We consider the whole applicant.Thank you for considering VCU School of Medicine (VCU SOM) for your medical education. Our goal is to select the next class of capable, well-rounded and driven students to join our community.
While grades and exam scores are important representations of an applicant’s academic experiences, we are committed to considering more than just metrics in our admissions process. By using the AAMC’s Holistic Review method, we also weigh how each applicant may benefit from and contribute to VCU School of Medicine’s learning environment and the medical profession as a future physician.
M.D. Admissions Process
Step 1: AMCAS Application
VCU SOM AMCAS Early Decision deadline: Aug. 1
VCU SOM AMCAS deadline: Oct. 15
VCU SOM participates in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) cycle, which runs from June to December. VCU SOM accepts Early Decision and regular M.D. applications and will not review incomplete or unverified AMCAS applications.
All applicants are required to submit valid Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores. Applicants can register for the MCAT here.
MCAT requirements
Minimum score: 503
Average score: 512
Undergraduate GP requirements
Minimum score: 3.3
Average score: 3.79
Step 2: Supplemental Application
Invitations to submit supplemental applications are sent in early July.
VCU SOM invites select applicants to submit a supplemental application based on completed and verified AMCAS applications (including transcripts, MCAT score and letters of recommendation). The supplemental application should be submitted within 60 days of supplemental granted notification.
Step 3: Screening
VCU SOM will conduct a holistic review of your completed application materials, including the supplemental application, to determine which applicants will receive an interview invitation. Reviews consider not only an applicant’s metrics, but also the applicant’s experiences and other personal attributes.
Admissions file reviewers will carefully evaluate your entire application. When this detailed evaluation is complete, one of three things will happen:
- You will be invited to an interview.
- Your application will be deemed unsuccessful and will receive no further consideration.
- Your application will be placed on hold for an interview decision.
Step 4: Interview
VCU SOM uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) method. Learn more about the interview process here
Step 5: Admissions Offer
Early Decision acceptance notification: Oct. 1
Regular M.D. acceptance notifications: Oct. 16, Dec. 16, Feb. 1 and March 15
Step 6: Acceptance and Deposit
Admitted students are asked to accept the offer and pay the $100 matriculation deposit, which goes toward tuition, within two weeks of admittance. Applicants who decide to withdraw will be entitled to a full refund if VCU SOM receives the withdrawal notice before or on May 1.
If your offer is made after April 30, 2024, you will be required to complete the above steps within one week of the offer date.
Medical School Admissions Timeline
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Early May
AMCAS applications are available
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Early June
AMCAS applications may be submitted
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July—December
Select applicants are invited to submit supplemental application materials
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August—March
Select applicants are invited for interviews
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October 1
Early Decision offer date
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October 15
VCU SOM AMCAS submission deadline
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October 16, December 16, February 1, March 1
Offer dates
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January 30
Deadline to submit supplemental application
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April 30
Last date to receive refund of deposit after withdrawal
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Late July
Fall semester begins with Transition to Medical School
Academic Requirements
There is no single path to getting into medical school, and no two applicants are the same. With our holistic review of all submitted materials, we measure excellence and potential across a broad range of criteria and qualifications.
- Minimum GPA: 3.3 (average 3.7)
- Science-based graduate-level work GPA: 3.5 or higher
- Minimum MCAT: 503 (average 512)
CERT students with a 3.5 GPA or higher and 508 MCAT are eligible for a guaranteed interview. Learn more about the Pre-medical Graduate Health Sciences certificate here.
Students are also required to take the Casper Situational Judgement Test. Information and eligible test dates for that test can be found on the Casper website.
The VCU School of Medicine does not currently participate in the AAMC PREview program.
It is customary and recommended for applicants to complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution prior to enrollment. Students must demonstrate that they have acquired an education that extends beyond the basic sciences to include other subjects such as social sciences, history, arts and languages. Broad academic training provides prospective physicians with the strong scientific skills necessary to continue studying medical science, as well as a comprehensive understanding of social, historical and cultural forces that affect their professional lives and the lives of their patients.
Prerequisites to apply include a minimum of 90 semester hours in a college or university accredited by the regional accrediting agency, including:
- English or writing-intensive courses: 6 credit hours of writing-intensive courses (other courses may be substituted upon request)
- College mathematics: 6 credit hours of college-level math or statistics
- Biological science: 8 credit hours, including laboratory (may be satisfied by general biology, general zoology or botany)
- General or introductory chemistry: 8 credit hours, including laboratory
- Organic chemistry: 8 credit hours, including laboratory
- General or introductory physics: 8 credit hours, including laboratory
- Upper-level biological science: 4 credit hours for non-science majors and highly recommended for science majors (may be satisfied by biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy, embryology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology or neurosciences)
- Psychology: highly recommended
- Sociology: highly recommended
In order to obtain a broad education consistent with their major, students are encouraged to pursue their own intellectual interests in college. Courses in medically related science areas will not relieve students of their responsibility for these subjects in the M.D. curriculum. Science GPA is highly regarded by the Admissions Committee.
AP/CLEP Credit
We accept AP and CLEP credit to meet premedical course requirements, if documented on an official transcript. Please note that lab credit will still be required. Applicants may meet lab credit with the lab sections of advanced science courses or practical experience, such as documented relevant experience in a research lab.
- Leadership experiences
- Organizational positions
- Teacher’s assistant
- Resident assistant
- Varsity sports team captain
- Work-related management or supervision
- Research, including publications and presentations
- Personal hobbies and interests
- Mandatory minimum of 80 hours (average for matriculants is 200 hours)
- Includes direct hands-on patient care and physician shadowing
- Examples include scribe, language interpreter, nursing care, CNA/MA, EMT
- Mandatory minimum of 100 hours (average for matriculants is 200+ hours)
- Service experience should include engagement and interaction with people from a variety of economic, educational, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
- Examples include tutoring, food banks, hospice, homeless shelters, hotlines/text lines, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, City Year, Special Olympics coach, etc.
A personal statement should be a genuine and vulnerable demonstration of who you are beyond grades and test scores. This is your opportunity to share your passion and motivation for medicine and how your experiences have impacted this drive along your journey.
- Minimum: 3
- Maximum: 5
Letters should be from supervisors, professors, mentors, etc., who know you well. The letters should demonstrate the AAMC's premedical competencies, which include commitment to learning and growth, cultural awareness, reliability and service orientation. The requirement can also be satisfied with an institutional pre-med committee packet.
VCU Honors College Guaranteed Admission
For high school seniors
The eight-year Guaranteed Admission Program for Medicine allows highly qualified students to gain acceptance to VCU School of Medicine, provided they meet all requirements of the Guaranteed Admission Program while enrolled at VCU Honors College.
For premedical freshmen and sophomores
The Preferred Applicant Track for Medicine offers premedical students an opportunity to apply to the VCU Honors College Guaranteed Admission Program for Medicine at the end of their sophomore year at VCU. After successful completion of this process, students are offered acceptance to VCU School of Medicine.
Contact the Office of Admissions
| Name: | Email: | Contact for questions about: |
|---|---|---|
| Donna Jackson, Ed.D. | Donna.Jackson@vcuhealth.org | Advising Prerequisite questions Status updates Student outreach |
| Keith Baker, Ph.D. | Keith.Baker@vcuhealth.org | Advising Management of application MMI process |
| Anna Leonard | Anna.Leonard@vcuhealth.org | MMI process Interview scheduling |
| Shenia Tyler | Shenia.Tyler@vcuhealth.org | Proof of enrollment letter Proof of permanent residence (green card) Reimbursements Supplemental and matriculation fee |
| Natalia O’Brien | Natalia.Obrien@vcuhealth.org | Campus visits Student outreach programming and advising |
| Lonnell Wiggins | Lonnell.Wiggins@vcuhealth.org | General questions Proof of permanent residence (green card) |