Thomas Jefferson planned for medical education to be a part of the curriculum of the University of Virginia. A School of Anatomy and Medicine was one of the original eight schools of the University when it opened in 1825.
Admission Information
The faculty believes that the educational mission of the School of Medicine, as well as the medical profession itself, is best served by an admissions process that results in the selection of a diverse and multi-talented student body. The Admissions Committee, when choosing the class, considers not only academic credentials such as GPA and MCAT, but also the personal characteristics and life experiences of applicants.
Admission to the School of Medicine will be granted to those applicants who, in the opinion of the Admissions Committee, will make the most significant contributions to society as members of the medical profession. In making its determination the School will consider factors such as: (1) the applicant’s general academic ability based upon a careful examination of all academic transcripts, including factors such as the grade-point average, the difficulty of the curriculum in which the degree was earned and the hours spent on outside employment or other time-consuming extracurricular activities; (2) the applicant’s capacity for the academic study of medicine based upon the MCAT score, and (3) other relevant personal qualities and characteristics of the applicant, including factors such as the applicant’s career goals, cultural and educational background and experiences, moral character, leadership qualities, evidence of having worked effectively as a member of a team, commitment to community service, ability to think and act independently, and interpersonal and communication skills. The applicant should seek to have those persons writing letters of recommendation discuss such factors.
The University of Virginia uses a holistic approach when screening and evaluating applicants for the School of Medicine. We seek a class of students who represent diversity in all forms, which include, but are not limited to: interests, experience, academic excellence, research, volunteer activities, community service, healthcare experience, gender, underrepresentation in medicine, disadvantaged background, and rural Virginians. We seek applicants who will bring exceptional qualities, skills and/or cultural experiences to the educational experience and the practice of medicine.
We seek students whom, we believe, will demonstrate and embody cultural competence. The Cultural Competence Committee at the University of Virginia defines cultural competence as the ability to function “effectively as an individual or organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, practices, and needs presented by patients and their communities. This includes demonstrating sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ and colleagues’ gender, age, culture, religion, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, gender identification, and/or sexual orientation.”
Criteria for selection and details about the selection process can be found on the Admissions Office website at:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/admissions/requirements.cfm.
To access the online-electronic application, please see the following website: www.aamc.org
Association of American Medical Colleges
American Medical College Application Service
2450 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037-1126
Phone: 202-828-0400
Requirements for Admission
Applicants should note that the University of Virginia School of Medicine considers applications only from applicants who have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours or who have graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom. Applicants in a degree program are expected to complete their degree before matriculation. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. are eligible to apply provided they have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of course work at an accredited college or university in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom.
Selection of Candidates The selection of students for admission to the School of Medicine is made by the Committee on Admissions, composed of members of the faculty of the School of Medicine and a select group of fourth-year medical students. Applicants are considered only after all credentials have been received. Applicants who have been denied admission previously are not encouraged to reapply unless there is a demonstrated improvement in their academic and non-academic credentials. The number of students in the entering class will not exceed 160 students.
Method of Application The University of Virginia School of Medicine is one of the participating schools in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Applications may be accessed directly from their website: www.aamc.org. AMCAS applications must be submitted no later than November 1 of the year prior to the year of proposed enrollment. Students are selected and notified of their acceptance on a rolling admissions basis beginning October 16; therefore, early application is advantageous. All applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable application processing fee unless granted a fee waiver.
Selection of College Courses:
There are no course requirements. However, the following college science courses are recommended prior to matriculation:
Behavioral Science
Biochemistry
Statistics
Cell Biology
The recommended courses listed above form the essential background for the scientific study of medicine. Many courses contributing to a well-rounded liberal education are of direct value and, though proficiency in the sciences is essential to the understanding of medicine, concentration on the sciences is not necessary. Medicine is concerned with a variety of social and community problems and requires a broad cultural background as well as technical education.
Students pursuing a graduate or professional degree must complete the program requirements prior to entrance into medical school.
Technical Standards
Introduction: The practice of medicine requires a broad combination of cognitive, emotional, physical, interpersonal and other skills and personal characteristics in order to provide highly effective patient care within the system of health care. Consequently, the School of Medicine has identified minimum standards required of all students who matriculate. These standards must be met throughout medical school in order to progress and graduate; they are predicated on the school’s learning objectives that are considered essential for completion of the M.D. degree. They have been approved by the Curriculum Committee, the Dean and the Office of General Counsel and are reviewed for currency and re-confirmed on an annual basis.
Students are required to attest at the time they accept an offer to matriculate that they meet the School of Medicine’s Technical Standards, and they must attest on an annual basis that they continue to meet the standards. These standards are not intended to deter any student who might be able to complete the requirements of the curriculum with reasonable accommodations. Requests from students or prospective students for reasonable accommodations in meeting the technical standards will be considered by the Technical Standards Committee. The Full Technical Standards policy is available on the School of Medicine Admissions website listed below. Those desiring additional information on this matter may contact the Admissions Office.
https://med.virginia.edu/admissions/application-process/technical-standards/
Medical College Admission Test The Medical College Admission Test is required of all applicants. All students must present scores from tests taken no later than September 30 of the year prior to the year of matriculation, and no earlier than April 1 of three years prior to the year of matriculation. Further information concerning this test is available from college premedical advisors, or from the AAMC website: www.aamc.org.
Personal Interview Students are not accepted without a personal interview. Selected individuals are invited for interviews after review of their completed application. The Admissions Committee does not grant regional interviews, telephone interviews, or interviews by applicant request.
Transfer Applicants The University of Virginia School of Medicine no longer accepts transfer applications.
Correspondence concerning admission should be addressed to:
Office of Admissions
UVa School of Medicine
P.O. Box 800725
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0782
(434) 924-5571; fax: (434) 982-2586
medsch-adm@virginia.edu
For more information, see the Admissions website: http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/education/medical-students/admissions
Transfer Credit The School of Medicine does not accept transfer credit from other institutions of higher education.
Transfer Students The School of Medicine does not accept transfer students.
