Application Process

Due to our rolling admissions process, we encourage applicants to have all requirements submitted as soon as possible, but no later than the following dates:

• Early Decision: August 1
  (supporting materials are due by 9/1 and decisions begin in July)
• Regular MD: December 1
  (this includes all joint degree applications)
• Secondary Application: December 15
• Letters of Recommendation: December 15
• MCAT Scores: Applicants must take the MCAT by October

Application screening commences as soon as applicants have a completed application file. A completed file includes:

• Verified AMCAS Application
• Secondary Application (along with the paid fee or fee waiver)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Most recent MCAT results

We do not require the PREview or CASPer tests

AMCAS Applications are reviewed from July through March.  Due to our rolling admissions process, we encourage applicants to have all requirements submitted as soon as possible.

All applicants are required to complete and submit the NJMS Secondary Application, along with the $95 fee, by December 15 in order to be considered for review by the screening committee. The fee is waived for applicants who have been approved for the AMCAS Fee Assistance Program (FAP).

The NJMS Secondary Application offers applicants the opportunity to provide additional context and insight into their experiences, interests, and motivations—beyond what is captured in the primary application. It includes questions about special program interests and past participation in NJMS-sponsored pipeline initiatives.

Applicants are also asked to respond to reflective essay prompts that explore themes central to our school’s mission, such as resilience, integrity, collaboration, humanism in medicine, and the ability to engage with individuals from varied backgrounds and perspectives.

We encourage applicants to have letters of recommendation submitted via the AMCAS Letter Service as soon as possible. Our preferences are as follows:

• A pre-medical committee packet is preferred by the NJMS Admissions Committee
• If a pre-medical committee packet is not possible, we require a minimum of (2) science and (1) non-science letters from individuals able to assess the applicant's candidacy
• All applicants are required to submit academic letters of recommendation
• Applicants may submit supplemental letters beyond the requirements stated above
• Letters from principle investigators and/or employers may be submitted as supplemental letters

Exceptions to the above stated requirements can be made at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. In the event you are unable to submit the required letters, please email the admissions committee at: njmsapplicant@njms.rutgers.edu requesting approval for the letters you intend to submit.
For additional information on the AMCAS Letter Service, please visit: http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/amcasletters.htm.

Applicants must take the MCAT no later than October of the year of their application. We will consider requests to take the MCAT in January on a case-by-case basis, providing there are extenuating circumstances. Applicants seeking approval for a January MCAT to be considered should make a formal request by email explaining the circumstances for the request. This request should be emailed to: njmsapplicant@njms.rutgers.edu.

At NJMS, we take a comprehensive and mission-aligned approach to admissions. Our goal is to identify individuals who will contribute to our learning community, uphold the values of humanistic medicine, and serve the diverse needs of our patients and communities.

We consider a broad range of factors—including academic achievement, personal attributes, and lived experiences—to understand each applicant’s unique potential to thrive at NJMS and contribute meaningfully to the medical profession.

Rolling Screening & Review
Our screening process is rolling and begins once applications are complete and verified by AMCAS. Each application is reviewed in the context of our Mission, Vision, and Core Values, with careful attention to the individual strengths and perspectives each candidate brings.

All complete applications remain under active consideration for interview through mid-March. Selected applicants will receive interview invitations via email.

Considerations in our Review Process
Factors considered as part of our review process include, but are not limited to:

• Academic performance (GPA, course rigor, academic trends, and MCAT scores)
• Interpersonal skills, professionalism, and emotional intelligence
• Reflection and clarity in the decision to pursue a career in medicine
• Leadership, self-awareness, ethical behavior, and resilience
• Commitment to service, humanism, and meaningful extracurricular engagement
• Capacity to contribute to and benefit from a diverse, inclusive learning environment

Rutgers University is committed to equal opportunity and full compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
For information about Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Disability Services, please visit:  RBHS Office of Disability Services