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Frequently Asked Questions

Applying to the Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate

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What prerequisite courses do you require?

We require the following prerequisite courses:

  • General Biology I & II w/labs
  • General Chemistry I & II w/labs
  • Organic Chemistry I w/lab
  • Biochemistry*
  • General Physics I & II w/labs**
  • Writing/Composition
  • English elective
  • Statistics*** (3hrs)

- Applicants should avoid taking more than one or two prerequisite science courses during the summer and avoid taking them at community colleges.
- Applicants can apply without having completed all the prerequisites however, if accepted, it would be on the condition that any outstanding required courses be successfully completed prior to enrolling.

* Organic Chemistry II will not meet the Biochemistry prerequisite.

** While it is recommended, we do not require your Physics courses be calculus-based unlike other medical schools.

*** Calculus will not meet the statistics prerequisite.

Do you accept prerequisite courses completed online?

Because of the impact of COVID on the availability of in-person courses, SUNY Upstate Medical University will consider on-line science prerequisite courses, including courses in which students received a grade of Pass/Fail, taken during the 2020 and 2021 academic years.

Outside of these years,  courses need to be completed in person for a letter grade.

Can I request interview accommodations?

SUNY Upstate is proud to provide applicants with necessary accommodations during an admissions interview.

If you would like to request any accommodations, please email us admiss@upstate.edu and we can assist you with your request.

Can I apply without yet having completed all the prerequisites?

Yes. The committee will consider your application if you haven't completed all the required prerequisites at time of application, and if accepted, your acceptance would be conditional upon your successfully completing any outstanding prerequisites with a grade of "C" or higher prior to enrolling at SUNY Upstate.

Can other science courses like Organic Chemistry II or Microbiology be used to complete your prerequisites?

No. We will not accept any other science courses as substitutions for our required prerequisites.

What other science courses can I take to make me more competitive?

Beyond the prerequisites, the most useful courses to take are Physiology, Genetics, and Cell Biology. These courses have some tricky concepts to master and having some familiarity with them ahead of time will be to your benefit once you enter medical school. Microbiology and Immunology may also be helpful. Courses such as Anatomy, Neuroscience, Histology, Pathology, and Pharmacology generally are subjects that can be fairly easily mastered once you enter medical school but take them as an undergrad if you enjoy them.

When it comes to suggestions of what non-science courses you can take, we recommend Psychology courses addressing the cognitive, abnormal, and developmental aspects of human behavior, knowledge of which will help you in becoming a good physician. Courses related to public health, ethics, communication skills are also of increasing benefit, as doctors become more sophisticated in these areas.

Do you accept Advanced Placement credits?

Yes, as long as you were awarded college credit and the course(s) are listed on an official transcript from your primary undergraduate institution. The Admissions Committee recommends that you also complete advanced science coursework in order to be competitive for admission.

How do I apply?

To complete an application, applicants must: submit a verified AMCAS application, submit the appropriate letters of recommendation to AMCAS, submit a SUNY Upstate Medical University Supplemental Application, submit a non-refundable application fee of $110. For more information and deadlines, go to Admissions.

What is AMCAS?

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is a non-profit, centralized application processing service for applicants to the first-year entering classes at participating U.S. medical schools. Most U.S. medical schools use AMCAS as the primary application. For more information, you can visit the AAMC website.

When are your application deadlines?

  • June - Begin submitting AMCAS applications
  • August 1 - Early Decision AMCAS deadline
  • August 15 - Early Decision applicants must have a completed application on file
  • October 1 - AMCAS deadline for MD/PhD
  • October 15 - AMCAS deadline for MD, Rural Medical Scholars Program, MD/MBA, and MD/MPH programs
  • November 1- Latest date to submit and complete application to MD/PhD program
  • December 1 - Latest date to submit and complete application to MD, Rural Medical Scholars Program, MD/MBA, and MD/MPH programs
  • April 30 - Latest date to receive the $100 deposit refund
  • June 1 - Latest date to request a deferment on acceptance
    *Applicants accepted off the wait list after June 1st are not eligible to request a deferral

Will you accept a course that involved a considerable amount of written assignments to meet your English or Composition requirement?

We do not accept courses towards completion of our English and/or Composition requirement simply because they involved writing assignments. However, we will consider courses that complete your school’s writing requirement even though they may not be offered through the English department, are specifically designated by your school as “Writing Intensive”, or state that an objective of the course is to develop a student’s writing ability in the course description. A review of the course description is required and approval must be granted.

Who do you send a supplemental application to?

We send a supplemental to every verified AMCAS applicant.

Do you give preference to applicants from New York State?

Yes. SUNY Upstate Medical University is a public/state institution and does give a slight preference to applicant's from New York state when reviewing applications. However, we welcome applications from and accept many out of state applicants each year.

Can an Out of State resident apply for NYS residency for tuition purposes after their first year of medical school?

SUNY Upstate Medical University follows the guidelines set forth by the State University of New York for determining residency and eligibility for resident tuition: Establishment of Residency for Tuition Purposes.
It is an extremely rare case that a student entering SUNY Upstate as an out of state resident can establish NY residency.

What if there is no pre-health committee on my campus?

In the absence of such a committee, two letters of recommendation from faculty in different departments may be submitted, although one department must be a science department.

How important is clinical experience?

Clinical experience is essential. Before you invest all the time, money and hard work that goes into becoming a doctor, you should be sure this is a career that "fits" you and clinical exposure is the way to help you determine this.

Get some exposure early, even before you have made your decision for sure. Students sometimes toy with the idea of becoming a doctor, but interactions with patients in a clinical setting often CONVINCE them one way or the other. The Admissions Committee wants to see evidence that your career choice is well informed and not a "whim."

We do not require a specific number of hours; however, clinical experience should be relevant, current, and ongoing.

Are volunteer experiences really important?

Every committee member weighs this differently, but all expect to see some service work. A medical career is service work and service work is not for everyone. We (and you) need to figure out if you are committed to service. After 30 years of service work, you can only doctor well if you enjoy the way you spend your day. 

There are many selfish reasons to become a doctor: the salary, job security, and prestige, just to name a few. When reviewing your application, the Admissions Committee is trying to gauge how much of your motivation comes from a genuine desire to serve others, and your volunteer work is one of the ways in which we gauge this. 

Do I have to be a science major in order to be considered for medical school?

No. While about 80% of our medical students were science majors in college, a science major is not a requirement. Keep in mind, however, that in order to be competitive (get into medical school AND get through the first two years comfortably) you should take more than the required prerequisite science courses (see question "What other science courses can I take to make me more competitive?" above for suggestions). On average, your classmates in medical school will have taken 51 semester hours of science in college and you will want to be equally prepared.

Canadian Applicants

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Do you accept Canadians, and are they evaluated differently?

We do accept Canadian applicants. Throughout the application process, Canadian students are treated the same as US residents in that they must complete the same pre-requisite course work, application requirements etc.

Are Canadian applicants considered as out of state or international applicants?

Canadian applicants are considered as international applicants.

I have not completed an English or Composition course. Will you accept a course that involved writing assignments to meet your English or Composition requirement? 

We do not accept courses towards completion of our English and/or Composition requirement simply because they involved writing assignments. However, we will consider courses that state that an objective of the course is to develop a student’s writing ability in the course description. A review of the course description is required and approval must be granted. 

Are scholarships and financial aid available?

Canadian citizens are considered as international applicants and are not eligible for US government aid programs (Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan and Federal Work Study). Unfortunately, we are not able to offer scholarship support to international students in the College of Medicine.

International students are financially responsible for their tuition, fees and living expenses while enrolled at Upstate Medical University and should be aware that financial aid is limited and difficult to obtain. Further, it should be understood that Upstate Medical University cannot co-sign for any loans. Prior to enrollment, international students must indicate their understanding of this financial commitment which will then be confirmed via the I-20 application process. Some programs of study at Upstate Medical University offer stipends and tuition waivers. These conditions will be considered throughout the process.

Students may apply for private loans through US banks, providing a US resident co-signs the loan.

Go to International Students for more information.

International Applicants

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Do you accept international students?

Applications are accepted from foreign citizens who have completed at least 90 semester hours of college coursework in the United States or Canada, at an accredited institution. The admissions procedures are the same as US citizens. All else being equal, priority will be given to candidates who are US citizens or permanent residents. However, non-US residents with a strong record of academic achievement are encouraged to apply.

Do I need to take the TOEFL, and what score do you require?

International students whose primary language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 600 written exam/250 CBT/100 IBT is required. If you have completed a minimum of 90 credit hours at a college or university in the United States or Canada, the TOEFL is not required.

Are scholarships and financial aid available?

International Students are not eligible for US government aid programs (Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan and Federal Work Study). Unfortunately, we are not able to offer scholarship support to international students in the College of Medicine.

International students are financially responsible for their tuition, fees and living expenses while enrolled at Upstate Medical University and should be aware that financial aid is limited and difficult to obtain. Further, it should be understood that Upstate Medical University cannot co-sign for any loans. Prior to enrollment, international students must indicate their understanding of this financial commitment which will then be confirmed via the I-20 application process. Some programs of study at Upstate Medical University offer stipends and tuition waivers. These conditions will be considered throughout the process.

Students may apply for private loans through US banks, providing a US resident co-signs the loan.

Transferring to SUNY Upstate Medical University

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Do you accept transfers?

When openings arise, we do accept transfers into our 3rd year. Openings do not exist every year and we usually do not know if we will have room to accept transfers until late February. When they do exist, they are limited to United States citizens or permanent residents. To be eligible for transfer, students must be United States citizens or permanent residents and currently enrolled and in good-standing at an LCME-accredited medical schools or COCA-accredited medical schools. More information is available on our Transfer Students page. 

How do I apply?

For information on the transfer application process, and to learn what is required for transfer, please visit the Transfer Students page.

Non-Traditional Applicants

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How many students are over 30?

Each year the incoming class has about 58 students in their 30's. The average age of the class is 24, and approximately half the class does not come to medical school directly after graduation. The oldest student we have accepted was 63 and we have had a handful of students in their 40's.

I've been out of school for a while now and I doubt any of my professors remember me. Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?

Students that graduated from undergraduate college more than 5 years ago and are currently employed full-time, may submit 1 letter of recommendation from a science faculty member with whom a medical school prerequisite was taken and 1 letter of recommendation from a current supervisor. More information can be found on the Letters of Recommendation page.

Can I attend a community college to complete my prerequisites?

If a student is matriculated at an accredited four year college or university, the Admissions Committee strongly recommends that all science prerequisites be completed at that institution. If a student begins college at an accredited two year college and transfers to a competitive four year college or university to complete their bachelor's degree, they must demonstrate continued academic excellence in any remaining prerequisite and/or upper level science courses taken at the four year institution.

Interviewing at SUNY Upstate

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Who gets invited for an interview?

Out of a very large and competitive applicant pool (on average 5,500 applications), we typically invite 750 or so applicants in for an interview. GPA's and MCAT scores are the two most heavily weighted factors considered when screening applications. Other factors such as clinical experience, volunteer work, personal statement, and letters of recommendation are also considered when trying to select the most qualified applicants to bring in for an interview.

When are interviews conducted?

Interviews are conducted on Monday's, Tuesday's and Wednesday's beginning in September and continuing through March.

What should I expect on interview day?

Interviews will be virtual Multiple Mini Interviews with faculty and student interviewers.

Rejected Applicants

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Why was I rejected without even getting an interview?

Weaker academic scores (GPA and/or MCATS) is the most common reason for rejection without an interview. We receive an average of 5000-5,500  applications each cycle, of which we can only interview 750. Thus, every year we must reject many applicants with good credentials who are edged out by others with slightly stronger ones.

I thought my interviews went well, why was I rejected?

They may have gone well but keep in mind that medical schools can only accept about half of the people they interview, and the candidate pool is a very homogenous and impressive group. However, statistics suggest that if you are interviewed at more than two schools and still do not receive an acceptance, your interviews are probably not going as well as you think.

I applied last year but was rejected. Should I re-apply?

The committee encourages previously rejected applicants to re-apply only if they have taken the necessary steps to address and improve the weaknesses in their application. This can often not be done in a matter of months and in time for the next application cycle. If you are unsure as to what your applications weaknesses were, we recommend that you seek the advice of your pre-health advisor or schedule an appointment to attend an information session, held monthly at SUNY Upstate.

Do you offer application counseling?

We offer a monthly info session for anyone with general questions about applying or re-applying to the college of medicine. During the session a counselor will discuss the application process, and what we look for and how we look at each section of the application, in addition to how to address  weaknesses. Attendees may ask general questions for clarification, however, we will NOT provide feedback specific to your application.

To sign up to attend a session, please visit: https://engage.upstate.edu/portal/com-info

 

High School Students

Which undergraduate college should I attend?

While there is no one specific college that will ensure you admission into medical school, you should try to attend the most competitive college or university that meets your needs. Along with the personal reasons for attending, you should look for a school with a strong science curriculum and while it is not necessary for admission, one that has a pre-health committee or advisor on campus. They can offer pre-med students a lot of advice and help guide you through the process of preparing for and applying to medical school.

Special Programs

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I was accepted under an Early Admission Program and I am graduating early, can I come a year early?

No. Because seats in each entering class are limited  and of those a specific number of seats are held in advance for early admission students, we must require you to come the year you were accepted.

What is Early Decision Program?

This program is offered to applicants who are interested in applying only to Upstate. Requirements for the Early Decision Program are the same as for regular admissions, except that the AMCAS Early Decision application deadline is August 1 and the deadline to have a complete application on file is August 15.

Acceptance decisions are made prior to October 1. Candidates not accepted Early Decision may apply to other schools and will automatically be considered under the regular admissions process after October 1.

Paying for Medical School

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How much does it cost to attend SUNY Upstate?

Please visit the Cost of Attendance page for an overview on the costs associated with attending medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Are scholarships available?

SUNY Upstate Medical University offers a number of scholarships and grants to enrolled students. Some of the awards sponsored by SUNY Upstate, by the State University of New York, New York State, and the Federal Government include:

  • New York State Tuition Assistance Program
  • Syracuse Medical Alumni Scholarships
  • Upstate Medical University Foundation Scholarships
  • Faculty Student Association Scholarships
  • College of Medicine Endowed Scholarships
  • SUNY Economically Disadvantaged Tuition Waivers
  • SUNY Graduate Opportunity Tuition Waivers
  • Upstate MD/PhD Tuition Waivers
  • Regents Health Care Scholarships
  • National Health Service Corps Scholarships
  • Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarships

Visit the Financial Aid section of our website for links to several free internet scholarship searches that can assist you in locating awards sponsored by private organizations.

About Syracuse, NY

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Is it affordable to live here?

Absolutely! The cost of living is considerably less than many of the other cities with medical schools.

Visit our Syracuse & Central New York page.

Where can my partner/spouse go to look for a job?

Current job listings in the Syracuse area can be viewed by visiting:www.syracuse.com/jobs/ and CentralNewYorkHelpWanted.com. These sites also provide links to the Human Resources departments of many major area employers. Job openings at SUNY Upstate can be viewed by visiting: jobsatupstate.peopleadmin.com.

Tell me more about Syracuse..

Syracuse is a great place to live, work and study! To learn more about what Syracuse has to offer its residents, you can visit: http://www.syracuse.ny.us/.


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