Among the top universities in the United States is Cornell. Cornell University is a member of the Ivy League and is renowned for its innovative research, artistic output, and support of a culture of open-minded inquiry. In addition, it is well known for Weill Cornell, a prestigious medical school.
The Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), often known as Cornell Medical School or Weill Cornell Medicine, has one of the best M.D. programs in the country. The curriculum at this medical school is cutting-edge. It emphasizes self-directed study intending to develop tomorrow's top medical professionals.
It is one of the top-ranked medical schools in New York due to its unique focus on global health, progressive education, collaborative learning, and excellent research possibilities.
If you want to know how to get into Cornell Medical School, this article is here to guide you. We have written a comprehensive guide to help you achieve your dreams of landing a spot at Cornell Medical School.
Why Cornell University Medical School?
Weill Cornell Medicine provides world-class patient care, scientific advancement, and medical education in New York City and Qatar. Its clinicians and researchers have provided patients with the most recent treatment breakthroughs and preventative measures since 1898 through world-class clinical care and cutting-edge research.
Weill Cornell Medicine's extensive network of partners includes Cornell University, its parent institution, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, programs in Tanzania, Haiti, Brazil, Austria, and Turkey, as well as its parent institution's medical school.
Weill Cornell Medicine's compassionate, first-rate patient care is unwavering, even though medicine is continually evolving. The three pillars of WCM's mission are exceptional treatment, research, and teaching.
Weill Cornell Medicine strives for excellence in educating the next generation of healthcare executives. It is one of the top-ranked medical and graduate schools in the country. Weill Cornell Medicine's academic members and graduate students conduct new, collaborative, patient-centered research.
Programs Offered at Cornell University Medical School
Numerous medical programs are available through the Cornell University Medical School. Every program has a distinct medical specialty as its primary focus. As a result, you should make sure that your degree combination satisfies your goals.
Here are the various programs the Cornell University Medical School offers.
1. Doctor of Medicine
The four-year M.D. program of Cornell University Medical School aims to give medical students comprehensive training in medical science, top-notch patient care, and forward-thinking doctorship.
Its four-year curriculum combines clinical experiences with primary medical science education to provide students with a comprehensive medical education. They promote innovative research, cutting-edge learning, and significant volunteerism.
2. Doctor of Medicine Ph.D.
A collaborative tri-institutional M.D./Ph.D. program between the Sloan Kettering Institute, Rockefeller University, and the Cornell Medical School is also available. Students finish two years of medical school, at least three years of graduate study and Ph.D. research, and one more year of clinical medical experience before graduating.
Students who seek to combine leading-edge biological research with a solid foundation in scientific and clinical medical expertise will find this program to be excellent. Students in this program receive stipends for living expenses and grants covering the total cost of their medical school tuition.
3. Doctor of Medicine / Master of Business Administration
Weill Cornell Medical College and the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University offer the combined MD/MBA degree for students who want to pursue a medical and business degree.
In this program, students finish their first three years of medical school at WCMC before moving on to the Johnson School of Management's MBA program for a year to complete an accelerated MBA degree.
They then come back to finish their final year of medical school. To be accepted into this combined program, students participating in the M.D. program must apply to the accelerated MBA program in their third or fourth year after completing their clerkships.
How to Get into Cornell University Medical School
Weill Cornell Medicine takes pride in its "progressive" curriculum, which downplays lectures in favor of independent, hands-on learning and small-group research. Weill Cornell consistently ranks among the top 20 medical schools for analysis, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Here is everything you need to know on how to get into Cornell University Medical College:
Cornell University Medical School Acceptance Rate
Cornell Medical School accepted class records for 2025 indicate a 1.34% acceptance rate.
Only 782 of the 7,926 applicants received interviews. 106 candidates were accepted by Cornell, making up the total number of students that enrolled.
Consider asking a seasoned Ivy League admissions counselor for help to give your application a competitive advantage. Admissions advisors may assist with every aspect of the application process, from writing flawless essays to getting ready for interviews.Cornell University Medical School Coursework Requirements
According to Cornell University Medical School, Applicants should have various educational backgrounds and significant life experiences. They accept returning students and applicants with majors in social sciences and liberal arts if they have finished the prerequisite courses, which are stated below.
In other cases, students can forgo the compulsory coursework in favor of integrated scientific courses, A.P. classes, and actual laboratory work.
Along with these criteria, Cornell University Medical School advises that applicants have a variety of educational experiences, including at least one in-depth, advanced study in a relevant field of concentration and coursework in statistics, anthropology, mathematics, the study of a second language, etc.
Students should have earned a minimum grade of "C" in these courses and taken them within the last ten years before applying.
Cornell University Medical School GPA Statistics
Although Cornell Medical School does not specify a minimum GPA requirement on its website, a "C" is the lowest grade that will pass any prerequisite course. Weill Cornell is a highly selective institution. Thus, to be a more competitive applicant, you should aim for a GPA near the average of the entering class, which is 3.84.
Cornell University Medical School MCAT Statistics
The average MCAT score of Cornell University Medical School's M.D. program applicants is 518. This does not necessarily imply that you cannot get in with a lower MCAT score. Medical School has no set cut-off and may admit applicants with lower MCAT scores if their other application materials are outstanding.
It would be best not to skimp on your MCAT preparation, as it is crucial to your admission to medical school. Make sure to thoroughly research the MCAT exam and release dates far in advance so you can plan your MCAT study regimen accordingly.
Concentrate on learning all there is to know about the test format, studying everything there is to know about the test, and taking several practice tests. If necessary, you can seek outside assistance by enrolling in an MCAT prep course or hiring a tutor for the exam.Cornell University Medical School Tuition and Scholarships
Weill Cornell charges tuition of USD 74,592 per year. There are a few more fees to consider, though. Expect to spend USD 124,000 on your first year of medical school at Cornell.
Most students receive financial aid, and the majority also receive grants and loans, resulting in an average debt at graduation that is lower than average nationally. All deserving students are promised housing that is affordably priced. They will have access to financial aid for overseas electives, summer research, and community service.
To be eligible for Weill Cornell need-based or federal financial aid, a student must be a citizen of the United States, a permanent resident, or another qualifying non-citizen.
Like any U.S. citizen or permanent resident, M.D. applicants who have been given DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status are qualified for institutional need-based financial aid. Undocumented applicants (those lacking DACA status) cannot submit applications for need-based institutional financing.
Financial aid is only given to qualifying students based on their demonstrated need. Examining the applicants' and their families' income and assets is used to evaluate the condition.
Cornell University Medical School Application Timeline
Applications to medical school are complicated, especially at Ivy League institutions like Weill Cornell Medical College. Because of this, it is critical to maintain track of your medical school application timelines and adhere to deadlines.
The schedule for general applications to the Cornell University Medical School medical school is below.
Note:
This application timeline may vary from year to year. To make sure, visit the Cornell University Medical School Application Overview.Cornell University Medical School Extracurricular Activities
This is a crucial element of your application that can help you stand out from the other candidates with comparable academic credentials and MCAT scores.
Your medical school personal statement, AMCAS Work and Activities section, and AMCAS Most Meaningful Experiences section are all excellent places to go into detail about your extracurricular activities.
Weill Cornell Medical College prioritizes the following extracurricular pursuits and life experiences when considering applicants:
Research
The admissions committee at Cornell Medical School looks for more than academic excellence. Additionally, they seek kids who take the initiative and try to be innovative. You can showcase your enthusiasm for medicine and commitment to innovation and quality by undertaking an advanced research project relevant to a subject you are passionate about.
Clinical Experience
Before applying to Cornell Medical School, candidates are encouraged to gain clinical or work experience. An excellent technique to determine your motivation to become a doctor and what area you might want to concentrate on later is to achieve meaningful clinical work experience or shadowing experience.
Volunteering
As a sign of a student's moral character and integrity, the admissions committee at Cornell Medical School looks for significant volunteer experience on a résumé. Volunteering demonstrates a dedication to civic duty and exceptional leadership abilities, precisely the qualities they seek in a candidate.
Hobbies and Other Skills
Hobbies can contain any number of extracurricular activities that highlight your well-rounded personality and practical knowledge. For instance, speaking fluently in a second language can be helpful when interacting with patients.
Remember that Cornell Medical School is searching for bright, driven applicants with love for medicine and many essential experiences to prove it. This area of your application is not just about checking off a list of prerequisites from a list. Create a solid medical school resume by engaging in pursuits that pique your interest and set the foundation for a future medical career.
Cornell University Medical School Essays
To learn more about you and your suitability for their program, Cornell Medical School will ask you to submit a secondary application with three particular 200-word essay topics after you complete your original application through AMCAS.
You have a fantastic opportunity to emphasize any additional essential variables that you have not had a chance to mention in your main application and to summarize your most noteworthy accomplishments in the supplemental application.
For instance, while discussing difficulties you have had, you can bring up more personal subjects like your family, mental health, background, etc., that you believe are pertinent to your experience in medical school.
Keep in mind that the AMCAS application is not institution-specific. You can use secondaries to explain why you are applying specifically to Cornell Medical School. Suppose you are at a loss for words. In that case, it is wise to read a few models of medical school application secondary essays to understand how to construct an insightful response.
Cornell University Medical School Interviews
After the application evaluation, a few students get to the interview stage, but that is not the end of the road. You must nail your interview to truly obtain the acceptance letter. Applicants who have advanced to this stage almost certainly have stellar academic records and outstanding extracurricular activities.
You must, therefore, put your best foot forward and highlight your most significant accomplishments, passion for medicine, memorable experiences, and admirable character traits. Make sure you thoroughly prepare for your medical school interview to do this.
Research the typical medical school interview questions first. After that, consider your responses and list the main points you want to cover in the interview.
Practice multiple mock interviews to ensure you are comfortable with your talking points and familiar with the final interview format.Cornell University Medical School Recommendation Letter
A minimum of two and a maximum of ten letters of recommendation from medical schools are required by Cornell Medical School. They accept both individual letters of reference and letter packets. However, they prefer that at least one letter be a committee or a collection of letters from the applicant's university's pre-health advising office.
If this is unavailable, two letters from different people, such as professors or bosses, may be submitted in their place. If authored by a professor or teacher, they ought to have worked or studied with you directly.
Additionally, Cornell Medical School requires a letter from the supervisor of any significant research, work, clinical, or service experience you mention in your application. It is essential that the letter writers are familiar with you and can vouch for your qualifications. They should be able to go more in-depth about your abilities, accomplishments, and character in your letters.
Summary Table: How to Get into Cornell Medical School
Cornell Medical School | |
|---|---|
Application System | AMCAS |
Acceptance Rate | 1.34% |
Average GPA | 3.84 |
Average MCAT Score | 518 |
Tuition | USD 74,592 |
Total Cost of Attendance | USD 124,000 |
Availability of Funding and Scholarships | Yes |
Additional FAQs – How to Get into Cornell University Medical School
What are the Coursework Requirements to Enter Cornell Medical School?
Additionally, they advise that students demonstrate an understanding of various academic fields, such as statistics, sociology, anthropology, and more. They favor candidates who have finished in-depth, advanced research into a particular field of interest and have submitted a pertinent medical application.
Does Cornell Medical College Follow the Rolling Admissions System?
Should I Send My Transcripts to Cornell Medical College When Applying?
However, make sure you send AMCAS your official transcripts by the deadline. Only if you are accepted into the incoming class are transcripts necessary.
How Long Do I Have to Wait to Know If I Made It to Cornell Medical School?
The procedure could take several months because Cornell Medical School manually screens each application. They process a lot of applications in the order of completion date.