If you’ve done some research and looked into “best medical schools near me”, there’s no doubt ECU Brody School of Medicine has appeared on your results page.
In 1974, leaders at East Carolina University put together a vision for what they would want their school of medicine to look like, and how it would meet important needs. There were three missions that formed, and they would guide the way for ECU Brody School of Medicine to accomplish the following:
In August of 1977, the ECU Brody School of Medicine welcomed its first class of 4-year MD students. There were 28 of them, and they would be the forerunners for a great number of students who would come to ECU with the dreams of becoming skilled physicians. The following year, ECU Brody School of Medicine opened residency programs for the fields of psychiatric medicine, general medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology.
ECU Brody School of Medicine is located in Greenville, North Carolina. With a charming campus, great graduation rates, positive rankings, and top-notch faculty members, Brody is a school that is popular amongst aspiring medical students.
There are no easy paths to becoming a doctor, and getting into one of the top medical schools in the state is no walk in the park either. Selecting and successfully applying to the right medical school takes a lot of research, planning, and meticulous attention to detail as you follow application instructions, gather letters of recommendation, and prepare for your interview. Preparation is key.
This medical guide has been designed to help you navigate your way through the entire application process, providing you with vital information and advice. Make sure to read it carefully and reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. Follow it, and get as much help as you can to increase your chances of being offered a spot at East Carolina Medical School. Our medical school guides can be incredibly useful on this challenging journey.
If you’re also looking into other medical schools, be aware that we offer these medical school guides for many other medical programs as well. If you’re looking into applying to a medical school near home, try searching “medical schools near me,” and then check back here to see if we have a guide for that particular school.
This guide was built specifically for ECU Brody School of Medicine and should not be considered a guide for any other medical school.
One-to-one, personalized assistance through the medical school application program is absolutely the best way to prepare for applying to ECU Brody School of Medicine, or any school for that matter. Our medical school admissions consulting program was developed to take the burden off your shoulders and provide you with the support you need. If you feel you need or want assistance, our experts will be there to support you every step of the way, helping you with your applications, providing advice about your essay responses, and preparing you for your interview, including running you through mock interviews. Contact us here if you have any questions.
ECU Brody School of Medicine offers medical students a comprehensive education, combining academic learning with hands-on clinical experience. The focus of the program is on one-on-one attention between faculty and individual students so that every student’s needs are met. The curriculum provides a solid, balanced foundation in medical science and learning to work with patients. They hold to the belief that traditions of service, achievement, and ethical standards are of the utmost importance.
Potential students should note that East Carolina Medical School maintains small class sizes to ensure personal attention. It also creates opportunities for students to develop friendships with each other. The faculty is both knowledgeable and committed, and the facilities are praised for being efficient and lovely.
ECU Brody School of Medicine has been a leader, both within North Carolina medical schools and schools around the country, in innovation and technology. In May of 2000, one of Brody’s own cardiothoracic surgeons, Dr. Randolph Chitwood, performed the first robotic heart valve surgery on the continent.
East Carolina Medical School is also known for and has been recognized for community service, with students treating patients in underserved regions. ECU Brody School of Medicine was also one of seven schools around the globe honored by the Association for Medical Education in Europe with a 2016 Aspire to Excellence Award. This recognition was for social accountability in training primary care physicians.
ECU Brody School of Medicine (BSOM) is one of the top LCME accredited medical schools in the country.
US News and World Report states that ECU Brody School of Medicine ranked:
The curriculum has been designed to adjust to the changes that are rapidly happening in the medical community. The point is to stay relevant. The programs begin with the basic, foundational science needed to work in medicine, combined with the ever-increasingly challenging clinical experience. Innovation and technology are big parts of this. This comprehensive curriculum calls for more personal attention between faculty and students, and this elevates the school against other North Carolina medical schools.
The 4-year MD program curriculum at ECU Brody School of Medicine is broken down into three core phases: the Foundational Phase, the Clinical Phase, and the Differentiation Phase. There is also the opportunity for students to take part in Para-curricular Distinction Tracks. The curriculum was designed to provide early immersion in different clinical settings while also setting up the foundation of scientific knowledge of medicine at the same time.
This is a 20-month phase where students focus on the traditional basic science content within the courses. During this phase, students are challenged to build their clinical skills, critical thinking, and grasp on social and systemic issues within the healthcare system in the United States. The Foundational Phase includes immersion in a variety of clinical care experiences. The curriculum includes a focus on:
The Clinical Phase lasts 12 months and provides 6 Core Clerkships and a 4-week period of electives where students focus on their career exploration. Each of the Core Clerkships include a longitudinal experience in radiology.
The final phase lasts for about 13 months and includes the Advanced Core Clerkships as well as plenty of time for electives. This is designed to give students the flexibility and opportunity to really explore their medical interests and make their own unique plan for the clinical experiences they will work through.
There is an opportunity for students to explore a scholarly concentration program starting in the Foundational Phase and finishing with a capstone experience and Distinction Day in the final year. For more information about the Distinction Tracks offered, visit their website.
The following is a list of guiding principles that ECU Brody School of Medicine holds to that set them apart from other medical schools in North Carolina:
East Carolina Medical School offers graduate programs in the foundational biomedical sciences that produce a PhD degree in the following areas:
These PhD programs are comprehensive and provide students with the opportunity and challenge of doing a lot of research into medical issues that interest them the most. For a more in-depth look at each of these programs, click here.
Students must be in the top three quartiles of their class academically to be allowed to apply to the MD/MBA dual degree program. The coursework for the MBA portion of the program would be completed during the second and third years of medical school, though there are occasionally exceptions made.
Students wishing to apply for the MD/MBA dual program should first make an appointment to speak with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs at ECU Brody School of Medicine to talk about whether or not they’re eligible and what the pathway would entail. Students must submit a request for approval by April 15 th and, if approved, must complete an online graduate school application by May 1 st .
One of the benefits of doing the MD/MPH program is that it’s possible to complete the MPH coursework over summer breaks, during a leave of absence between the second and third years at Brody, or via distance learning. Both degrees can be completed within 5 years of full-time study.
The MPH program at ECU Brody School of Medicine is one that won’t be found at other medical schools in North Carolina. Students who feel called to improve public health around the world can do so with the MPH degree underneath them. As the years go on, the need for more knowledgeable and skilled public health professionals on the scene is increasing quickly. East Carolina Medical School created this program to meet the need because all the quality medicine in the world won’t be as effective without improvements in public health services.
North Carolina has a great deal of health issues, and this is especially true in the underserved, rural regions of the state. Race and ethnicity play a role, as these minority populations are not receiving the care they need. MPH students will be faced with the challenges of facing these health threats head-on.
Students in the MPH program will find flexibility to follow their passions and interests with customizations in their graduate studies. There are three main concentrations for MPH students to choose from:
For more information, take a look at ECU Brody School of Medicine’s MPH Program Manual.
The facilities at East Carolina Medical School are impressive. The William E. Laupus Health Sciences Library is filled with amazing references and help, including a computer center, individual study, and more. This creates the perfect environment for the kind of deep, focused study the students need to succeed. The primary teaching hospital, where students at Brody will spend much of their time, is Vidant Medical Center.
The ECU Medical Center is in Greenville, North Carolina, and is the central hub for the vast and growing ECU Health System. With large inpatient and outpatient programs, the ECU Medical Center serves more than 1.4 million people throughout North Carolina, including many underserved regions of the state. It is the flagship teaching hospital for the ECU Brody School of Medicine, offering students a large variety of clinical experience opportunities.
These facilities are open to students at both campuses for a minimal fee. Click on the facility name to learn more about it and the process for making reservations.
The admissions committee at ECU Brody School of Medicine is composed of 30 members from the science department faculty, clinical faculty members, and BSOM students. There are a handful of aspects of your application that the admissions committee will pay particular attention to in order to determine if you are eligible and a good fit for the school. They consider a number of factors as they study your application. While test scores and GPA are important, they do not determine your fate alone. The admissions committee is looking at the whole candidate.
The following are some factors the admissions committee will consider right from the start of the process:
Candidates must demonstrate they have completed all required coursework at an accredited college or university and received a bachelor’s degree. Applicants should have earned a “C” grade or above on all prerequisites. They must have taken the MCAT less than a year ago and be able to provide the score.
There is no minimum MCAT score at East Carolina Medical School, but the average MCAT score is between 506-508.
While there is no minimum GPA, the average for those who enroll in East Carolina Medical School is 3.5 to 3.6.
ECU Brody School of Medicine does not have a minimum requirement for volunteer service or clinical experience, but having some experience on your application is definitely preferred and will go a long way. Share as much as you can think of on your application.
Having some experience in the medical field is a huge boost in terms of how the admissions committee views your application. While there is no minimum service or clinical experience requirement, the mission of ECU Brody School of Medicine is to provide medical care for the people of North Carolina; especially those in the underserved regions. Since the goal is to train skilled physicians to fulfill this vision, it is expected that most applicants will have some sort of medical experience.
You should mention if you’ve had any clinical or volunteer experience, such as working in a clinic or medical center, volunteering in a hospital, participating in other clinical settings, or shadowing a physician.
One option that looks great on an application is participation in a pre-med shadowing study abroad program where you gain clinical experience and are immersed in some real cultural diversity. IMA runs such a program, and you can learn more about our pre-med shadowing study abroad program here.
ECU Brody School of Medicine requires three letters of recommendation to be submitted along with your application. Two of the letters should be written by academic sources, such as instructors from the science department. The third letter can be a personal reference letter from an advisor, employer, or another individual that is familiar with your work. These letters should not be written by family members. If your college does Pre-Medical Advisory Committee letters, this will meet all of your requirements for letters of recommendation. Additional letters may be submitted, but the admissions committee would rather read high quality letters than many.
Letters of recommendation must be submitted via AMCAS electronically.
The following prerequisite coursework is required:
*It is not required, but it is strongly recommended that candidates have completed an additional year of intensive English or writing courses and advanced level Biology coursework.
ECU Brody School of Medicine does not require the CASPer evaluation.
Out of 1095 verified applications at East Carolina Medical School, 359 candidates were invited for interviews, 118 were offered admission, and 85 new students were enrolled. That puts the acceptance rate at 7.8%. ECU Brody School of Medicine is competitive to get into with their small class sizes, allowing for more individual attention for each student.
*The acceptance rate is based on the percentage of applicants who enroll. There are other factors that affect rates.
The following are some statistics regarding the class of 2023:
These tuition and fees are based on the BSOM’s 2022-2023 academic year. Fees are subject to change.
Learning about the inner workings of the financial aspect of medical school is important, as is taking advantage of financial aid support when needed.. For more information on the costs of attending medical school in the United States, check out our Medical School Database, where we provide guidance and helpful information.
The ECU Brody School of Medicine works with the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) for primary applications and letters of recommendation submissions. Applicants must visit their website to receive instructions on how to apply. The primary application is web-based, and applicants must have access to the internet and an accessible email address. This application will gather all the basic information about a candidate and conduct the core eligibility assessment.
Letters of recommendation should be submitted to AMCAS, and they will be forwarded to the admissions committee and BSOM.
The second phase of the application process is to complete the ECU Brody School of Medicine Supplemental Application. The link to complete the supplemental application will be emailed to applicants who make it through the initial round. There is a $70 application fee, and applicants will be asked to submit a recent, passport sized photograph.
Those who successfully make it past the second round will be invited to a virtual interview with two members of the admissions committee. This is the final stage.
Below are ECU Brody School of Medicine secondary essay questions for the 2022-2023 application cycle. All prompts have a 2,000 character limit.
To answer this prompt well, you must do your research about BSOM. Spend some time considering what the mission and vision is at ECU Brody School of Medicine and how you fit into that paradigm. For example, BSOM is very much about serving the underserved populations of North Carolina. Is this something you’re also passionate about? Maybe it was the push towards social justice, equity, and inclusiveness that drew you in? Now, with these things in mind, share how this vision will help you reach your potential as a physician. Will you end up serving in underserved areas? This may sound like a simple question, but you should really put some thought into how Brody will help you become the doctor you dream of becoming.
There are a few points to consider when approaching this prompt. Consider the various ways the pandemic has affected you and your loved ones. You can focus on the academic effects. Did the pandemic affect your ability to complete your coursework? Did it affect your grades? Did it slow your progress?
You can also focus on the clinical effects of the virus. Did it interrupt your clinical schedule? Were you unable to finish rotations, volunteer, or take part in the events.
Finally, you can share a few words on how the pandemic affected you personally. Have you experienced mental health struggles? Did you feel lonely? Were you scared? Were relationships threatened? Be as honest and vulnerable as possible, because this will make you stand out among the other candidates.
I’m the kind of person who researches, makes plans, and takes proactive steps to achieve her goals. Knowing how important clinical experience is to my acceptance into medical school, I carefully planned out each of my clinical experiences and medical volunteer opportunities into my college timeline. I would have been as bright as a diamond with the amount of clinical experience I’d acquired, had my plan gone off without a hitch. Unfortunately, COVID-19 became a bigger and more destructive hitch than anyone could have predicted.
My clinical plans were put on hold with the first lockdowns. Not only was I restricted by the immediate and defensive restrictions put into place by local medical clinics, but I, myself, was part of the early wave of COVID-19 patients. I’m grateful to have survived the virus, but my clinical experience plans did not.
It was a hard pill to swallow, and I was immediately concerned about how it would look on my application to Brody, but I decided there was no use in worrying about what did not happen. Instead, I had to think outside the box. So when the vaccine became available, I immediately volunteered to assist at the vaccine sites around my city. I also started working at some of the local testing sites. While I had to let go of my perfect plan, I was able to embrace a new pathway and learn a great deal from the horrific experience that COVID-19 was and is for all of us.
Many use this prompt as a way of bragging about the copious amounts of volunteer work and community service they have done, with a hearty pat on the back. This prompt is really about more than bragging. It’s more about what you have learned and gleaned from opportunities to serve. How has serving affected you personally? How has it changed your life and molded your calling? How has your community service experience added to your desire to be a physician who serves the people?
Applicants will take part in two interviews with members of the admissions committee, and these applicants will be invited because they met the qualifications and stood out in their applications. This interview process is extremely important because it gives the admissions committee a chance to put a face and personality to the name, getting to know you as an individual. Applicants will do well if they go into their interview planning to be authentic, honest, and open. This phase also allows candidates to ask questions, see the educational facilities, and meet members of the faculty and other students.
Interviews are conducted virtually between late August and January. During the interview, there will be an informational meeting held by the Associate Dean or the Director of Admissions, so be prepared with any questions you may have.
There will be specific characteristics about you that the admissions committee will be looking for during the interview. They particularly like to interview a candidate who excels in:
Preparing for an interview can be stressful and overwhelming. Applicants usually find it very helpful to acquire personalized coaching and even a mock interview through our medical school admissions consulting services.
Researching, applying, and interviewing for medical schools is challenging and requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Our vision at International Medical Aid was to develop a program that would aid the next generation of medical students as they matriculate into the top medical schools in the country. We want to see you succeed and walk through the process with confidence and peace.
You may be the type of person who interviews well naturally or not. Either way, our experts can and will help you prepare thoroughly for one of the most important interviews of your life. We will walk you through the process, offer expert advice, and even conduct mock interviews to make sure you are as ready as possible.
Take a moment to schedule a free consultation with one of our experts here.
There are few experiences more educational, enlightening, and life-altering than shadowing skilled physicians in the trenches of the medical community, spending time with real patients in vastly different environments than you’re used to, and getting an idea of what it’s like to work in a hospital or clinic, especially in a foreign country. If shadowing a physician abroad is something you’re interested in, IMA’s voluntary healthcare internships abroad program is a fantastic choice.
Our pre-med shadowing study abroad program was designed specifically for pre-medical and gap year students with the vision of preparing them more than ever before for their future as a humanistic, global citizen physician. There is nothing in the world like participating in one of those pre-medicine internships in Peru or Africa.
Please take a few minutes to explore the benefits of our program on our website and reach out if you have any questions.
As you take your first step towards matriculating at ECU Brody School of Medicine, we wish you the best of luck and hope that this guide has helped you along your journey. If you find yourself having questions or issues with applying, you can reach out to us for assistance anytime.
If you’d like to explore our medical school admissions consulting program, please feel free to contact us, and we will get you the support you need to feel confident.
Whether you looked for medical schools in a different state or searched for medical schools near me, VCOM is a wonderful choice. We hope our guide helps you achieve your goal of attending this fine institution. Be sure to check out our other medical school guides:
Feel free to contact us if you have questions about the application process, our medical guides, our pre-med shadowing study abroad program, or our Medical School Admissions Consulting services.
International Medical Aid provides global internship opportunities for students and clinicians who are looking to broaden their horizons and experience healthcare on an international level. These program participants have the unique opportunity to shadow healthcare providers as they treat individuals who live in remote and underserved areas and who don’t have easy access to medical attention. International Medical Aid also provides medical school admissions consulting to individuals applying to medical school and PA school programs. We review primary and secondary applications, offer guidance for personal statements and essays, and conduct mock interviews to prepare you for the admissions committees that will interview you before accepting you into their programs. IMA is here to provide the tools you need to help further your career and expand your opportunities in healthcare.
