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Please note: We do not have openings to accept transfers into our 3rd year in 2024. Please check back in January 2025.

Transfer Students

In order to be eligible for transfer into SUNY Upstate Medical University's Norton College of Medicine, applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents and currently enrolled and in good-standing at an LCME-accredited medical schools, a Caribbean school approved by the New York State Education Department and accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), or a COCA-accredited medical schoolsApplicants need to have successfully completed the first two years of their current medical program’s curriculum.

Additionally, applicants need to have successfully completed all pre-med prerequisites at an accredited college in the United States or Canada, and most importantly, they must take and have proof of a passing USMLE Step I score by April 1 (tentative date). Applicants without a USMLE Step I score by this date will not be considered. No exceptions will be made. Individuals who have already earned an MD degree are not eligible to transfer.

Applicants do NOT apply through AMCAS but rather need only complete our online application available here. The application process is outlined below. If accepted, applicants will be admitted into the third-year class. 

The Admissions Committee takes into consideration as much information as possible that delineates an applicant's total qualifications for the study and practice of medicine. Decisions are influenced by a review of college records, medical school records, letters of recommendation, USMLE Step 1 scores, and other personal data—character, communication skills, personal experiences and scholastic and scientific aptitude.

Transfer Process

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Letters of Recommendation

  • A letter of recommendation from the applicants premedical college's Health Professions Advisory Committee must be forwarded to us. If the premedical college does not have a pre-health committee, then letters from faculty members in two different departments under whom courses have been taken will be acceptable (one of them must be from a science faculty).
  • A letter of recommendation from the Dean of Student Affairs at the medical school you are attending is required and must include certification that you are in good standing and eligible for promotion.
  • If you have completed a clinical experience in the United States, the person who supervised your work should forward a letter of recommendation to our Admissions Committee.

Admissions Requirements

Only applicants who qualify for admission to the first-year class, in terms of premedical education, will be considered for admission to the third-year class. Applicants must have the following prerequisite courses:

  • General Biology I & II w/labs (6-8 semesters hours)
  • General Chemistry I & II w/labs (6-8 semesters hours)
  • Organic Chemistry I w/lab (3-4 semester hours)
  • Biochemistry (3-4 semester hours)
  • General Physics I & II w/labs (6-8 semesters hours)
  • Writing/Composition (3 semester hours)
  • English elective (3 semester hours)
  • Statistics (3 semester hours)

Professional Education

In addition to meeting all premedical requirements, transfer applicants to the third-year class must have satisfactorily completed all courses, or the equivalent, which comprise the first two years of the curriculum at Upstate.

Test and Exam Scores

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1: applicants applying for transfer to our College of Medicine must submit passing scores from the Step 1 USMLE by April 1 (tentative date).

Official College Transcripts

Official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and professional course work are required. Electronic transcripts can be emailed to apply@upstate.edu or mailed to:

SUNY Upstate Admissions

766 Irving Ave.
1212 Weiskotten Hall
Syracuse, NY 13210

Personal Interview

Invitations for a personal interview are issued only to those whose academic records and other qualifications appear sufficiently strong to justify more detailed study. The interview provides a means for both the school and the applicant to learn more about each other. It also provides an opportunity for discussion and clarification of information submitted on the application form regarding academic record, extracurricular interests, etc.

Application Procedures

The following procedures must be followed:

  • Submit a Transfer Application, and all required application materials no later than April 1st (tentative date).
    • The Transfer Application can be found in the drop down menu under graduate programs.
  • Submit a Personal Statement addressing your reasons for seeking transfer into SUNY Upstate’s College of Medicine.
  • A non-refundable application fee of $110 must be submitted with the application.
  • You must submit official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate and medical colleges attended.
  • You must forward an official letter of recommendation from your Health Professions Advisory Committee. In the absence of such a committee, letters from faculty members in two different premedical science (biology, chemistry, physics) departments under whom courses have been taken will be acceptable. You may also submit additional letters of recommendation from your medical school faculty.
  • Forward an official letter of recommendation from the Dean of Student Affairs at your medical school.
  • If you have completed a clinical experience in the United States, the person who supervised your work should forward a letter of recommendation to our College of Medicine.
  • Decisions will be sent out in mid April.
  • Clinical Orientation for admitted students for both the Syracuse and Binghamton Campus will take place in the the spring.

Accepted applicants are required to submit official score reports from USMLE Step 1. Acceptance to the third year is conditional upon receipt of a passing score by April 1 (tentative date).


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