Office of Student Admissions

SOM Programs

Early Decision Program (EDP)

The School of Medicine will once again participate in the Early Decision Program for the 2010 application year. Applicants who apply through the Early Decision Program can only apply to the University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM SOM). Current New Mexico residents who desire to apply only to the UNM SOM may apply through the Early Decision Program. WICHE and non-resident applicants MUST apply through the EDP to receive consideration. All out-of-state residents must have at least the average MCAT/GPA threshold as the last years entering class to be given consideration for admission. The 2008 entering class average MCAT composite score was 28 and the average GPA composite was 3.6. EDP applicants must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) no later than June 18, 2009 so that scores will be available before the application deadline of August 1. Notifications of acceptance to the EDP are sent out on October 1. Applicants who do not get accepted under EDP will automatically be placed in the Regular Decision applicant pool and may then apply to additional schools. EPD regulations apply to both AMCAS and non-AMCAS participating schools. Additional information on the Early Decision Program is included in the AMCAS application.

MD/PhD Program

The MD/PhD program is designed to provide comprehensive training in both clinical sciences and a basic biomedical science discipline. The intent of the program is to provide students with an integrated and cohesive training experience while obtaining the MD/PhD dual degree. Students participate in activities common to both programs while involved in the medical school curriculum or engaged in Ph.D. dissertation research.

Currently, the program consists of 18 months of the medical school curriculum, followed by 3-4 years of Ph.D. dissertation research and the graduate school curriculum, and concludes with the remaining 2 years of the medical school curriculum. The program is designed to be completed in 7-8 years. The Ph.D. and M.D. degrees are awarded simultaneously at the end of the entire training period. Students will take three one-month long rotations in research laboratories during the initial 20 months of the program. These experiences are meant to broaden the research experience of the students as they decide in what research area they wish to specialize. Students can pursue many lines of research activity performed by investigators in biomedical research in the School of Medicine. Students planning to pursue the combined MD/PhD degree should complete the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application. A specialized Admissions Committee for the MD/PhD program evaluates applications when all materials have been received.

Additional information for the MD/PhD program can be obtained from the MD/PhD website, or by contacting the School of Medicine Office of Admissions and/or the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program.

MD/MPH Program

The MD/MPH program is designed to provide integrated learning and enhance opportunities for medical students to acquire public health knowledge and skills. The program provides students an opportunity to increase their awareness, skills and knowledge in population based health strategies and interventions with the goals of; reducing disparities in health status within New Mexican populations, strengthening physician advocacy and leadership skills in health policy development, fostering evidence based interventions and using assessment skills to better determine population needs and interventions.

Students planning to pursue the combined MD/MPH degree should complete the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application. A specialized Admissions Committee for the MD/MPH program evaluates applications when all materials have been received.

Additional information for the MD/MPH program can be obtained from the MPH website or by contacting the School of Medicine Office of Admissions and/or the Masters in Public Health Program.

Premedical Enrichment Program (PrEP)

The Premedical Enrichment Program is a post-baccalaureate curriculum offered to educationally-disadvantaged New Mexicans with a bachelor's degree who exhibit exceptional non-cognitive characteristics but are not eligible for admission into medical school due to low MCAT scores or undergraduate GPA. An educationally disadvantaged person is defined as an individual who has been exposed to family, school, or community experiences that have impeded the development of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from the UNM School of Medicine. Students from families living in poverty, from homes where English is not the primary language, from homes with poorly educated parents, and/or from homes with only a single parent are at particular risk for having a level of educational readiness below that of their peers. Although there may be some overlap between groups of "educationally disadvantaged students" and groups of "under-represented minorities," these terms have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. The term "under-represented minorities" (URM's) refers to students from several ethnic minority groups such as Native Americans, Hispanics, and African Americans who are not yet adequately represented on the UNM campus. Therefore, a student who is an underrepresented minority does not necessarily qualify as an "educationally disadvantaged student".

Applicants who apply to the Regular MD program and do not meet the minimum requirements will be prescreened for PrEP. Applicants who do not meet the 22 MCAT score threshold may be accepted into the program, but must obtain a 22 or better composite score in order to matriculate into the program. To be considered for this program, applicants must first apply to the UNM School of Medicine Regular MD program utilizing the AMCAS application. For additional information regarding the Premedical Enrichment Program please contact the Office of Academic Resources and Support (OARS) at 505-925-4441.

Combined BA/MD Degree Program

The Combined BA/MD Degree Program is designed to help address the physician shortage in New Mexico. Students accepted into this program will first earn a baccalaureate degree through the College of Arts and Sciences specifically designed to prepare them for medical school. Upon successful completion of the academic and eligibility requirements of the program, students will then enter into the School of Medicine to complete their doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree.

For more information, please refer to the Combined BA/MD Degree Program website or email the office staff with any questions at combinedbamd@salud.unm.edu.