Application & Review Process
All applications should be made through the American Medical College Application Services (AMCAS). Applications must be submitted to AMCAS no later than 11:59 pm EST on November 1. Applicants must take the MCAT no later than September 14 2019 to be considered for the 2020 application cycle.
Early Decision Program (EDP): Applications must be submitted to AMCAS no later than 11:59 pm EST on August 1. Acceptance offers must be sent by October 1. EDP applicants must take the MCAT no later than June 29, 2019 to be considered for the 2020 application cycle.
Applicants not accepted under the EDP will be automatically be placed in the regular applicant pool.
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required for admission. Applicants are required to take the MCAT within three years of their application.
Secondary Materials
Applicants invited to complete secondary materials will have 30 days from the date of the invitation to submit the required materials including letters of recommendation.
Application Fee - $100
The application fee may be paid by credit card and is nonrefundable. We honor the AMCAS fee waiver. Students in extreme financial hardship who did not obtain the AMCAS fee waiver may petition the School of Medicine requesting that the application fee be waived.
Letters of Recommendation
The University of Utah School of Medicine requires three letters of recommendation, but will accept up to four letters. All letters should be dated. We strongly recommend that all letters be dated within a year of application.
Although we do not accept premedical committee letters, we will accept up to four individual letters that are included in the packet. You will indicate the names of the letter writers on the secondary application and we will download those specific letters.
We recommend that applicants provide at least one ACADEMIC letter where the letter writer can speak to your academic ability and/or intellectual curiosity. This letter should be from someone who directly taught or supervised you in an academic setting. It can be from a professor you did research with or a professor that you worked with as a teaching assistant.
We recommend that applicants provide at least one MENTORING letter where the letter writer can speak to your commitment to service, leadership ability, growth as an individual, interpersonal and/or teamwork skills.
Letters from employers, military supervisors, athletic coaches, and/or religious leaders can also be part of the collection of 3 to 4 recommendations. Letters should be from someone who will address your intellectual curiosity or service or leadership ability.
All letters of recommendation must be on letterhead, have a valid signature and be submitted to the AMCAS Letter Service.
Activities Form
The applicant must briefly describe his/her participation in each of these areas: community/volunteer service, leadership, research experience, physician shadowing, and patient exposure.
State Certification
Applicants must be certified through Idaho State University as residents of Idaho prior to applying. Accepted students pay Utah resident tuition. Students also pay a surcharge to a fund administered by the state of Idaho that is designed to assist in loan repayment for graduates who return to practice primary care in Idaho. Information about this program is available at Idaho State University website or calling 208-282-2475.
Note: If you have completed a residency certification for the WWAMI program, the University of Idaho will provide a copy of your certification to Idaho State University for verification for the University of Utah School of Medicine. Applicants only need to submit a residency certification through one institution.
Review Process
Your application is reviewed to determine if you are eligible for further consideration. The School of Medicine will not consider applicants who have previously matriculated, been dismissed, are on probation, on hold, or who are under suspension at another LCME accredited allopathic medical school.
All decisions are final.
Assessment Process
Volunteers from the fourth year medical student class and faculty representatives who are physicians, investigators, administrators, or community representatives who interact with the medical students, participate in the assessment process. Evaluators explore the applicant's motivation for seeking a medical degree, awareness and understanding of the medical profession, leadership, problem solving skills, understanding of medical ethics, and interpersonal skills.
Selection Process
Members of the Admissions Committee are volunteers from the fourth year medical student class and faculty representatives who are physicians, investigators, administrators, or community representatives who interact with the medical students. Committee members discuss each qualifying applicant in detail, after which each applicant is independently graded.
Applicants are reviewed weekly until all interviewed applicants have been presented. Notifications will be sent by email, revealing final status: Accepted, placed on the alternate list, or not accepted.
