Applying to JMC > Frequently
Asked Questions
Frequently Asked
Questions
Applying to Jefferson Medical College
Q. How do I apply to Jefferson Medical College?
A. Jefferson Medical College participates in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Applications should be submitted to AMCAS between June 1 and November 15. The AMCAS application is available via the AMCAS web site at www.aamc.org.
AMCAS: Association of American Medical Colleges - Student
Services, Washington, DC 20037-1300
Q. Where do I send letters of recommendation?
A. Letters of recommendation are to be transmitted via AMCAS only. Please review with AMCAS their letter transmission policy at http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas. Do not submit letters of recommendation to Jefferson Medical College.
Q. When will I receive the JMC secondary?
A. On receipt of the verified AMCAS application, Jefferson will send, via email, notification of receipt. Also included will be instructions for completing the Jefferson Medical College online secondary application with online payment capability. The Committee on Admissions will begin reviewing the application when all supplementary materials have been received including: 1) the Jefferson Medical college Secondary Application form, 2) the non-refundable $80.00 application fee, 3) MCAT scores, and 4) the required letters of recommendation.
Q. When will my submitted application be processed?
A. Processing of your application will begin after the receipt of your AMCAS application, JMC secondary application, fee or AMCAS Fee Waiver and receipt of letters of recommendation. It can sometimes take six weeks to complete the processing of your application.
Q. What is the URL to access the secondary application to
complete my application to JMC?
A. Click here to access our secondary online application. To complete the online secondary application, you were emailed a password and pin number. If you have misplaced these numbers, please contact the JMC Office of Admissions @ 215-955-6983.
Q. What letters are required and are exemptions made on
the required letters of recommendation? My physics professor
from last year is no longer with the university. Could I send
in two recommendations from chemistry professors instead?
A. Generally JMC prefers a composite letter written on behalf of the applicant by the college or university's pre-health committee, if there is one. Some schools do not provide this service but offer to collect individual letters of recommendation and mail them to the medical schools. If individual letters are sent, we prefer one biology, one chemistry and one physics and one humanities. You may direct exemption requests to the Committee on Admissions using the optional information section on the Secondary Application.
Q. How will I know when my application is complete?
A. When all items on the status report have a date received or a yes indicated. Once all required items are in, your application is complete and will move to the Admissions Committee for review.
Q. When will I know if I am going to receive an interview?
A. Invitations for interviews are extended between September and April. If you are granted an interview, you will receive an email notification from the Director of Admissions.
Q. When will I know the final decision on my application?
A. All interview decisions are mailed by March 31st.
Q. How do I maintain contact & demonstrate interest
in my application to JMC?
A. To maintain the integrity of the admissions process at JMC, all communications concerning your application, including the interview, should be forwarded to the attention of the Dean of Admissions.
Q. Are SAT scores required for admission?
A. No, the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required. SAT information provides additional information about standardized testing. Please view our Admissions Brochure.
Q. What address should I indicate on the Supplemental Application?
A. The address you use will be for all official admissions
correspondence.
Q. Can I cut and paste additional information into the application?
A. Yes. You will be able to cut and paste your information into the JMC supplemental application. The easiest way to accomplish this is by using Microsoft Word, then copy it into the application. Please be aware of our 500 character (including spaces) limit on additional information.
After you submit your JMC Supplemental Application
Q. Can I download the JMC secondary application?
A. You can also download the application and submit it through
conventional mail. It is located here: http://www.jefferson.edu/jmc/admissions/appforms.cfm
Q. Can my supplemental Application be changed after it is
submitted?
A. Changes to your application can only be submitted in writing.
No online changes can occur.
Q. What is the status page?
A. The status page is designed for all applicants to see what stage your application is in during the processing phase. The page will indicate when your AMCAS application and JMC supplemental application form and fee were received, when your MCAT test scores were received at JMC from AMCAS and when your letters of recommendation were received.
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Admissions Requirements
Q. What are the Selection Factors for
Admissions?
A. Academic Excellence is expected of
the applicants to Jefferson Medical College.The
Committee on Admissions looks for evidence
of:
- Integrity
- Maturity
- Humanitarian concerns
- Leadership potential
- An aptitude for working with people
In addition to the college record and
MCAT scores, other factors considered include:
- Out-of-classroom activities
- Life experiences
- Community work
- Medically related activities
- Comments contained in letter of evaluation
are considered
Interviews are scheduled selectively
Q. What are the Demographics of a Recent
Entering Class?
A. Members of the 2007 JMC entering class:
- Average GPA: 3.7
- Average MCAT scores were:
- Verbal - 10.2
- Physical Science - 10.3
- Biological Science - 10.6
- Come from over 106 undergraduate institutions
- Come from 26 states and 6 other countries
- The age at entrance ranged from 18-36
- With an average age of 23.1
- 46% female
- 10% of the student body is from under-represented minority groups
Q. Is a bachelor's degree required
for entrance to JMC?
A. A bachelor's degree from an accredited
U.S. or Canadian college or university
is required.
Q. Does Jefferson offer a formal post-baccalaureate
course of study?
A. JMC does not offer a formal post-baccalaureate
course of study.
Q. How old can my MCAT scores be when I apply to Jefferson
Scores should be no older than three years of the time of application.
Cooperative Programs
Q. Does JMC offer any cooperative programs?
A. Yes, we offer four. They are as follows:
DIMER Program
Each year, JMC provides for up to 20 spots for Delaware residents in Jefferson' first year class as part of a medical-education program with the Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research, the University of Delaware and the Delaware Medical Center.
Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP)
The Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) admits students from rural areas
and small towns who are committed to practicing in a similar area. Priority
will be given to those planning to practice family medicine, although
applicants planning other specialties, or unsure of their future specialty,
will also be given consideration. Since the program began in 1974,
Jefferson Medical College has trained more than 300 PSAP physicians, and the
program has received national recognition in the New England Journal of
Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association. Special
consideration for admission and financial aid is given to students who have
grown up in, or have substantial ties to a rural area or small town, and are
also committed to practicing in a similar location. Priority is given to
Pennsylvania and Delaware residents, and to applicants enrolled at Allegheny
College, Bucknell University, Franklin & Marshall College, Indiana
University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, the University of
Delaware, and the University of Scranton.
All incoming PSAP students are provided with an advisor in the Department of
Family and Community Medicine at the beginning of medical school. These
advisors provide curricular and career guidance, and are available as
mentors throughout all four years at Jefferson. PSAP students also take at
least one of their required third-year clerkships in a smaller community
outside the Philadelphia metropolitan area (currently the family medicine
clerkship at Latrobe Area Hospital). They are also encouraged to take at
least one of their senior rotations or electives in a rural area or small
town, and are given priority to take their senior-year outpatient
subinternship in family medicine at a preceptorship in a rural location.
Upon graduation, PSAP students take a residency of their choice, and are
then expected to practice in a rural area or small town, preferably in
Pennsylvania or Delaware.
Medical Scholars Program (MSP)
The MSP, an educational collaboration between the University of Delaware and Jefferson Medical College, links college to medical school with an early admission process for qualified students. The first group of MSP students matriculated at JMC in 1994.
Accelerated Jefferson/Penn State BS/MD
Program
JMC and the Pennsylvania State University jointly select qualified high school seniors to earn both the BS and MD degrees in six years. Students spend two years at the University Park campus and four years at JMC. Post Baccalaureate Linkage programs exist between Jefferson and Bryn Mawr College, the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. These programs are designed to meet the needs of college graduates who have decided to pursue careers in medicine.
Pennsylvania State University: http://www.psu.edu/
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International Students
Q. I am an international student. Will
that affect my chances of getting into
Jefferson Medical College?
A. International students who have a bachelorÕs degree from an accredited institution in the United States or Canada, and have completed the requirements, are eligible to apply at JMC. International students are judged by the same criteria as U.S. citizens.
Q. My undergrad degree is from
an institution outside of the United
States or Canada. Can I still apply to
JMC?
A. Courses taken outside the U.S. or Canada cannot be used to fulfill requirements. Foreign students who do not have a baccalaureate degree from an institution in the United States or Canada are not accepted for admission.
Q. Are international students eligible
for financial aid?
A. Unfortunately, International Students are not eligible to apply for financial scholarships and loans. We suggest you contact our office of Financial aid web site at www.jefferson.edu/financialaid.
Q. Do you accept Canadian and/or foreign
students?
A. Requirements for admission are based on academic, non-academic and personal qualities, not nationality. Please see our website for additional information under "Requirements for Admission".
Q. Do you accept transfer applications
from students enrolled at foreign medical
schools?
A. Jefferson does not accept transfer applications from students enrolled in foreign medical schools. Only students currently enrolled in LCME accredited medical schools may apply for transfer.
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In-State Students
Q. Do you give preference to in-state
applicants?
A. No preference is given to state of residence, except for residents of the state of Delaware. Jefferson Medical College is the official medical school for the state of Delaware.
Combined Degree
Programs
Q. How do I Apply to the MD/PhD
Program?
A. Interested students to the combined MD/PhD program must 1) apply through AMCAS, 2) indicate Combined Degree application type, and 3) complete secondary application to the College of Medicine. The deadline for application to the MD/PhD program is November 1st.
Q. Does Jefferson offer a combined B.S./M.D.
program?
A. Yes, the Jefferson Accelerated Program with Penn State University is for high school seniors only. Students earn both the B.S. and M.D. degrees in six or seven calendar years after graduation from high school. To apply, please contact Penn State at (814) 865-7620.
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