MD Program - How to Apply
How Do I Apply to the MD Program?
We encourage students from diverse backgrounds who have strong potential for leadership and service in broad areas of patient care, research, medical education, administration, and service to apply to our program.
The education of a physician comprises a preparatory phase in college, a rigorous course of professional education leading to the MD degree, postgraduate or residency training, and lifelong continuing education after the conclusion of formal training.
The award of the MD degree signifies the individual has acquired a broad base of knowledge and skills requisite for the practice of medicine. The medical school educational process prepares an individual to be a humanistic, systems-ready, socially accountable physician who is adaptive, critical thinking, collaborative and scholarly.
What are the Admissions Requirements?
We seek well-rounded, high-performing students with a background in both the sciences and liberal arts.
See all admission requirements.
Applying and Interviewing With Us
We require an online application submitted through AMCAS and a secondary application for the College of Medicine. Applicants judged to be most qualified are invited for an interview mid-September through March.
See the detailed application timeline.
Accelerated Pathways and Combined Degrees
All students whose educational path includes an MD degree must apply through AMCAS and gain acceptance to the College of Medicine. Students interested in an accelerated pathway can indicate their preference in the secondary application provided by the College of Medicine. Students will be contacted by their respective program of interest post acceptance to complete a separate process for admission into that program. For most combined degree options, you must submit a separate application for the other degree to the school where it will be earned.
Essential Standards
We seek highly motivated students who aim to become patient-centric, empathetic physicians. Candidates must have demonstrable abilities and skills in the areas of perception and observation, communication, motor and tactile function, cognition, and professionalism.
Learn more about the essential standards for matriculation, promotion, and graduation.
International Applicants
Penn State College of Medicine does not accept applications from international candidates.
Transfer Students With Advanced Standing
Penn State College of Medicine does not accept transfer students with advanced standing due to a curriculum with unique and/or integrated required courses paired with customized experiential requirements. The curriculum is framed around four phases of study that do not coincide with a traditional academic calendar at other medical schools.
Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Campus Safety
Penn State College of Medicine is an equal-opportunity employer and accepts all qualified applications regardless of their gender, ethnic origin or religious background.
The College of Medicine is also committed to fostering an environment free from discrimination and harassment. Learn more about non-discrimination.
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and Pennsylvania Act of 1988 require that crime statistics for Pennsylvania colleges and universities be made available to applicants upon request. Learn more about campus safety and security.