Following are the minimal requirements for all applicants to the College of Medicine. None of these requirements can be waived for any candidate, and failure to comply will result in withdrawal from consideration or rescission of acceptance on grounds of ineligibility. Please note that the College of Medicine does not accept online courses that are not offered by (as opposed to, approved by) your undergraduate or graduate institution.
All applicants must take the MCATs within the three years prior to making application. For example, the oldest set of scores acceptable for applicants applying in 2012 (for the 2013 entering class) is 2009. Applicants will receive a preliminary review of their application only after receipt of MCAT scores. September is the latest test date month acceptable.
Requirements
Applicants should have at least three years of study toward a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada as well as the following course work for which letter grades are available (not Pass/Fail, unless college policy):
One year, including laboratory instruction, of each of the following:
- Biological Sciences
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physics
There are acceptable alternatives to the traditional one-year organic chemistry sequence, e.g. one semester of biochemistry can substitute for the second semester of organic chemistry and one year of:
- College-Level Mathematics (Statistics and Computer Science are acceptable)
- English
Applicants who have completed all of their pre-medical requirements more than five years prior to submitting their application must show evidence of participation in either academic or work experience in the biological sciences. Academic experience should include at least one course in a discipline such as cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, immunology or neuroscience. Work experience may include research in the biological sciences.
In addition to completing the minimal requirements in these subjects, it is recommended that students take at least another year of instruction at a more advanced level in molecular or cell biology, neuroscience, genetics or human physiology.
Courses in the biology curriculum should include discussion of the structure and function of the major cell organelles, the structure of cell membranes, membrane transport and exocytosis and endocytosis, an introduction to Mendelian genetics and signal transduction and discussion of the individual functions of human organ systems.
Courses in biochemistry/chemistry should include discussion of acid-base chemistry, the structures of biological macromolecules and pathways of energy generation.
Applicants who have indicated on their AMCAS application and their Einstein secondary application that they will receive a baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree by the time they begin their medical studies must complete the degree, or must write to the admissions committee 60 days prior to orientation to explain the reasons for the incomplete, and to request permission for entrance.
The committee on admissions prefers that the minimum requirements be completed prior to application. All requirements must be fulfilled prior to matriculation in August, and all offers of admission are contingent upon satisfactory completion of required and current course work. Accepted applicants must provide an official set of complete and final transcripts to the office of admissions prior to matriculation or forfeit their place in the class.