Regular Admission Requirements

Regular Admissions is the standard process by which students enter the College of Medicine. Students apply initially through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Upon receiving a verified AMCAS, we will invite applicants to submit a secondary application. All completed applications undergo holistic review, guided by the Premed Competencies for Entering Medical Students that the AAMC has identified, that include consideration of academic performance, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, essays, personal attributes, and experiences including but not limited to medicine, service, leadership, and research. Applications are reviewed by the Assistant Dean for Admissions, faculty committee members and Office of Admissions staff, and competitive applicants are invited to interview. Each year, the College of Medicine matriculates approximately 135 students through Regular Admissions.

Requirements

Eligible applicants must be United States citizens or United States permanent residents (in possession of the USCIS assigned ‘Green Card’).

Applicants who have previously matriculated to a medical program are ineligible to apply to UF College of Medicine unless they meet the requirements to apply through the Transfer/Advanced Standing Admissions Policy.

Applicants must receive a bachelor’s degree from a US post-secondary college or university accredited by one of the regional accrediting organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE) prior to matriculation to the University of Florida College of Medicine. A graduate or professional degree earned in the US at a regionally accredited post-secondary university may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree. Applicants will be carefully appraised on the basis of personal attributes, academic record, evaluation of achievements, references, performance on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and personal interviews, if granted by the medical student admissions committee.

Applicants currently pursuing graduate level work toward a Ph.D. degree or other professional degrees are obligated to complete all degree requirements prior to matriculation to the College of Medicine for study toward the M.D. degree.

The College of Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, creed, age, national origin or disability. Further details on technical standards for medical school admission may be accessed here. Although Florida residents are given preference in admission, the College of Medicine welcomes applications from nonresidents and admits a limited number each year.

Basic Science Requirements

The College of Medicine values all majors and fields of study and welcomes applicants with strong backgrounds in both the basic sciences and liberal arts. We have no preference as to the delivery format of coursework: in person, distance learning or hybrid. To assess academic strength relative to the expectations of the COM curriculum, we closely review not only grades, but course load rigor including an applicant’s most recent history taking multiple science and/or math courses during regular (fall/spring) semesters.

The following minimum science admissions requirements must be completed at a regionally-accredited, degree-granting United States post-secondary institution with letter grades, and no grade lower than a “C” (not counting courses taken in Spring 2020 for P or S grades which are acceptable with no conditions). Competitive applicants will have demonstrated the ability to engage in rigorous full-time course loads that include “stacked” science courses (at least two per semester plus associated labs, if applicable). There are no waivers for prerequisite coursework, but substitutions of higher level graded coursework in the same or related disciplines are accepted at the discretion of the admissions committee.

The minimum science admissions requirements include the following basic introductory courses and laboratories, suitable for a science curriculum:

• General Biology – 2 semesters, with labs (8 semester hours)
• General Chemistry – 2 semesters, with labs (8 semester hours)**
• Organic Chemistry – 1 semester, with lab (4-5 semester hours)
• Biochemistry – 1 semester survey course, upper-division, content and level appropriate to a biology or chemistry curriculum (3 or 4 semester hours)**
• Physics – 2 semesters, with labs (8 semester hours)

**Due to variations between schools, if only one semester of general chemistry is offered by a program, organic chemistry II with lab can substitute for the second general chemistry course. A 3 or 4 semester hour biochemistry course will fulfill our requirement. However, if an additional 1 semester hour lab is offered, we recommend taking the additional course. Those without access to a traditional biochemistry course may enroll in the UF Biochem 4024 online course (offered every semester).

For students who desire additional background in science, we recommend courses in genetics, microbiology, immunology and/or physiology.

MCAT – UPDATED

Prior to the final MCAT score release for calendar year 2024, an MCAT score is not required to receive a secondary invitation; however, a minimum score of 500 earned no earlier than calendar year 2022 and taken no later than September 14, 2024, is a requirement for interview consideration for the 2025 entry application cycle. All application materials including the required MCAT score are due no later than January 15, 2025 for 2025 entry; therefore, we cannot consider a January MCAT administration for the same calendar year entry unless we receive the scores by January 15 of that year.

Further information is found at http://www.aamc.org.

Letters of Recommendation

• All letters must be submitted through AMCAS . A packet of letters submitted by an undergraduate institution is treated by AMCAS as one document but the included letters will count towards our requirement of three.
• The University of Florida College of Medicine requires a minimum of 3 letters and we will accept up to 6 and no more, regardless of the AMCAS allowance. If more than 6 letters are designated to UF, only the first 6 received will be included in your application for committee review. Letters cannot be exchanged once sent to UF.
• We do not specify who should provide LORs; however, letters are a very important component of holistic review. A competitive packet will ideally include personal observations from individuals who can attest to your persistence, response to adversity, conflict, and/or constructive feedback, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and initiative to work and learn outside of your comfort zone. Therefore, applicants are advised to select letter writers who can address a range of competencies, which may also include communication skills, teamwork, and leadership. A letter from a medical professional who has observed, supervised or worked with you in a clinical setting is recommended. It may be helpful to provide letter writers with this guidance from the AAMC, which can be found here: www.aamc.org/download/349990/data/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf
• A Pre-Health Advising Committee letter or packet may fulfill our letter requirements depending on format. If an individualized committee letter is provided (not counting a simple cover letter), it is most helpful when it is evaluative not just narrative, that is, when the advisory committee offers a basis for comparing the applicant overall or by categories in a specific way to the premedical population or applicant pool of the institution. We strongly prefer individual recommendations which are referenced in the committee letter to be appended in their entirety or alternately uploaded separately by the recommenders. Please check with your Pre-Health Advising Office on the type and format of their committee letter submissions if you are not sure what they provide. If individual letters are not included with the committee letter, the applicant may wish to solicit individual letters in addition to the committee letter.
  
• Additional recommendation letters are accepted via AMCAS and may be designated to UF up to our maximum of 6 total documents.

Mathematics

No specific requirement is set in the area of mathematics since, at most colleges, some mathematics is prerequisite to physics and chemistry. Some college work in calculus is recommended. Familiarity with the principles of statistics and their application to the analysis of data is an important asset for any medical student.

Electives

The remainder of the college work should be distributed throughout the humanities, social and behavioral sciences. The student should select subjects that tend to broaden one’s educational experience. Independent study and scientific research present opportunities for an unstructured learning experience.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities and employment both during the academic year and summers are important contributions to an individual’s development. Experience in medical and paramedical areas often contributes toward an understanding of health care delivery problems and helps to solidify the basis of the student’s motivation toward a career in medicine. We recognize the additional time required of either those who must work substantial hours to finance their education or those who participate in a major sport. We understand the potential impact of such activities on a student’s achievement. Also, non-healthcare related experience (preferably with the underserved) is important. A substantial amount of meaningful, medically related research is also a plus.

Application Process

The Medical Student Interview Committee includes approximately 80 members appointed by the Dean of the College of Medicine, the Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs, and the Assistant Dean for Admissions, who also serves as Chair of the Committee. Members include clinical and basic science faculty, community physicians, and 4th year medical students.

Communications note: Most correspondence from the admissions office regarding the application is via e-mail but some may also be by phone. It is imperative that an applicant have a valid email address at all times throughout the process. It is also suggested that an applicant have an address to be used only for medical school application purposes and remove any spam blocker to prevent missed communication. Occasionally, time-sensitive information may be shared by phone so we recommend that applicants ensure that voicemail services are properly set up with ongoing capacity to receive and save messages. All address changes should be made through AMCAS, then notify the Admissions Office.

All applicants selected for a secondary will receive an email from the Admissions Office with links to two forms: the UF Professional School Application (required of all applicants regardless of whether they have attended UF or not) and the UF COM Secondary itself, which functions on the separate portal connected to AMCAS. The Professional School application has a non-refundable $30 fee plus processing charge. This is not a COM requirement but a university requirement; therefore, unfortunately the AMCAS FAP waiver does not apply. Please direct all questions about the Professional Schools Application such as state residency for tuition purposes, etc., to UF Graduate & Professional Admissions at 352-392-1365 and ask to speak to someone about your professional school residency status. The UF COM secondary itself does not have a fee.

The regular admissions process is as follows:

1. Students submit their application for admission through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) beginning in late May. The application should be submitted early in the cycle, but the deadline for AMCAS is December 1st at 11:59 EDT for Regular MD and all Combined degree applicants. Students are encouraged to have prerequisite courses / basic science requirements completed prior to application, although one or two courses may be in progress. The AMCAS application is found on http://www.aamc.org
2. Transcripts and academic history entered by the applicant are compared and verified by AMCAS. MCAT scores automatically appear on an applicant’s AMCAS once released (note, verification of the rest of the AMCAS can take place without MCAT and letters having yet been received). Upon receipt of a verified AMCAS prior to October 15 (and, after October 15, a verified MCAT score of 500 as well) our office will send an invitation to submit secondary application materials. The deadline for submitting formal application materials, including letters of recommendation, is January 15th at 11:59 EDT for Regular MD and all Combined degree applicants. No application materials will be accepted after this date and there are no extensions of the deadline. Incomplete files will be canceled from further consideration.
3. Letters of recommendation are not required as part of the primary (AMCAS) application but are a requirement to complete the application. We will only accept letters that recommenders (or your pre-health advising office) submit directly via AMCAS Letter Service. For specifics on UF COM’s letter requirements, please see the section above.
4. Materials in the completed application are reviewed by a committee that includes the Assistant Dean for Admissions, faculty on the Admissions Committee, the Director of Admissions and the Assistant Director of Admissions. On the basis of holistic evaluation of personal qualifications, academic record, essays, and letters of recommendation, applicants are invited for interview.
5. Interviews are held on Fridays from August through late February at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Applicants meet with the Assistant Dean for Admissions, Director of Admissions and Admissions Office staff, and other faculty, administration and students for short presentations and interactive sessions pertaining to the program. Tours of the facilities are provided. Each applicant has interviews with two members of the Medical Student Interview Committee. A subset of the Committee is designated to interview applicants on a particular Friday. Interviewees also meet with currently enrolled students during lunch and on tours. **For 2025 entry, all interviews will be conducted virtually.**
6. The subset of committee members who interviewed applicants meet to review and discuss the applicants and make recommendations to the Medical Student Admissions Committee, consisting of College of Medicine faculty members and chaired by the Assistant Dean for Admissions. The Admissions Committee is responsible for weighing these recommendations and the qualifications of each applicant against those of the entire interviewee pool. The Admissions Committee makes the final determination of each applicant’s status. Beginning October 15, acceptance follows a rolling admission process whereby acceptances are made throughout the interview cycle. The class is filled by the middle of March. Those interviewing later in the cycle are at no disadvantage in gaining acceptance.
7. At the completion of the interview cycle a tiered alternate list is established by the Admissions Committee based on academic and personal qualifications. As withdrawals occur, positions are filled according to the ranking of the alternate list. Updates are accepted and considered for alternate list decisions.
8. An applicant who is not successful in gaining admission and who wishes to reapply for the next entering class must initiate a new application through AMCAS.

Acceptance Protocols

Step 1

Following acceptance, a candidate is required to indicate their intent, via the COM application portal, to accept or decline the seat within two weeks to the Admissions Office. Accepting an offer of admission via the portal is not binding and does not constitute a commitment to enroll, but it does secure an applicant’s seat in the class provided all matriculation requirements are satisfied.

Step 2

As of February 19, 2025, the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School (CYMS) Tool allows accepted candidates to indicate their first choice by selecting “Plan to Enroll.” Candidates may hold multiple acceptances until May 1; however, we ask that you indicate your intention as soon as possible. In fairness to other candidates and to programs, we ask that you familiarize yourself with each medical school’s admissions policies and deadlines, and communicate your decision promptly to any programs at which you are holding acceptances once you have decided you no longer wish to hold a seat at that program.

No later than May 1, 2025, candidates whose first choice is UF College of Medicine must indicate that choice via the AMCAS CYMS Tool by selecting “Plan to Enroll” for UF COM and also withdraw any other acceptances they may be holding. It is permissible to remain on other programs’ waitlists. Any applicant who has not indicated “Plan to Enroll” or withdrawn from UF COM by May 1 is subject to a subsequent rescission of their admissions offer by our program.

Should you receive an offer of admission from another program after May 1 and before June 16, 2025, the commit to enroll deadline, UF COM’s policy requires you to notify our Admissions Office within 24 hours. Please let us know the other program’s expected time frame for your final decision.

Step 3

As of April 30, 2025, accepted applicants may select the “Commit to Enroll” (CTE) action in the AMCAS CYMS Tool. For Regular MD (and joint Masters/JD-MD applications), the final deadline to select CTE per UF COM policy, is Monday, June 16, 2025. Please note, there may be an earlier CTE date for the M.D.-Ph.D. program due to an early start course in July. Please contact the MD-PhD training program for more details. Once you select CTE in your AMCAS CYMS tool, you must withdraw from any programs at which you are waitlisted, and, if applicable, withdraw any other acceptances you are holding. Therefore, we do not recommend selecting CTE early if you are still hoping to receive an admissions offer from a program at which you are waitlisted. If you do not select Commit to Enroll for UF COM by 4:59pm Eastern time on June 16, your seat in the entering UF COM class is subject to being immediately rescinded. You must notify us immediately of any extenuating circumstances that may prevent compliance with this deadline.

Deferments

1. Deferments are processed on an appeal basis once an applicant has been accepted. The appeal should be directed to the Assistant Dean of Admissions and will be considered by the Admissions Committee. The plans for the deferred year should reflect thoughtful consideration by the applicant. The resulting experience of that year’s actions should result in personal growth and enhancement of life experience. Deferments are approved for one or two years and the applicant will enter with the appropriate fall’s matriculating class. Two-year deferments are granted for those accepted applicants who wish to participate in the Teach for America program. Additional information about the program can be found on the web site www.teachforamerica.org
2. AAMC requires that an AMCAS application be filed for the appropriate year’s matriculation. During the deferred year, please contact the Director of Admissions for specific instructions for the application process, including a fee waiver for the AMCAS application.

The above procedures follow the guidelines of the Association of American Medical Colleges.