Start Your Journey: Apply to Rochester
Our students have a strong foundation in science, evidence of curiosity through research/innovation, and demonstration of human connection through clinical experiences, community engagement, and advocacy. 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 as early as possible. Here are the deadlines:
- October 15: American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) opens for application submission May 30, 2023. Our deadline for submission is October 15th. Once we receive your verified application from AMCAS, we will send you an email with instructions on how to submit a secondary application form.
- November 15: Secondary application and $100 non-refundable fee due via the applicant portal by November 15th.
- 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 – mid-March: Interviews are conducted by invitation. All interviews will be virtual and are required for admission.
- Early to mid-March: All interview decisions will be completed.
Interview Process
Interview Selection
Applicants are selected for interview based on a holistic admissions process which weighs a number of different factors including MCAT, GPA, activities and experiences, letters of recommendation, personal statements, background, undergraduate institution, and mission alignment. Selected applicants will be emailed by the Admissions Office to schedule their interview day. A confirmation email will be sent with your interview day schedule prior to your interview date.
Admissions Requirements and Recommendations
** Response to COVID-19 - information for the 2023-2024 Admissions Cycle**
Updates to our admissions policies, procedures, and deadlines will be updated on our MSAR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Requirements
- What is the average GPA & MCAT score of entering students?
- The average GPA is 3.8, range of 3.2 - 4.0. The average MCAT score is 516, range of 503 - 528.
- If I have taken more than one MCAT, how are the scores viewed?
- We look at all test scores. We do not take the best section scores from different exams (super score).
- Do you require situational judgment tests (e.g. CASPer)?
- No.
- Do you accept international applicants?
-
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have permanent residency status or asylee status. The exceptions are:
- Applicants who received their undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester
- Applicants for our Levitan scholarship
Application Process
- Can I meet with an admissions advisor?
- Due to limited staffing, please email mdadmish@urmc.rochester.edu with questions.
- What’s the status of my application?
- Check the applicant portal for application status information.
- Where can I find out details about my interview?
- Detailed interview day information will be provided in the applicant portal.
- When will I learn about Admissions decision following my interview?
- Decisions are made approximately six to eight weeks after your interview and communicated 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 from 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?
- Applicants may request to defer their admission for one year for enrichment purposes. All deferral requests must be submitted via email to mdadmish@urmc.rochester.edu and will be reviewed by the committee. If the request is granted, the deferral period will be for one year only. Applicants are expected to matriculate the following academic year. If a deferred student applies to any other medical school during their enrichment year, we will revoke our offer of admission. Merit scholarship awards cannot be guaranteed post deferral. All deferrals must be submitted prior to April 30th. Any requests submitted after this date will not be entertained. Deferrals will not be granted at any time for MSTP applicants.
- Why was my application rejected?
- Please email mdadmish@urmc.rochester.edu if you were not accepted and would like more information to help strengthen your future application.
General Inquiries and Programs
- Do you require COVID-19 vaccinations?
- No. While the University no longer mandates COVID vaccinations, staying up to date on COVID vaccines and boosters remains strongly encouraged to protect against the virus’s severe effects, and to mitigate the illness in the community. 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?
- We offer a virtual tour and self-guided in-person tours. Accepted students will receive an email with more detail regarding guided in-person tours.
- Do you have a preference for New York State residents?
- No. We are a private medical school that considers geographical diversity an important aspect of our medical school class.
- How does University of Rochester affiliation and legacy status impact the admissions decision?
- We do not use legacy status or University of Rochester affiliations when screening applicants for interview or when making admissions decisions. We use family information reported on the secondary application to ensure there are no conflicts of interests during our admissions process.
- Do you accept transfer students?
- We do not accept transfer applications.
- Do you have an 8-year medical school program?
- Yes, we have a BA/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, with the following participating schools: Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Carleton College, Colgate University, Hamilton College, Haverford College, Hunter College - CUNY, Middlebury College, Spelman College, Swarthmore College, Williams College, and Xavier University of Louisiana. Please contact your pre-health advisor to learn more about the program.
- Do you have a Post-bac Linkage Program?
- Yes, with Bryn Mawr College and Columbia University. Please contact your pre-health advisor to learn more.
- 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. 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.
- Do you have a medical tech program?
- Yes. View our medical tech program.
- Do you have a physical therapy program?
- No.
Transfer/Admission with Advanced Standing
We do not accept transfer applications.
International Students
We only accept applications from international students who have either:
- Received 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 OR
- Applied for our Levitan Family Endowed Scholarship
All other applicants must be U.S. citizens, have permanent residency status or asylee status.
Medical students who are not U.S. citizens or do not have U.S. Permanent Residency are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate visa status when applying for post-graduate training (residency programs).
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