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Pre Med Advisement

Pre-Med Curriculum(pdf)

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The Five Biggest Myths(pdf)

FAQ's

Contact Information
University of New Mexico
School of Medicine
Office of Admissions
Health Sciences Library & Informatics Center
Room #125
MSC09 5085
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Phone: (505) 272-4766
Fax: (505) 925-6031
E-mail

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there a preferred undergraduate major for pre- med?
   No. However, it is vital that you excel in your premed prerequisite courses. Many applicants select majors in biology (about 40%) or biochemistry (about 10%).
2. After I have completed the premed courses, should I take additional science courses, or expand my liberal arts background?
   If you have had trouble in the science courses, it would be prudent to strengthen your background in this area by taking additional courses. It is also beneficial for you to acquire an adequate background in medically related biology courses prior to entering medical school.  Otherwise, take courses that are of interest to you and broaden your general education.  Most importantly, if you have doubts about your course load, seek advice from the Office of Admissions or someone qualified to provide sound counsel on such matters. 
3. Will a graduate degree enhance my chances of admission?
   In general, emphasis is placed on undergraduate performance in science courses rather than graduate courses.  Rejected applicants are not encouraged to obtain a graduate degree for the purpose of enhancing their chances of admission unless the program leads toward an alternative career goal.
4. When should I take the MCAT?
   Applicants are generally advised to take the MCAT in the spring of their junior year.  If not taken at that time, the exam should be taken in August of the same calendar year.  Early Decision Program applicants must take the examination no later than April of the year of application.
5. What level of GPA and MCAT scores is considered acceptable?
   The Committee on Admissions has established threshold levels for both the undergraduate GPA and the total numerical score on the MCAT exam.  The minimal acceptable levels are an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, with a C or better in all prerequisite course work, plus a total numerical score of 22 on the MCAT examination.  Applicants who do not meet the undergraduate GPA threshold of 3.0 may be considered if they have a GPA of 3.5 or more for at least 6-8 rigorous courses taken at the post-baccalaureate level.  Applicants accepted into medical school for the class beginning in 2006 had an average GPA of about 3.61 and average MCAT Overall score of 28.4 with scores of 9.3 in verbal reasoning, 8.7 in the physical sciences and 9.5 in the biological sciences.  (NOTE: Scores will be updated in approximately 2 weeks from 7/17/06)
6. If I have worked or participated in extracurricular activities while going to school, will this enhance my chances of admission?
   Participation in extracurricular or community activities while attending school indicates to the committee that you have a sense of community responsibility.  This participation and a description of these activities is an essential part of a total application to medical school.  A competitive GPA and total MCAT score, as described before, is also necessary.
7. Will working in a health-related area enhance my chances of gaining admission?
   Participation in clinically related activity is a key aspect of application to medical school.  Such exploration can allow an applicant to substantiate that medicine is the area in which the applicant desires to study and work.  A competitive GPA and MCAT score is also vital to complete the application.
8. What will I be asked in my interviews?
   Each interviewer has his/her own distinctive interview style.  However, most will be interested in determining your maturity, motivation for the study of medicine, problem-solving skills, ability to relate to people, and ability to express your ideas in an organized manner.  Most interviewers also expect you to know something about current social, economic, moral, and ethical issues in medicine, specifically as they relate to New Mexico.
9. What influence will my age, ethnic background, and gender have on my chances of admission?
   The University of New Mexico, School of Medicine is in compliance with federal regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, ethnic background, or gender.
10. What influence will my financial status have on my chances of admission?
    Financial status is not a consideration in selecting students for admission to medical school.  It is expected that you will have considered, in advance, how you intend to finance your medical education.
11. When should I apply and when will I hear whether I have been accepted?
    The earliest an application can be submitted to the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is June 1 for students applying to enter the following year.  The following AMCAS web site: http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm should be used by all applicants.  It is necessary to file an application in the summer or early fall of the year prior to entry.  Notification letters are normally sent to EDP applicants by 1 October and regular applicants by 15 March.
12. What is the Early Decision Program?
    The Early Decision Program (EDP) permits an applicant to file a single application with the medical school of his/her choice prior to 1 August.  The applicant signs an agreement to attend that school, if offered a position.  Decisions are announced by 1 October of the year prior to entry.
13. Should I apply through the Early Decision Program of The University of New Mexico School of Medicine?
    Only if you rate UNM your first choice of schools and have taken the MCAT no later than June 15 of the year in which you intend to apply.  If you are a WICHE or nonresident applicant, you MUST apply through this program to receive consideration.
14. How many applicants are accepted under the Early Decision Program?
    Approximately 25-35%. Applicants not accepted for the Early Decision Program are normally deferred for consideration with the rest of the applicant pool.  Upon notification of rejection or deferred status, EDP applicants may apply to other medical schools. Please note that non residents are NOT deferred to the regular applicant pool.
15. Can I be admitted to medical school after my junior year in a college or university?
    Students with outstanding academic records are considered for admission after the junior year.  Very few are actually admitted.  The last several years, all accepted applicants have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation.  Applicants are emphatically encouraged to finish any degree programs they initiated prior to possible medical school matriculation.  PhD, MS or MPH candidates in the University of New Mexico School of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program or Pharm D candidates in the College of Pharmacy are not eligible for matriculation to the MD degree program until they have completed the respective degrees.  This is also true for students pursuing BS and MS degree programs in The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center.
16. Who is on the Admissions Committee and how are decisions made?
    The Admissions Committee consists of UNM School of Medicine faculty, community physicians and medical school students.  Each completed application is reviewed individually by committee members and given a numerical ranking from 1 to 4 based on information in the file.  Individual rankings are summed and converted into a percent of possible score.  Applicants are discussed in groups of 15-20 by the entire committee and ranked..
17. How are the MCAT scores, grades, recommendations, interviews, and other parts of the application weighted by the Committee on Admissions?
    Fifty percent of the applicant score is based on cognitive factors (MCAT/GPA) and 50% is based on non-cognitive factors.
18. What other factors are considered in making admission decisions?
    The medical school is cognizant of the cultural diversity of the State's population and the faculty has had a long term commitment to recruit and educate individuals from currently underrepresented into the medical profession.  The medical school also believes that it has an obligation to help the State satisfy the physician manpower needs by selection of students who are likely to specialize in fields of current need and remain in or return to the areas of New Mexico requiring physicians.
19. Is there a required ratio of out-of-state to in-state students accepted?
    No.  However, in the past several years over 97% of accepted applicants have been from New Mexico.
    

20. If I have just moved to New Mexico, how can I qualify for consideration as a State resident?
    To be considered a resident for purposes of admission to medical school, you must have physically resided in New Mexico for at least one year prior to the date of application to the medical school.  Other evidence of residency such as car, or voter registration is also required.  The university sets residency requirements for tuition purposes.  Please note that you may be defined as a nonresident of New Mexico for tuition purposes if you are listed as a dependent on a parental tax return and your parents are residents in another state.
21. If I am a foreign national, can I be considered for admission to the medical school?
    Foreign nationals must be permanent residents of the United States and qualify for New Mexico residency to receive consideration for admission.
22. If I am not currently a resident of New Mexico, do I have any chance of admission to this medical school?
    Nonresident applicants must apply through the Early Decision Program for consideration of admission.  In the past two years over 97% of accepted applicants have been from New Mexico.
23. What should I do if I am rejected?
    You may call or make an appointment to see the Assistant Dean for Admissions to explore how you might improve your application.
24. If I am not admitted this year, are my chances better next year?
    Only if you improve those areas of your application previously lacking.  Failure to gain admission will not prejudice future consideration of your application by the Committee on Admissions.