Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 7/3/24
Applying to medical school is a huge step in your pursuit of becoming a doctor of medicine (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO). Getting accepted to medical school means you’ll get the essential medical training you need to succeed.
Below you’ll find general information about each school, including admissions requirements, statistics, and tuition.
There are two medical schools in Indiana: the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Which school you attend depends on your career goals. If you plan to become an MD, Indiana University is the school you should apply to, or Marian University if you want to be a DO.
In general, the best osteopathic medical schools are highly selective, with limited seats available, and these two institutions are no exception. The Indiana University School of Medicine’s acceptance rate is 6.0%, while the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s acceptance rate is 7.3%.
It’s common for medical schools to boast low acceptance rates, so don’t be too discouraged by the statistics. Crafting a perfect medical school application that highlights your candidacy will improve your chances of acceptance.
Creating a stellar medical school application means starting with the basics. Learning more about the school you’re applying to will help you tailor your application, stand out from the crowd, and confirm that it’s a good fit. Below is an in-depth explanation of both of Indiana’s medical schools.
The Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine is the nation’s largest medical school, and its MD program is the largest undergraduate medical education program. The school offers five basic science departments and 20 clinical departments to offer exceptional medical training to its students.
The IU School of Medicine has a statewide campus system with nine campuses in various Indiana cities. Each campus offers "a high-quality medical education with an integrated curriculum, access to leading medical research and clinical resources, and a rich campus life.” Campuses are located in:
The IU School of Medicine states applicants should shadow a minimum of three physicians “and participate in meaningful medical and service-learning activities before applying.”
Recent class profile data shows 364 new MD matriculants entered the program,186 of which are female students, and 88 are underrepresented in medicine students. The new matriculants represented 69 undergraduate institutions.
IU aims to admit applicants “who are passionate about patient care and committed to training for a collaborative career in medicine.” At the same time, the school implements a holistic review that “considers the applicant’s broad educational background, including scholarship, character, personality, references, MCAT, altruism and personal interview.” Although Indiana University is a state school, nonresidents are also admitted.
Per year, tuition costs approximately $35,000 for Indiana residents and $60,000 for out-of-state students.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Marian University (MU-COM) is relatively new, opening in 2013 to address the physician shortage in Indiana. MU-COM is a Catholic medical school inspired by the vision and values of its Franciscan heritage.
MU-COM strives to provide a high-quality professional program emphasizing osteopathic training in primary care in a community of students from Indiana, other states, and worldwide. Class profile data shows that 363 candidates were accepted in a recent admissions cycle, and 162 enrolled. Tuition at MU-COM costs $40,664 per year.
Indiana’s two medical schools have low acceptance rates, slightly discouraging some prospective applicants. However, it’s always in your best interest to apply to schools that align with your career goals and if you think they’d be the right fit for you. These tips can help you improve your chances of acceptance at either of Indiana’s medical schools.
A high GPA and excellent MCAT scores will always strengthen any medical application. Although both schools maintain they impart a holistic review process, MU-COM has a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 and states that a GPA over 3.4 can increase your chances of acceptance.
Your grades and MCAT scores reflect your academic aptitude and preparedness for medical school. Admissions committees want to ensure admitted students can handle the rigor of medical training they’ll receive.
Christina Grabowski, associate dean for admissions and enrollment at the Birmingham School of Medicine, said, “If we determine someone can't do the work academically, it doesn’t matter what else they bring to the table because they have to be able to make it through medical school to be a physician. However…they don’t need to have a 4.0.” She also said the mid-3.0 range is reasonably competitive.
Seek Clinical Experience and Extracurricular Activities Medical school admissions committees want to ensure applicants understand what a career in medicine entails. Having clinical experience or participating in medical-related extracurricular activities is an excellent way to show that. In the IU School of Medicine’s case, it’s an essential admissions requirement: you must shadow at least three physicians.
Extracurricular experience in the form of community service, such as working with charities or non-profit organizations, shows the admissions committee you’re willing to contribute to your community. Medical schools seek students who will contribute to their school and the community beyond—admissions committees can view your past contributions as a predictor of your future behavior.
Recommendation letters are a vital aspect of any medical school application. Over time, they offer a third-party professional perspective into your character, personality, skills, and personal growth. It’s always best to ask for recommendation letters are early as possible; pre-med committees, college professors, and MDs or DOs are often pretty busy and need adequate time to write a stellar recommendation.
You should always provide your writers with context. Remember, your college professors have taught many students and may need a gentle reminder about the details of your aspirations.
A resume is a great way to give your writers context, along with a shortlist of achievements or strengths you displayed in the same environment with them. Some applicants may provide their recommenders a copy of their personal statement or writing sample so they can understand what experiences and skills you’re highlighting in your application.
If you’re invited to a medical school interview, you’re halfway to acceptance! Now, you need to ensure you rise to the occasion and show why you’re an excellent candidate. Good preparation is essential to the interview process because you don’t want to get caught off guard. UI School of Medicine provides interview tips:
Asking intelligent and well-thought-out questions in your interview can also work to your advantage. Asking questions conveys your interest in the program and shows you want to know more about how the school works beyond what a Google search can tell you.
Above all, maintain professionalism at all times—we can’t stress this enough. Take this quiz to find out if you're ready for medical school!
The choice between studying medicine at Indiana University and Marian University comes down to your career aspirations, preferred learning environment, and personal values.
At Indiana University School of Medicine, you'll have your choice of a range of specialized programs and extensive research opportunities. IU Medical School is also known for its robust clinical training with top hospitals across the state. It's an ideal choice for students wanting to pursue academic and research-oriented paths in medicine.
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, on the other hand, emphasizes a holistic approach to healthcare with a focus on osteopathic principles and strong community health programs.
Before you make your decision, don't forget to also consider important factors like the affordability of each program, campus culture and available support services.
If you still have questions about attending medical schools in Indiana, these FAQs can help answer them.
The MD curriculum at IU is broken down into three phases:
In your first two years at MU-COM, you’ll complete courses in biomedical sciences and clinical skills. In your third year, you’ll rotate through primary care and specialty care settings “including family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, and multiple others in rural, suburban, and urban environments.”
You’ll spend your final year completing CORE and specialty elective rotations, which will allow you to go to hospitals where you’d like to complete your residency or internship.
All students must rank which campus they want to attend most to least (numerically, one through nine). However, your campus assignment is determined by a computerized lottery, taking your preferences and campus capacities into account.
Which Indiana medical school you apply to depends on your career goals and how you feel you’d mesh with the school's culture and values. If you’re interested in becoming an MD, you should apply to the IU School of Medicine, while DO hopefuls should apply to MU-COM.
Indiana University claims the No. 42 spot in U.S News World and Report’s ranking of Best Medical Schools: Research and No. 19 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care.
At MU-COM, it’s best if your GPA is 3.1, but 3.4 and above can significantly increase your chances of admission. A 500 MCAT score is considered competitive.
IU School of Medicine does not release information on admitted students' GPAs or MCAT scores but does have minimum requirements if you apply through the binding Early Decision program.
If you want to be considered at any statewide campus through Early Decision, you must achieve a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.8 and a 512 MCAT score without scoring below 127 on any subsection.
If you live in Indiana or want to practice in the state when you finish your medical school pathway, attending an Indiana medical school is an excellent option. Although acceptance rates at both schools are relatively low, don’t let it impact your decision to apply.
Both schools can provide you with the medical training you need to become a great doctor. You just need to decide if you want to become an MD or a DO. Before submitting your application, ensure you meet all program requirements and that your application is perfect.
If you’ve prioritized your GPA and MCAT scores, showcased your clinical experience, and received stellar recommendation letters, you’re sure to boost your chance of admission at either school.
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