The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine was established in 1819 and is considered to be one of the oldest medical schools west of the Allegheny Mountains area. If you have been researching “medical schools near me” or just looking for top-notch med schools in the US, this college may have popped up, and for good reason. UC College of Medicine boasts an exceptional list of alums, current faculty members, and past faculty members including Xiaoting Zhang MD, PhD.
UC College of Medicine prides themselves on their commitment to diversity, integrity, and excellence in education. The university strives to provide an inclusive environment where all aspiring physicians can safely study and receive medical career training. The school’s mission statement does an excellent job of summing up their core values: “To be indispensable through excellence in education, research, and patient care.”
Be an Informed Applicant
UC College of Medicine has school-specific guidelines and requirements when it comes to their admissions and application process. To best tailor your application and ensure that you are putting your best foot forward and leaving a good impression on the admissions committee, it is crucial to understand these requirements.
This article covers:
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Rankings
- Medical Programs at UC College of Medicine
- Selection Factors: What the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Looks for in an Applicant
- Academic Requirements
- UC College of Medicine Acceptance Rate, Class Profile, and More
- AMCAS Application and UC College of Medicine Secondary Application
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
- Medical School Admissions Consulting
- Voluntary Healthcare Internships
Personalized Help
At International Medical Aid, we understand that students often find themselves feeling overwhelmed by all that there is to do relating to the medical school application process. Universities have unique requirements and you must meet the requirements for each college you wish to apply to. To best help aspiring medical professionals navigate this process more easily, we recommend medical school admissions consulting.
Medical school admissions consultants are there to help students through every step of the process, or just one or two areas where they need additional guidance—whatever the case may be. Your consultant will offer helpful, constructive feedback on areas of improvement and help you submit the most competitive application possible.
Do you feel you could use some extra help and guidance? Consider enlisting the help of IMA’s personalized admissions consulting service.
Why the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine?
UC College of Medicine has served the state of Ohio for 2 centuries. In 1819, the college was established by physician Daniel Drake and was formally called the Medical College of Ohio. The school is the second oldest public medical college in the United States and has plenty of medical history under its belt. Some of the most notable events in medicine occurred at the UC College of Medicine, including the first heart-lung machine and the first attenuated polio vaccine.
Currently, the university has approximately 850 staff members such as Xiaoting Zhang MD, PhD in addition to the long list of notable alums and past faculty. Not to mention the clinical practices of the college which span nearly every subspecialty of care and total over 2.2 million annual visits from patients (outpatient, inpatient, and procedures).
UC College of Medicine Rankings
- #43 Best Medical Schools: Research
- #52 Best Medical Schools: Primary Care
- #2 in Pediatrics
- #20 Most Diverse Medical Schools
- #123 Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
- #123 Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
- #56 Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas
Medical Programs at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Students should thoroughly research all available medical programs at the UC College of Medicine before applying. This research will further aid in focusing your application and guide your decision about which medical school is the best fit for you.
When it comes to programs and specialties there is no lack of diversity and options at the UC College of Medicine. They offer the standard 4-year MD program plus a few dual degree options and a plethora of other specialties such as certificate programs, body imaging, UC Dermatology and UC Orthopedics programs, surgery, and residencies.
In this guide, we will be focusing on the primary MD and dual degree programs available at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Four-Year MD Program
The UC College of Medicine, as most medical schools do, offers a standard 4-year MD program. The college upholds their programs to the highest of standards and for this program, they believe that all students should have a strong sense of serving the community, hold high ethical standards, and be sensitive to marginalized groups in society.
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine requires students partaking in the program to pass a criminal background check, consent to drug and alcohol testing, receive immunizations, and meet the college’s technical and health standards.
Technical and health standards as outlined by the UC College of Medicine include the following:
- Intellectual, integrative, conceptual, and quantitative skills
- Communication skills
- Social and behavioral skills
- Motor coordination and sensory skills
Dual Degree Programs
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine lists 3 distinct dual degree programs on their website.
MD/MBA – Alongside the Carl H. Linder College of Business, the UC College of Medicine has designed an MD/MBA dual degree program. This program is designed to appeal to students who wish to complement the standard MD program medical education with a deeper understanding of various business concepts, such as economics, finance, and the management and marketing of a healthcare system.
MD/PhD – Also referred to as the college’s MSTP (Medical Scientist Training Program), this dual degree option is a multi-institutional program supported by UCCOM and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
MD/MPH – The MD/MPH program is designed to help educate and prepare students to work in a variety of public health settings. This program combines a degree in approaching public health and illness with a standard clinical care degree. Students who graduate from this program will have the knowledge to research and identify public health issues, engage in population health research, and implement evidence-based solutions.
Selection Factors: What the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Looks for in an Applicant
When applying to medical schools, one of the most important items you should research is the school’s selection criteria. Students should be well-informed about how their MCAT scores, GPA, and other work experiences stack up to those accepted by the college.
Admissions committees generally take a holistic approach to review incoming applications. This means the committee reviews your application and attempts to get the big picture idea of who you are as a person, not just how well you scored on your MCAT exam which is why it is essential to have a well-rounded application. The majority of med schools follow the AAMC Core Competencies as a general guideline for application review.
UC College of Medicine’s approach to application review is similar to that of many medical schools across the United States. Some of the key criteria UCCOM is looking for in an applicant include:
- Conceptual, Integrative, Intellectual, and Quantitative Skills
- Students should demonstrate the ability to assimilate large quantities of detailed information and be capable of using and integrating the information for problem-solving.
- Students should be able to process information and showcase the ability to reason, measure, comprehend, calculate, memorize, analyze, and synthesize complex information.
- Students must be able to perceive and understand visual spatial relationship structures.
- Students need to be capable of using sound judgment, and clinical and ethical reasoning and be capable of making appropriate decisions in patient care.
- Communication Skills
- Students must use and demonstrate (in English) the knowledge they have acquired to elicit, process, convey, clarify, and transmit information both in written and oral format accurately and effectively.
- Students must be capable of eliciting information about mood, posture, and activity, and perceive nonverbal communication.
- Students should be capable of presenting accurate, legible, and skillful information in oral and written form.
- Efficiently and effectively partake in fast-paced small group interactions/discussions in patient care settings.
- Social and Behavioral Skills
- Have the emotional maturity and stability needed to participate in various learning formats.
- Be prompt in the completion of all of their responsibilities.
- Showcase integrity, empathy, compassion, respect, and tolerance of differences.
- Be capable of contributing to collaborative learning environments, willing to accept constructive feedback, and take personal responsibility.
- Motor Coordination and Sensory Skills
- Students should possess sufficient motor function and coordination needed to partake in all aspects of medical training.
- The student must be able to acquire information across a range of learning modalities through independent observation.
- Students should be able to recognize normal versus abnormal.
- Respond to any emergency situations in a timely manner.
- Personally be capable of performing a physical exam.
- Personally perform or be able to direct and evaluate the performance of life-saving maneuvers.
To best improve your chances of being accepted into an MD program at UCCOM, ensure that you meet the university’s above-outlined criteria.
Application Requirements for the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has specific application criteria and academic requirements that students must meet in order to be considered for acceptance.
MCAT and GPA Requirements for UC College of Medicine
The university bases their minimum average accepted GPA and MCAT score on the prior class’s average. These averages can be found on the college’s website and they even include class profile information for the 4 most recent classes of matriculants.
Based on the most recent class profile, the current average cumulative GPA score accepted by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine is 3.74 and the average science GPA score is 3.67. The college’s accepted average MCAT score is 515.
Please keep in mind that most medical schools will not accept MCAT scores more than 3 years old, but UC College of Medicine does not accept MCAT scores over 2 years old. If your MCAT score is over 2 years old or you have yet to take the MCAT, review the upcoming MCAT test and registration dates to ensure your score will be ready in time for the college’s application deadline. If you have not taken your MCAT exam prior to submitting your AMCAS application, please note this on your primary application as the college will not review your application until your score has been received.
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Letters of Recommendation
UC College of Medicine requires students applying to their MD program to submit a minimum of 1 letter of recommendation. Specifically for the MD program, they want applicants to provide a packet from a pre-professional committee or 3 LORs from people who can appropriately evaluate their skills and strengths as a future medical professional. The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine will accept up to 5 letters of recommendation per applicant.
Required Coursework for the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Unfortunately, UCCOM does not list their required prerequisites on their admission website. However, the majority of medical schools have similar prerequisites, but you should reach out to the admissions team at UC College of Medicine to confirm which courses they require. The most common med school prerequisites are:
Biology
Chemistry – This may vary from school to school as some will require organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, or both.
Physics
Mathematics
English
Does the UC College of Medicine Require the CASPer exam?
The CASPer test is not required by all colleges but is required by some. This exam is an online test designed to assess the various non-cognitive abilities of a candidate.
As of 2022, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine does not require applicants to take the CASPer test.
UC College of Medicine Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics
The acceptance rate for the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine is 2.93% which is considerably lower than the average medical school admission rate in the United States. Let’s take a close look at the most recent UCCOM class profile.
- 179 matriculants for the 2021 class
- 41% of matriculants are Ohio residents and 59% are non-Ohio residents
- 47% are males and 53% are females
- Average MCAT score of 515
- Average cumulative GPA of 3.74
- 25% are underrepresented ethnic minorities
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Students who wish to attend UC College of Medicine need to budget for tuition and educational fees, but they also need to take into account miscellaneous costs such as living expenses and incidentals.
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine lists the annual tuition for Ohio residents as $16,998 per semester and $26,427 for non-Ohio residents per semester. Students who are not Ohio residents but are from Kentucky or Indiana will receive the same tuition rate as Ohio residents. Here is a more in-depth yearly breakdown of what students can expect to spend each year.
Year 1:
- $34,797 for tuition costs
- $21,365 for living costs, incidentals, and travel expenses
- $56,162 total for Ohio residents and $75,020 for non-Ohio residents
Year 2:
- $51,225 for tuition costs
- $26,392 for living costs, incidentals, and travel expenses
- $77,617 total for Ohio residents and $105,904 for non-Ohio residents
Year 3:
- $51,225 for tuition costs
- $26,318 for living costs, incidentals, and travel expenses
- $77,543 total for Ohio residents and $105,830 for non-Ohio residents
Year 4:
- $34,227 for tuition costs
- $21,170 for living costs, incidentals, and travel expenses
- $55,397 total for Ohio residents and $74,255 for non-Ohio residents
AMCAS Primary Application and UC College of Medicine Secondary Application
Most medical schools in the United States utilize the AMCAS application system. Your AMCAS is your primary application and will be sent to all of the medical schools you select. On average, you should expect it to take 4 to 6 weeks for a college to review your AMCAS application.
After the university has taken the time to review your primary application, they will send you an invitation to complete a secondary application. Secondary applications are unique to each medical school and generally contain essay prompts designed to help the admissions committee learn more about you, your values, ambitions, and motivations.
Please note that if you failed to meet any of the college’s admission criteria, such as minimum MCAT or GPA scores, prerequisites, or failure to include letters of recommendation, you will not be invited to fill out a secondary application.
For further clarification about the differences between the AMCAS primary application and a school-specific application, read this article.
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
Secondary applications are a critical part of applying to med school. The essay prompts and questions included in the secondary application give you the chance to show the admissions committee why you are the best fit for their college and what makes you stand out. These are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you navigate secondary applications:
- Read all parts of essay prompts and questions carefully
- Supply concrete evidence from your academic, professional, or extracurricular experiences
- Do not repeat information you have already supplied in your AMCAS application
- Proofread your answers
- Write clearly and concisely
- For additional help consider utilizing our medical school admissions consulting service
The secondary application for the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine includes a series of short essay prompts. There are 5 prompts in total, 3 of which are required and the remaining 2 are optional.
Essay #1
Please explain both of the following: 1) the specific reason(s) you have chosen to apply to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and 2) how you will utilize the unique features of our curriculum, institution, city, and/or our mission to achieve your career goals. (2000 Characters max)
For this prompt, you will need to ensure that you answer both questions. This essay question gives you the chance to discuss what values you hold and how your values both personally and career-wise have led you to apply to UCCOM.
Here is a sample essay answer:
After thoroughly researching medical school programs throughout the state of Ohio and some in other states, I chose to apply to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine as I feel the college’s values and mission best align with my career goals and values. Having learned about the university’s rich history and the numerous significant events in medicine that took place at the college, I feel I will receive the best, most well-rounded education at UC College of Medicine.
The college’s mission and commitment to shaping the physicians of tomorrow spoke to me as I hope to run a medical practice with integrity, excellence, and a focus on patient care. I intend to utilize the college’s simulation center to the full extent of my abilities. The simulation center is a resource unlike any other, and I believe it will help me develop my professional and doctoring skills to the fullest extent, in turn, prepping me to be the best medical professional possible after obtaining my degree.
Essay #2
Please describe the reasons that you have chosen to specifically apply your skills to the career of a physician and what specific ways your personality, talents, attributes, etc. will contribute to the practice of clinical medicine. (2000 Characters max)
The above prompt is an excellent opportunity to let your personality shine and leave a lasting impression in the mind of the committee. Include personal stories if you have any you’d like to share that are relevant to the prompt.
Here is a sample essay answer:
My decision to pursue a career as a physician is one that I have known I would make even as a child. Growing up I was not in the best of health and spent a considerable amount of time in and out of medical centers. During my time spent in the hospital, I met a special physician who was unlike any other I had encountered. The doctor added a personal touch to everything he did whether it was a simple medical procedure or explaining the details of my condition to me and my family. His unique demeanor changed how I viewed going to the hospital for treatment.
Since meeting that doctor, I have spent my life working towards being the most empathic and compassionate person I can be. My deep caring nature for others naturally led me to volunteer in my community, and one of the first volunteer positions I held was at a local medical center. As I spent my time volunteering at the medical center, I realized my compassion for others and desire to help my peers was something that was greatly lacking within the health industry. I then chose to pursue a career in clinical medicine as I want to change the way others view hospitals and medical professionals.
Essay #3
The University of Cincinnati is highly committed to selecting and cultivating students who can transform the field of medicine through the use of their distinct talents and attributes. Please tell us how you offer “diversity of thought” to our incoming class. Please also consider sharing unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background that represent the diversity that you bring. (2000 Characters max)
This essay prompt also provides applicants with another chance to tell a personal story to the committee along with discussing what makes them diverse.
Here is a sample essay answer:
Diversity of thought is a crucial part of the medical field and is a value that all providers should bring to the table. As an incoming student at UC College of Medicine, I would bring with me my unique perspective surrounding rural medicine and medical care for those who are of a lower income.
The majority of my childhood was spent growing up in a rural, low-income area in a household that often struggled to make ends meet let alone afford quality healthcare. Due to this financial challenge, I along with the rest of my family rarely visited a primary care doctor or any other medical professionals as the cost seemed far too high for us to ever afford.
Now, as a young adult, I see how unfair this is to the citizens of our country, especially the youth. To incorporate diversity in thought into my daily life as a med student, I seek to remember how it felt to not be able to access the care I needed due to medical costs, and after graduating I hope to set up a rural area primary care practice where I can treat low-income patients and help them in the best way I know how.
Essay #4
(Optional) Please explain, if applicable, any ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic specifically and negatively impacted and/or caused significant hardship for your academic performance between the months of March 2020 and September 2021. (2000 Characters max)
This prompt is 1 of the 2 optional prompts and will not be applicable to everyone. If you did face academic hardship due to the global pandemic, we highly suggest further explaining this by answering the prompt. You can discuss why your performance was impacted and how you have since improved your academic performance.
Here is a sample essay answer:
Between March 2020 and September 2021, I faced several months of economic hardship as many across the country did. Due to the stress and overwhelming feelings of anxiety brought about by this hardship, my academic performance took a hit. As my transcripts show, I had a semester chocked full of less-than-ideal grades.
I have since been able to regain my financial stability and improve my mental well-being, in turn, allowing me to divert the proper attention back to my education. As you will also see from my transcripts, my grades have dramatically improved although the one semester has put a ding in my record. I feel that my grades for all subsequent semesters speak for themselves and show that I am a dedicated student and am serious about my career in medicine.
Essay #5
(Optional) We understand that all applicants have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please use the space below to describe any personal (ie, non-academic) life-altering experiences or changes to your plans related to the pandemic between March 2020 and September 2021. (2000 Characters max)
Like prompt #4, this prompt is optional and won’t apply to everyone. However, if you would like to share details of how you were personally affected by the pandemic, this is a great opportunity to do so.
Here is a sample essay answer:
Much like many Americans, I was deeply personally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A mere months after the pandemic hit, I was given some devastating news surrounding the health of my mother. She had contracted COVID-19 and was being admitted to the ICU. Over the following week, her condition continued to worsen, and I flew back to my home state of Maryland to be with my family during this time.
Unfortunately, she did not improve and passed away shortly after my arrival. Her passing was a huge blow to the family, including my father and younger siblings. My father had been unwell for some time too, having a semi-aggressive form of cancer, and my mother was his primary caretaker. After her passing, I moved back in with my family in Maryland to care for my ailing father and help lessen the burden on my siblings. This was not in my plans and my initial plan of attending medical school was postponed for nearly a whole year, leading to a gap in my education.
Medical School Admissions Consulting
We attempt to provide the most thorough and accurate information possible for future physicians. Applying to and getting into medical school is a difficult process, and we understand how overwhelming the experience can be.
One of the best ways to ensure your application process goes smoothly and your application is as competitive as possible is by enlisting the professional help of IMA’s medical admissions consulting service.
Students who are interested in learning more about this service should schedule a consultation with International Medical Aid.
Voluntary Healthcare Internships
Our intense, patient-facing pre-med shadowing study abroad programs help students gain hands-on clinical experience. These internships take place in a variety of locations such as East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. You will gain real-life experience as you shadow doctors and help the medically underserved. Not to mention that these internships help make your application for medical school competitive and help you stand out.
Good Luck!
We want to wish you the best of luck in your journey of applying to medical schools and your future career in medicine. The key to succeeding is taking your time, developing an application strategy, and seeking help when you need it.
If you feel you need additional personalized help, contact IMA and get guidance from one of our medical admission consultants.
Are you considering applying to other medical schools in Ohio or maybe you want to know how UCCOM stacks up to other colleges? Don’t forget to check out the other ultimate medical school guides on IMA’s website, especially if you’ve been asking yourself what are the best medical schools near me.
- 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
