Weill Cornell receives over 6,000 applications for 101 positions in the entering class. We interview around 700 applicants each year. For our Selection Criteria, click here
How do I apply?
All applicants must apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS.) Applications are online at http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm
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The deadline to submit the application is October 15.How do I get a Supplemental Application?
When we receive your verified application from AMCAS, we will send you an e-mail with instructions on how to access our Supplementary Application Form (SAF) on the web. The application fee is US$75.00. Access is only given to applicants whose verified application was transmitted to us by AMCAS.
How can I get a waiver of your application fee?
Fee waivers are automatically granted to applicants who have an AMCAS waiver (now obtained through the AAMC Fee Assistance Program). This information is forwarded to us by AMCAS. If you were not granted a fee waiver by AMCAS, you may send us a written request for a Weill Cornell fee waiver. You should explain in detail the reasons for the request and attach relevant documentation, as follows: a letter of support from your college's Financial Aid office; a copy of a current financial aid package; and a copy of your parents' and your last federal income tax return (if you filed). Each request will be considered on its individual merits.
Do you participate in an Early Decision (ED) program?
Yes. The Early Decision program allows highly qualified applicants to apply initially only to WCMC. The AMCAS deadline for the ED Program is August 1. If you apply to WCMC under this program, you must adhere to the tenets of the program. ED applicants will be notified of our admissions decision by October 1. If you are accepted, it is expected that you will enroll at WCMC. Under ED program guidelines, you may not apply to another medical school in the United States (AMCAS or non-AMCAS) unless we do not offer you acceptance by October 1 or we release you from the ED commitment.
How many letters of recommendation do I need to submit?
If your college has a pre-professional advisory committee, you must either submit a letter from this committee, or inform us in writing why you cannot obtain a committee letter. If you do not have a committee letter, we require two letters from individuals who know you personally well and have either taught you or been supervisors in a research lab or work/volunteer activity. Letters should be submitted through AMCAS.
Can I send letters from employers, doctors, current students, etc?
You may submit letters from other persons who know you and can appraise your qualifications for the practice of medicine, but these do not obviate the required letters of recommendation. We prefer letters from people who know you well.
Can I include additional documents with my application?
Yes. We will accept most materials that you send in support of your application. However, please limit the documents only to those that will give us extra insight about you as an individual. Do not send us reprints of published articles or copies of your senior thesis and/or research papers.
Should I send my transcripts as part of the application process?
No. We receive your official grades through AMCAS and there is no need to send us your transcripts directly. However, be sure that your official transcripts are sent to AMCAS within their deadline (their web site is www.aamc.org)
What courses are required for admission? Is there a lab requirement?
We require at least 24 semester credit hours in the sciences, including two semesters each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics; and at least 6 semester credits in English composition or literature. While there is no specific lab requirement, we believe that a rigorous laboratory experience is essential to a thorough basic training in scientific concepts and methods. Prerequisite courses in biology must have been taken within 5 years of application.
Do you accept AP credits for prerequisites?
We do accept AP credits for prerequisites. However, for English we require that you take one additional semester. For biology and chemistry, we recommend that you take two additional semesters of an advanced college-level course.
If I haven't completed my prerequisites, can I still apply?
Yes, but all prerequisites should be completed by January 31 of the year for which admission is sought.
Can I take my prerequisite courses at a Community College?
It is not recommended.
Do you require an undergraduate degree?
An undergraduate degree is not a prerequisite for acceptance or matriculation. However, most applicants will have completed or be completing a bachelor's or higher degree before they begin the application process.
What are the oldest MCAT scores you accept?
Scores should not be older than 3 years at time of application. Your application is not complete until we receive MCAT scores. The latest date you can take the test and still be considered for admission is September of the calendar year in which you are applying.
If I took an MCAT more than 3 years ago, will you still consider my application?
If your scores are over 3 years old, please send us a letter or e-mail explaining why you waited to apply to medical school, and why you have not retaken the test.
Can I attend an open house?
We do not hold open houses.
Can I speak with an admissions counselor?
Due to the large number of applications we receive, we do not provide individual counseling. However, we will try to answer your questions. For individual counseling, we recommend that you meet with your premedical advisor at your college.
If I am not accepted, can you tell me why?
Again, due to the large number of applications we receive, we are not able to provide individual information of this sort.
Do you give a preference to New York State residents?
We do not give preference in admissions to residents of any state. Furthermore, tuition and fees are the same for all students.
Do I need to be a science major?
No. We place a premium on diversity among fields of study, and many of our students are liberal arts majors. We do recommend that non-science majors take at least 2 terms of a basic science beyond the introductory level.
How long does it take to hear a decision from you?
The evaluation process starts soon after an application is complete (SAF, fee or waiver, MCAT scores and letters of recommendation have been received). Since we screen each applicant individually, the process may take from several weeks to a couple of months. We go by date of completion and there are a large number of applications. Patience is of the essence.
Do you consider foreign students or graduates from a foreign university?
We welcome applications to the first year class from international students. There are, however, two separate issues that international students need to consider:
- Cost: Financial aid is offered only to those applicants who are US citizens or permanent residents of the US. Persons who are not US citizens or permanent residents must either pay for four years of tuition in advance, or deposit this sum in an escrow account (approximately US$160,000.00 in 2007). Canadian citizens are exempted from this requirement.
- Prior educational experience: We strongly encourage you to complete a minimum of one year of full time course work at an American college and to take courses in chemistry (organic and general), physics, biology and/or English before applying to medical school. If you have not completed the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree abroad, you should work towards doing so in the U.S. This gives you and us a perspective on how well you could do at an American Medical College, and thus a basis of comparison with other applicants. We suggest this even if you have completed all or part of a medical school curriculum abroad and even if you have obtained your permanent resident status.
Do you consider Canadian applicants for admission?
Yes, we welcome applications from Canadian citizens. As a private medical college, citizenship and/or residency are not factors considered in the admission process. However, if accepted, Canadian citizens who are not permanent residents of the US, are not eligible for any financial aid. Financial aid is offered only to those applicants who are US citizens or permanent residents of the US.
Does Weill Cornell have rolling admissions?
No. Most acceptances are announced in March, after all interviews have been completed. At that time we also establish a wait list. As spring progresses, offers of admission are extended periodically to students on the wait list.
Do you have a 7 or 8 year program?
No, we don't.
How do I apply to the MD/PhD (MSTP) Program?
On your AMCAS application you must designate "Combined MD-PhD Program". Information on the program may be obtained at www.med.cornell.edu/mdphd. Please note that the Tri-Institutional MD/PhD program has different deadlines. You may contact them at 746-6023 or mdphd@med.cornell.edu.
If I am rejected from the MD/PhD (MSTP) Program, will I still be considered for the M.D. Program?
If you are rejected from the MD/PhD program, the program will forward your application and supplemental materials to us at the Medical College Office of Admissions. Applicants who remain seriously interested in the regular MD program should confirm their interest by notifying the Office of Admissions.
If I am applying to the MD/PhD program, should I have my letters of recommendation sent to both the regular MD office as well as the MD/PhD office?
Letters must be submitted through AMCAS. AMCAS then transmits them electronically to us (both MD and MD/PhD offices).
Does Weill Cornell have an international electives program?
Yes. Weill Cornell is a leader in international study opportunities. Such programs typically involve clinical care and/or research in developing nations. Each year, between a third and a half of the fourth-year class participates in clinical care and research in South America, the Caribbean, Africa, South Asia, and East Asia. Increasing numbers of students have also received funding for international electives during the summer between first and second year of medical school.
Do you accept transfer students?
If a vacancy occurs in the third year class, students may be admitted with advanced standing. To be considered you must be matriculated as a second year medical student at an LCME accredited medical school, and must be in good standing. Your qualifications must be comparable to those of WCMC students, and you must have compelling personal circumstances that favor transfer. Examples of compelling personal circumstances include marriage to a person in New York City, ill family members in New York City, etc. Positions are extremely limited. No transfers have been accepted since 2003.
If you wish to apply to WCMC with advanced standing, please contact the Admissions Office in February of the calendar year in which you wish to transfer. You will need to submit a formal application, official transcripts of all prior academic work, two letters of recommendation from medical school faculty members, and a letter of good academic standing from the Dean of Academic and/or Student Affairs.
How much is your tuition?
Tuition and fees (07-08) $40,890.00
Are students guaranteed housing?
All students are guaranteed housing. First-year students who are not married typically live in individual dormitory type rooms. Students in subsequent years, as well as first year students who qualify for family housing (married students, domestic partners), are eligible for housing in studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments in two WCMC owned buildings in the neighborhood.
Important Dates
| August 1 | AMCAS application due for Early Decision |
| October 15 | AMCAS application due for all other applicants |
| October 15 | completed application due for MD/PhD program |
| November 15 | completed application due for Regular MD program |
| Early March | class selected |
| Mid April | accepted students revisit weekend |
| May 15 | tuition deposit ($100) to hold a place in the entering class due |
| May 15 | only one medical school acceptance may be held |
| June 1 | deadline for accepted students to request deferment |
| August (3rd week) | matriculation and orientation; classes begin |
