The UMass Chan Medical School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, national origin, covered veteran status, disability, ancestry or any other characteristic protected by law in employment, admissions, participation in its programs, services and activities, and selection of vendors who provide services or products to UMass Chan Medical School. Further, UMass Chan Medical School is firmly committed to ensuring that all who work, study, visit or seek treatment here may do so in an environment free of harassment and/or discrimination. 

Further information is available on the Diversity and Inclusion website. 

Questions concerning this notice can be directed to the Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion. Questions concerning Title IX may be directed to the designated campus Title IX Officer. Either can be reached at: 

UMass Chan Medical School 
55 Lake Avenue North (S1-710)   
Worcester, MA 01655 
Phone: 508 856-2179 
Fax: 508 856-1810 

Applications for admission to the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at the UMass Chan Medical School must be submitted online through the American Medical College Application Service. (AMCAS). Please review application submission deadlines for the MD and MD/PhD programs.  

Applicants are encouraged to apply early! 

AMCAS requires 4 to 6 weeks to verify applications. Submission of applications to AMCAS by the MD and MD/PhD program deadlines does not guarantee that the application will reach us in time for applicants to complete secondary forms by the posted deadlines. Extensions will not be granted for late applications.

The Admissions Committee will review completed applications when all supporting documents have been received:

• Verified AMCAS application
  • Use of third parties, companies or professional services for writing personal statements is strongly discouraged and considered a breach of ethical conduct. Contracting with such services would not be considered compatible with ethical standards in the practice of medicine.

• Letters of Recommendation:
  • Letters of recommendation are an important part of your application. Individuals who you select to write letters of recommendation for you should know you well and should be knowledgeable of the challenges of medical school. Each recommender should write about you in a personal and specific way that highlights attributes or competencies expected of students entering medical school. The Chan School of Medicine Admissions Committee will accept 3 to 6 letters.
  • A composite premed committee letter is expected when a committee letter is available to you from your undergraduate institution. Applicants who do not submit a committee letter should explain in our secondary application why a committee letter was not provided. Additional letters (see below) can be submitted.
  • If a pre-med committee letter is not available at your institution, please submit letters from:
    • Two biology, chemistry, biochemistry or physics professors. These individuals should know you well enough to comment on your personal attributes.
    • Additional letters may be written by mentors, advisors and supervisors from academic, research, employment, volunteer and service opportunities.
  • Letters from family members and friends are not recommended. 
  • If you are enrolled in or have completed a post baccalaureate or graduate program in biomedical sciences, a letter from the program director is expected in lieu of the undergraduate letter requirements.  
  • If you are applying to our MD/PhD program, please provide letters from a minimum of two most recent research supervisors for a maximum of five letters.  Applicants may exceed the six letter maximum if the additional letters are from research supervisors.
  • Applicants should send all letters of recommendation directly to the AMCAS Letter Service, which will forward the letters to the Admissions Office electronically through our application deadline. AMCAS will accept letters from users of VirtualEvals, Interfolio, and via the US Postal System. If you have a question about whether or not your advising office uses VirtualEvals, please contact your undergraduate advising office.  
    • Letter submitted after the application deadline should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the letter writer.
  • When we have received all letters from all letter writers listed on the AMCAS application we will mark the letters portion of the online checklist as complete. Please allow at least 2 weeks processing time.

• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) exam results  
  • • Applications will not be considered complete until scores from the last expected MCAT date on the AMCAS application are received. Chan School of Medicine will accept scores for tests taken up to three years prior to the time of application. We will accept and consider MCAT scores from Jan. 1, 2019 to Sept., 2022 for 2023 matriculation.  

• T.H. Chan School of Medicine Secondary Application Forms
  • Upon receipt of the AMCAS verified application, all applicants are sent an email with directions for completing the online secondary form:
    • Supplemental Form (includes a series of short essays)
    • Residency Validation form: Please review the Massachusetts Residency Classification to determine if you qualify for in-state tuition and fees. Applicants who wish to be considered for in-state tuition and fees must complete the Residency Validation Form. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, Canadian citizens or permanent residents or have approved DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status.
    • PhD Information Release Authorization (for applicants to the MD/PhD program only)
    • Application to the Population-based Urban and Rural Community Health (PURCH) Track, if appropriate.
    • Technical Standards Acknowledgement

• Application Fee
  • MD program applicants must submit a non-refundable $100 application fee. Payment must be submitted online (through the Oracle portal) or via personal or bank check or money order mailed to the Office of Admissions. Please write your AMCAS ID# on your check. This fee is waived for MD/PhD program applicants. We will waive our $100 application fee if you are granted an AMCAS fee waiver. 

Completed Applications

• • Completed applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee, which is comprised of faculty representing various disciplines from the basic and clinical sciences and four medical students. The University adheres strictly to all applicable state and federal regulations relating to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.
    • We employ a rolling admissions process whereby applicants are reviewed by the Admissions Committee throughout the admissions cycle and are notified as soon as a decision has been made.  
  • Interviews
    • Interviews are by invitation only and are typically held between September and March. Applicants (MD and MD/PhD) will experience the multiple mini interview (MMI) in Worcester. PURCH Track applicants will also be required to visit the UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate campus in Springfield, MA for a separate round of interviews. MD/PhD applicants will also participate in PhD/Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences interviews. 

Academic requirements for applying to the T.H.Chan School of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School are outlined below. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university located in the US or Canada is required. All applicants must have obtained their degree prior to matriculation into the Chan School of Medicine.

TIME FRAME:

Required science coursework should be completed within six years prior to the Chan School of Medicine application and in a classroom-based setting. Recent graduates, up to 3 years prior to application, would still meet the time frame for completing pre-requisite courses. Exceptions may be made for applicants who worked in or studied biomedical sciences after college graduation on a case by case basis.

Applicants enrolled in a professional or graduate school program must be in the terminal year of the degree program to be considered for admission to the Chan School of Medicine. Applicants are expected to complete the academic program in which they are enrolled at any time during the application process and prior to possible Chan School of Medicine matriculation. Individuals who have previously matriculated at another medical school are not eligible to apply to UMass Chan Medical School. 

GRADING:

All required coursework must be evaluated by traditional grading and not by a pass/fail system.

Coursework completed in the Spring, Summer and/or Fall 2020 semester can be pass/fail of no other option was provided by your academic institution due to the pandemic. Coursework elected as pass/fail is not accepted. You will be asked to explain such circumstances as part of our secondary application.

Advanced placement (AP) credit in required coursework is accepted, however, the credit awarded must be stated on the transcript and AMCAS application. Upper level undergraduate science coursework is encouraged, especially for applicants who received AP credit for required courses. International Baccalaureate (IB) credits will be accepted for the English requirement if stated on the transcript and AMCAS application. IB credits will not be accepted for any math or science required coursework. CLEP credit may not be used to satisfy these requirements.

SETTING:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete requirements in a classroom-based setting at their four-year degree granting institution during the academic school year. Online coursework at your home/graduating institution is accepted. However, classroom-based coursework and labs are strongly preferred. You will be asked to explain such circumstances, including those related to COVID, as part of our secondary application.

CLARIFICATIONS:

Applicants who are attending/have attended a college or university on a quarter system should complete at least 3 quarters to meet our 1 year/2 semester requirement for all prerequisite coursework.  

Precalculus will not be accepted as part of our 1 semester of calculus requirement.

Courses in the humanities and social sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology) are strongly encouraged. Although most applicants are science or math majors, no major is preferred.

FOREIGN GRADUATES:

Applicants who have graduated from a foreign college or university must have completed a minimum of one full year of study in biomedical sciences at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to submitting their application to the Chan School of Medicine.    

The year of study may include completion of:

• Required courses listed below. Foreign graduates applying post-undergraduate school must complete required courses at an accredited US or Canadian college. 
• Post-Baccalaureate Program in Biomedical Sciences
• Terminal degree (Master’s, PhD) in Biomedical Sciences

All applicants are required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Arrangements for taking the MCAT, requesting test reports, and information concerning administration, scoring and processing of the test should be directed to the MCAT office.

Selection of applicants for the medical school class entering in a given calendar year will be based, in part, on MCAT scores acquired during the previous three calendar years.

For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle (entering class of 2023):

• Oldest MCAT considered: January 2019
• Latest MCAT considered: September 2022

Selection of alternates may include consideration of MCAT scores acquired in the same calendar year. Applicants must list the last date that they plan to take the MCAT on their AMCAS application.

MCAT results must be received by the Office of Admissions by September 1* to be considered for early decision.

*September 1st or the next business day if 9/1 falls on a weekend or holiday.

A strong applicant who is interested in applying only to the T.H. Chan School of Medicine may wish to submit an Early Decision application. An applicant who does not receive an offer of acceptance through Early Decision will automatically be considered with the general pool of candidates for possible acceptance at a later date.

Early Decision applications must be received by AMCAS by August 1 and complete in the Office of Admissions by September 1 of the year prior to matriculation. For the class entering in 2023, the early decision deadline is September 1, 2022.

MCAT results must be received by the Office of Admissions by September 1 to be considered for Early Decision. For the class entering in 2023, MCAT scores must be received by the early decision deadline, which is September 1, 2022. Applicants should schedule their MCAT exams in time for results to be received by our office by the deadline. Applicants must also list the last date that they will be taking the MCAT exam on the AMCAS application; additional MCAT results will be accepted for early decision applicants not selected for Early Decision.

Final decisions regarding Early Decision acceptance will be made by October 1*.

*October 1st or next business day if 10/1 falls on a weekend or holiday.

Multiple Mini Interviews

Invited applicants will experience the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) style of interview. Applicants will participate in a circuit of eight independent short interview stations. They review a scenario for two minutes and then meet with a rater to discuss the scenario for six minutes. The applicant then moves to the next station and a new rater. The rater then provides an assessment of their interaction with the applicant. The station scenarios do not test or assess scientific knowledge but instead focus on issues such as communication, ethics, critical thinking, teamwork and opinions on health care issues.

Check out the New York Times article highlighting the power of the MMI and learn more about the process. 

Interviews are by invitation of the Admissions Committee and are arranged at a mutually convenient time. MD applicants interview during scheduled one-day events and MD/PhD applicants interview during scheduled two-day events. Interviews are held on campus in the iCELS area of the Albert Sherman Center. PURCH Track applicants will also be invited to interview at UMass Chan-Baystate in Springfield, MA. Applicants will be advised of their check-in times. MD Applicants should plan on the day ending at approximately 5 p.m. Interview day will include an orientation prior to the MMI, an overview of our admissions process and curriculum and financial aid presentations. Applicants will have the opportunity to meet current medical students who will provide information about student life at UMass Chan and give a tour of our state-of-the-art facilities. 

Due to the complex nature of the MMI, if an applicant arrives late or misses the start of the interviews, the applicant will have to return on another date to complete the MMI. Directions to UMass Chan Medical School can be found here. 

MMI Scenario Example

Since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak most health care institutions have put into place rigid visitor policies that allow a limited number of visitors to visit patients and only during specified hours of the day. In many health care institutions, a common restriction has been a limit of two visitors at a time during a six hour period each day. Initially, staff and health care organizations were very satisfied with visitor policies. However, patients, families and patient advocates launched multiple complaints regarding the restrictive visitor policies.

Consider the viewpoints both supporting and opposing restrictive visitor policies and discuss these with the interviewer.

The Chan School of Medicine’s admission policy promotes the UMass Chan Medical School mission by offering a quality, accessible medical education to those qualified applicants who will best serve health care needs through medical practice, public service, education and research.

A committee comprising of representative faculty members and medical students determines selection for admission. A number of factors are carefully considered in the committee’s review of each applicant’s qualifications and in the selection of a matriculating class that will represent a broad and diverse spectrum of individuals, backgrounds and interests. These factors include, but are not restricted to, the following:

• Prior academic performance
• Content and breadth of scholastic preparation
• Standardized test performance (MCAT)
• Service activities which indicate an ability to work with people in a helping role. Many of our applicants have an interest in participating in medical experiences abroad.  We advise you to review the AAMC Guidelines for Premedical and Medical Students Providing Patient Care During Clinical Experiences Abroad. 
• A baccalaureate degree from a U.S. or Canadian accredited undergraduate school
  • Applicants with a foreign bachelor's degree must complete at least one year of study in the U.S. or Canada prior to applying.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident, Canadian citizen or permanent resident or approved DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status  
• Attributes that contribute to the diversity of the class, including, but not limited to, socio-economic background, educational background, work experience, nationality, languages spoken, ethnicity, race, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Also considered in diversity are students from disadvantaged backgrounds and resiliency in terms of positive capacity to cope with stress and adversity
• Extracurricular accomplishments
• Oral communication and interpersonal skills as documented in letters of support and in the interview
• Written communication skills as determined by academic performance, standardized testing and materials submitted in the application package
• Achievement in scientific research and/or medically related service
• Evidence of motivation and preparedness for medicine
• Attributes and values deemed necessary for physicians, including honesty, altruism, compassion, flexibility, maturity, intellectual curiosity, self-awareness, ability for self-directed learning and ability to work as a member of a team

In consideration of these factors described above, the UMass Chan Medical School encourages students to pursue a pre-medical education of considerable breadth including such coursework as English literature and composition, foreign languages, history, economics, ethics and the fine arts. All students must complete the coursework identified on the Academic Requirements webpage and demonstrate a strong performance in the biological and physical sciences as a sound foundation for pursuing further study in the medical sciences.

No single program can be recommended as the best or preferred plan of study. Candidates are, therefore, encouraged to select educational programs that best reflect individual interests and aptitudes. Whenever possible, advanced study in a field of interest is encouraged, with particular emphasis on activities involving independent study.

Students who are granted advanced placement credits for coursework taken in secondary school are advised to take additional college level programs in these subject areas.

Acceptances

With the exception of Early Decision, acceptances will be offered on or after October 15, per AMCAS traffic rules, until the class is full. Applicants selected for admission will be notified by the associate dean for admissions and the Office of Admissions via email. Applicants will be expected to either accept or reject this offer within two weeks or by the timeframe noted in their acceptance letter, whichever is shortest. Failure to respond to an acceptance offer within the time frame may result in revocation of the offer. 

Applicants are offered a provisional acceptance and are subject to a criminal background check (CBC). If the CBC reveals some prior contact with the criminal justice system, the applicant will be offered a full opportunity to respond. Provisional acceptances may (or may not) be withdrawn pending the school's review of that history and the applicant's response. The school has a process that governs these matters.

Per AMCAS traffic rules and the Chan School of Medicine guidelines:

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to hold no more than three acceptances after April 15^th.                                                                             
• All applicants who are holding multiple acceptances by 4/30* are expected to select one school to continue holding their place.
  • If UMass Chan Medical School is the applicant’s selected school, he/she is required to set their status to “Plan to Enroll” at UMass Chan Medical School.
  • Applicants that are confident in their decision and are committed to attending UMass Chan Medical School are encouraged to designate UMass Chan Medical School as the institution in which they ‘Commit to Enroll’.
• All accepted applicants must select ‘Commit to Enroll’ to UMass Chan Medical School on or before July 15.
  • Applicants who do not commit to enroll at UMass Chan Medical School by the deadline may have their acceptance rescinded.

“Plan to Enroll” does not prevent an applicant from being accepted or offered a waitlist position by another medical school. Selecting “Commit to Enroll”  for an institution results in AMCAS notifying all medical schools in which the applicant is holding an acceptance or waitlist offer. The expectation of committing to enroll is that the applicant will also follow up in writing with all other schools to withdraw their application from consideration and not entertain any future offers of acceptance or waitlist. UMass Medical School admissions staff will contact applicants who are noncompliant with this requirement.  

Once all places in the class have been filled, the remaining applicants will be so notified. Thereafter, a list of alternates will be prepared. In the event that an enrolled student withdraws prior to matriculation, a replacement will be selected from the list of alternates. An applicant placed on the alternate list will be so informed and requested to indicate whether s/he wishes to remain on the wait list.

An applicant who initially accepts a place and later decides to withdraw is expected to inform the Office of Admissions promptly so that another candidate may be offered a position. Withdrawals after acceptances should be processed by the applicant within the PeopleSoft application system.

*April 30th or next business day if 4/30 is a weekend or holiday.

Deferral

The T.H. Chan School of Medicine at the UMass Chan Medical School discourages granting of deferrals except in cases of medical emergency or events of comparable significance. Requests for deferrals must be submitted directly to the associate dean for admissions and will be considered on an individual basis.

Withdrawals

Applicants are expected to notify the Office of Admissions of their decision to withdraw their application from consideration. Applicants can choose to withdraw their application at anytime; prior to a decision being made or after being accepted.

Withdrawals after acceptance should be processed by the applicant within the PeopleSoft application system.

Applicants who have not yet received a final decision can also submit their withdrawal via the PeopleSoft system's Application Action tile. Applicants can also email the Office of Admissions of their decision to withdraw their application, including their AMCAS ID at admissions@umassmed.edu.

Technical Standards for Admission, Continuation and Graduation

Introduction:

The mission of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at the UMass Chan Medical School is to graduate skilled and effective physicians. The Chan School of Medicine selects applicants who are deemed best qualified to complete the curriculum and are considered most likely to become successful physicians. Applicants are selected for admission based not only on their scholastic achievement and abilities, but also on their intellectual, physical and emotional capacities to meet the standards of the curriculum and to have a successful career in medicine. The Chan School of Medicine requires that the curriculum provide a general education in medicine enabling each graduate to pursue residency training in all disciplines of medicine.  This requires the development of broad knowledge, skills, and behaviors, ongoing self-directed learning, and delivery of safe, competent medical care.

The Chan School of Medicine will consider for admission any applicant who meets its academic criteria, and can meet the Chan School of Medicine Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Technical Standards are listed and described below. Applicants who have questions about whether they meet the Technical Standards are advised to review these standards with their healthcare providers prior to application to the Chan School of Medicine. The use of a human intermediary to meet these technical standards means that a student’s judgment is guided by another person’s powers of observation and interpretation. Students are, therefore, not permitted to use such intermediaries in meeting the technical standards of UMass Chan Medical's Chan School of Medicine.

The following technical standards specify attributes necessary for completing medical school training, enabling each graduate to subsequently enter residency training and clinical practice. These standards describe the essential functions students must meet in order to fulfill the requirements of an undergraduate medical education, and thus, are pre-requisites for entrance, continuation, advancement, retention, and graduation from medical school. Deficiencies in meeting these technical standards may jeopardize the student’s academic standing and/or compromise the provision of high quality patient care and, as such, may be grounds for dismissal from the school.

Certain chronic or recurrent illnesses can interfere with safe patient care and may not be compatible with medical practice or training.  Any student who is or becomes a carrier of blood borne pathogens [including but not limited to Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV)] must read the addendum and acknowledge the policy statement on blood-borne pathogens appended to this document.  Other conditions that may lead to a high likelihood of debilitating conditions or illnesses should also be carefully considered before committing to a clinical career.

Technical Standards:

A student must possess aptitude, abilities and skills in five areas:

1. Observation
2. Communication
3. Sensory and Motor Coordination
4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
5. Professionalism:  Behavioral and Social Attributes

1. Observation

Students must be able to make accurate observations in both the clinical sciences and basic sciences.  Such observations may include, but are not limited to:

• participation in anatomic dissection of preserved tissues and cadavers,
• microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states,
• demonstrations in the classroom or online including slides, films, and videos,
• discernment of signs of illness, discomfort and emotional state through direct observations of patients,
• measurements associated with competent use of bedside diagnostic equipment, such as, but not limited to, the sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope and otoscope, and
• diagnostic tests.

2. Communication

Students must be able to relate effectively and sensitively with patients and family members of all genders, ages, races, life-styles, sexual orientations, political, cultural and religious backgrounds. Students must be able to convey a sense of compassion, empathy and respect. Students must be able to communicate with faculty, supervisors and other members of the health care team. Communication includes:

• verbal and non-verbal communication with patients in order to elicit accurate histories,
• preparation of oral and written presentations about patients’ problems and medical conditions,
• communication of complex findings, interpretations and recommendations to patients, family members and other members of the health care team,
• recognition of emotional states such as sadness, worry, agitation and lack of comprehension of physician communication,
• communication with patients and family members through translators when appropriate,
• reading and recording observations, assessments and plans legibly in electronic and paper patient records and in other communications with colleagues,
• maintenance of computer skills to access patient records and medical information, and to record information in patient records, and
• accurate and timely response to pages, emails, and other communications from other members of the health care team, faculty, administrators, mentors, course directors, deans, or educational leaders.

3. Sensory and Motor Coordination or Function

Students must  have the gross and fine motor skills required to competently perform and accurately interpret information from the complete physical examination any patient of all genders, utilizing palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. 

• This requires the ability to accurately observe and to process visual, auditory, exteroceptive (smell, touch, pain and temperature) and proprioceptive (position, pressure, movement, stereognosis, and vibratory) phenomena.
• Students must have the ability to handle medical instruments and equipment with precision.
• Under supervision, a student must respond promptly to medical emergencies and function appropriately as a member the medical team.
• Students must able to tolerate physically taxing workloads, long work hours, and able to stand for several hours at a time. 

4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, judgment, and synthesis. The medical student must possess these intellectual abilities in order to be skilled in clinical reasoning and problem solving. In addition, the medical student is expected to: 

• process important findings from history, physical examination and laboratory data in order to develop a reasoned explanation for patients’ differential diagnoses,
• comprehend three dimensional and spatial relationships of structures,
• under supervision, integrate information and develop a cost-effective diagnostic and management plan,
• deal simultaneously with several problems and/or tasks and properly triage the work at hand,
• identify and communicate the limits of their knowledge to others when appropriate,
• assimilate new information from peers, teachers, and the medical literature in formulating diagnoses and plans, and
• possess good judgment and effective teamwork in patient care, and course assignments.

5. Professionalism: Behavioral and Social Attributes

Students must always conduct themselves with the highest standards of professionalism as expected by patients, peers, faculty and those in the various healthcare professions.  Students must act with integrity and honesty in all interactions, both in the classroom and in clinical settings.  They must possess those intellectual, ethical, physical and emotional capabilities required to undertake the full curriculum and to achieve the competencies required by the faculty. In addition, the student must consistently demonstrate the capacity for accountability and responsibility expected of a physician.

Consistent with the qualities of professionalism expected of a physician, students who matriculate in the Chan School of Medicine must:

• demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills,
• exercise sound judgment,
• be consistently punctual for all required activities,
• demonstrate respect for individuals and forming effective relationships with patients of all ages, gender, heritage, sexual orientation, cultural and religious backgrounds,
• demonstrate cultural sensitivity,
• possess emotional stability in stressful situations,
• respond to emails, phone calls, pages etc. in a timely manner,
• maintain the highest professional standards on social media,
• assure the confidentiality of patient information,
• abide by all rules, regulations and policies of the school and clinical training sites, student handbook and honor code,
• accept constructive feedback from others and take responsibility for actions and make appropriate, positive changes,
• engage in respectful, timely and effective communication
• work effectively, respectfully and professionally as part of educational and healthcare teams, and with peers, supervisors and faculty,
• demonstrate motivation to learn in all settings,
• demonstrate empathy and concern for others, and
• show compassion for patients while maintaining appropriate boundaries for professional relationships.

Students must function effectively under stress and possess adequate endurance to successfully meet their academic and clinical responsibilities. Students must be able to successfully adapt to changing environments and situations demonstrating necessary flexibility. They must learn to function in the setting of patient care and in the face of uncertainties inherent in the practice of medicine. Students must also be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and long work hours.

Maintaining the standards of professionalism is an essential component of patient care and the practice of medicine. Student violations of the standards of professionalism may lead to dismissal from the Chan School of Medicine.

Updated October 2017

Transfer requests are considered when there is capacity for additional MD students to the Chan School of Medicine third year class. Transfer requests are considered only for compelling family-related or humanitarian reasons, only for entrance into the core clinical experiences (third) year of medical school and only for the MD program. Capacity will be posted annually on this website by November 30.

UPDATE: We have determined that we do not have any space available to consider transfer applicants for the entering third year class in 2022.    

When there is capacity, transfer applicants must be currently in good standing at an LCME accredited medical school. Transfers only occur for the first block of the third year in the UMass Chan Medical School curriculum. To request a transfer application please contact the Chan School of Medicine Office of Admissions at 508-856-2323 or email: admissions@umassmed.edu 

Transfers applicants must take the USMLE Step 1 by April 1^st and have passed Step 1 before matriculation in to Block 1A.

Transfer applicants must submit the following to the SOM Office of Admissions by January 31^st:  

• Copy of the original American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application  
• Chan School of Medicine secondary application
• Official transcript of the applicant’s medical school grades and narrative comments from all courses as well as official transcripts from all schools listed on the AMCAS application
• Letter of recommendation from the Dean of Students of the applicant’s current medical school attesting to the applicant’s good standing status.
• Step 1 exam registration and/or scores. Transfers applicants must take the USMLE Step 1 by April 1^st and have passed Step 1 before matriculation in to Block 1A.
• $100 application fee in (check or money order) payable to the UMass Chan Medical School.
• Mail fee to the following address:

Office of Admissions - T.H. Chan School of Medicine
UMass Chan Medical School
S1-300
55 Lake Ave North
Worcester, MA 01655

Transfer Timeline (when applications are accepted):

Transfer Process	Entering Third Year Class of 202-
Transfer Application Opens (if spots available)	October 31, 202-
Transfer Application Deadline; all application materials must be received by this date	January 31, 202-
Transfer Applicant Interviews	February 202-
Deadline to take USMLE Step 1	April 1, 202-
Transfer Applicant Decisions	On or before April 15, 202-

 Please note the following:

• Interview invitations are extended after review of all required application materials.
• Acceptances are conditional upon a passing USMLE Step 1 score
• The applicant must respond to the Chan School of Medicine Admissions Committee provisional offer of acceptance offer within 7 calendar of the offer.
• The accepted applicant must withdraw from his/her current institution so that UMass Chan Medical School can transfer-in the student in the AAMC Student Records database.

Given the integrated model for our courses and curricular framework, requests for advanced standing (transfer of credits) will be considered on a case by case basis. Under the oversight of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, requests for advanced standing (transfer of credits) in a given course will be reviewed by the respective curriculum committee and subject to approval by the designated course co-leaders.

Requests for advanced standing should be directed to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education.

Students are conditionally accepted, in part, pending a satisfactory background check. If the school receives a positive response, the matter will be referred to the Committee to Review Criminal Background Checks according to the school’s “Procedure for Reviewing and Acting Upon Criminal Background Checks.” Once enrolled, some clinical sites where students do rotations may require an updated criminal background check as a condition of the rotation. 

Some clinical sites require a urine drug screening prior to placement at the clinical site.

Chan School of Medicine

Class of 2025

Applicant pool: 
Total AMCAS applications received: 5,166
Total completed applications:  3,534
Applicants interviewed: 1061

First-Year Class Enrollment: 
MD Program, MA residents:  105
MD Program, non-MA residents:  46
PURCH Track: 25 (Both MA and non MA) 
MD/PhD Program: 11
Total class enrollment: 162
 
Average GPA: 3.77
Average MCAT Scores: 514 (87th percentile)

Gender Mix: 
Male: 51
Female: 111

Average age: 24

Top 10 undergraduate schools represented (Two or more students from each school):

1. Boston College
2. Boston University
3. Brown University
4. Harvard University
5. Northeastern University
6. Tufts University 
7. University of California - Los Angeles
8. University of Massachusetts - Amherst
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
10. Washington University in St. Louis

Economically Disadvantaged: 17
First Generation College: 10
From groups underrepresented in medicine: 27



(Revised August, 2021)

Graduate Matching lists:

• Graduating Class of 2022
• Graduating Class of 2021
• Graduating Class of 2020
• Graduating Class of 2019

Graduate Assessments on Quality of Medical Education

American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC)

Missions Management Tool (MMT)

 

Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of my medical education, by graduation year; % strongly agree/Agree

Graduation Year	UMass Chan Percentile
2020	97
2019	97
2018	100

 

Missions Management Tool (MMT); Percentiles

MMT:  Percent Graduates Becoming Faculty

Year	UMass Chan Percentile
2020	81
2019	95
2018	83

Missions Management Tool (MMT):  Prepared to Care for Different Backgrounds

Year	UMass Chan Percentile
2020	86
2019	76
2018	94

Missions Management Tool (MMT):  Experience in Cultural Awareness/Competence

Year	UMass Chan Percentile
2020	83
2019	82
2018	87

Missions Management Tool (MMT):  % Estimate to Practice Primary Care

Year	UMass Chan Percentile
2020	81
2019	95
2018	83

Passing Rates on United States Medical License (USMLE) Exam; Step 1 Exam

Exam Year	UMass Chan Pass Rate	National Average Pass Rate
2020	100%	98%
2019	100%	97%
2018	100%	96%

Passing Rates on USMLE Exam; Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) Exam

Exam Year	UMass Chan Pass Rate	National Average Pass Rate
2020	100%	98%
2019	98%	98%
2018	100%	97%

AAMC Graduation Questionnaire, by Year

I am confident that I have acquired the clinical skills required to begin a residency program; % Strongly Agree/Agree

Year	UMass Chan	All Medical Schools
2020	98%	90%
2019	97%	91%
2018	95%	91%

Residency Program Directors Rating of PGY1 Resident’s Preparation Relative to Non-UMass Chan Residents, by Year; % Much Above Average/Somewhat Above Average

Year	Percent
2019	78%
2018	60%
2017	61%

Graduation Rates                                            

Year	Percent
2021	99%
2020	98%
2019	98%

Average Time to Degree, Years

Year	Time
2021	4
2020	4
2019	4

The University of Massachusetts Medical School-School of Medicine has two degree programs; the MD program and the MD/PhD program or Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Both programs are open to residents and nonresidents of Massachusetts. Review our residency classification to see if you qualify as a Massachusetts resident for tuition and fee purposes.

The UMass Chan Medical School's MD program pledges to provide students with a comprehensive and personally rewarding medical education. We aim to prepare our graduates to be caring, competent, and productive physicians serving a diversity of patients and communities. Whether a student plans to practice in primary care or pursue subspecialty training, the four-year educational program at UMass Chan Medical School is designed to develop the foundational competencies required of all physicians.

Our curriculum emphasizes early patient care exposure from the first weeks of medical school to help students develop strong clinical skills in communication, clinical problem solving and professionalism. Students are encouraged to engage in student activism, service and advocacy within the community. Our courses and clerkships are continuously reviewed to keep pace with the rapidly changing science of medicine, the evolving standards of professional medical practice, and state-of-the-art educational methods necessary for teaching and learning in the technological age. 

Our MD program is consistently recognized for excellence in primary care training by U.S. News & World Report. Our expanding campus, with state-of-the-art training facilities and a nationally recognized hospital, provides our students with a rich environment in which to develop their skills. With our outstanding clinical training and exceptional research opportunities, graduates are prepared for a diverse range of career paths in the evolving field of medicine.

The Medical School’s educational mission is enhanced by over 53 accredited residency programs; cooperative degree programs with area colleges and universities; diverse community-based education programs across the state of Massachusetts; outstanding achievements in basic and clinical research; and our Commonwealth Medicine initiatives. As the commonwealth’s only public medical school, UMass Chan places an emphasis on partnerships with the community. Our students are actively engaged in serving the needs of the Massachusetts patient population.

Curriculum

The University of Massachusetts School of Medicine curriculum has three major interrelated components: the Foundational Curriculum (Foundations of Medicine or FOM 1 and 2), Core Clinical Experiences (CCE) and Advanced Studies (AS). 

Information on School of Medicine courses can be found here.

The University of Massachusetts Medical School-School of Medicine has two degree programs; the MD program and the MD/PhD program or Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Both programs are open to residents and nonresidents of Massachusetts. Review our residency classification to see if you qualify as a Massachusetts resident for tuition and fee purposes.

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) funded MD/PhD program offers exceptional training opportunities for those interested in pursuing careers as physician/scientists. The program combines the curriculum of the Chan School of Medicine and the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to provide a structured foundation of diverse topics with the flexibility necessary to meet the needs of the individual student. 

The goal of the MD/PhD program is to provide highly motivated students the opportunities to develop skills and experience in biomedical investigation and the practice of medicine. This is a rigorous and challenging program, and upon successful completion the student is awarded both the PhD in biomedical sciences and the MD. We train physician-scientists who will make significant contributions to health care and who will become the leaders of academic medicine.

Program Director: Catarina Kiefe, MD, PhD

Highlights of the MD/PhD Program

• Choice of either Basic & Biomedical Sciences or Clinical & Population Health Research
• Integrated curriculum
• Pool of more than 350 thesis advisors
• Mentorship by physician-scientists
• Annual off-site program research retreat
• Monthly seminars and workshops by and for students
• Grant writing and fellowship opportunities
• Student Advisory Committee participation
• Career guidance

Curriculum

Program Choices for PhD Study

• Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
• Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Clinical & Population Health Research
• Immunology & Microbiology
• Interdisciplinary
• Neuroscience
• Translational Science 

Curriculum and Timeline

The Population-based Urban and Rural Community Health (PURCH) Track follows core Chan School of Medicine curriculum - but with a focus on population health, healthcare disparities and health issues specific to urban and rural communities.

Built By - and For - Our Communities

The lived experience of local residents is brought to all aspects of your PURCH education through our unique non-clinical Baystate Community Faculty who live, work, play, and pray in the communities we serve.

Not Just for Those Interested in Primary Care

Whatever medical specialty you wish to pursue, PURCH’s innovative approach to clinical practice, community engagement, and policy/advocacy provides a solid foundation upon which to build your career.

Gets You Out of the Classroom, Into the Community

Our innovative, immersive learning experiences with under-served populations - such as, veterans, inmates, and homeless shelter clients - teach you to apply population health concepts as an advocate, as well as a clinician.

"The PURCH community challenges, nurtures, and inspires me n my journey through medical school, and the lessons I learn from this group will stay with me throughout my career and life."

—Emily Gang, Class of 2024

Fast Facts about PURCH

PURCH's inaugural cohort of students graduated in 2021
All graduates matched to categorical residency programs - three returned to Baystate Health for their training.

PURCH matriculates approximately 25 students a year.
PURCH's smaller class size makes Brightwood House an exceptionally close learning community.

PURCH is based at the UMass Chan-Baystate regional campus in Springfield.  
For the first 18 months of training, you will spend 2-3 Wednesdays a month at Baystate Health - one of the largest academic health systems in New England.

Please visit the PURCH website for more information about the track. 

How to Apply to the PURCH Track:

Application to the PURCH Track at UMass Chan Medical School is made through the secondary application process. All applicants must select whether or not they wish to apply to PURCH.

Be sure to review our application process for additional details.

PURCH Interview Process:

Those applying to the PURCH Track will be reviewed for both the PURCH Track and the traditional MD program. MD/PhD applicants may also choose to be considered for PURCH.

If you are invited to interview, you will participate in a 2-day virtual interview process that involves a multiple mini interview (MMI) with the main campus in Worcester and another multiple mini interview (MMI) with our regional campus in Springfield, UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate. MD/PhD applicants interviewing for PURCH will have a third, traditional style interview at our main campus in Worcester with the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences as well.

PURCH Selection Process:

There are approximately 25 spots available in the PURCH Track each admissions cycle.

For your PURCH application to move forward you must perform satisfactorialy in the MMI at both campuses (and the traditional interview if MD/PhD). You will then have ten days to decide if you want to proceed as a PURCH candidate or opt out and into your degree progam of choice only.

Acceptance to the PURCH Track is a joint acceptance between your degree program (MD or MD/PhD) and the PURCH Track.

If you are not accepted into the PURCH Track, you will still be considered for the traditional MD program. The same goes for MD/PhD applicants applying to PURCH.

PURCH Track Policies:

Be sure to review the policies below on opting in or out of the PURCH Track before applying.

Please direct your questions about PURCH to the Chan School of Medicine's Office of Admissions at admissions@umassmed.edu or 508-856-2323.

There are a number of post-matriculation pathway programs available to students at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. Explore them all here.

If you have any questions regarding the pathways, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education at oume@umassmed.edu.