Admission to the First-Year Class

The student should plan a four year undergraduate curriculum with a suitable arts or science major leading to a bachelor's degree. The Committee on Admissions encourages all applicants to pursue a course of study that is rigorous, scholarly and focused on areas that are intellectually challenging and interesting to the applicant. The Committee on Admissions seeks to admit students with diverse academic backgrounds. 

A minimum of 90 semester hours of acceptable college credit is required, exclusive of physical education and military science. Preference is given in the selection process to applicants who will have earned a bachelor's degree. Credit hours must be earned in colleges or universities whose names appear on the current list of Accredited Institutions of Higher Education as compiled by the National Committee of Regional Accrediting Agencies of the United States. The only courses accepted are those that are approved for credit towards a degree by the university or college attended. It is expected that preparation at a foreign college or university be supplemented by at least two years of course work -including the completion of all prerequisites - at an approved university or college in the United States.

Successful completion of the following courses and credits is required prior to matriculation at the School of Medicine: 

No more than 60 hours can be accepted from accredited junior colleges and then only if those credits are validated by a college offering a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree. Advanced placement credits for science courses taken in high school may be accepted if the applicant's college (which grants the bachelor's degree) has given college credit for those courses. Other exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Committee on Admissions.

Selected students who enter the School of Medicine from colleges that usually grant a baccalaureate degree after the successful completion of the first year of medical school are responsible for: (1) providing a certificate from the college or university certifying eligibility for this degree; and (2) meeting all requirements of the School of Medicine for advancement to the second year.

The MCAT must be taken no later than fall of the year preceding the desired year of entrance and must be taken within four years of the anticipated date of matriculation. Applicants should write to Medical College Admissions Test, 2450 N St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, or visit their Web site at mcat@aamc.org, for further information and registration materials.

A letter of recommendation from the undergraduate pre-medical committee or an officially designated pre-medical advisor is required. If the applicant's undergraduate college or university does not have a pre-medical committee or advisor, three letters of recommendation are required from faculty who have taught the applicant. Two of these letters must come from instructors who have taught the applicant in the sciences. Applicants who have earned advanced degrees or who have been out of school for a significant length of time should submit a letter of recommendation from each component of their education or work-related experience. Letters of recommendation should be submitted by individuals qualified to evaluate the applicant's accomplishments, productivity and character in an objective and critical manner. All letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Committee on Admissions. Letters of recommendation are not to be sent to AMCAS. 

Each applicant's credentials are evaluated by the Committee on Admissions to determine if an interview is to be granted. All interviews are conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and are scheduled in advance by invitation only. Applications may be rejected from both residents and nonresidents without an interview.

In its selection process, the Committee on Admissions must use the applicant's residency status that is in effect on the last day applications can be received (December 15). The University of Maryland Baltimore Office of Records and Registration is responsible for all decisions regarding residency. All questions, complaints or appeals regarding residency status should be directed to that office, orr@umaryland.edu, not to the School of Medicine Office of Admissions.  Nonresidents who matriculate at the School of Medicine should plan to maintain that status throughout the four years of medical school. Current standards for reclassification to in-state status are rigorous and make reclassification difficult. 

For further information regarding the admissions process at the University of Maryland School of Medicine the prospective applicant is referred to the Office of Admissions Website. For information regarding the admissions process in general, the applicant is referred to a book entitled "Medical School Admissions Requirements", which can be obtained from:

Association of American Medical Colleges
Section for Publication Orders
2450 N Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037-1131