Unlike Korea, Even a Perfect Harvard Graduate Can Be Rejected from Medical School for Lacking This [University Transformation](19)

U.S. Medical School Admissions:
Holistic Review Over Test Scores

Unlike in South Korea, where admission to medical schools is determined by College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) scores, grades do not determine everything in the U.S. medical school admissions process. U.S. medical schools, which operate under a graduate medical education system, select students through a holistic review that considers undergraduate GPA, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, and the applicant's ability to practice altruistic medicine. Applicants submit an application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and complete secondary applications sent by each medical school. Through these, they demonstrate not only volunteer work, research projects, and leadership experience, but also their family background, financial situation, ethnicity, and other aspects of their life environment.

This admissions process stems from the professional understanding that being a doctor is not simply a job, but an attitude of life devoted to patients. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) oversees admissions and education policies under the mission of "improving healthcare accessibility for vulnerable populations and providing comprehensive medical services to communities." Malika Fair, AAMC's Chief Officer for Community, Opportunity, and Engagement, explained, "When people from diverse backgrounds participate in medical education, medical students can gain a deeper understanding of the medical needs and life experiences of the broad range of patients they will serve."

In fact, even if an applicant has outstanding grades, they are often rejected if they fail to convincingly demonstrate the qualities of a physician. Nam Kyungyun, CEO of "Sending Students to U.S. Medical Schools," said, "There was a student who graduated from Harvard University with perfect grades and scored in the top 1% on the MCAT, but came to me for a second attempt because their hospital volunteer hours were far fewer than those of other students." He explained, "U.S. medical schools view doctors as community leaders, so they try to select students who have the character of a leader." Nam added, "One student wrote an essay about wanting to care for patients, including early immigrants, after being inspired by a doctor who cared for her mother with breast cancer during their immigration years. She was admitted to medical school and is now actively involved in helping early immigrants."

U.S. medical schools also operate various educational programs and student self-governing organizations. It is common for medical students to volunteer in medically underserved countries. Stanford University School of Medicine holds a summer seminar on healthcare inequality for incoming students every year, while Harvard Medical School students run a free night clinic with professors to care for uninsured patients.