Top Medical Schools in South Carolina

As someone who comes from a line of nurses and medical professionals, I know firsthand how much work and dedication it takes to become a doctor. Whether you are working towards a better global health system or servicing underserved communities, medical students train day and night to drive the world of health care to greater heights.

However, medical school is more than just knowing medicine. It’s about making a difference, and it all starts with a great education. In fact, the South is known for having some of the top medical schools in the region, especially South Carolina.

The journey to becoming a doctor means knowing what programs and information are going to serve you best, which is what I will provide you today. This article will discuss the top medical schools in South Carolina and provide you with tips on how to maximize your chances of getting into your desired school of medicine.

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Top Medical Schools in South Carolina

Before we get into it, it’s essential to know that South Carolina is home to only four medical schools that offer a range of programs and opportunities for future medical students. The state has three allopathic colleges and one osteopathic school, with one of the oldest medical schools in the country located within the state.

These schools are known for their focus on primary care, global health, and patient care. Your path depends on what you want to study. As future South Carolina medical students, here’s what students can expect from these exceptional medical schools.

Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine (MUSC)

• Enrollment: 662 (full-time)
• Average Tuition: $27,500 (in-state); $47,100 (out-of-state)

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is part of South Carolina’s only integrated healthcare system that provides medical students the opportunity to learn academic medicine, research, and community-directed efforts in healthcare.

Medical students can expect to participate not only in scientific coursework but also in clinical experiences. MUSC also allows students to complete medical school in just three years and enter a conditional residency position at MUSC, depending on their area of medical interest and expertise upon competition in their program.

Curious about residency after medical school? Read our guide on what residency means for medical students!

University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Columbia)

• Enrollment: 403 (full-time)
• Average Tuition: $21,4000 (in-state); $43,500 (out-of-state)

Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the University of South Carolina Columbia campus offers med students a traditional two-year pre-clinical and two-year clinical rotation curriculum. UofSC Columbia is known for its strong emphasis on primary care and rural health, where students learn how to use diagnostic practices in both simulation and bedside scenarios.

University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Greenville)

• Enrollment: 416 (full-time)
• Average Tuition: $42,900 (in-state); $87,000 (out-of-state)

The University of South Carolina Greenville Medical School is the first school in the nation to include EMT training and certification in the first-year curriculum. Established in 2012, UofSC Greenville focuses on comprehensive medical education. Students learn from a faculty of over 1,200 medical professionals through their partnership with Prisma Health-Upstate. The school prioritizes patient-centered care and innovative approaches to medical education.

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus (VCOM)

• Enrollment: 600 (full-time)
• Average Tuition: $51,000 (DO program ONLY)

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is a private osteopathic medical school located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was established to educate and create more physicians in South Carolina. The VCOM program provides students with two years of pre-clinical education followed by two years of clinical rotations.

Once students begin their clinical (third-year), medical students will start rotating in a community-based hospital, and fourth-year medical students will then be able to choose the hospital site that aligns with their medical path. VCOM focuses on multidisciplinary research in biomedical, clinical, and community-based settings like sports medicine, primary care, osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), and infectious disease.

Admission Requirements

As you can imagine, getting into a medical school is quite a challenge, especially when you’re applying to highly competitive schools like in South Carolina. This is why you should know what the admissions requirements look like before applying.

Here’s a breakdown for you:

• Degree: Though it’s not always said, medical schools typically prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree.
• GPA & Testing: GPA and MCAT scores are crucial for admissions. Medical schools in SC accept students with minimum GPA scores ranging between 3.7 and 4.0, as well as MCAT scores of 500 to 511.
• Attestation: Strong letters of recommendation from colleagues, professors, or medical professionals who can attest to your work ethic and character, along with personal statements and extracurricular activities, are important.
• Experience: Healthcare and research experience on your resume is a plus!

Processes for in-state students and out-of-state residents may vary. Be sure to check with your medical colleges of choice for specifications and more details.

If you want to look beyond South Carolina for your degree, check out our list of the best medical schools in the country overall.

Allopathic vs. Osteopathic Medicine

When pursuing a medical degree, you should know that medical students can pursue MD and DO degrees. Let me explain what that means.

Allopathic:

Allopathic medicine is an evidence-based teaching approach to medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases with studies in medication, surgery, and testing. These colleges provide training for medical doctors and MDs. Students can expect to focus on traditional medical practices and clinical rotations when attending allopathic medical colleges. MDs primarily practice in hospitals, clinics, and private offices.

Osteopathic:

Osteopathic medicine takes a more holistic view of medicine. The osteopathic approach to medicine considers the body an interconnected system, and osteopathic physicians, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), believe that the musculoskeletal system plays a crucial role in overall health.

Osteopathic teachings use manipulative techniques (osteopathic manipulative medicine, or OMM) as well as traditional medical treatments. While DOs specialize in various medical fields, they have a greater emphasis on primary care and musculoskeletal medicine. DOs can practice in hospitals, clinics, and private offices.

Combined degree programs, such as MD/PhD and MD/MPH, are also available depending on the school.

Struggling to pick a major for medical school? Read our guide on the best majors for medical students to inform your decision.

How to Get Into South Carolina Medical Schools

Now, as you can expect, becoming a medical student is a lengthy process, but if you’ve made it this far, you know what you’re getting into, so let’s keep you on track! Here are some tips that can help you during the admissions process when applying to medical schools in South Carolina:

1. Academic Excellence: Needless to say, you’re going to need an outstanding academic record. This means a high GPA, high test scores, solid recommendations, and the passion to back it up.

2. Experience: It’s not required, but it’s a major plus if you have clinical, research, work, or even volunteer experience in the medical field. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to be a medical assistant or nurse; it just means having relevant experience and working knowledge of the medical field can boost your chances of getting accepted into a program.

3. Application Materials: If you want to stay ahead of the game, gather your application materials as soon as possible. Whether it be letters of recommendation, personal statements, academic records, etc., gather all of your documents early so that you are good to go on submission day. Be sure to check your school’s application requirements and deadline date to ensure all your material is correct and on time.

4. Apply Early: The early bird gets the worm. When applying to highly competitive schools, you’ll want to stand out. Apply to your desired school/program as early as possible.

5. Network: Probably the most underrated tip—NETWORK. Connect with faculty, current students, graduates, doctors, nurses, or any medical professionals who can give you insight on not only the college/program but also what it means to be a doctor. This can work in your favor during admissions, as well as in your professional future.

 If you’re looking to become a doctor in South Carolina, keep these tips under your belt, and you’ll be on your path to medicine in no time.

Apply now for medical school scholarships to get a head start on funding!

Becoming a South Carolina Resident

If you’re thinking of applying to medical colleges in South Carolina but are not a resident of the state, becoming a resident might work in your favor. 

To become a resident of South Carolina, you must:

• Home: Establish a permanent residence in South Carolina by living in the state for 12 consecutive months
• Vehicle Registration: Register your vehicle within 45 days of moving to SC
• Driver's License: Geta South Carolina driver's license within 90 days of moving 
• Employment: Provider proof of full-time employment

The journey to becoming a doctor is not easy, but if you’re built for it, you have nothing to worry about. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Schools in South Carolina

Is getting into medical school in South Carolina hard?

Yes, getting into medical school in South Carolina is a challenge. You will also need high GPA and MCAT scores. Medical schools in SC look for excellent academic profiles in their students. This includes minimum GPA scores of 3.7 and a 500 MCAT score. You should also aim to have strong recommendations to support your application. Students should take advantage of resources like free tutoring, clinical rotations, and research opportunities to enhance their application and chances of acceptance.

What is the best medical school in South Carolina?

According to the US News Report, the best medical school in SC is the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. While other medical schools, like the University of South Carolina schools in Columbia, Greenville, and VCOM, are great schools, MUSC stands out for its approach to academic medicine, research, and community-directed efforts in healthcare, along with its clinical experiences.

Is medical school in South Carolina expensive?

Yes, attending a medical university in South Carolina can be expensive, with tuition varying significantly based on certain logistics, like whether the school is public or private. In-state tuition can range from around $22,000 to over $42,000 per year, and out-of-state tuition can be as expensive as $87,000 per year.

Get more information on medical schools around the country on our scholarship blog, and use the search engine to browse unique scholarships today!