It is the University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM SOM) policy that the Committee on Admissions develops the medical student admissions criteria and procedures in alignment with the UNM SOM goals, mission, vision, and accreditation standards.
The primary goal of UNM SOM is to educate and train skilled, competent, and compassionate physicians to meet the healthcare needs of New Mexico (NM). To accomplish this, we seek to admit applicants who are committed to serving communities across the state, including rural and urban areas.
A well-rounded student body enhances teaching and learning and contributes to broader educational and healthcare benefits. To achieve this, the admissions process evaluates and selects individuals capable of meeting the academic rigor and personal challenges of a medical career. Selection is based on an assessment of both the intellectual and personal qualities that the committee believes are essential for excellence in medicine. We seek to foster in each medical student a commitment to lifelong intellectual growth.
Our admissions process follows the Mission-Aligned Selection and Retention framework outlined by the Association of American Medical Colleges. This approach broadens the range of admission criteria, allowing medical schools to establish and implement policies that support their core educational goals and mission. The Mission-Aligned Selection and Retention provides balanced consideration of each applicant’s experiences, attributes and academic metrics. Applicants are evaluated through a deliberate and standardized process that ensures:
Each application receives individualized consideration and is competitively reviewed within a single pool.
To evaluate applicants as a whole, we consider:
The healthcare workforce aims to provide quality, patient-centered care nationwide, but challenges exist in meeting physician distribution needs, particularly in New Mexico. The UNM SOM has a responsibility to address the state’s healthcare shortages by selecting students likely to train in high-need specialties and practice in underserved areas. As the gateway to medical education and the profession, the admissions committee plays a key role in shaping the future physician workforce.
The UNM SOM is committed to addressing healthcare challenges, strengthening communities, and improving health across New Mexico. The admissions committee evaluates each applicant’s unique qualities, recognizing a broad range of interests, achievements, and aspirations. A well-rounded student body enriches the learning environment and helps prepare future physicians to meet the state’s healthcare needs. As a state-supported institution, the UNM SOM prioritizes applicants who are New Mexico residents, graduates of NM high schools, or dependents of NM residents. Non-resident applicants may be considered if they are from WICHE-participating states without medical schools, enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, active military stationed in NM, graduates of NM colleges, high school graduates from bordering counties in adjacent states, and MD/PhD candidates with exceptional qualifications. The subcommittees of the Committee on Admissions, including the Combined Baccalaureate/Medical Degree Program (BA/MD) Committee, the Premedical Enrichment Program (PrEP) Committee, and the MD/PhD Committee, follow the policies outlined in this document with a shared mission.
The UNM School of Medicine periodically reviews this Admissions Policy Statement to ensure it meets the needs of both the school and the State of New Mexico.
Approved by the UNM School of Medicine Committee on Admissions: June 18, 2025
Approved by the UNM School of Medicine Dean’s Advisory Committee: July 2, 2025
Approved by the UNM School of Medicine faculty: October 8, 2025