Prospective Students - Admissions

Applying for admission

Before you apply
Consult with your college health professions advisor or other trusted academic advisor as soon as possible. The counselor will help you choose the right school for you, ensure that the necessary requirements have been met, and provide encouragement throughout the process.

Applying
We have two separate application stages:

1. AMCAS application
The School of Medicine participates in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) of the Association of American Medical Colleges. AMCAS provides a centralized system for applying to any participating medical school. The AMCAS Application for Admission, common to all participating medical schools, is available online at www.aamc.org

A waiver form for the AMCAS application fee is included with the material provided by AMCAS. Any applicant who is granted an AMCAS waiver will not be required to pay the University application fee.

Applicants are urged to file their AMCAS applications as early as possible but certainly before our deadline of November 15.

2. Supplemental application
All who apply through AMCAS will be afforded the opportunity to complete the Supplemental Application.

Detailed information and specific requirements for letters of recommendation are outlined. Applicants who are not able to comply with these requirements should contact the Assistant Dean of the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid in writing. It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive all materials, including letters of recommendation, no later than the deadline of December 17. Extensions are rarely granted.

In addition to the AMCAS application and fee, applicants must submit a nonrefundable application fee.

Applying for admission: special situations

Early Decision Program
We no longer participate in the Early Decision Program.

Admission with advanced standing
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has a limited opportunity for admissions with advanced standing. Applications will only be considered for entry into the third year class. Applications are reviewed on an individual basis giving preference to those candidates who have a compelling need to transfer to the University of Pittsburgh. Acceptance is dependant on the applicant’s special circumstance, qualifications and availability of openings. We are unable to entertain transfer applications from students of dentistry, osteopathic, chiropractic or veterinary medicine or from international medical schools. We only consider medical students who are currently enrolled in a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education.

Application Process:

Request application: Application for advanced standing must be requested along with a written statement explaining the compelling need to transfer to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Dean’s Letter of Recommendation: The applicant must request a letter from the Dean of Student Affairs at their current medical school This letter must indicate that the applicant is in good standing at the institution and that the applicant has successfully completed the curriculum of the year just prior to the transfer year. This letter should be sent directly to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
United States Medical Licensure Examination, Step 1, Scores: All transfer applicants must take Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) prior to matriculation as a 3rd year at our institution. We reserve the right to rescind admission if the result of Step 1 is not a passing score.
Personal Interview: The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine requires a personal interview with all applicants before an official acceptance can be extended to the applicant. Once we determine the number of openings for transfer students, we will invite to interview a small number of applicants after reviewing all applications for transfer.
Candidates for advance standing must be a US citizen or hold a Permanent Resident Visa (not conditional) or a refugee / asylee status.

If you meet the criteria outlined above and wish to apply for advance standing admission, please inquire here for Transfer Application. .

Reapplication
Applicants who were not previously accepted must submit a new application, updated references, and transcripts for any additional academic work undertaken since the first application was submitted. You are also expected to demonstrate how your qualifications have been strengthened during this period. The committee may review your previous application when the current application is considered. If you’ve been refused admission on three prior occasions, you are ineligible to apply.

International application
In order to apply, non United States citizens must hold a permanent resident visa (not conditional) or refugee/asylee status and have completed at least one full year of undergraduate education, including our prerequisites, in the United States. US citizens who have completed pre-med course work outside the U.S. must petition the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid for consideration.

Non-Discrimination Policy
All applicants are considered without regard to race; color; religion; ethnicity; national origin; age; gender; sexual orientation; marital, veteran or handicap status.