Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the admission requirements to the M.D. program at LAU?
Please see the Admission page.
2. What is the MCAT?
MCAT stands for the Medical College Admission Test. It is an entrance exam for medical school. The test has three subject areas: Verbal, Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences, and one writing section. For more information on registration and test dates, refer to the Association of American Medical Colleges website and contact the AMIDEAST office.
3. What are the average GPA and MCAT scores for a student to be considered for medical school?
Admission to the medical school will be on a competitive basis. The higher your GPA and MCAT scores are, the more competitive you are as an applicant. If a student has more than one MCAT score, we will consider the highest.
4. Where will clinical practice take place?
Clinical practice will take place in part at the University Medical Center Rizk Hospital (UMCRH), located in the Ashrafieh area, at the Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC), located in the Clemenceau area, Beirut, and at Rafic Hariri University Hospital (RHUH), located in Jnah, Beirut. Additional training sites will be announced.
5. How long is the M.D. program?
It is a four-year program, following which the student receives the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
6. When should I apply?
Students must apply to the medical school by February 15 of their senior year after completing all premed required courses. Early acceptance will be issued by the end of March and is finalized upon completion of the B.S., B.A., M.S., or M.A.
7. How soon after I apply can I expect to hear from LAUMS?
Early acceptance will be issued by the end of March and is finalized upon completion of the B.S., B.A., M.S., or M.A.
8. How do I schedule an interview?
You do not have to do so. Appointments for interviews are given after members of the LAUMS Admissions Committee review all completed applications, and based on the review result, an applicant may be invited to the school for an interview.
9. If I hold a B.S. from a university other than LAU (local or abroad), can I still apply to the School of Medicine?
Yes, provided that you have met all LAU premed requirements or their LAU approved equivalents, in addition to meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement.
10. How many students do you accept every year?
For 2009, the number of students admitted to the medical school will be 24.
In 2010, 32 students; in 2011, 48 students; in 2012 and onward, 64 students.
11. If I am not accepted the first year, can I apply the second year?
Yes.
12. How much is the tuition fee and does it increase yearly?
For academic year 2009-10, the tuition fee is USD $23,500. Students enrolled in a certain academic year will pay the same yearly tuition fee for the four years of medical studies.
13. Any scholarship, financial aid?
A financial aid program is available for students including scholarships and loans. For more information, please refer to Financial Aid Office website http://studentaffairs.lau.edu.lb/financial_aid.php.
14. Important dates to remember:
- Regular application deadline: March 30, 2010
- MCAT scores should be available by June 30, 2010
- First day of classes: August 30, 2010
15. What is our relation with Harvard Medical International (HMI)?
LAUMS has a ten-year consultancy agreement with Harvard Medical International (HMI), a subsidiary of Harvard Medical School. More about the relation between both institutions was published in this HMI World newsletter issue.