ADMISSIONS FAQ

Accreditation

We welcome applications from students of all beliefs who embrace the BYU School of Medicine’s mission, commit to live the BYU Honor Code, and obtain an Ecclesiastical Endorsement.  

We welcome applications from students of all beliefs who desire to become physicians who care for patients through attributes that align with the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

All students at the BYU School of Medicine should expect to feel respected, valued, and included in a spiritually grounded and scientifically rigorous environment. Regardless of religious affiliation, all students are expected to live by the BYU Honor Code. Students of other faiths contribute their unique perspectives in our learning environment while participating fully in all academic, clinical, and community experiences.  For more details, see the Guide for Students of Other Faiths. 

You can find instructions on how to apply here. You may also find help with the medical school application process by contacting your Pre-Health or Pre-Medical Advisor at your school’s academic advising office.

You may request an application fee waiver through the AAMC Fee Assistance Program when you submit your AMCAS application.  If your request is granted, you will automatically be granted a fee waiver for BYU's secondary application as well.

The BYU School of Medicine uses a rolling admissions process. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as they are able.  

Applications are holistically reviewed only when the application is complete. A complete application contains the following items: 

• Verified AMCAS application 
• Current MCAT score 
• Submitted letters of recommendation 
• BYU School of Medicine secondary application with fee paid/AAMC fee waiver 
• Completion of Honor Code Commitment and Ecclesiastical Endorsement 

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

How to Apply

We reserve application updates for those who interview at the BYU School of Medicine. At that time, the interviewed candidate will receive instructions about how to provide significant updates. Examples of possible significant updates include a recent manuscript publication, an academic presentation, the receipt of an award, or similar.  

All updates and invitations will be sent to the email you provide in your AMCAS application.

No, the BYU School of Medicine does not require applicants to take a Situational Judgement test. 

We require students take the following courses in preparation for the BYU School of Medicine curriculum (labs are not required): 

• Biology (two semesters) 
• General chemistry (two semesters) 
• Organic chemistry (two semesters; biochemistry may substitute one semester of organic chemistry) 
• Physics, algebra-based (two semesters) 

While not required, the following courses are strongly recommended:  

• Biochemistry (one semester) 
• Statistics (one semester) 
• Click here for more information

You must earn a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or Canada before starting medical school.

You do not have to be a premed or science major to apply to the BYU School of Medicine. Your degree can be in any field of study so long as you complete the prerequisite courses. No major field is given preference. 

BYU accepts applicants from both public and private schools. We do not consider students from any particular college or university to be more prepared for medical school than others, although we do recognize that some schools are more academically rigorous than others. What you do and accomplish during your undergraduate career speaks more highly of your preparation for medical school than does a degree from a particular institution. 

Many students take a year or more “off” after college before applying to medical school. Some applicants take full-time jobs, do international volunteer work, raise families, or pursue interests outside of medicine. We do not consider this a disadvantage.

If you have taken post-baccalaureate courses, this coursework will be combined with your undergraduate grades and appear in your cumulative GPA with your AMCAS data.  However, if you have completed courses in a graduate degree program, your GPA in that program will be separated from your undergraduate and post-baccalaureate cumulative GPA.  

The Admissions Committee will holistically evaluate each applicant and will look at the improvement a student makes over the course of their college career. The GPA trajectory will be considered, including the rigor of courses taken both in early and later years of college.   

We will accept some Advance Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credit, as long as it appears on your undergraduate transcript.  A solid background in the sciences is essential to do well on the MCAT and to have academic success in the rigorous medical curriculum at the BYU School of Medicine.  

The BYU School of Medicine does not have a minimum MCAT threshold. All applications will be evaluated holistically. MCAT scores and GPA assist in our evaluation of an applicant’s academic excellence.

The BYU School of Medicine gives greater weight to the highest score that is still valid.   

We will accept MCAT scores as far back as three years prior to matriculation. For example, to apply for the Fall 2027 class, you will need to submit MCAT scores from no earlier than January 2024.  

We must receive your official MCAT scores by the application deadline for your application to be considered for admission.

Applicants must submit a minimum of two and a maximum of three letters of recommendation.

1. One letter must be from a science faculty member familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
2. Applicants may alternatively submit one letter or a letter packet from a pre-health or pre-medical committee.

We strongly recommend that you seek letters from individuals who know you well and can speak to your abilities and experiences. These letters may come from a healthcare professional with whom you have worked over a period of time, a college/university faculty member familiar with your academic or research work, or an employment or volunteer supervisor who can assess your work ethic and experience. At least one letter should be from a science faculty member familiar with your academic work. 

The maximum number of letters of recommendation allowed is three. 

Applicants selected for an interview will be notified by email. Interview selection occurs only after a complete primary and secondary application have been received, including completing the Honor Code Commitment and Ecclesiastical Endorsement.   

All interviews are conducted in-person at the BYU School of Medicine. The School of Medicine administers a hybrid interview process that includes both a traditional interview as well as several multiple mini-interviews (MMIs).

The BYU School of Medicine accepts applicants on rolling basis. During our inaugural year, we will accept students between January and April of 2027.

Applicants may be offered a place on the waitlist. Waitlist notifications typically occur on a rolling basis between March and July. Individuals will remain on the list until shortly before the start of the term. Applicants will be notified by phone and/or email if a spot becomes available. 

The Office of Admissions does not release additional information about the waitlist, except to confirm an applicant is on it.

All applications received by the BYU School of Medicine are reviewed holistically by the Admissions Committee. All decisions are final and not subject to appeal. 

Transfer requests to the BYU School of Medicine MD Program are considered only under exceptional circumstances. Potential transfer students from other accredited U.S. or Canadian allopathic medical schools are considered only at the request of the dean of the medical school in which the student is currently enrolled. This request must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean of Admissions at the BYU School of Medicine and must include a detailed description of the reason for transfer. The Admissions Committee considers such requests on a case-by-case basis. Direct student requests for transfer are not considered. 

Admitted applicants may request a deferral of enrollment in writing. The deferral process includes: 

• A request submitted to the Associate Dean of Admissions, including rationale
• Deferral requests are not to be submitted until after accepting an offer of admission
• If approved, a deferral will be granted for one year

Deferral requests may include but are not limited to: 

• Unforeseen personal or family hardship 
• Serious illness 
• Completion of military or missionary service 
• Pursuit of meaningful educational experiences 

If a deferral is granted, the applicant will be notified by the Office of Admissions with further instructions. 

Except for emergencies, non-urgent deferral requests are to be submitted no later than May 1.  

Deferred matriculation at the BYU School of Medicine is restricted; application to another medical school is not permitted.  

An acceptance offer is contingent on meeting the minimum admissions requirements, including the required premedical courses. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. However, these exceptions are rare and are for individuals with very high grades that have demonstrated exceptional aptitude in the sciences (strong MCAT scores, published research, etc.).  

All of your coursework will be verified by AMCAS as part of the primary application. If you are offered admission, you will then be asked to submit official, final transcripts from all schools attended to the Office of Admissions prior to matriculation. The acceptance offer will be contingent on meeting this requirement and completion of the undergraduate degree.  

Financial aid may include:

• Achievement-based scholarships 
• Need-based scholarships and grants 
• Federal student loans 
• Military educational benefits 
• Private/alternative student loans 

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Yes. Students seeking federal financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. 

Yes. The BYU School of Medicine offers both achievement- and need-based scholarships. All applicants are automatically considered for achievement-based scholarships; no separate application is required. Need-based scholarships/aid will be considered only after accepted applicants submit a FASFA and required documents to the Office of Financial Aid.

Eligible students may qualify for federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and University Institutional Loans.

Yes. Students eligible for military educational benefits may use approved programs through BYU Financial Aid.

When the BYU School of Medicine was announced, the First Presidency stated, "In time the school will draw students from within and outside the United States." The School of Medicine is taking the necessary steps to be able to accept international students and currently welcomes applications from international students. We are especially interested in applicants who desire to use their medical education to strengthen healthcare in their home countries. More information is available on our International Applicants page.

International students will be considered for both merit and need-based scholarships. Visit the International Student Scholarships page for more info.

Students will have clinical rotations along the Wasatch Front and must have the ability to travel to various clinical sites.  

There are many options for single, married, and students with families in Utah and Salt Lake Counties. Students are responsible for finding the type of housing that meets their individual needs.   

Pre-clinical coursework in Year 1 will take place at the BYU School of Medicine in Provo, Utah. Core clerkships and electives in Years 2 and 3 will take place at clinical affiliate hospitals and clinics in the greater Provo and Salt Lake City areas. During Year 3, students will participate in an international immersion experience at one of our international partner sites. Domestic immersion options may be available for students who are unable to participate internationally, with priority given to students whose circumstances may limit international travel.

We anticipate that core clinical rotations will be within reasonable commuting distance of BYU campus. Temporary relocation is not anticipated for required core rotations.