Applying to the College
I. Apply Online
All students must apply online through AMCAS . The deadline to submit the AMCAS application for regular admissions is December 15, 2010 but students are encouraged to apply soon after applications open the beginning of June. Early Decision Program applicants must submit the AMCAS application by August 1, 2010.
Secondary Application
- Competitive applicants from the pool of application submitted to AMCAS will be invited to submit a Secondary Application to the FIU College of Medicine. For 2011 admissions, the minimum requirements are an overall GPA 3.0, BCPM 3.0, and an MCAT of 25 for Regular Admission and overall GPA of 3.7, BCPM 3.0, and an MCAT of 32 for Early Decision program applicants.
- A $30 non-refundable application fee will be required with submission of the Secondary Application. The Secondary Application requires directed essays that provide additional insight into the applicant, focusing on issues such as the applicant's desire to become a physician, interest in medicine, commitment to Florida, and interest in the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.
- As part of the Secondary Application packet, each applicant will be provided with: (a) a link to our Standards of Conduct, (b) our Honor Code, and (c) our Technical Standards for Medical School admissions and Graduation. All applicants will be required to read these documents and to attest to a statement that they understand the documents and can and will comply if accepted into the FIU College o f Medicine. Additionally, the applicant must agree to the policy of requiring a background check and drug testing of accepted applicants. Applicants will also be requested to upload a photo.
- The deadline to submit the Secondary Application for Regular Admission is January 1, 2011. Early Decision Program applicants must submit by August 1, 2010. (See Timelines for additional deadlines.)
Supplemental Materials
Although the deadline to submit the Secondary Application for regular admission is January 1, 2011 all materials should be submitted as soon as possible, as interviews are scheduled only if the application is complete. Early Decision Program applicants must submit by August 1, 2010. (See Timelines for additional deadlines.)
II. The Letters of Recommendation
The College of Medicine requires a minimum of three letters of recommendation, two from basic science faculty (biology, chemistry, physics, math) and one from any other faculty member who has taught the applicant. If your school has a Health Professions Advisory Committee, it is expected that the applicant will have the Committee letter. Additionally, it is preferred that full faculty letters be attached to this Committee letter. In all cases, letters should be recent and from individuals who know the student well.
It is expected that you will send:
(a) Health Professions Advisor or Advisory Committee letter with preferably three or more letters attached, or
(b) Individual letters from science faculty (no more than two), and
(c) Individual letter from non-science faculty (no more than one)
(d) and up to two additional letters as desired by the applicant (physicians, research mentors, etc.)
AMCAS now accepts Letters of Recommendation/Evaluation (LORs) for a select number of schools. The FIU College of Medicine is among these schools. This service enables the selected medical schools to receive all letters electronically via AMCAS, and enables the authors to send all letters to be considered to AMCAS rather than to each school.
The College of Medicine accepts Letters of Recommendation (LORS) only through the AMCAS Letter Service.
Committee letters and individual letters must be written on official letterhead stationery and may be submitted to AMCAS via:
III. Photo
A passport style photo is requested to be submitted as a part of the FIU College of Medicine Secondary Application.
IV. Citizenship/Residency Information
In order to apply to the College of Medicine you must be a US Citizen, Canadian Citizen, or Permanent Resident Alien. Although preference will be given to residents of the State of Florida, well qualified residents of other states are encouraged to apply. Verification including driver's license, vehicle registration and voter registration will be required.
V. Additional MCAT Scores
The latest exam that can be taken by Regular Decision Applicants for 2011 admission is the last MCAT in September, 2010. The latest exam that can be taken by Early Decision Applicants for 2010 admission is the MCAT of June 17, 2010.
Applicants are responsible for indicating on the AMCAS application, any additional dates on which they intend to take the MCAT. Should that information change, it is up to the student to update the AMCAS application. Therefore, if an applicant decides not to re-take the MCAT, it is up to the applicant to so indicate. If an applicant decides to re-take the MCAT after initial AMCAS submission, it is also up to the applicant to so indicate. Applications will not be sent to the Admissions Committee if an MCAT score is pending.
