All applicants to the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah must meet the minimum MCAT and GPA requirements in order to be eligible for a secondary application. Upon meeting these requirements, the SFESOM Admissions Committee considers all aspects of the medical school application through a holistic review process. Applicants must meet a variety of academic and activity requirements, as the balance of outside activities and responsibilities with school or work can be an indicator of one’s ability to navigate the personal and professional challenges they may face as a physician.
Applicants interested in applying to the MD-PhD program should also review the respective criteria and requirements for that program.
Beginning the 2023-2024 application cycle, the SFESOM is no longer accepting Early Decision Program (EDP) applications.
View the sections below for the specific criteria required for the SFESOM MD application:
Bachelor's degree
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An applicant’s bachelor’s degree must be completed at a regionally accredited institution in the United States or Canada prior to matriculation to the University of Utah School of Medicine.
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If an applicant does not have a bachelor’s degree but has earned a doctoral-level (terminal degree) from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution that did not require a bachelor’s degree for entrance, they may apply if they will earn or have earned the doctoral degree by July 1 of the year they will begin medical school.
No specific or recommended undergraduate major required
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The degree may be in the discipline of the applicant's choosing, as long as required premedical coursework has been completed. The UUSOM recommends that students choose a major field for which they have enthusiasm and interest.
GPA - MCAT MATRIX
*New for the 2023-2024 application cycle
The SFESOM employs a matrix model when considering an applicant's GPA and MCAT scores.
Applicants with MCAT scores and undergraduate GPA within the following ranges are encouraged to apply to our program:
- An MCAT Total of 494-497 and an undergraduate GPA of 3.80 or higher
- An MCAT total of 498-499 and an undergraduate GPA of 3.60 or higher
- An MCAT total of 500 and an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Only an applicant's undergraduate GPA as calculated by AMCAS will be considered with their application. Post-Baccalaureate GPA is factored into the undergraduate GPA, however graduate GPA will not be considered.
SFESOM does not consider MCAT subsections and will use an applicant's highest overall MCAT score in the matrix.
All applicants are required to take the MCAT within four (4) years of their matriculation to medical school.
Only MCAT exams taken after January 2020 through September 2023 will be considered for the 2023-2024 application cycle.
Visit the AAMC MCAT Testing Calendar for specific dates, deadlines, and testing information.
The AAMC also offers a number of MCAT preparation resources at little to no cost for applicants.
*New for the 2023-2024 application cycle
Beginning the 2023-2024 application cycle, SFESOM applicants are required to complete the AAMC PREview exam (formerly known as the AAMC SJT) in order to be considered for an interview invitation.
- Applicants can begin registering for the exam from January - August, with exam dates available from March – October.
- SFESOM applicants must take the PREview exam by September 14th 2023, for the 2023-2024 application cycle. Applicants who do not complete the exam by the September deadline will not be considered for interview. Due to our school’s rolling admissions process, applicants are encouraged to complete the PREview exam as early as they are able.
- Applicants can schedule their test date independently from institutions and do not need to wait for a secondary application invite, interview invite, or acceptance to sign up or take the PREview.
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All applicants are required to take the PREview exam within four (4) years of their matriculation to medical school, and only an applicant’s highest PREview (or AAMC SJT) score will be considered.
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Only exams taken after January 2020 through September 2023 will be considered for the 2023-2024 application cycle.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The AAMC PREview professional readiness exam is a situational judgement test developed and administered by the AAMC. It is a standardized exam designed to assess examinees’ understanding of effective pre-professional behavior across eight core competencies for entering medical school. The PREview exam will be held virtually, allowing applicants to take the test from anywhere online while maintaining a high level of security with live, remote human proctoring.
AAMC PREview Registration Fee: $100.00
* This registration fee is waived for those who have been approved for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program. Applicants must be awarded Fee Assistance Program benefits prior to paying the PREview registration fee – Fee Assistance Program benefits are not retroactive. No refunds will be issued if you register for the PREview exam first and your Fee Assistance Program application is later approved.
AAMC PREview Eligibility and Registration Information & 2023 Testing Calendar
Testing accommodations can be requested through AAMC
Community Engagement
Demonstrated leadership experience and volunteer community service.
Leadership experiences and volunteer community service experiences are vitally important for all medical school applicants, as the medical profession is strongly oriented toward leadership and service within one’s community and beyond.
Dedication, determination, and decision making with a willingness to contribute to the welfare of others are indicators of one's ability to succeed in medicine. Individuals with these attributes readily accept leadership positions and are assets to their community and the medical profession.
Activity Criteria:
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Leadership and volunteer community service experiences can be performed domestically or abroad.
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Activities should have occurred since high school graduation and are strongly recommended to have occurred within the last 5 years.
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Showcasing continual involvement with recent experiences is encouraged.
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Leadership experiences should last longer than 3 months.
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Leadership experiences may include positions of responsibility of others through employment, school, religious groups, clubs, or community service.
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Roles may include teaching, tutoring, mentoring, training.
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Titles may include but are not limited to: President, Vice President, Lead, Supervisor, Manager, Teacher, Chairperson, Principal, Director.
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Volunteer community service must be served without reward or compensation.
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More value is placed on sustained community involvement over a longer period of time.
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We encourage activities that challenge an applicant’s way of thinking and recommend participating in opportunities that allow them to work with underserved groups/populations.
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Community engagement activities should show demonstrated impact on the community served.
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Clinical Experience
Demonstrated understanding of the typical day of a physician, interaction with different specialties, medical environments, and patients with meaningful experiences in a clinical setting.
Clinical Experience is valued by Admissions when it displays depth and breadth in your preparation and a mature understanding and motivation for medicine. Also valued is taking the initiative to pursue patient centered activities and/or activities that enhance your exposure to the science of medicine as it relates to the practice of medicine as an MD.
Your investment in preparation for medical school is equal to the investment that the medical school will put into you. The more you are prepared for this life long journey into medicine, understanding the ups and downs, good, the bad, the joy and the sorrow the more successful we will be.
Give the admissions committee a reason to believe you are dedicated to the long, rigorous path of medicine.
Activity Criteria:
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Clinical experience may be paid or unpaid.
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Clinical experiences may vary depending on resources, and skills.
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Activities should have occurred since high school graduation and are strongly recommended to have occurred within the last 5 years.
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You are encouraged to pursue domestic patient care experiences. however international patient care is considered.
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You are encouraged to have experience with living human patients.
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Pursue experiences that you are interested in and allow you the opportunity to become comfortable with patients and recognize that the path to an MD is one you are willing to dedicate yourself to.
Direct patient contact experience could include:
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Shadowing or working with physicians, MD or DO; Primary Care Provider, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Preferred). You should take the opportunity to ask questions about an MD career, lifestyle, and the future of medicine from an MD.
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Shadowing or with Physician Assistants, Nurse practitioners, nurses, EMT’s, Veterinarians, Optometrists, Dentist, and paramedics is acceptable but may not allow for an understanding of the rigors of being a medical doctor.
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Work as a Medical Scribe, and/or Clinical research (direct interaction with patients).
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Work as a licensed EMT, MA, CNA, Phlebotomist, Medical Interpreter, Psych Tech (wilderness programs and inpatient) Hospital Orderly, Hospice. RN, LPN, Midwife, Military Medic.
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Volunteer positions in an Emergency / Urgent Care facility, Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centers, Nursing Homes, Group Homes, medical centered humanitarian projects working with patients.
Intellectual Curiosity
Involvement in activities that demonstrate an applicant’s initiative, achievements, and evidence of continued learning and expanding intellectual horizons.
Applicants should include a 1-2 sentence summary of their participation in each activity, and how these activities will contribute to their preparation for medical school and ultimately their performance as a physician. There is a maximum word count of 150.
Activity Criteria:
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Activities should have occurred since high school graduation and are strongly recommended to have occurred within the last 5 years.
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Activities should be identified as part of a class or an independent activity.
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If applicable, applicants should be prepared to describe:
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The goal of the activity
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Their specific role in the activity
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Research-related hypotheses
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Depth of involvement
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Length of time spent participating in the activity
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Include whether the activity resulted in a publication, poster, conference presentation, thesis, capstone project, patent, performance, distributed recordings, app or program development, awards or recognition, etc.
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If the activity was published or featured in the news or online, please provide the specific citation in the Activity Description and a website link if available.
Examples:
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Research
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Including, but not limited to: Biomedical, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, cultural awareness, social science, humanities, agriculture, ethics, fine arts studies.
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Academic Projects and Achievements
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Including, but not limited to: Thesis, capstone projects, poster presentations, awards or recognitions, academic endeavors or certifications that further your education or skills.
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Creative Endeavors
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Including, but not limited to: Artistic creation, musical or stage performance, acting or video production, podcast production, business entrepreneurship, app or program development.
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- Prerequisite courses must be taken for credit and a passing grade at a regionally accredited institution in the United States or Canada prior to matriculation to medical school.
- Courses completed through regionally accredited online institutions, two-year institutions, and/or community colleges are also accepted.
- Acceptance is conditional pending successful completion of prerequisite coursework requirements.
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Due to online courses being mandatory at most colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants will not be required to earn a letter grade to meet our premedical coursework requirements beginning Spring 2020, per their individual institution's grading policies during that time period.
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REQUIRED COURSEWORK:
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General Chemistry |
Two (2) courses completing a general chemistry series with all course-required labs* |
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Organic Chemistry |
Two (2) courses completing an organic chemistry series with all course-required labs* |
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Physics |
Two (2) courses with all course-required labs* |
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Biology
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Two (2) courses with all course-required labs*
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Writing/Speech |
Two (2) courses
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Social Science |
One (1) course
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Humanities |
One (1) course
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*Course-required labs: Lab courses that are required to complete a given course as offered by the institution. If a course does not have a required lab component, students are not required to take an additional lab to meet SFESOM requirements. If students are unsure if a course in question has a required lab, it is recommended to contact an academic advisor within their institution.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- One course may not be used to fulfill two requirements. Example: “Biochemistry I” cannot count for both a Biology requirement and a Chemistry requirement.
- Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), independent study, and correspondence courses do not satisfy these requirements and will not be counted. *Exception: AP Chemistry credit earned with a score of 4 or 5 can fulfill one (1) semester of general chemistry. AP Chemistry credit must be posted on the official transcript in order to be counted.
- Courses in mathematics, statistics, physiology, anatomy, human behavior, foreign language, or research methods are recommended but are not required.
- Applicants should consider courses that will help develop skills in independent thinking, decision-making, communication, and research, as these are invaluable skills physicians regularly employ throughout their careers.
- Coursework does not expire, though it is strongly recommended that applicants contact the premedical advisor at their institution for assistance in planning the specific course work that meets necessary requirements, expectations, and criteria.
- All applications to the UUSOM must be submitted through the American Medical College Application Services (AMCAS) website.
- Personal Statement: The Personal Statement is submitted with the AMCAS application, and applicants should consider why they want to be a physician and use this essay as an opportunity to genuinely express their reasons and passion for choosing this career path.
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AAMC Fee Assistance Program: The AAMC Fee Assistance Program is available to assist those who may require financial assistance with application fees, MCAT costs, and other costs associated with applying to medical school.
If invited to complete a Secondary Application, applicants will be required to submit the application fee and all application materials by the deadline provided at the time of invite.
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Secondary Application Fee - $110.00 (non-refundable)
Fee Waivers
- The UUSOM does not offer fee waivers, but will honor fee waivers granted by the AAMC Fee Assistance Program and their guidelines.
- Applicants applying for AAMC fee assistance should submit their UUSOM application after the AAMC waiver has been granted to guarantee eligibility for fee exception.
- Applicants may be eligible for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program if - prior to completing the FAP application - they are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States (also known as a green card holder), granted refugee or asylee status by the U.S. government, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, or person awaiting refugee or asylee status approval by the U.S. government and have a U.S. Employment Authorization Document (EAD card). Click here to learn more about the Fee Assistance Program eligibility requirements.
- The benefits of the Fee Assistance Program include: discounted fees, complimentary access to the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) online database, free MCAT Official Prep products and more.
- Visit the Fee Assistance Program webpage to learn more about the program benefits, what you need to apply, and to access the Fee Assistance Program FAQs.
REQUIREMENTS:
Three (3) letters of recommendation are required, but no more than four (4) will be considered.
- All letters must be submitted to the AMCAS Letter Service and must be submitted in order to be eligible for a secondary application.
If an applicant is having difficulties obtaining their letters within the provided timeline, please contact the Office of Admissions at md.admissions@hsc.utah.edu for more information.
Letters must include contact information (name, phone, or email) and valid signature from the letter writer.
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Electronic or digital signatures are accepted.
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It is strongly recommended that all letters be dated within a year of application.
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Use of letterhead is preferred but not required.
Please refer to the letter types accepted by AMCAS for more information.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
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At least one (1) ACADEMIC letter where the letter writer can speak to an applicant's academic ability and/or intellectual curiosity
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At least one (1) MENTORING letter where the letter writer can speak to an applicant's commitment to service, leadership ability, growth as an individual, and/or interpersonal/teamwork skills
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These letters should be from individuals who directly taught or supervised you in an academic setting and can address your intellectual curiosity, service, and leadership ability.
Examples: A professor you did research with or worked with as a teaching assistant, an advisor or supervisor in any activity where you have felt the most intellectual growth, or employers, military supervisors, athletic coaches, religious leaders.
COMMITTEE LETTERS & LETTER PACKETS
Individual letters included in a committee letter or letter packet can be submitted toward the four (4) letters of recommendation.
- If the committee letter or letter packet contains four (4) individual letters, no further letters will be considered, as this fulfills the maximum of four (4) individual letters
- If the committee letter or letter packet contains less than four (4) individual letters, the applicant may submit additional individual letters (not to exceed the maximum of four (4) total letters)
- If the committee letter or letter packet contains no individual letters, the committee letter will not be considered and should not be submitted
- Composite letters or evaluations by multiple authors will not be considered, even if submitted with the letter packet
Letters from University Regents/Trustees, University Administrators (i.e. President, Provost, Faculty Senate President) and Publicly Elected Officials will not be accepted. It is also recommended to avoid letters from family, friends, or parents' colleagues.
Any questions regarding letter requirements can be directed to md.admissions@hsc.utah.edu
Applicants are required to submit a variety of statements and short answer essays throughout the application process. We encourage applicants to pull from all corners of their experiences - past and present - and focus on how those experiences have directed you toward medicine and shaped you into the physician you hope to become.
UUSOM Secondary Application Short Essays
- Why SFESOM Essay
- Applicants will be asked to explain why they are choosing to apply to the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah and how they may contribute to the school's learning culture.
- Health Equity Essay
- Applicants will be asked to provide their thoughts on a prompt related to social and cultural awareness and health equity.
- Reapplication Essay
- Reapplicants to the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah will be asked to share how they have reshaped and reaffirmed their goals to become a physician and what motivates them to reapply to the SFESOM.
AMCAS Application:
Once an application has been verified by AMCAS, information cannot be added or deleted from it.
It is encouraged for applicants to complete all activities and application requirements by their provided Secondary Application deadline.
The Office of Admissions is unable to make any changes to an AMCAS application, updated information can be provided to the UUSOM when completing a Secondary Application.
EXCEPTION: Changes to prerequisite coursework or changes to an applicant's degree information must be reported to the Office of Admissions at md.admissions@hsc.utah.edu
Please refer to the AMCAS Application FAQ page with any questions. If the question is not addressed in the FAQ section, you may contact AMCAS directly.
Secondary Application:
Once a Secondary Application has been submitted, no changes or updates can be made to the application.
Applicant Contact Information:
Any updates to an applicant's name, address, legal state, phone number, email, or other contact information must be updated through the AMCAS system.
Applicants invited to interview will participate in a variety of Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) and longer-form interviews in which evaluators will explore attributes such as one's motivation for seeking a medical degree, their individual experiences, problem solving skills, understanding of medical ethics, interpersonal skills, in addition to their awareness and understanding of the medical profession.