In 1886 a charter was granted for the establishment of the Western Pennsylvania Medical College. In 1892 this school became affiliated with the Western University of Pennsylvania, which later became the University of Pittsburgh. The School of Medicine is located in the Oakland district of Pittsburgh and has extensive research facilities.
4-year semimodern. The curriculum emphasizes general principles and self-learning based on actual cases. First and second years: A multidisciplinary approach organized by organ will be used. Its aim is to develop communication and problem-solving skills; learning will be in small groups, rather than in large lectures. The curriculum will mainstream social, cultural, and ethical issues, and introduce the student to clinical medicine. Third year: Covers the major clinical specialties in the form of clerkships as well as ambulatory subspecialties. Fourth year: Consists of 4 to 8 electives and a required subinternship. All fourth-year students rotate through both neurology and diagnostic imaging clerkships. Some also rotate through anesthesia.
Minority admissions: The school has an active recruitment program and offers an 8-week Summer Research Program for undergraduate college minority students. Other degree programs: Students selected for academic promise will be admitted to joint MD-PhD study programs in a variety of disciplines including biomedical engineering, epidemiology, and pathology. Also offered is a joint MD-MA Ethics degree.
Applicants must have completed the basic premedical science courses including 1 year of English composition. Courses in the behavioral sciences, biostatistics, calculus, computer sciences, humanities and social sciences are recommended. Preference is given to residents. Gaining a background in the social and behavioral sciences and humanities is encouraged. In the evaluation process, consideration is given to the applicant’s academic record, MCAT performance, preprofessional evaluations, faculty recommendations, extracurricular undergraduate activities, and personal interview. Various personal characteristics such as integrity and motivation are considered. Preference is given to Pennsylvania residents, since the University of Pittsburgh is a state-supported school. Transfer and advanced standing: Transfer students are considered when vacancies occur.
Students are graded on the basis of their practical work and oral and written examinations. The system used is Honors/Pass/Fail. Students must record total passing scores on Step 1 and Step 2 of the USMLE for graduation. Teaching: All of the teaching in the basic science areas is conducted in the 12-storyAlan Magee Scaife Hall of the Health Professions. The office and research space of the basic science departments and some of the clinical departments are also located there. Clinical teaching is conducted in the Health Center Hospitals as well as in hospitals in other parts of the city. The Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic is a part of the university. The University Health Center at Pittsburgh is composed of 5 hospitals and the university. Library: The Maurice and Laura Falk Library of the Health Professions is the main library. It has approximately 175,000 volumes and receives more than 2000 periodicals; there are 8 other libraries in which students have full privileges. Housing: No on-campus housing is available.
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