School of Medicine Admissions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the probability of acceptance?
University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine receives over 3,500 applications for 156 positions in the entering class. We interview around 600 applicants each year. For our Selection Criteria, click here.
How do I apply?
All applicants must apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS.) Applications are online at http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm . The deadline to submit the application is November 1.
How do I get a Supplemental Application?
When we receive your verified application from AMCAS, we will send you an e-mail with instructions on how to access our Supplementary Application. The application fee is US$100.00. Access is only given to applicants whose verified applications were transmitted to us by AMCAS.
How can I get a waiver of your application fee?
Fee waivers are automatically granted to applicants who have an AMCAS fee waiver (now obtained through the AAMC Fee Assistance Program). This information is forwarded to us by AMCAS.
Do you participate in an Early Decision (ED) program?
No.
How many letters of recommendation do I need to submit?
Applicants are required to obtain letters to support their candidacy for admission. We require three to five letters; with two from science faculty and one non-science faculty. Additional letters can come from a clinical experience, research experience, or a current job as the letter transmits cogent information about the applicant’s work. Obtaining a letter from the employer who you are working with during the application year is very important. Evidence of a successful engagement in a post-college experience is considered a valuable addition to other letters that also may be part of your file. Some colleges offer a pre-medical advising system and the committee writes letters for their students. If a committee letter is obtained, that is sufficient to meet the medical school letter of recommendation requirements. All letters must be transmitted electronically through AMCAS’ application process. Please visit the AMCAS website for further information on how to apply and submit letters of recommendation, www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/amcasletters.htm.
Can I include additional documents with my application?
No. However, if you are invited for interviews and wish to bring a copy of a published article, a notation of new experiences or other information that may expand the interviewer's knowledge of your experiences beyond what is contained on the AMCAS application, that is permissible. However, none of this information will be retained in your file.
Should I send my transcripts as part of the application process?
No and Yes. AMCAS requires a copy of your official transcript that they use for the verification process. Thus, we receive your official grades on the AMCAS application. IF YOU ARE ACCEPTED to the University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, prior to matriculation, we will require a final transcript from your college that includes all your grades and a notation from the registrar of the receipt of your degree. We communicate with students when these final transcripts are due.
What courses are required for admission? Is there a lab requirement?
We require that students take 8 semester hours each of the following courses with labs: general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and biology. In addition, students must take 9 semester hours of English, which can be a combination of English Composition and Literature. In addition, students must complete 6 hours of math. Beyond that, we recommend taking courses in biochemistry, computer sciences, genetics, humanities, social sciences and others that broaden a student’s perspective.
Do you accept AP credits for prerequisites?
We do accept AP credits for prerequisites. However, it is advisable to take upper level courses which evidence ability to handle a more rigorous course load.
If I haven't completed my prerequisites, can I still apply?
Yes. At the time of interview, you will receive an informational packet which contains a number of items about the school, as well as a sheet documenting the requirements you have met, and those that must be fulfilled before matriculation. Students will have an opportunity to meet with the Administrator of the Office of Admissions to discuss any course related issues.
Can I take my prerequisite courses at a Community College?
On occasion, applicants who graduated from college and had not initially chosen medicine as a career during their undergraduate years will take a small number of their prerequisites at the local community college. However, part of the overall assessment of each candidate includes the "strength of the science background" taken. If some of the science prerequisites are taken at the community college, these should be coupled with outstanding MCAT scores.
Do you require an undergraduate degree?
An undergraduate degree is not required for acceptance or matriculation. However, most applicants will have completed or be completing a bachelor's or a higher degree before they matriculate. If a student does not have a baccalaureate degree, one will be awarded to the student at the time of graduation from medical school.
What are the oldest MCAT scores you accept?
Scores should be no older than 3 years at time of application. An application is not complete until we receive MCAT scores. The latest date you can take the test and still be considered for admission is September of the calendar year in which you are applying. If the MCAT has been taken several times, we consider the highest set of composite scores in evaluating the student's candidacy.
If I took an MCAT more than 3 years ago, will you still consider my application?
No.
Can I attend an open house?
The Pre-Med Day is held in the fall of the year, normally in September after college students have re-entered their academic programs. If you do not reside in the states surrounding Colorado and would like to attend, please contact the Admissions Office (303)724-8025 to obtain the date and time of the session. Students in all Colorado, Montana and Wyoming schools are automatically invited.
Can I speak with an admissions counselor?
An admissions program specialist primarily answers the phones and provides applicants information on questions of a general nature. Meeting with the Associate or Assistant Dean for Admissions during the admissions cycle does not occur, and a special time for counseling applicants is set aside at the close of the admissions process for non-accepted students. For individual counseling during the admissions year, we recommend that you meet with your premedical advisor at your college.
If I am not accepted, can you tell me why?
Students on the alternate list are provided opportunity to meet with the Associate Dean in April and May. Non-accepted applicants are scheduled throughout May and June in small groups, or occasionally for a one-on-one session. All students are provided written feedback. Students are strongly recommended to access this counseling if applying in a subsequent year.
Do you give preference to residents of the state of Colorado?
Yes. As a state institution, Colorado residents are our highest priority. The class normally has 75 percent or more students from the state. Students from Wyoming and Montana (students in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education - WICHE) have the potential, if selected by our medical school and their state, to receive financial support that enables them to pay similar costs to those of Colorado’s residents. The non-resident applicant pool is about three times the size of Colorado’s, and competition is much greater.
Do I need to be a science major?
No. We place a premium on diversity among fields of study, and many of our students are liberal arts majors. Beyond the required science courses, English and math, students will normally take a few upper division courses that they believe will prepare them for the rigor of a medical school curriculum.
How long does it take to hear a decision from you?
The evaluation process starts soon after an application is complete. Since we screen each applicant individually, the process may take from several weeks to a couple of months. We utilize a system that enables us to evaluate the most academically qualified students first, although in the review, we go well beyond the academics in making decisions as to who is invited. Patience is of the essence.
Do you consider foreign students or graduates from a foreign university?
On a yearly basis we do have applicants who are non-US citizens, but who have attended college in the US. Students who have attended Canadian schools are also considered, although we don't go a great deal beyond that in incorporating foreign universities. However, international students need to consider:
* Cost: Borrowing through federal loan programs and accessing most other forms of financial aid are offered only to those applicants who are US citizens or permanent residents of the US. Persons who are not US citizens or permanent residents must deposit a sum of money in an escrow account (approximately US$260,000.00 in 2008). A very small number of merit scholarships are available through the Scholarship Committee (not part of financial aid, although do contain a need based component) that the student might qualify for, although these are highly competitive and in no way make a significant impact on the total debt the student will accrue.
Does University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine have rolling admissions?
Yes. Normally 25 offers are made initially after October 15th, and a comparable number in November, December and January. Our process is completed early March, and by the end of March all candidates who have been interviewed will receive notification as to whether they are accepted, on the alternate list (1, 2 or 3) or not accepted.
Do you have a 7 or 8 year program?
All students who are in the regular MD program have a total of six years (not counting leaves of absence) in which to complete their degree. Students who are in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD) will normally take 7 or 8 years to complete both degrees.
How do I apply to the MD/PhD (MSTP) Program?
On your AMCAS application you must designate "Combined MD-PhD Program". Information on the program may be obtained at http://www.uchsc.edu/sm/mstp/. Please note that the MD/PhD program has different deadlines. You may contact them at phone: (303) 724-4600 or http://www.uchsc.edu/sm/mstp/ .
If I am rejected from the MD/PhD (MSTP) Program, will I still be considered for the M.D. Program?
If the MSTP committee decides not to interview you, the Admissions Office will be notified of such action. Upon receipt of that information, we will inquire as to whether you wish to remain active with the MD only program. If a student designates an affirmative response, the file will be reviewed for an MD interview.
If I am applying to the MD/PhD program, should I have my letters of recommendation sent to both the regular MD office as well as the MD/PhD office?
The Office of Admissions and the MSTP Committee work together in processing applications, and all letters are sent to the medical school electronically via VirtualEval or Interfolio.
Does University of Colorado Denver SOM have an international electives program?
No, however, we do have a very active Global Health Track that offers lectures and Grand Rounds throughout a good portion of the academic year. Students in this track can elect to do their Mentored Scholarly Activity (MSA), a requirement for the MD degree, by engaging in research project that may be internationally based. About half of the fourth year class normally does an international elective. These are arranged through the Office of Student Affairs.
Do you accept transfer students?
We have not accepted transfer students for the past five years, in part because of curriculum changes and the increasing class size. With the new curriculum, no transfer students will ever be accepted at the second year level, and to transfer at the third year, a student would need to be ready to enter the third year in April, having taken and passed Step 1. Should a student be able to meet these requirements, the next step is to determine if a vacancy exists, and should that be the case, then a competitive transfer process occurs. Students with the best academic records and the most compelling reasons for transfer would be given highest consideration.
If you wish to apply to UCD SOM with advanced standing, please contact the Admissions Office in February of the calendar year in which you wish to transfer. You will be given access to a formal application that you must complete, along with copies of official transcripts of all prior academic work, two letters of recommendation from medical school faculty members, and a letter of good academic standing from the Dean of Academic and/or Student Affairs at the current school.
How much are your tuition and fees?
Tuition and fees (08-09) for Colorado residents is $27,634, and for non-residents, $52,460. Tuition normally increases about 7% per year.
Are students guaranteed housing?
No. Students have always accessed their own housing in nearby neighborhoods that allow them to walk, bike, and drive or take public transportation to school. With the move to the new Anschutz campus, student feedback on places to live in the Aurora community is forthcoming and will be compiled for the students entering in the fall of 2009. The student financial aid budget anticipates that medical students will have roommates (i.e. amount allotted based on cost of rental property in Denver), and the Student Assistance website can help in locating roommates.
Important Dates:
June 1 – Earliest filing date with AMCAS, latest date for filing November 1
August 1 – Earliest filing date for Colorado’s Secondary Application, latest date is December 31
Late September to early March – Interviews on campus occur during this time frame
October 16 – First offers of acceptance, and mid-month thereafter until the class is filled
Early March class selected
Mid April accepted students revisit weekend
May 15 tuition deposit ($200) to hold a place in the entering class due
May 15 only one medical school acceptance may be held
June 1 deadline for accepted students to request defermentAugust (1st or 2nd week) matriculation and orientation; classes begin
