If you think of something else you would like to know, please email your question to our Admissions team, take part in the next chat or call us!
Pre-Application
Q: Do I need a college degree to apply to medical school?
A: No, but almost all admitted students have obtained one. You must have at least 90 hours of college coursework, of which 60 must be from an accredited U.S. or Canadian based institution.
Q: When is the best time to take the MCAT?
A: The best time to take the MCAT is when you are well prepared, both in terms of college courses completed and having time to sufficiently study/prepare for the exam itself. Clearly, MCAT scores reflect knowledge, not just intelligence, so if you have not taken the necessary courses in college, you will need to do a lot of independent work to be adequately prepared. A good place to start is the Aspiring Docs section of the AAMC website, a trusted resource we recommend for future physicians. Another resource is the Khan Academy MCAT Test Prep.
We accept scores within three years of your matriculation year.
Q: Can I apply to medical school if I don't have all my prerequisite core competencies completed?
A: Yes, as long as you have a plan to complete them by the time you matriculate.
Q. Does it matter when I apply?
A: We strongly encourage all applicants — including MSTP — to apply as early as possible due to our competitive rolling interview notification process. June is a good month to apply!
Q: What qualities do you look for in med school applicants?
A: Medical students at the University of Michigan get an outstanding clinical education that allows them to build relationships with and take care of patients from all walks of life, anywhere on the globe. We seek out individuals who not only have the potential to excel academically, but also possess personal attributes and competencies that align with our commitment to train the leaders and best.
For related information, please review our Process for the Evaluation of Applicants, Class Profiles and Requirements pages.
Q: Do you accept transfer students?
A: The University of Michigan Medical School does not generally consider any transfer requests with the exception of very unique circumstances. Students considered for transfer must have an established, current academic relationship with the University of Michigan.
Q: How do I know if I'm eligible for in-state tuition?
A: The University of Michigan’s tuition structure is two-tiered, reflecting resident and non-resident rates. Residency status is determined at the University level by U-M’s Office of the Registrar. Learn more.
Application Process
Q: What happens after I submit my AMCAS application?
A: We aim to make our Admissions process as transparent as possible throughout our holistic review of your application.
Secondary applications are sent to candidates with an MCAT score at or above the 35th percentile. Those below the 35th percentile are screened for excellence within our competencies and may be sent a Secondary application after review. Please note that the secondary application fee is waived for those approved for the AAMC-Fee Assistance Program.
Once a secondary application is submitted, you can check your status at anytime through your applicant portal page on our Admissions page.
Q: How many people apply to U-M and how many applicants get interviews?
A: We typically receive ~10,000+ applications and interview approximately 400 MD and MSTP candidates.
Q: Do I need to take CASPer?
A: No, we are not requiring CASPer in the current application cycle.
Q. What is the interview experience like at Michigan?
A. It is a fast-paced but fun virtual experience that provides plenty of opportunities for you to learn about us and for us to learn about you.
Q. How does the Office of Admissions build a class?
A. Each year, there are many more applicants who possess all of the essential attributes to become a competent and effective physician than there are available seats in the class. Our admissions process, following the holistic evaluation of each individual applicant, seeks to build a richly diverse class both to enhance the educational experience of the class itself and to provide for future patient care of the highest quality. See our complete list of factors we consider when building an incoming class.
Q. What are the possible outcomes for my application?
A. The final decision on which applicants will receive an offer of admission with the Admissions Executive Committee. No quotas will be set up for any particular quality or characteristic sought in the candidates or for the Medical School incoming class. In the month following their interview, interviewees will be notified of their status and provided an explanation of that status. This may be Offered Admission, Deferred Decision, Waitlist or File Closed. For more information about how our deferred decision and waitlist policies, click here. Learn more about the entire application timeline.
Q: How many students from outside of Michigan do you take?
A: Our aim is that about half the class will be made up of non-Michigan residents. The entering class is very diverse. For more information, please review our Class Profiles.
Q: When do I have to decide which school I will attend?
A: If you're admitted to the University of Michigan Medical School, your spot will be held (no deposit required) until the nationally designated decision date.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Q: How do I know if I’m eligible for a scholarship?
A: Every admitted student is eligible for an Admissions scholarship, which are typically awarded in March. Our Financial Aid Office works with students one-on-one to help them figure out what financial assistance makes sense for them, including need-based scholarships, grants and/or loans. For more information, review our financial aid fact sheet.
Q. When do I need to apply for Financial Aid?
A. To be considered for need-based scholarships, Admissions requires that you complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the University of Michigan Institutional Application for Financial Aid no later than February 1. All students are encouraged to submit their financial aid applications well ahead of the deadline. Students that do not meet our deadline may not receive the amount of need-based grant for which they would otherwise be eligible. For students admitted after February 1, the deadline to submit the FAFSA is three weeks from the date of admission. Students should check with all schools they are applying to for deadlines and required application materials.
Q. How many students get financial aid?
A. Approximately 85% of our students receive financial aid, including loans. More than 50% receive a scholarship or grant, ranging from thousands of dollars to full tuition.
Q. Do UMMS grads have a lot of debt?
A. Our graduates’ average medical school debt load is well below the mean when compared with debt load for all medical school graduates (Source: AAMC FASR). For more details, see our financial aid fact sheet.
More Questions about Michigan Med?
Interested in FAQs on topics ranging from our curriculum and research opportunities to how well our students do on exams and in the National Residency Match Program process? Read through our responses to the AAMC's "Selecting a Medical School: 35 Questions I Wished I Had Asked."
“Too many prospective medical students say, ‘I have to do this, this and this’ on their applications. They’re going through the actions they think they need to be good candidates for medical school, but not exploring what they need to become great physicians.”