Application Procedure
The University of Arizona College of Medicine participates in the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS). Persons seeking admission to the entering class must process their applications through AMCAS, even if this is the only school to which they apply. There is a single application for the University of Arizona College of Medicine that will be used for admission to both our Tucson and Phoenix Campuses.
Applicants should apply only if they are ready to matriculate in August, 2008.
Those wishing to make application for the class entering in 2008 should follow the steps outlined below:
APRIL 1 TO NOVEMBER 1, 2007
- Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Make arrangements to take the MCAT prior to application. The September 11, 2007 MCAT will be the latest administration of the examination considered for the 2007/2008 application cycle.
- Complete the AMCAS application. Follow instructions included at the AAMC AMCAS website and submit the application electronically. The University of Arizona College of Medicine deadline for applications is November 1, 2007. You must request that the registrar forward official transcripts directly to the AMCAS office by November 1, 2007 for every junior college, college and university you have attended. All transcripts should arrive before your application reaches the AMCAS office since no processing of your materials will be performed until both the application materials and all required official transcripts are received by AMCAS. In your instructions to AMCAS, you designate the medical schools to which you wish to apply and pay a fee based on the number of those schools. Even if you have previously applied to this school, or any other school under AMCAS, you must submit an entirely new application and transcripts each year.
- Notification of receipt of application. You will receive notice by e-mail from AMCAS. The AMCAS application constitutes the preliminary application to this College of Medicine.
- Initial screening of applications. We will consider only applicants with a total MCAT score of 21 or higher. Applicants who fall below this standard, will be immediately informed of their status upon receipt of the AMCAS application by our office and will be encouraged to retake the MCAT up to September 8, 2007. For applicants who meet this standard, additional screening criteria specific to the Tucson and Phoenix campuses may be used.
- Receipt of supplementary materials. Those who pass the initial screening process will receive supplementary materials that are specific to The University of Arizona College of Medicine. These materials should be returned directly to the Admissions Office, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona. There is a non-refundable $75 application fee due at this time. Do not send any of this material to AMCAS.
- Letters of Recommendation. Applicants are asked to have three letters of recommendation submitted from individuals who know them well and can attest to their fitness for the medical profession. Applicants who submit a composite preprofessional committee letter from their school may submit two additional letters of recommendation but are not required to do so.
- Invitation to appear for personal interview. All applicants receiving supplementary materials will be contacted by e-mail regarding interviews. All interviews are conducted on a one-to-one basis. Interviewers are asked to evaluate the applicant's overall desirability as a future physician. The interviewers also attempt to gain some insight into the applicant's character. They forward their impressions to the Admissions Office for inclusion in the applicant's file.
Applicants will be invited for interviews between mid-September and late-January. All appointments are made by the Admissions Office. Since the personal interviews are an integral part of the admission process, no application can be considered without them. Interviews are conducted around the winter holiday period primarily for applicants attending schools outside Arizona.
- Campus Selection. After applicants have completed their interviews, they will submit a Campus Preference Form on which they will rank order their preference for assignment to either the Tucson or Phoenix Campus. This preference will not influence the chance of acceptance for any applicant as the Admissions Committee will not see this information.
- Notification that file is complete. The Admissions Office will periodically review all files and notify you if any materials are missing. We strongly recommend that you submit all necessary materials needed to complete your file prior to December 31, 2007. Files not completed by January 31, 2008 will be withdrawn from consideration. After all requested materials have been received and you have had your interviews, you will be notified that your application is complete.
By MARCH 15, 2008
- Notification of action by the Admissions Committee. Accepted applicants will be notified by e-mail and U.S. mail before March 15.
- Accepted applicants must submit a letter of intent within two weeks to retain their place in the class. No deposit is required. Accepted applicants are encouraged to withdraw their application from medical schools of lower preference. Many well-qualified students are on the Alternate List each year and it is the obligation of each accepted applicant to give notice of withdrawal upon making a decision to go elsewhere, in order to give those not yet selected the opportunity to compete for a vacancy in the class.
AFTER MARCH 15, 2008
- An applicant holding a position on the Alternate List may receive an acceptance at any time prior to matriculation if a place becomes available.
- Final acceptance for enrollment for all accepted applicants is contingent upon continued satisfactory level of academic and personal performance, completion of required course work by the end of the Spring Semester, and all other requirements. Certified WICHE acceptees (Montana and Wyoming) must provide evidence of full and uninterrupted funding from their state of origin. Failure to meet these conditions will be cause for withdrawal of the acceptance.
- All accepted applicants are expected to start in the fall of the year they are accepted. Requests for a one year deferral of matriculation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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