electronic application, please see the following website:

www.aamc.org

Association of American Medical Colleges
American Medical College Application Service
2501 M Street, NW, LBBY-26
Washington, DC 20037-1300
(202) 828-0635

A minimum of 90 semester hour credits received in an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university are required for matriculation. Preference will be given to students who, by the time of matriculation, will have received the bachelor’s degree or higher. The following required college science courses must be completed prior to matriculation:

Biology (with lab)             1 year

General Chemistry (with lab)   1 year

Organic Chemistry (with lab)   1 year

Physics (with lab)             1 year

Selection of Candidates The selection of students for admission to the School of Medicine is made by the Committee on Admissions, composed of members of the faculty of the School of Medicine and a select group of fourth-year medical students. Applicants are considered only after all credentials have been received. Applicants who have been denied admission previously are not encouraged to reapply unless there is a demonstrated improvement in their academic and non-academic credentials. The number of students in the entering class is limited to 142 students.

Method of Application The University of Virginia School of Medicine is one of the participating schools in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Applications may be accessed directly from their website: www.aamc.org. AMCAS applications must be submitted no later than November 1 of the year prior to the year of proposed enrollment. Students are selected and notified of their acceptance on a rolling admissions basis beginning October 15; therefore, early application is advantageous. All applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable application processing fee unless granted a fee waiver.

Requirements for Admission Applicants should note that the University of Virginia School of Medicine considers applications only from applicants who have received a minimum of 90 semester hours or who have graduated from an accredited United States or Canadian college or university. Applicants in a degree program are expected to complete their degree before matriculation. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. are eligible to apply provided they have completed (or will complete) their undergraduate course work in an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.

Selection of College Courses The required courses listed above form the essential background for the scientific study of medicine. Many courses contributing to a well-rounded liberal education are of direct value and, though proficiency in the sciences is essential to the understanding of medicine, concentration on the sciences is not necessary. Medicine is concerned with a variety of social and community problems and requires a broad cultural background as well as technical education.

Advanced placement courses are acceptable if such courses are clearly indicated on the undergraduate college transcript as having been accepted by the college toward fulfillment of requirements for the bachelor’s degree. However, students are encouraged to pursue advanced courses if advanced placement credit was awarded for any of the required science courses listed above (including laboratory work). Students pursuing a graduate or professional degree must complete the program requirements prior to entrance into medical school.

Technical Standards Applicants to the University of Virginia School of Medicine are considered without regard to disability but with the expectation that they can complete all parts of the curriculum. In addition to certain academic standards, candidates for the M.D. degree must have abilities and skills in observation, communication, motor function, quantification, abstraction, integration, conceptualization, and interpersonal relationships and social behavior. Some disabilities in certain of these areas may be overcome technologically, but candidates for the medical degree must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner without the use of trained intermediaries. Those desiring additional information on this matter may contact the Admissions Office for the full Technical Standards Policy.

Medical College Admission Test The Medical College Admission Test is required of all applicants. All students must present scores from tests taken no later than the fall of the year prior to the year of matriculation, and no earlier than the spring of three years prior to the year of matriculation. Further information concerning this test is available from college premedical advisors, or from the AAMC website: www.aamc.org.

Personal Interview Students are not accepted without a personal interview. Selected individuals are invited for interviews after review of their completed application. The Admissions Committee does not grant regional interviews, telephone interviews, or interviews by applicant request.

Transfer Applicants Transfer applications are accepted for entrance into the third-year class if there are vacancies due to attrition. Transfer applicants must be in good standing at a United States allopathic medical school, and preference will be given to Virginia residents or to individuals who have compelling reasons to be in Charlottesville. All students accepted for transfer into the third-year class will be required to complete two full years of the curriculum at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and pay the appropriate tuition and fees.

Correspondence concerning admission should be addressed to the Director of Admissions, UVa School of Medicine, P.O. Box 800725; Charlottesville, VA 22908-0782; (434) 924-5571; fax: (434) 982-2586; medsch-adm@virginia.edu.

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Student Organizations

In 1967 students from all four classes created the Mulholland Society, an all-inclusive student body that would provide greater interaction among the four classes, a unified student voice to promote the interests of medical students, and an outlet for the academic, social, and athletic interests of students. Instead of calling it a student body, however, it was named a “society” to emphasize the importance of camaraderie and teamwork within and between classes. They named this society in honor of the late Dr. Henry Bearden Mulholland, one of the most distinguished figures in American medicine, whose entire career was spent at the University of Virginia from 1917 to 1962. The society chose his name in honor of his special interest in student affairs and because he represented “the best in medicine, not only in the classroom but in the community.”

Mulholland Society Council (The Medical Student Government) The Council works to monitor and improve all aspects of medical student life, both in and out of the classroom. All class officers and Mulholland Society officers sit on the Council. The Student Medical Education Committee exists to provide coordination for medical student input on medical education issues to the various faculty administration committees and the Dean’s office. Students also sit on the Curriculum Committee, the Admissions Committee and the Dean’s advisory committee. Membership on standing committees is open to any interested students, and Council meetings are always open.

American Medical Student Association The local chapter of AMSA was founded in 1994 and offers students a mix of community service opportunities such as Habitat for Humanity, benefits such as health insurance and loan programs, grants for local projects and elective rotations abroad and even a summer elective class in medical Spanish. The two primary goals of the organization are to provide students with needed services and support, and to help students get involved in service-oriented community-based activities.

American Medical Women’s Association AMWA addresses medical issues that are vital to women’s health, prepares women for leadership positions in medicine, and promotes equity in professional status and pay. A physician branch and a student branch are open to women who are faculty, residents, or medical students at the University of Virginia. Student members are eligible to apply for loans and scholarships.

The Arrhythmics This co-ed a cappella singing group is open to medical students and members of the Health System Community. Activities range from singing on the wards, in the hospital lobby, and for faculty/administration. The proceeds from fund-raising activities go to a medically-related charity.

Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association APAMSA is devoted to meeting the unique educational and social needs and interests of Asian-American medical students. This includes efforts to foster Asian student/faculty interaction, health outreach to Asian communities in the area and communication among Asian medical students at the University of Virginia. The organization offers a forum and a vehicle through which students can voice their concerns about issues pertinent to the Asian medical community. APAMSA sponsors speakers, workshops on topics of interest, social activities and cooperates with other Asian-American student associations on joint projects.

Charlottesville Free Clinic The Free Clinic opened in 1992 in order to provide free health care to that segment of society that is working but is still unable to purchase health insurance. The clinic is open three evenings a week and is staffed by volunteers from all medical fields. Medical students can sign up in their first and second years to act as initial health screeners. Third and fourth year medical students may choose to see patients in collaboration with physicians.

Christian Medical Fellowship The CMF is the local chapter of the national organization, the Christian Medical and Dental Society. They welcome all interested physicians, dentists, residents, medical students, and their guests. Opportunities include prayer meetings, Bible studies, and community service projects.

ClubMED This is the interest group for students interested in the field of Internal Medicine. The group was founded in 1993 and is sponsored by the UVa department of Internal Medicine. Students work to provide speakers on a variety of topics, to introduce medical students at all levels to the field of Internal Medicine and to host an informal social event to promote interactions between faculty and students.

Family Practice Club The Family Practice Club was organized with the goal of introducing medical students to the field of Family Medicine. Meetings often feature a speaker and topics of interest to medical students in general. The club also sponsors a Follow-a-Resident program and Follow-a-Maternity Patient program for first and second year medical students. The Club is associated with the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians and the Department of Family Medicine.

HIV Education Program Through this program medical students are trained to present educational workshops about HIV and AIDS to junior high, high school, and college students in the Charlottesville area.

International Medicine Club This is an informal group founded to address the growing need to view medical and public health issues in a global multicultural perspective. Goals are to highlight career opportunities, to invite public speakers to lead group discussions, and to provide the opportunity for students to contribute to health care around the world.

Operation Smile This group works closely with the Department of Surgery to provide plastic surgery to indigent patients, both here and abroad.

The Orthopedic Club This club was started for students interested in the field of orthopedics. The club is sponsored by the University of Virginia Orthopedics Department. This is an excellent way for student to work with faculty before the fourth year and to learn skills used in orthopedic surgery.

The Pediatrics Club This club was founded by a group of students interested in the field of Pediatrics. The club works closely with the UVa Pediatrics Department in order to sponsor speakers and events designed to introduce first- and second-year students to clinical issues in Pediatrics.

Project S.M.I.L.E. “Students Making It a Little Easier” is an organization sponsored by the American Cancer Society, which matches medical students (“big buddies”) with pediatric hematology/oncology patients (“little buddies”). Big buddies accompany little buddies to oncology clinic appointments, to planned organizational functions, and in general, provide emotional support to the patient and to the family of the patient.

Sloane Society The Sloane Society was started in 1999 and is partly funded and supported by the Humanities in Medicine program. Activities range from lectures on bioethical issues to film viewing and play readings.

The Spinal Chords Founded in 1979, this a cappella singing group is made up of first- and second-year men and brings “music and mirth” to the hospital and the community-at-large. They perform in class, on the wards, and throughout the state. In addition, the “Chords” raise funds for the Children’s Medical Center, which are presented each May during the CMC telethon. Membership is open to all male members of the first and second-year class.

Student National Medical Association SNMA is a national organization founded with the purpose of increasing the number of physicians who serve minority and indigent communities. Accordingly, the SNMA develops programs for implementation of urban and rural health care as well as for the encouragement of minorities to enter and succeed in the health professions. The Chapter at the University of Virginia School of Medicine is dedicated to the recruitment, success, and retention of minority medical students, to the success of pre-medical students, and to contribution to the surrounding community through the utilization of members’ skills and training.

Surgery Club The Surgery Club, aka the Cabell Society, introduces the discipline of surgery to students. Club members believe that all future physicians will benefit from increased understanding of the role surgery plays in the delivery of health care. The club is also designed to help those with an interest in surgery gain some exposure in the first two years. The club sponsors talks, social events, and a surgeon-shadowing program.