Rochester Medical School is one of the 17 New York medical colleges. The University of Rochester Medical School was founded in 1952 and as a private medical college is known for several medical innovations including the development of the first vaccine against cancer.
Rochester Med’s mission statement is, “At the University of Rochester, we prepare you for the art and the science of your life’s work. We are guided by the core principle of Meliora, meaning “Ever Better.” We are a medical school where individuals achieve their highest objectives, unhindered by constraints on access, creativity, or participation. From the start of your medical education, you will be exposed to new opportunities and perspectives. Our Double Helix Curriculum, gives you early clinical experiences and immediate access to our revolutionary biopsychosocial model, helping you develop into a doctor who sees not only disease but the entire person. Mentored research, international experiences, pathways, and community outreach opportunities complement our curriculum. We achieve this by fostering the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of the physician/scientist/humanist and combining evidence-based medical science with the relationship-centered art that is Rochester medicine’s distinctive trademark.”
Be An Informed Applicant
Like the majority of medical schools across the US, New York medical schools have school-specific requirements and guidelines. Gaining an understanding of a college’s identity, programs, and selection criteria will help you focus on putting your best foot forward and creating a competitive application.
This article covers:
- University of Rochester Medical School Rankings
- Medical Programs at the Rochester Med
- Selection Factors: What the University of Rochester Medical School Looks for in an Applicant
- Academic Requirements
- University of Rochester Medical School Acceptance Rate, Class Profile, and More
- Rochester Med Tuition and Cost of Attendance
- AMCAS Application and the University of Rochester Medical School Secondary Application
- University of Rochester Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
- Medical School Admissions Consulting
- Voluntary Healthcare Internships Abroad
Personalized Help
The majority of students find themselves feeling overwhelmed by medical school applications. Every school you apply to has its own admissions process. To best help you achieve your goals and get into your dream medical school, consider working with a professional admission consultant.
A medical school admissions consultant works with you to guide you through every stage of the medical school application process while providing you with personalized feedback and support to help you succeed. International Medical Aid can help you create a competitive med school application, highlighting your strengths and tailoring your message to each school you apply to.
If you are like most pre-medical students, you will greatly benefit from IMA’s personalized medical school admissions consulting.
Why the University of Rochester Medical School?
Rochester Med has a diverse group of faculty members and students, with more than 1,000 faculty and 12,000 students. The college’s student-to-faculty ratio currently sits at 9:1. Rochester Med’s mission is to learn, discover, heal, create, and make the world ever better.
The University of Rochester Medical School fulfills their mission through various points of medical innovation. A key part of this medical innovation is the research students do in teams, as part of faculty-directed projects, and on their own time.
University of Rochester Medical School Rankings
- #37 in Best Medical Schools: Research
- #26 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care
- #41 in Most Diverse Medical Schools
- #56 Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
- #133 Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
- #103 Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas
Medical Programs at the University of Rochester Medical School
Before you apply to a medical school, it is important to thoroughly research the different programs offered by the University of Rochester Medical School. This research will help aid in your decision about which medical school is the best fit for you and help you further focus on your application.
The University of Rochester Medical School offers a variety of degrees. These programs are the traditional 4-year MD program and dual degree programs.
MD Program
The MD program offered by Rochester Med follows the school’s Double Helix Curriculum. Students accepted into this program receive an education that combines basic sciences with clinical medicine as early as the first year.
Other Degree Programs
The University of Rochester Medical School also offers a variety of dual degree programs.
MD/PhD – This program at Rochester Med allows students to pursue their education through clinical medicine and research. The MD/PhD program is funded by an MSTP grant from the National Institutes of Health.
MD/MBA – The MD/MBA in Healthcare Management works in conjunction with the Simon Business School. Students attend their first year of school at the Simon Business School and then complete the remaining years at Rochester Med.
MD/MS in Medical Neurobiology – This program blends coursework in the medical field with experimental studies. The program preps students for teaching and other research-centric careers.
MD/MPH – The MD/MPH program works directly with the University of Rochester’s Department of Public Health Services.
MD/MS in Medical Humanities – This unique program allows students to take aspects of the humanities and arts and apply these aspects directly to healthcare.
MD/Combined Masters – Students can make special arrangements to combine their MD and Master’s degrees. This will combine their MD degree with basic and translational science Master’s degrees.
Selection Factors: What the University of Rochester Medical School Looks for in an Applicant
What exactly is the University of Rochester Medical School looking for in medical program candidates—MCAT scores, internships, and grades?
Most colleges in the United States take a holistic review approach when looking over incoming applications. A holistic review approach means the committee reviews the entirety of your application and tries to get the big picture image of who you are as a candidate and as a person. The AAMC Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students serves as a guide during the application review process.
If you want to be accepted into the University of Rochester Medical School, be sure to focus on curating your application, your letters of recommendation, and completing the necessary prerequisites. Don’t be afraid to reach out and seek personalized help with your application.
Here are a few of the key values Rochester Med seeks in a candidate:
- Equity
- Integrity
- Leadership
- Openness
- Respect
- Accountability
Application Requirements for Rochester Med
University of Rochester Medical School has specific academic criteria and admission requirements that med program applicants must meet in order to receive an invitation to complete the secondary application. Failure to meet the outlined requirements will result in you not receiving a secondary application.
GPA and MCAT Requirements for Rochester Med
Although the University of Rochester Medical School does not list strict minimum guidelines for MCAT or GPA scores, it is best to have a GPA and MCAT score around the average of the previous class of matriculants.
For last year’s entering class of matriculants, the average cumulative GPA score was 3.84 and the average science GPA was 3.80. The matriculants had an average MCAT score of 518.
Rochester Med’s website states that applicants must have an MCAT score that is no more than 4 years old prior to matriculation.
Required Coursework for the University of Rochester Medical School
The following premedical coursework is required and must be completed at an accredited institution. Applicants are not required to complete their degree prior to applying, but a strong application takes precedence over an early application It is best to wait until you’ve received your grade in each course before submitting your application.
Here is the list of all the required coursework provided by Rochester Med:
Biology – 1 Year With Labs
Physics – 1 Year With Labs
Chemistry – 1 Year of Either Organic Chemistry or 1 Semester of Organic Chemistry and 1 Semester of Biochemistry
Humanities/social or Behavioral Sciences – 12 to 16 Credit Hours
Expository Writing – 1 Year
Does the University of Rochester Medical School Require the CASPer exam?
The CASPer exam is an online exam required by some medical schools. The exam is designed to assess a candidate’s interpersonal and non-cognitive skills. This exam complements the traditional admissions method of a college by judging the applicant’s personal and professional competencies.
As of 2023, the CASPer exam is not a requirement for admission at the University of Rochester Medical School.
University of Rochester Medical School Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics
Rochester Med has an overall acceptance rate of 1.8%. In comparison to the majority of medical colleges across the US, the University of Rochester Medical School has a higher-than-average international acceptance rate of 4.54%.
Let’s review some of the stats for the most recent entering class.
- 5,669 Total Applications
- 70 Spots Available in the Program
- 17 Enrolled Students Were Born Outside of the United States
University of Rochester Medical School Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Aside from tuition and fees, University of Rochester Medical School students should budget for living costs, textbooks, supplies, and incidentals. The financial aid office at the college has provided the following estimated cost statistics for the upcoming school year.
Year 1:
- $62,047 Tuition and Fees
- $16,600 for Living Expenses
- $78,647 Total Cost
Year 2:
- $61,036 Tuition and Fees
- $19,230 for Living Expenses
- $80,266 Total Cost
Year 3:
- $61,156 Tuition and Fees
- $21,670 for Living Expenses
- $82,826 Total Cost
Year 4:
- $61,481 Tuition and Fees
- $18,100 for Living Expenses
- $79,581 Total Cost
AMCAS Primary Application and Rochester Med Secondary Application
The AMCAS is the primary application for the majority of medical schools in the US. Your primary application will be sent to every medical school that you apply to. For the University of Rochester Medical School, it takes roughly four to six weeks for your AMCAS application to be reviewed. It is important to note that while four to six weeks is the average time it takes for an applicant’s application to be reviewed, this length may be affected by a variety of factors. If you do not hear back from the University of Rochester Medical School within six weeks, do not become discouraged.
After receiving your primary application, the college will invite you to complete the college’s secondary application. All secondary applications are college-specific and the secondary application includes questions that the college feels are important to determine if you are a good fit for the school.
Please note that students will not be invited to complete Rochester Med’s secondary application if they do not meet the requirements outlined previously in this guide. For a refresher on what premedical coursework is required by the University of Rochester Medical School, go back to the required coursework section of this complete guide. You will also want to note if you have completed any of the recommended additional coursework.
If you need more clarification about primary and secondary applications, check out our article about understanding the differences between the two.
University of Rochester Medical School Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
Completing the secondary application is a crucial part of applying to medical schools. The secondary application gives students the opportunity to express their ambitions, character, motivations, and more. Remember this is your chance to show what makes you a unique candidate and sets you apart from other applicants. Here are a few tips to help you submit a successful secondary application to the University of Rochester Medical School:
- Pay close attention to the essay prompts, read the prompt carefully, and address all of the prompt’s questions in your response.
- Use concrete evidence from your extracurricular, academic, and professional experience to support your responses.
- Do not repeat information from your AMCAS application. Use the secondary application to further explain anything you feel you did not have the chance to elaborate on in your primary application and discuss new aspects of yourself that were not mentioned in the AMCAS application.
- Proofread and edit your application materials.
- Write your essays in a clear and concise way. Remove any filler, omit unnecessary information, and stay on topic.
- Consider utilizing the medical school admissions consulting service offered by International Medical Aid. We understand that writing thousands of words for your secondary essays can be time-consuming, but admission consultants can help by identifying areas of your application that can be improved upon.
For those applying to the University of Rochester Medical School, there are 2 secondary application essay prompts.
Essay #1
(Optional) Recognizing that this past year was complicated for many reasons, please share any challenges and/or special circumstances that impacted your application beyond the commonly experienced disruptions (inability for in-person rotations, hospital experiences, in-person classes). (200 words)
This prompt is optional but gives students who have experienced disruptions in their education or special circumstances the chance to further elaborate on these experiences.
Here is a sample answer:
During the past year, I experienced an unforeseen disruption to my medical school application plan. As the committee will see from my transcripts, I have taken a semester off between graduating from college and applying for medical school.
The one-semester gap is due to the unfortunate passing of a close relative. I chose to take some additional time off to allow myself the proper time to grieve and give myself adequate time to prepare my application.
Essay #2
If you previously applied to medical school, briefly describe any experiences you have been part of since your previous application. (200 words)
This prompt will not apply to all applicants, but if you have previously applied to medical school, whether it was Rochester Med or another college, this is a great opportunity to discuss any steps you have taken to further improve your application.
Here is a sample answer:
I previously applied to the University of Rochester Medical School to be a part of last year’s class of matriculants. However, I underestimated how rigorous the application process and competition would be. In turn, I was not accepted into the program.
Since last applying, I have been working diligently to improve my application by increasing my volunteer experience. I took part in a pre-med shadowing study abroad program and volunteered at a local hospital for five months where I did administrative tasks.
Medical School Admissions Consulting
At International Medical Aid, we make it a point to offer aspiring medical professionals thorough and informative content. We understand that getting into med school is hard work, and we want you to succeed during the application process.
One of the best ways to boost your medical school program application is with the expert help of an admissions consultant. Whether you need guidance writing your essays, developing an application strategy, or navigating the process, we are here to help.
We recommend taking a moment to schedule a free consultation with IMA.
Voluntary Healthcare Internships Abroad
IMA’s voluntary healthcare internships provide students with the opportunity to shadow doctors, gain valuable medical field experience, and work in hospital and clinical environments. All of the internships we offer are intensive and patient-facing. Through International Medical Aid’s pre-med shadowing study abroad programs, aspiring med students gain real-life clinical experience and become further prepared for medical school.
The internships go far beyond creating a compelling medical school application. IMA’s programs serve struggling areas and populations across the globe. By interning abroad, you can develop your communication skills, shadow doctors, serve the medically underserved, and broaden your perspectives.
There is a lot to learn when it comes to our pre-med shadowing study abroad programs, so please take the time to explore the programs on our website.
Good Luck!
We want to wish you good luck as you navigate the med school application process. Remember to be strategic about your application, take your time, and do not hesitate to ask for help.
Applying for medical school programs is often a stressful and overwhelming process that is hard for new students. If you feel you may need additional help with your application, essay responses, or prepping for your upcoming semester, don’t forget to utilize IMA’s consulting services.
If you are considering applying to any other med schools in New York or other states, we have ultimate guides for most med schools available on our website. Whether you want to know “how medical schools stack up to other medical schools near me” or just want to check out guides for other colleges, don’t forget to check out our ultimate guides.
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- University of Toledo College of Medicine
- Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
- Ohio State University College of Medicine
- Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM)
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS)
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU)
- A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine
- University of Missouri Medical School
- Kansas City University (KCU)
- UMKC School of Medicine
- New York Medical College
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- University of Wisconsin Medical School
- VCU School of Medicine
- University of Maryland School of Medicine
- Case Western Medical School
- University of North Carolina Medical School
- University of Florida Medical School
- Emory University School of Medicine
- Boston University College of Medicine
- California University of Science and Medicine
- UC San Diego Medical School
- California Northstate University College of Medicine
- Touro University of California
- CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
- UC Davis School of Medicine
- Harvard Medical School
- UC Riverside School of Medicine
- USC Keck School of Medicine
- UT Southwestern Medical School
- Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio
- University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
- UT Austin’s Dell Medical School
- UTMB School of Medicine
- McGovern Medical School at UT Health
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- McGovern Medical School at UT Health
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
- UNT Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of Houston College of Medicine
- Texas A&M College of Medicine
- Johns Hopkins Medical School
- Baylor College of Medicine
- George Washington University School of Medicine
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
- St. George’s University School of Medicine
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (in Pennsylvania)
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine
- Western University of Health Sciences (in California)
- Drexel University College of Medicine
- Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago
- Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Yale School of Medicine
- Perelman School of Medicine
- UCLA Medical School
- NYU Medical School
- Washington University School of Medicine
- Brown Medical School
