How to Apply
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Overview
- A baccalaureate degree must be earned prior to matriculation
- Courses can be taken at community colleges, which does not negatively impact your application. However, advanced level biology and biochemistry requirements must be completed at a four-year science degree granting institution.
- Pre-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- We accept courses that are marked with a pass or satisfactory evaluation.
- AP coursework counts towards the below prerequisite requirements
- Online coursework accepted on a case-by-case basis from regionally accredited institutions. Please reach out to the office of OMCA for details: medadmit@uic.edu
- Pre-requisite courses must be completed at an accredited institution.
- For international and Canadian applicants, please visit our International Applicant page for more details and additional requirements, when relevant.
- Non-traditional applicants: non-traditional applicants are those who are more than one year out from their bachelor’s degree, and may have even spent time in another career before turning to medicine. We encourage all non-traditional applicants to apply! Please keep in mind that any coursework you may have taken during your undergraduate years can be applied towards the prerequisites below (they do not expire!) A GAP year may be considered for those without clinical experience.
Biological and Physical Science prerequisites:
- Two courses of general biology with laboratory
- Two courses of general chemistry or equivalent with laboratory
- Two courses of organic chemistry with an accompanying laboratory*
- One course of biochemistry which must be completed at a four year science degree granting university
- Two courses of general physics with laboratory
- One course of advanced-level biology (junior or senior level that must be completed at a four year science degree granting university)
*The second semester of organic chemistry can be waived if your university does not have it as a prerequisite for biochemistry.
Behavioral/Social Science prerequisites:
- Candidates must complete three courses in the Behavioral/Social Sciences. For example: Psychology, Ethics, Economics, Gender Studies or Sociology, etc.
- If an applicant is uncertain whether a course will count toward a behavioral science prerequisite, the applicant must provide documentation on the content of the course in question and send it to medadmit@uic.edu to be considered.
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- All candidates must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) no more than three years prior to enrollment.
- For the 2023-2024 cycle, tests taken Aug 2021 through the final test date in 2023 will be accepted.
Primary Application Heading link
- University of Illinois College of Medicine participates in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), a centralized application processing service which can be accessed from AAMC website.
- Applications are available in May and must be submitted by Nov. 1 of the year preceding enrollment.
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- Only those who are eligible meet the eligibility are eligible to receive a Secondary Application
- The Secondary Application is specific to UI COM, and needs to be completed and returned to the OMCA by December 1 of the application year.
- Please note that Secondary Application fees are non-refundable.
Application LInks Heading link
International Students and Non-US Citizens Heading link
- International students (with the exception of Canadian citizens) must upload a photo of their visa(s) to the Other Documents section of the Secondary Application Portal. For more details on applying as an international student, visit our International Applicant page.
- Permanent resident aliens must provide a copy of their green card to the application portal.
Letters of Recommendation Heading link
- Minimum number for letters accepted: 3
- Maximum number for letters accepted: 10
- Guidance on preferred letter writers: We require three letters of recommendation. We prefer the letters be from faculty, research mentors, professional experience supervisors, and/or volunteer experience references. We will also accept a single health professions advisory committee letter in lieu of three individual letters. We prefer that letters be on letterhead and have a signature.
Transfer Students Heading link
We are not currently accepting applications for transfer into the University of Illinois College of Medicine from students currently enrolled in another medical school.
Other Programs Heading link
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scp
The Scholarly Concentration Programs (SCP) are optional four-year specialized medical training pathways that provide educational experiences in unique areas of medical practice. They are open to all UI COM students and can be layered with other Co-Curricular programs. They allow students to engage in experiences of their choosing that lead to multidisciplinary scholarship, research and community engagement. Scholarly Concentration Programs do not add time or cost to completing an MD degree and the required work is manageable and is scheduled around the requirements of the MD curriculum. We offer the following programs:
- Clinical Executive Medicine Program (CEMED)
- Urban Medicine Program (UMED)
- Innovation Medicine Program (IMED)
- Rural Medicine Program (RMED)
- Global Medicine Health Program (GMED)
- Equity Innovation Medicine Program (EquIMED)
- Rural Student Physician Program (RSPP)
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Joint Degree Programs
UI College of Medicine offers the following joint degree programs:
- MD/ PhD
- MD/MPH
- MD/MBA
- MD/MS CTS
- MD/MS-BIOE
For all joint degrees, the MD portion of the training can be completed at any of the three UI College of Medicine campuses. For these programs, first year medical students (M1) are eligible to apply, and applications are not due until fall the M1 year. A joint degree admissions committee makes final decisions on acceptance.
Application Requirements:
- MD/Joint Degree Application.
- A personal statement describing your interest in earning the joint degree: The personal essay should describe your past education, experience, and current professional career objectives. You are encouraged to comment on any or all of the following: plans you have to use your education and training; the needs and/or challenges you perceive as important in your field of study; and any personal qualities, characteristics, and skills you believe will enable you to be successful in your chosen field of study (please make sure to properly identify this page with your UIN).
- Two letters of recommendation attesting to your promise as a future professional (in public health, business, clinical research, or bioengineering as appropriate), and your commitment to successfully completing the master’s program.
- An official copy of your undergraduate transcript(s).