Welcome to the New Jersey Medical School
Office of Admissions

Match 2008 Results

Admissions Process
NJMS anticipates over 5,000 applications for 170 places available in the Class of 2012. Admission to NJMS is therefore highly selective and competitive. Although NJMS does not require a minimum GPA or minimum MCAT score, intense competition tends to favor those with stronger credentials.

NJMS encourages non-residents to apply but New Jersey residents will be given some
preference. Non-resident matriculants may qualify for in-state tuition by providing appropriate residency documentation. Documentation must be provided prior to matriculation (orientation).

Applicants are selected on the basis of academic excellence, leadership qualities, demonstrated compassion for others and broad extracurricular experiences. The Admissions Committee considers related factors such as motivation, perseverance, special aptitudes and stamina. The applicant’s personal statement, letters of recommendation and the interview are also very important factors in evaluation.

Eligibility
All applicants must be either permanent residents or citizens of the United States. Applicants must meet our Course Requirements and must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) no later than September in the year prior to enrollment. Applicants must complete a minimum of three years of college (90 credit hours).

The Application
Applicants to NJMS must first complete and submit the online application of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). AMCAS then distributes applications to designated medical schools from June through December.

Applicants are required to complete and submit a supplemental application with a check for $75. This fee is waived for applicants participating in the AMCAS Fee Assistance Program (FAP). The supplemental application is emailed to applicants once their AMCAS application has been certified.

All complete applications remain under active consideration for an interview until the beginning of March. By mid-March, all applicants receive either an invitation to interview or a letter of regret.

Course Requirements

Specific requirements may be waived or imposed at the discretion of the Admissions Committee on an individual basis. All applicants are also encouraged to complete courses in social or cultural fields and generally broaden their academic backgrounds. Non-science applicants are given equal consideration if they have demonstrated academic excellence.

Letters of Recommendation
A Premedical Advisory Committee recommendation is required. If the applicant’s undergraduate or post-baccalaureate school does not have a committee, we require two science recommendations and one liberal arts recommendation from college faculty who can attest to the applicant's qualifications for medical school. Exceptions to these requirements will be made at the discretion of the Director of Admissions on an individual basis. All recommendations must be received no later than January 1.

The Interview
Once an application file is complete (AMCAS application, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, supplemental application and $75 fee), a Screening Committee reviews the applicant’s file. If the Screening Committee determines that the applicant should be interviewed, theOffice of Admissions notifies and formally invites the applicant for an interview.

The NJMS Office of Admissions makes every effort to schedule interview dates and times that are convenient to applicants. Applicants are interviewed by medical school faculty and administrators who will discuss personal and educational achievements, motivation, drive, ability, background, personality, long term goals and extracurricular activities. Interviews vary in length but generally last about one hour. If you have been invited for an interview and require additional information, please contact Ms. Luciana M. Wheeler at wheelelm@umdnj.edu

Early Decision Program
The Early Decision Program is available to highly qualified applicants who select NJMS as their first choice. Applicants who apply for Early Decision can only apply to one medical school. Applying for Early Decision provides applicants the opportunity to expedite the application process and, if accepted, successfully end the application process by October 1.

Applicants must complete their AMCAS applications by August 1 and submit all other required materials including the Application Fee Form and letters of recommendation by September 1. Notification is sent out by October 1. Early Decision applicants are either admitted to the entering class or placed in the regular applicant pool for consideration. Those placed in the regular applicant pool for consideration are then able to apply to other medical schools.

NJMS also offers an Early Decision option for the MD/PhD Dual Degree Program. Applicants interested in the Early Decision MD/PhD program will receive prompt review by both the MD and PhD program committees.

Deferment
Accepted candidates who are currently holding a position in the entering class may request to defer their matriculation for one year. Requests are considered on an individual basis and must be submitted by June 15. Offers of admission do not imply an option to defer matriculation and applicants should not assume that requests will be granted.

Decisions of The Admissions Committee

Acceptance

The NJMS Admissions Committee meets weekly during the admissions cycle and accepts selected applicants on a rolling basis from October through March. Accepted applicants are generally notified within four to six weeks of their interview date. Accepted applicants are required to pay a $100 acceptance deposit (refundable until May 15).

Alternate List

Strong applicants not initially selected for acceptance may be placed on the Alternate List. Applicants are accepted from the Alternate List beginning in Mid-June..

Regret

Once the committee has concluded its deliberations and has voted not to accept an applicant on the alternate list, a letter of regret is sent. This does not imply that the applicant is not qualified to enter medical school. Many eminently qualified students are not offered acceptances solely because of class size restrictions and the large applicant pool.