Undergraduate Admissions
Special Program in Medicine
UConn's Special Program in Medicine links undergraduate preparation with four years of medical education, resulting in dual degrees from UConn: a BA/BS and a MD. Students focused on a career in medicine can choose from our more than 115 undergraduate majors while taking advantage of opportunities in the UConn School of Medicine through special seminars and health-profession events. This eight-year program aims to develop accomplished physicians, while also providing flexibility to accommodate individual choices. All students accepted to the Special Program in Medicine will be enrolled in UConn's Honors Program. Special Program students are required to be enrolled in the Honors Program as they enter UConn.
Admissions Requirements and Deadlines
Applicants must be entering as a first-year student and demonstrate exceptional performance in academics, including advanced preparation in mathematics and laboratory sciences. In addition, extracurricular activities and commitment to the health profession are also considered. There are no state residency requirements, although Connecticut residents will receive special consideration. UConn is committed to attracting members of underrepresented populations for its programs. International students are eligible to apply.
To be considered, an applicant should have:
- An overall secondary school grade point average of 3.5 (4.0 scale)
- A completed application to the University, which includes all supporting documents, the responses to the program-specific essay questions, and an optional resume. All documents must be received by November 15. A secondary school profile should also be submitted along with the secondary school transcript
- Two letters of recommendation that address the applicant’s interest in the field of medicine, received by November 15
- An interview with the Special Program in Medicine Committee (by invitation only)
The application process for the Special Program in Medicine follows our test-optional policy. No admission decision shall be impacted, and no student disadvantaged, if a standardized test score is not provided. Should you feel your standardized test score is an accurate reflection of your academic ability, and would like to have it considered as part of the application review, UConn requires official SAT or ACT scores to be sent directly from the appropriate test provider. SAT II subject tests are not considered in the application review.
In order to matriculate into the School of Medicine, students must do the following during their undergraduate career:
- Maintain a 3.6 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale);
- Achieve MCAT total score in the 80th percentile rank with no subtest scores below the 55th percentile rank;
- Complete course work in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry to fulfill school of medicine application requirements;
- Participate during matriculation > 100 hours in each of the following activities:
- Clinical Service (e.g. health care observation, EMS activity, hospital volunteering, MD shadowing, hospice services, etc.)
- Community Service
- Clinical or Benchtop Research
- Have favorable interviews during the senior undergraduate year.
How to Apply
Students can apply to the Special Program in Medicine directly through the Common Application. The Supplemental Application is also available for students who will not be using the Common Application to apply to the University as well as for those who have already submitted the Common Application. The University does not have a preference to which application is used.
Recommendation letters should address your current academic status, extracurricular achievements, personal qualities, and potential for future success in/contributions to the medical field and the community. Applicants will be asked to name their recommenders as a part of the application. Recommendation letters may be sent via:
- Fax to (860) 486-1476. The fax cover sheet should be sent attention to "Special Program in Medicine."
- Email to onestop@uconn.edu. The subject line should read "Special Program in Medicine Recommendation."
- Naviance, Common Application, Coalition Application, or other electronic platforms.