Start Your Journey: Apply to Rochester
The U of R medical student will have a strong foundation in science, evidence of curiosity through research/innovation, and demonstration of human connection through clinical experiences, community engagement, or the pursuit of the study of humanities. As required by federal regulations, we are sharing that the MD program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, as a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, meets the educational requirements for licensure in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
Important Dates: Application Timeline
If you are interested in Rochester, we recommend you apply early. Here are the deadlines for each application material:
- October 15: American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) opens for application submission May 28, 2022. Our deadline for submission is October 15th. When we receive your verified application from AMCAS, we will send you an email with instructions on how to submit a secondary application form. Secondary application forms are due via the applicant portal.
- November 15: Secondary application due via the applicant portal by November 15th, along with a non-refundable fee of $100.
- November 22: Letters of recommendation due. These must be submitted via AMCAS Letter Service. Letters of recommendation submitted on official letterhead may be a composite letter or pre-health advisory committee letter from your school, or a minimum of 3 individual letters.
- September 1 – March 15: Interviews are conducted by invitation virtually and are required for admission.
- Early March: All interview decisions will be completed.
Admissions Requirements and Recommendations
** Response to COVID-19 - information for the 2022-23 Admissions Cycle**
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Requirements
- What is the average GPA of your entering students? What are you looking for in MCAT scores?
- The average GPA is 3.8. Average MCAT score for the exam is 516.
- If I have taken more than one MCAT, how are the scores viewed?
- Rochester takes the highest test score. We do not take the best section scores from different exams (super score).
- Do you require situational judgement tests (e.g. CASPer)?
- No.
- Do you accept international applicants?
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have permanent residency status or asylee status. The only exceptions to this rule is if the applicant received their undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester or through our Levitan scholarship (offered every other year).
Application Process
- What’s the status of my application?
- Check the applicant portal for application status information.
- Where can I find out details about my interview?
- Once invited to interview, you will receive access to detailed information, regarding the interview, via the applicant portal.
- When will I learn about Admissions decision following my interview?
- Decisions are made six to eight weeks after your interview via email.
- What is your waitlist procedure?
- A subcommittee reviews applicants on the waitlist based on a holistic review and their overall committee score. Initial offers to waitlisted applicants begin at the end of April via email notification. The number of students accepted off of the waitlist varies from year to year.
- Should I send updates to my file if I am waitlisted?
- We welcome substantial updates, i.e. awards, a new job or volunteer position, publication or presentation. They may be sent via the applicant portal through the Additional Documents Upload.
- Do you accept requests for deferment?
- If you would like to defer your admission to the University of Rochester School of Medicine, you must put your request in writing, explaining your need to defer. Please email your request to mdadmish@urmc.rochester.edu.
- Why was my application rejected?
- If you were not accepted for admission and would like more information, please email the Director of Admissions, Michelle Vogl, at mdadmish@urmc.rochester.edu, to see how you might strengthen your application for next year.
General Inquiries and Programs
- Do you require COVID-19 vaccinations?
- Yes, upon matriculation all medical school students need to have all of their COVID-19 vaccinations. Boosters are not required but highly recommended. View our immunization requirements for more information.
- Does the University of Rochester offer health insurance?
- Yes, please visit University Health Service for more information.
- Do you offer tours to prospective applicants?
- While we do not offer student guided tours, we do have self-guided tours. If at the end of that experience, you have any questions, we can help direct you to the answers. Currently, we do not host open houses. You can view our virtual tour on our web site.
- Do you have a preference for New York State residents?
- No, we don't. We are a private medical school that pulls its incoming class from across the US and considers diversity of geography an important aspect to our medical school class.
- Do you accept transfer students?
- Because of Rochester's early clinical exposure and uniquely integrated curriculum, transfer applicants cannot be considered for advanced standing.
- Do you have an 8-year medical school program?
- Yes, we have a BS/MD degree program called the Rochester Early Medical Scholars Program. For more information, please call the University of Rochester Undergraduate Admissions Office at (585) 275-3221 or toll-free at (888) 822-2256.
- Do you have an Early Assurance Program?
- Yes. Please contact your pre-health advisor to learn more about the program. Participating schools include: Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Carleton College, Colgate University, Hamilton College, Haverford College, Hunter College - CUNY, Spelman College, Swarthmore College, Middlebury College, Williams College, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
- Do you have a Post-bac Linkage Program?
- Yes. Please contact your pre-health advisor to learn more. Participating schools include: Bryn Mawr College and Columbia University.
- Do you have combined/dual degree programs?
- Yes, view our combined/dual degree programs.
- Do you have a DDS program?
- The University of Rochester does not have a DDS granting program. The closest school is the University of Buffalo, (716) 829-2839. Rochester does have advanced degree opportunities in dentistry. If you are interested in the MD-Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Resident Program, a four-year training program, contact (585) 275-9004. (Applicants to this program must already have their DDS degree.)
- Do you have a physician's assistant program?
- No. Please contact the Admissions Offices at either Stony Brook (631) 632-6868; or RIT (585) 475-6631.
- Do you have a medical tech program?
- Yes. View our medical tech program.
- Do you have a physical therapy program?
- No. Please contact Nazareth College of Rochester at (585) 389-2900 or Ithaca College at (800) 429-4274.
Transfer/Admission with Advanced Standing
Because of Rochester’s early clinical exposure and uniquely integrated curriculum, transfer applicants cannot be considered for advanced standing.
International Students
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have permanent residency status or asylee status. An exception to this policy is: applications will be accepted from foreign nationals who have, or expect to receive, an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester. Eligible applicants are required to deposit four full years of the Cost of Attendance into an escrow account by May 15th of the entering year. The only other exception is our Levitan Scholarship which is offered every other year.
Medical students who are not U.S. citizens or do not have a green card and match at a residency program at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Strong Memorial Hospital, must apply for a J1 visa upon matching in the program. The medical center will not sponsor any other type of visa.
Per U.S. Federal Regulations, 668.43 (2019 Rule), and in compliance with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) Manual version 19.2, the University of Rochester provides the following disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional certification and licensure. The University of Rochester has designed the curriculum for professional certification and licensure, that if successfully completed, is sufficient to meet the certification and licensure educational requirements in the state of New York. For information regarding licensure in another state, enrolled and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact that State’s licensing body to review all certification and licensure requirements.
MD Admissions Committee
Voting Rotating Membership:
- Faculty: A minimum of 20 and maximum of 30 basic science and clinical faculty who represent of a variety of medical school departments. A minimum of two faculty members must be community based faculty.
- Students: a minimum of four and maximum of ten medical students.
Voting Permanent Membership:
- Associate Dean for Admissions (Chair of the Admissions Committee)
- Associate Dean of Student Affairs
- Associate Dean for Equity and inclusion
- Director of Admissions
Ad Hoc Non-Voting Membership
- Director, Medical Scientist Training Program (MD-PhD)
- Associate Director, Medical Scientist Training Program