UNMC | Entrance Requirements

entrance requirements

The MCAT and a minimum of 90 semester hours (three years of college work) from an accredited liberal arts and science college are required. To provide an opportunity for in-depth study, the completion of a college major or baccalaureate degree is strongly recommended. The undergraduate program must include the following course work with appropriate laboratory experiences:

Biology (with lab) 8-10 semester hours **
Two semesters of general biology or zoology meet this requirement.
General Chemistry (with lab) 8-10 semester hours **
This requirement should include a two semester complete course in general or inorganic chemistry.
Organic Chemistry (with lab) 8-10 semester hours
This requirement should include a two semester complete course in organic chemistry.
Physics (with lab) 8-10 semester hours
This requirement should include a two semester complete course in physics.
Humanities and/or Social Sciences 12-16 semester hours
Courses in the following may be used to fill this requirement: art, dramatic arts/theater, literature, English, music, foreign language, sociology, anthropology, psychology, child development, journalism, economics, geography, geology, speech, communications, history, government, political science, philosophy, religion, women's studies, and any ethnic studies courses.
Calculus or Statistics 3 semester hours
A one semester course in introductory calculus OR statistics will meet this requirement.
English Composition minimum of 3 semester hours
Students are required to have at least one semester of English composition or a comparable writing course. Students may not substitute a placement examination in lieu of this requirement.
Biochemistry 3 semester hours
Genetics 3 semester hours

** or equivalent

List of schools and acceptable biochemistry and genetics courses.

In view of the rapidly broadening scope of medicine, courses in molecular biology, immunology and microbiology, though not required, are helpful in preparing for the basic science curriculum of medical school. Interpersonal communications, ethics, and personnel management are also good preparatory courses.

Pass-Fail Courses
The Admissions Committee WILL NOT accept pass-fail grades toward the required courses (listed above). In a situation where an applicant does not have the option of grades and only pass-fail courses are available, special consideration will be given if the applicant can produce a written evaluation of each course taken on a pass-fail basis.

CLEP and Advanced Placement (AP)
The Admissions Committee does not accept advanced placement credit and CLEP Subject Examination credit toward the College of Medicine's specific group requirements. Students who have AP credit for a required course are encouraged to take an upper level course in the same discipline, rather than taking the course to which they have already received AP credit for.

Processing of Applications by UNMC
In accordance with University policy, UNMC prohibits the denial of admission to applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or religious or political beliefs.

Upon receipt of an AMCAS application, the information is reviewed by the College of Medicine. An applicant will be notified of any course deficiencies and also will be requested to furnish the following materials to supplement the application:

Letters of recommendation from two of your instructors or an official report from a premedical committee may be submitted. If you are reapplying, current recommendations are required. For graduate students, a letter of reference from the major professor and/or director of the graduate program is required. Additional letters from employers or individuals with whom you have had a significant life experience are welcome. Letters from these individuals may be substituted for the preferred academic letters for nontraditional applicants or those removed from their formal schoolwork for several years. Please limit the total number of recommendation letters submitted to four.
One recent photograph (2" x 2")
Interview

Do not send letters of recommendation until they are requested. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all application materials, especially letters of recommendation, have been received by the admissions committee by the deadline.

Graduate Students
Candidates are strongly encouraged to complete the degree program (master's or doctorate) before considering making an application. At the very least, it should be clear that the degree program will be completed before matriculation.

Selection Factors
Selection is based on a total assessment of each candidate's motivation, interests, character, demonstrated intellectual ability, previous academic record and its trends, personal interview, scores on the MCAT, and general fitness and promise for a career in medicine. Admission is based on individual qualifications without regard to age, sex, sexual preference, race, national origin, handicap, or religious or political beliefs. Academic credentials are evaluated on the basis of course level and load, involvement in co-curricular activities or employment, and other influential factors. Cutoff levels for GPAs or for scores on the MCAT are not utilized; however, applicants are reminded of the competition for entrance and are advised to be realistic. Personal attributes are assessed through letters of reference and in the interview.

Strong preference is given to Nebraska residents, but a limited number of applicants from other states may be accepted. The University of Nebraska encourages applicants from rural areas, small towns, disadvantaged backgrounds, and applicants who can sincerely demonstrate a strong desire to work in underserved communities and in improving health inequities to apply. The potential for service to underserved communities is taken into consideration during the preadmission evaluation.

Interview
An official interview with a member of the Admissions Committee of the College of Medicine is required for all Nebraska residents. Selected non-residents are interviewed by invitation only. Detailed information regarding interviews will be sent to an applicant when the AMCAS application is received. Interviews are necessary to complete your application file.

The primary objective of the interview is to focus on the applicant's personality, general functioning and capabilities; not upon intellectual achievements. Therefore, the applicant's academic credentials are not shared with the interviewer until the interview has been completed. Applicants can expect to be asked to respond to questions about the development of their thinking about a career in medicine, the positions of responsibility they have held, their leisure time pursuits or people who have been influential in their lives. Interviewers are especially interested in assessing candidates' abilities to develop rapport and to communicate ideas effectively. During the interview, applicants are given the opportunity to discuss or display those factors about which they feel particularly positive and also explain aspects of their application which may raise questions.

Residency Status
For consideration of Nebraska residency, students who reside or whose parents reside in a state other than Nebraska or who have moved to Nebraska in the last three years, must apply for residency. Changes in residency status cannot be implemented during the time an application is being considered for admission. For full information, as well as application forms for residency, contact the following:

Office of Academic Records
Ms. Tymaree Sing, Student Records Technician
University of Nebraska Medical Center
984230 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska 68198-4230
(402) 559-6468

Information for Re-Applicants
All re-applicants must reapply through AMCAS as outlined in the application procedure section. Re-applicants are strongly encouraged to identify, if possible, any factors which influenced the unfavorable decision and alter them before reapplying.

Information for Multicultural Applicants

Office of Student Equity and Multicultural Affairs
University of Nebraska Medical Center
984275 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska 68198-4275
(402) 559-4437