Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

About Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Perelman School of Medicine is a school within the University of Pennsylvania. It is commonly referred to as Penn Med. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania started in 1765; hence it is the oldest medical school in the United States. Today, it is one of the leading biomedical research and education centers. Moreover, it is widely seen as one of the country’s best medical schools. According to the U.S. News & World Report, Penn Med secures 6^th position in the “Best Medical Schools: Research” list and is one of the highest recipients of NIH research awards.

Affiliated Hospitals of Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

In the 1870s, the university moved to the campus in Schuylkill River in West Philadelphia. While it was relocating, the School of Medicine built a teaching hospital on the new campus called ‘the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP)’.

At present, the medical school is affiliated with these hospitals:

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Pennsylvania Hospital
Chester County Hospital
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Philadelphia VA Medical Center.

Programs at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

1. MD Program

2. Doctoral Programs

Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics
Cell & Molecular Biology
Epidemiology & Biostatistics
Genomics & Computational Biology
Immunology
Neuroscience
Pharmacology

3. Combined Degree Programs

MD/PhD Program (MSTP)
MD/Master Programs

4. CME-IPCE Program (Continuing Medical and Inter-professional Education)

5. Visiting Students

6. Master’s Programs

Bioethics (MBE)
Health Care Innovation (MHCI)
Medical Ethics (MSME)
Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE)
Health Policy Research (MSHP)
Public Health (MPH)
Regulatory Affairs (MRA)
Regulatory Science (MSRS)
Translational Research (MTR)

7. Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs

8. Other Educational Programs

Degree Programs

Introduction to Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) Course
Clinical Research Certification Program

Certificate in Health Care Innovation

Academic Certificate
Professional Development Certificate
Clinical Neurosciences Track (CNST)
Clinical Research Training Opportunities
The Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program

Diversity and Community Outreach

For Prospective Students
For Faculty, Staff, House staff, and the Community
Standardized Patient Program

Undergraduate Internships

Biomedical Graduate Studies Summer Undergraduate Internship Program
Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)

9. Graduate Medical Education Programs

Residency Programs

Anesthesiology
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Peds Portal
Child Neurology
Dermatology
Emergency Medicine
Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine/Dermatology
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
Neurological Surgery
Neurology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral Medicine
Orthopaedic Surgery
Otolaryngology
Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery – Integrated
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (PPMC)
Preventive Medicine
Psychiatry
Radiation Oncology
Radiology-Diagnostic
Surgery
Thoracic Surgery – Integrated
Urology
Vascular Surgery – Integrated

Fellowship Programs

Abdominal Radiology
Addiction Psychiatry
Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology
Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedics
Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology
Allergy and Immunology
Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine
Cardiovascular Disease
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Craniofacial Surgery
Critical Care Medicine Anesthesiology
Cytopathology
Dermatopathology (multidisciplinary)
Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
Epilepsy
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
Forensic Psychiatry
Gastroenterology
Geriatric Medicine
Geriatric Psychiatry
Gynecologic Oncology
Hand Surgery Orthopaedics
Hematology (Pathology)
Hematology and Oncology
Hospice and Palliative Medicine (multidisciplinary)
Infectious Disease
Interventional Cardiology
Maternal Fetal Medicine
Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology
Molecular Genetic Pathology
Musculoskeletal Radiology
Nephrology
Neuromuscular Medicine
Neuropathology
Neuroradiology
Nuclear Radiology
Pain Medicine Anesthesiology
Psychosomatic Medicine
Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Rheumatology
Selective Pathology – GI/Hepatic Pathology
Selective Pathology – Surgical Pathology
Sleep Medicine (multidisciplinary)
Sports Medicine (Family Medicine)
Surgical Critical Care
Thoracic Surgery
Transplant Hepatology
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Vascular Neurology
Vascular Surgery
Non-ACGME Fellowship Programs
Adult Congenital Heart Disease (NA)
Advanced Endoscopy (NA)
Advanced Nuclear Radiology (NA)
Cardiac Surgery (NA)
Cardiothoracic Radiology (NA)
Cardiovascular Disease (N/A)
Cardiovascular Radiology (NA)
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology(N/A)
Cognitive Neurology
EOS Breast Fellow (NA)
Family Planning (NA)
Gastroenterology IBD (NA)
Glaucoma (NA)
Head and Neck (NA)
Interventional Pulmonology (NA)
Multiple Sclerosis
Neuro Critical Care (NA)
Neuro Movement Disorders (NA)
Neuro Ophthalmology (NA)
Plastic Surgery Microvascular Surgery (N/A)
PM&R Spine Fellow (NA)
Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine (NA)
Retina (NA)
Rheumatology – SLE (NA)
Rhinology (NA)
Robotics Fellow (NA)
Transplant (NA)
Transplant Nephrology (NA)
Trauma (NA)
Ultrasound (N/A)
Women’s Imaging (NA)

M.D Program at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Admissions at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Information Sessions

Every year, many information sessions are held to provide students with information necessary to apply for admission in Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The updated list of information secession can be found by visiting here. Registration for these sessions can also be done on EventBrite. It is recommended that a candidate registers to make sure if there is capacity for him or her in the session.

Admissions Timeline

The dates for different admission related decisions are regularly posted here. Applicants are encouraged to keep a close on the page.

Application Process

Perelman School of Medicine is a member of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). All the information and guidelines related to the application submission are available on the AMCAs website. Applicants should make sure that the application is submitted before the deadline.

Medical College Admission Test

MCAT is the basic requirement for applying to the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. An applicant should take the Medical College Admission Test within three years of applying to the school. Only the applications that are complete i.e. includes the latest MCAT Scores are forwarded to the Admissions Committee.

Admissions Competencies

The Perelman School of Medicine is a highly competitive school and therefore, it accepts candidates with extensive education and thorough science preparation. The admissions competencies are not based on particular courses, but rather on the knowledge and skills that should be possessed by someone to become a physician.

However, all applicants must have a BS or BA degree from a recognized college or university in the U.S.A or Canada before matriculation.
Candidates should have fluency in writing, speaking and reading English. They should be able to write clearly and correctly, possess the ability to organize and deliver oral presentations, the capability to read critically and comprehend technical content.
Competency in Biology is a must. The basic biological concepts that explain the life processes of all living organisms, such as life cycles and metabolic processes, the structure of life and nucleic acid structures, and the basic molecular and cellular structure and function should be familiar.
Competencies in Chemistry include the knowledge of the molecular fundamentals of life such as the basics of chemical equilibria and thermodynamics; acid base balance; ionization and redox reactions; the structure of molecules and experimental methods and the molecular architecture of organic compounds.
A strong foundation in Physics and Mathematics skills is core as it provides the conceptual framework for quantitative biology and biomedical sciences.
Understanding the basic social, cultural and behavioral factors that affect the individuals and societies in health and disease are important. Applicants should have an understanding of the societal forces that contribute to the delivery of health care and basic clinical and heath service research. The courses in history, philosophy, ethics, anthropology, political science, economics, sociology and psychology add to the competency.

Supplemental Application

Once the admission committee receives the primary application, the selected candidates receive a supplemental application. There is a fee of $90 for the supplemental application. However, candidates who have been granted an AMCAS fee waiver (FAP) will also get a fee waiver for this application’s fee.

Letters of Recommendation

The letters of recommendation are also a requirement of the application and they must be submitted to AMCAS. The recommendation letters must be from an institution from which a candidate has completed a program or received a degree.

A minimum of three letters from faculty members who know the applicant well would be required. One of the three letters must be from a science faculty member. Moreover, the maximum number of recommendation letters can be five. All the letters must be signed. Also, those applicants who have previously applied for admission to the School of Medicine will need to resubmit the required letters of recommendation.

Complete application

An application is considered complete if:

It is verified by AMCAS
Supplemental application is sent
Required letters of recommendation are submitted
Includes latest (valid) MCAT score
Application fee is submitted
Submitted before the deadline

Interviews

The students are called for the Interviews by invitation only. Interviews take place after the admission committee reviews the applications. The admissions office arranges one-on-one interviews of the students with faculty. The students who do not show up in the interview will not be considered for the admission.

Interview Criteria

The Admissions Committee uses a thorough process for assessing applicants for interview and selection. The review process is based up on personal attributes, life experiences, overcoming obstacles and academic achievements of a candidate.

Early Decision Program

Perelman school of Medicine also has a selective program called the “Early Decision Program”. A successful Early Decision Program candidate has to meet the mean GPA and MCAT scores of the entering class applicants. If a candidate wishes to be considered for EDP then he/she should consult with the Admissions Office before June 15 of the year in which they wish to enroll. The Resume, undergraduate transcript, and MCAT score report have to be provided for consideration.

Admissions of Transfer Students

Currently, the Perelman School of Medicine does not have any transfer admissions program.

Diversity

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania promotes Inclusion. The school’s Program for Diversity and Inclusion (PDI) aims to promote an inclusive, hospitable, supportive and engaged student community in the school.

Departments in the Penn Med School of Medicine

Basic Science

Biochemistry and Biophysics
Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics
Cancer Biology
Cell and Developmental Biology
Genetics
Medical Ethics and Health Policy
Microbiology
Neuroscience
Physiology
Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics

Clinical

Anesthesiology and Critical Care
Dermatology
Emergency Medicine
Family Medicine and Community Health
Medicine
Cardiovascular Medicine
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Gastroenterology
General Internal Medicine
Geriatrics
Hematology/Oncology
Infectious Diseases
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Renal-Electrolyte and Hypertension
Rheumatology
Sleep Medicine
Translational Medicine and Human Genetics
Neurology
Neurosurgery
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedic Surgery
Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Pediatrics
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Psychiatry
Radiation Oncology
Radiology
Surgery
Cardiovascular Surgery
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery
Gastrointestinal Surgery
Pediatric Surgery
Plastic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Transplant Surgery
Traumatology, Surgical Critical Care and Emergency Surgery
Urology
Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy

Fee Structure of M.D Program

The Perelman Medical School’s updated fee structure can be viewed here.

Financial Aid

There are different programs in the Perelman School of Medicine to assist students financially in their medical studies.

Scholarly Awards

The Perelman School of Medicine grants almost 25 full-tuition MD scholarships each year. All the students matriculated are considered for scholarly awards. The decisions of grant of the scholarly awards are made by a committee, usually during mid-April.

Selection criteria of scholarly awards include; exceptional academic performance and achievement, a wide variety of intellectual interests, demonstrated leadership skills, and dedication to interests other than academic work, and unique life experiences that may lead towards a successful medical career.

Need-Based Scholarships

As compared to Scholarly Awards, Need-Based Scholarships at Perelman are relatively simple to apply. The school uses the financial information that a candidate provides for their selves, and their guardians. The list of all the required documents can be viewed on college’s website or from the office of financial aid. However, one must submit all the documents via the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).

Learning Opportunities at Perelman School of Medicine

Expanded Horizons in Education

One of the most important elements for patient-centered care is Inter-professional education. Penn University has a single campus for undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. This allows seamless inter-disciplinary education in medicine, dentistry, nursing, law, and social work disciplines.

The Perelman School of Medicine encourages students to expand their learning in areas that are relevant to their professional education. Moreover, they are also advised to pursue the wide range of courses in arts and sciences. The “One University” concept allows students of School of Medicine to take courses in other schools without any extra cost.

The Jordan Medical Education Center

The Henry A. Jordan M’62 Medical Education Center is among the first medical education centers in the U.S.A to incorporate learning with clinical and research facilities. The Jordan Center allows students to learn medicine from the classroom and the examination room as well as the lab. He centre is located where the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine and The Smilow Center for Translational Research connect. Moreover, the Jordan Medical Center has a flexible and revolutionary design and its ultra-high-tech features promote small-group learning, collaboration and innovation.

Technology

The Perelman School of Medicine understands the fact that a medical school cannot educate students about everything they need to know to be a physician. Therefore, the Penn program equips students with those fundamental skills that can help them to navigate the endless explosion of new knowledge and data sources. At Perelman School of medicine, medical students are taught to utilize technology to their benefit in research and clinical practice. To support a paperless environment, students at the School of Medicine use ‘iPads’ for academic work. Usually, students achieve the following through the intranet:

Track curricular content and provide feedback
View weekly class schedules
Access electronic bulletin boards for each course and send in questions
Get case studies and course slides
Stream real-time videos of all lectures

The Clinical Simulation Center

In order to promote safety and reduce risk related to patient care, Penn trains students, physicians and other health care professionals in a state-of-the-art medical simulation technology center. The Penn Medicine Clinical Simulation Center allows a variety of learning experiences as:

There are six human patient simulators set in real hospital environments, plus a labor and delivery room and emergency department
Contains a task and virtual reality trainers
12 exam rooms for standardized patient training are available
A surgical suite called ‘the Measey Surgical Suite’

Dr. Najeeb lectures

At Perelman School of Medicine, learning using technology is highly recommended. The students can access lectures being given in the classroom. But sometimes, a student has trouble understanding a teacher’s style of teaching.

Dr. Najeeb’s lectures are a secondary resource to help students with their medical study. The lectures are based on all the topics of medical and clinical sciences. Almost all the topics that are a part of the curriculum of the medical schools in the U.S.A are covered in Dr. Najeeb lectures. This is why these lectures are amongst the most popular medical lectures in the market. Moreover, currently students from medical schools from 190 countries subscribe to the lectures. The lectures give students the utmost advantage as they are time-saving i.e. a student can watch them without the bound of time. Moreover, they can watch them repeatedly as the subscription is lifetime. Moreover, all the new vides that will be added in Dr. Najeeb lectures’ video library will be accessible for a subscriber. The video library, right now contains more than 800 videos on Gross Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Embryology, Histology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology topics.

Teaching-wise, Dr. Najeeb, who is a highly qualified doctor, teaches in all the lectures himself. He makes the lectures smooth and easy to follow as he explains all the concepts (even the toughest ones) in simple terms. He believes in using teaching aids and the most notable one is his drawing related diagrams while teaching. As the video lectures target students, the subscription price is kept minimal. However, you do have the option to try some free lectures before you become a subscriber.

For further information about the M.D program or Medical students lie at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, please visit their official website.