ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
The School of Medicine endorses the general policy of the Medical Sciences Campus in encouraging its applicants to seek the broadest cultural formation available prior to their training in the field of the health professions. Candidates are admitted to the freshman class of the School of Medicine on a competitive basis. The applicant must comply and present evidence of the successful completion of the following requirements for admission:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a college or university accredited by the Council of Higher Education or the corresponding US accrediting agency.
- Minimum general grade point average of 2.50, based on an A=4.00 scale (includes all courses in taken at college/university level).
- Minimum science grade point average of 2.50, based on an A=4.00 scale (includes all courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics taken at college/university level).
- Total course work must include the following:
| Course |
Hours |
Comments |
| General Chemistry |
8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours |
|
| Organic Chemistry |
8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours |
|
| Physics |
8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours |
These requirements are in addition to the basic introductory courses required at some colleges or universities. Basic introductory courses in the Physical Sciences may not be substituted for the particular credit hours stipulated. |
| Biology |
8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours |
These requirements are in addition to the basic introductory courses required at some colleges or universities. Basic introductory courses in the Biological Sciences may not be substituted for the particular credit hours stipulated. |
| Spanish |
12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours |
Six (6) semester hours in Advanced or Honor courses in Spanish acceptable to the Admissions Committee and approved with a grade of A or B per semester may substitute for the twelve (12) semester hours required. |
| English |
12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours |
Six (6) semester hours in Advanced or Honor courses in English acceptable to the Admissions Committee and approved with a grade of A or B per semester may substitute for the twelve (12) semester hours required. |
| Behavioral and Social Sciences (Sociology, Psychology, Political Sciences, Economics, Ethics or Anthropology) |
12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours |
These requirements are in addition to the basic introductory courses required at some colleges or universities. Basic introductory courses in the Social Sciences may not be substituted for the particular credit hours stipulated. For applicants who began their college/university work before June 1996, the Behavioral and Social Sciences requirement are 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours. |
Courses included in the new MCAT content and strongly recommended prior entering to the medical school: Biochemistry, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics plus the already required sciences courses such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- All academic requirements must be completed not later than the end of the second semester of the academic year preceding admission, excluding the summer session of that year. Admitted candidates will have their admission revoked if they fail to comply with this requirement.
- Our curriculum is conducted in English and Spanish, and patient interactions are nearly always conducted in Spanish, therefore, demonstrated fluency in speaking, reading and writing both languages is required. Applicants must select language courses which develop writing and reading comprehension skills.
- Working knowledge in computers and its applications (computer literacy) is required, given the integration of computer technology in the medical curriculum.
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) must be taken not later than September of the year before admission. An MCAT taken after that date will not be considered in the selection process for the entering class of a given year. The test will be valid for three (3) years. MCAT scores below 490 (19 in old version), will not be considered for evaluation. The Admission Cycle of 2016-2017 will be the last cycle Old MCAT version will be considered. The web site is: aamc.org/mcat
APPLICATION PROCESS
American Medical College Application Services (AMCas):
Applications to our School of Medicine are processed through the American Medical College Application Services (AMCAS), a centralized application service for applicants to first year classes at participating US Medical Schools. The web site is: https://students-residents.aamc.org/
The complete application must be processed by AMCAS between June 1st and before December 1st of the year prior to admission. We urge candidate to submit the AMCAS Web Application with enough time in order to considered before December 1st, the absolute deadlines. DEADLINE EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus Application:
In addition to the AMCAS application, all applicants who are permanent residents of Puerto Rico must complete and submit between the September 1st and December 1st deadline the University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus Application Form, together with the payment of the $20.00 non-refundable application fee established at our institution. Payment should be made online or by check or money order payable to the University of Puerto Rico. If payment is made directly at the Collection Office; VISA, MasterCard, American Express or ATH may also be used.
APPLICATION MAY BE REQUESTED AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
https://sistemas.rcm.upr.edu/admisiones/
APPLICATION SUBMITTED AFTER THE
DECEMBER 1ST DEADLINE, WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
DEADLINE EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
Other Required Documents:
- One (1) official transcript from each college attended to be sent directly to the Central Office of Admissions not later than December 1st of the year prior to admission, the absolute deadline.
- One (1) completed Premedical Evaluation Form from the Premedical Committee of the college of attendance or three (3) recommendations from your current professors to be sent directly to the Central Office of Admissions not later than December 1st The school’s official format designed for this purpose must be used. To obtain the official format, access the following internet address: https://md.rcm.upr.edu/download/md-recommendation-letter-form/?wpdmdl=2887
- It is required that interview candidates bring a portfolio that must include documents that evidence your participation in extracurricular activities (research, community service, leadership and scholarly activities).
- An additional official transcript including the current academic year’s first semester grades must be received at the Central Office of Admissions before February 15 of the year in which you are seeking admission. In the meantime, you must submit a copy of the personal grade report as soon as it is available at the end of the first semester.
FAILURES TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE ABOVE MENTIONED REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTS BY THE ESTABLISHED DEADLINES, WILL LEAD TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE REJECTION.
PLEASE MAIL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
UPR MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS
ADMISSIONS OFFICE
MEDICINE I
PO BOX 365067
SAN JUAN, PR 00936-5067
TELEPHONE: (787) 758-2525, Exts. 5214, 5215, 5231 or 5213
FAX: (787) 282-7117
SELECTION CRITERIA
Since the University of Puerto Rico – School of Medicine is a state supported institution; preference will be given to qualified applicants who are legal residents of Puerto Rico.
Highly qualified Puerto Rico non-residents must demonstrate strong ties to Puerto Rico. To determine strong residential ties to Puerto Rico, the Committee on Admission will review the applicant’s birthplace, high school attended, college attended and parent’s legal residence. An applicant who meets three (3) of the four (4) categories demonstrates strong ties to Puerto Rico.
Foreign national applicants with an established legal residence in Puerto Rico will only considered if, at the time of application, they are either US citizens or have been granted a permanent resident VISA in the United States.
The Admissions Committee of the School of Medicine will consider the following selection factors in screening qualified applicants, according to a formula established and approved by the Academic Senate of the Medical Sciences Campus:
Academic Performance determined by:
- General and Science Grade Point Average
- Sciences, Mathematics and Behavioral and Social Sciences courses, in addition to the required ones, approved with a grade of B or above
- Consistency in general grade point average
- The number of withdrawals as evidenced in the official transcript
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):
- All test areas of assessment are taken into consideration.
Non-academic factors, expressed in numerical indices, derived from two (2) sources:
- Recommendation from the Premedical Committee or three (3) from current professors are required.
- For extraordinary situation, refer to instructions for recommendation letters.
- After an initial screening of all other selection factors, the Admissions Committee will determine which candidates will be invited for a personal interview.
ACCEPTANCE
To guarantee enrollment upon acceptance, the candidate must make a $100.00 non-refundable deposit within 15 days of receipt of notice, together with a written acknowledgment. The student must comply with the requirements specified in the letter of admission, and abide by the recommendations of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) as stated in the current edition of the “Medical School Admission Requirements” book.
TIMETABLE FOR ADMISSION
Filing of AMCAS Application, University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus Application and other required documents:
Earliest date for AMCAS: June 1st (year before admission)
Earliest date for UPR-MSC: September 1st. (year before admission)
Latest date for both applications: December 1st (year before admission)
ESTIMATED FEES AND EXPENSES PER YEAR
Tuition fees are due and payable at the beginning of each school year and students will not be admitted to classes until these fees have been paid.
| Component |
Medicine I |
Medicine II |
Medicine III |
Medicine IV |
| Tuition and Academic Fees |
$9,350
Tuition fee: $9,101
Maintenance fee: $141
Laboratory fee: $33
Technology fee: $75
|
$9,317
Tuition fee: $9,101
Maintenance fee: $141
Technology fee: $75
|
$9,317
Tuition fee: $9,101
Maintenance fee: $141
Technology fee: $75
|
$9,317
Tuition fee: $9,101
Maintenance fee: $141
Technology fee: $75
|
| Materials for Academic Work |
$8,630 |
$12,140 |
$11,325 |
$7,155 |
| Room and Board |
$12,645 |
$12,645 |
$12,645 |
$12,645 |
| Transportation |
$1,143 |
$1,143 |
$1,143 |
$1,143 |
| Other Miscellaneous Expenses |
$1,484 |
$1,484 |
$1,484 |
$1,484 |
| TOTAL |
$33,252 |
$36,729 |
$35,914 |
$31,744 |
