University Of Rochester Pre Med Acceptance Rate

Acceptance rate: 2.1%

Best Pre-Med Schools in New York

With its numerous prestigious universities and colleges, New York is a hub of excellent pre-med programs that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to excel in medical school and beyond.

Whether you’re interested in attending an Ivy League institution, a small liberal arts college, or anything in between, New York offers diverse options for students seeking a medical career at the best pre-med schools in New York.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the 9 best pre-med schools in New York, showcasing the variety and quality of educational opportunities available.

Whether you’re a high school student considering your options or a college student looking to transfer, this guide will provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision about your future in the medical field.

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The 9 Best Pre-Med Schools In New York

New York, renowned for its world-class educational institutions, is home to an impressive array of top pre-med schools for aspiring medical professionals.

With a wealth of options ranging from prestigious Ivy League institutions to specialized liberal arts colleges, the city offers unparalleled opportunities for students seeking a successful medical career.

Explore the best pre-med schools in New York by delving into each institution’s unique features and benefits.

1. New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Acceptance rate: 2.1%

SAT score: 1350-1530

ACT score: 31-35

New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine is one of the most competitive medical schools in the country.

NYU offers a thoughtful and detailed Pre-health Program that provides students with academic guidance, practical experience opportunities, and connections to other aspiring medical students.

Personalized advising for each student considers strengths and weaknesses, assessing the candidate’s chances of admission and assisting them in assembling the most effective application possible.

NYU encourages students to gain clinical experience through volunteering at the many Manhattan hospitals nearby or through summer enrichment programs.

2. Columbia University

Acceptance Rate: 1.71%

SAT Score: 1450-1560

ACT Score: 33-35

Tuition: $69,363

Columbia University is home to the oldest and largest Postbac Pre-med Program, highly regarded among top medical schools for its rigorous approach to medical school preparation​​.

The Postbac Premed Program at Columbia allows students to complete the academic prerequisites for admission to schools of allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and graduate programs in allied health.

Students in the Postbac Premed program take the same classes with the same professors as Columbia undergraduates, ensuring a high-quality educational experience​​.

Moreover, the premedical academic program can be tailored to meet the individual needs of each student, offering a traditional sequence, part-time, and an accelerated for those students who are prepared​​.

3. Cornell University

Acceptance Rate: 3.4%

SAT Score: 1450-1540

ACT Score: 33-35

Tuition: $67,400

Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, is a highly selective pre-med school that offers a rigorous curriculum for aspiring doctors.

Discover the many advantages Cornell offers beyond its renowned status as a major producer of pre-meds. Esteemed as a member of the prestigious Ivy League and admired for its exceptional merits, the university is recognized for its challenging academic programs.

Cornell goes above and beyond by providing numerous opportunities for undergraduate research and offering unique extracurricular activities, empowering pre-med students to enhance their applications.

Moreover, the university establishes valuable connections with the highly regarded Weill Cornell School of Medicine. This association facilitates learning from expert clinicians and enables research opportunities during breaks.

4. The University of Rochester

SAT Score: 1340-1500

ACT Score: 31-34

Tuition: $61,678 ​

At the University of Rochester, there isn’t a formal “pre-med major” or dedicated program. Instead, the path to medical school involves taking biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses alongside your chosen major(s).

When choosing a major, medical schools do not have preferences for specific majors over others. The decision should be based on your academic interests, strengths, and the alternative career field(s) you may pursue if you decide not to attend medical school.

The university is close to renowned institutions like Strong Memorial Hospital, the School of Medicine and Dentistry, and the Arthur Kornberg Medical Research Building.

As an undergraduate student, you can engage in research activities, participate in clinical volunteering, and establish contact with the esteemed faculty and admissions staff from the School of Medicine.

Rochester provides a supportive environment for premedical students to explore their academic and career interests while offering access to prestigious medical facilities and valuable connections with medical professionals.

5. Stony Brook University

Acceptance Rate: 5.5%

Tuition: $43,670

Stony Brook University boasts a robust pre-med program at its Renaissance School of Medicine, which ranks among the top ten globally.

The program combines the affordability of a state university with the prestige of an elite private institution, presenting an attractive option for undergraduates planning health careers.

Stony Brook takes a unique approach to pre-med education, strongly encouraging students to major in a subject they are passionate about. It also gives them adequate time and energy to complete the necessary prerequisite courses for medical school​.

At Stony Brook, pre-health advisors work closely with students to guide them in selecting disciplines that connect to medical careers in various ways, not confining them to traditional choices like biology or chemistry.

Stony Brook Pre-Health Advising assists students throughout the medical school application process, from explaining and helping with the important committee letter to guiding interviews and helping students secure summer internships.

A unique aspect of the program is the Academic Associate Program, where Stony Brook undergraduates can work at the Stony Brook University Medical Center, screening patients for participation in clinical studies.

This hands-on experience can lead to further research opportunities and earn students academic credit​​.

6. SUNY Binghamton University

Ranking: #73 in National Universities

Acceptance Rate: 42%

SAT Score: 1290-1450

ACT Score: 29-32

Tuition: $7,070

Are you seeking an exceptional pre-med program that won’t break the bank? Look no further than SUNY Binghamton in beautiful upstate New York. Not only is Binghamton ranked among the top public universities in the nation, but it also offers one of the most affordable tuition rates in the state.

But don’t let the low price tag fool you. Binghamton’s pre-med program is rigorous and highly competitive. However, if you can meet the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with an exceptional education that will prepare you for success in medical school and beyond.

The pre-med program constitutes approximately 10-15% of the student body at SUNY Binghamton. This smaller size offers a more relaxed environment, fostering diversity in student majors and interests.

The diversity and size of the pre-med student body at Binghamton thus create a welcoming and conducive environment for learning and collaboration.

Binghamton offers a vibrant campus life with students engaging in various activities. Whether hanging out outside or in the dining halls, students at Binghamton seem more interconnected, contributing to a more lively and engaging environment.

This positive atmosphere is critical, especially for pre-med students who must commit to a significant amount of work and might suffer academically if they are uncomfortable in their environment. Beyond academics, Binghamton has many on-campus activities, making it a preferred choice for many students.

Overall, SUNY Binghamton is an excellent choice for students seeking a high-quality pre-med program at an affordable price.

7. SUNY Buffalo University

Acceptance Rate: 68%

SAT Score:1180-1360

ACT Score: 25-31

Tuition: $7,070

If you’re looking for an outstanding pre-med program at an affordable price, SUNY Buffalo should be at the top of your list. As part of the SUNY system, SUNY Buffalo offers one of the most affordable tuition rates in the state.

Buffalo State provides an extensive array of courses—encompassing biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics—that are prerequisites for admission to various health professions schools, such as medical, dental, osteopathic, veterinary, optometry, podiatry, and chiropractic.

Recognizing that each institution has distinct requirements, Buffalo State’s curriculum is designed to align with the prerequisites of a diverse array of health professions schools. The mastery of the material covered in these courses is subsequently assessed through entrance exams for these professional schools.

For students eyeing a career in the health professions, initiating contact with the pre-health adviser at an early stage, preferably during their freshman or sophomore year, is paramount.

This facilitates the commencement of the advisement process and lays the groundwork for planning the application process. In conjunction with the Pre-Health Advisory Committee, the pre-health professions adviser is available to guide students interested in embarking on a career in the health professions.

They help with prerequisites, course selection, and suitable extracurricular activities such as research and summer internships. Furthermore, they extend their support during the application process and in preparing the required supporting materials for student applications.

8. CUNY, Brooklyn College

Acceptance rate: 44.5%​

SAT score: 1020-1180​2​

ACT score: 22-29​

In-State Tuition: $7,440​​

The Pre-Health Program is tailored for students aiming to enroll in a health sciences professional school, either immediately after graduation or upon fulfilling the prerequisite conditions set by the professional school.

Brooklyn College, a proud part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, offers an unparalleled pre-med school program designed to shape the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.

This rigorous program boasts a rich curriculum integrating foundational sciences with practical healthcare knowledge, offering a comprehensive educational experience. Here, students delve into a wide array of subjects, all while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for success in the medical field.

The program is fortified by Brooklyn College’s cutting-edge facilities, providing students with the tools and resources to conduct in-depth scientific research.

What truly sets the Brooklyn College pre-med program apart, however, is its unwavering commitment to student success. The college’s dedicated faculty and advisors offer personalized guidance to each student, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of medical school applications and beyond.

This holistic approach extends beyond academics, focusing on the growth of students as compassionate healthcare professionals. By fostering a nurturing environment for intellectual curiosity, ethical conduct, and a passion for medicine, Brooklyn College’s pre-med program stands as a beacon of excellence, preparing students for a bright future in healthcare.

9. CUNY Hunter College

Acceptance rate: 46%​

SAT score: 1170 – 1340​

ACT score: 25 – 31

In-state tuition: $7,382​

‍In the heart of bustling New York City, Hunter College, a distinguished institution of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, provides an exceptional pre-med school program. This program is designed to provide aspiring medical professionals with a robust and wide-ranging education in the sciences.

Students encounter an interdisciplinary curriculum that intertwines biology, chemistry, and physics. The program is further enhanced by Hunter College’s state-of-the-art facilities, offering students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research and experiential learning.

The dedicated faculty and advising staff offer individualized guidance to each student, helping them navigate the complexities of medical school applications and the evolving landscape of healthcare.

Through a blend of rigorous academics and personal development, Hunter College’s pre-med program equips its students to succeed in medical school and make lasting, positive impacts in healthcare.

How to Succeed as a Rochester Premed

Everything you need to know about Rochester premed, including premed requirements, the best extracurriculars, and the University of Rochester premed acceptance rate

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Rochester premed requirements

Part 3: Rochester premed extracurriculars

Part 4: Getting into medical school as a Rochester premed

Part 1: Introduction

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare professions is expected to grow by as much as 13% between 2021 and 2031, resulting in approximately 2 million new jobs. Job openings—roughly 1.9 million annually—also arise from the need to replace individuals who permanently leave the profession. None of these positions can be filled without the proper training, however. If you’re from the northeast part of the United States and think you’d enjoy changing the face of medicine for those in and around the Rochester, New York area, then succeeding as a premed student at the University of Rochester may be the ideal path for you.

With a population of just over 4,500 undergraduate students, the University of Rochester remains one of the smallest of the top research universities in the country. Currently ranked #36 in National Universities and #25 in Best Value Schools by US News, it boasts an acceptance rate of 41%. If you have your sights set on attending here, you’ll need to be a high achiever, though; most students coming in have a high school GPA of at least 3.8 and have scored at least 1370 on the SAT.

But don’t let these stats intimidate you. While Rochester has much to offer premed hopefuls, it isn’t the only way to successfully become a changemaker in medicine. Still, there’s quite a bit to be said for attending one of the nation’s top research universities.

Whether you plan to one day attend the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry or some other med school, your time at the University of Rochester as a premed will serve you well. In this guide, we’ll show you what being a successful premed student at UR means. We’ll cover the typical premed requirements and how you might fulfill them, how to get those crucial extracurricular hours, and discuss exactly how to gain entry into med school as a University of Rochester premed.

Part 2: Rochester premed requirements

For any average college student, getting good grades should be important. For premed students, doing so is mandatory. Since it’s vital that premed students do well, it’s important that they choose a course of study they can do well in.

At times, students are under the impression that particular majors (such as one in the sciences) somehow “look better” to medical schools. The truth is that it’s not about what your major is; it’s about how well you do in that major and the grades you’re able to achieve.

Many of the courses you take as an undergrad will be premed requirements that will provide you with the content knowledge to do well on the MCAT exam. While the exact courses and number of semesters or quarters you need to take those courses will depend on the med school you’re interested in, all medical schools have similar requirements.

As such, the Healthcare Community Advisors at the University of Rochester have developed a list of prerequisite courses you’ll need to take, along with UR courses that fulfill those requirements. We’ve summarized those courses in the table below for your convenience.

It’s not unusual for students to begin college with credit already earned from AP courses, and high-achieving premed students are no exception to this. While AP credit will typically count toward degree requirements, it doesn’t generally count toward satisfying the medical school prerequisite requirements. Therefore, you’ll still need to complete the required number of courses (e.g., “two semesters with lab”) as outlined above.

AP credits will help as you make the selection and narrow down the actual courses you take. Whereas many students will want to take BIOL 110L in the Fall and BIOL 111L in the Spring, those who earned either a 4 or 5 on the AP Bio exam should consider taking BIOL 112L in the Fall and BIOL 113L in the Spring. Either way, students will complete two semesters of Biology at the college level.

To help assist you as you plan out your class schedule, we’ve put together one way you might complete the first three years of your undergraduate program while taking care of the prereqs:

Part 3: Rochester premed extracurriculars

In addition to completing academic coursework in specific subject areas, all premed students will be required to complete extracurricular activities. Typically, those in pre-health programs complete these requirements by exploring their interests through in-depth research, shadowing physicians, performing community service, and participating in patient care opportunities in a clinical setting.

UR students will find that they are at an advantage in fulfilling their extracurricular requirements. With this in mind, they may find the following opportunities lend themselves to providing meaningful experiences that future physicians need:

Research

• The University of Rochester is very close to Strong Memorial Hospital and the Arthur Kornberg Medical Research Building, and there are plenty of opportunities for students to perform research and volunteer.
• If you’re interested in pediatric fellowships, there are several hospitals and other facilities nearby. From Golisano Children’s Hospital to the University of Rochester Clinical & Translational Science Institute (UR CTSI), you’ll find an abundance of research-based opportunities to complete a fellowship!
• Medical Research Building (MRBX), which is a four-story building that houses Strong Children’s Research Center, covering research in surgery, genetics, and general medicine.
• If cardiovascular research piques your interest, you may find that the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) provides you with the opportunity to engage in meaningful research amidst its 12 cardiovascular research laboratories.
• The de Kiewiet Summer Research Fellowship is a program under the Undergraduate Program in Biology and Medicine (UPBM) that provides students with the chance to conduct independent research during the summer.

Community service

• Start by attending an Activity Fair at the beginning of any semester to gain a better understanding of the service-oriented opportunities available to UR students.
• Additionally, you can visit the Center for Community Engagement for ideas on how to get involved in local community service organizations.

Patient care

• Check out the University of Rochester’s Health and Human Services site. There, you’ll find the school’s Handshake link (think of that as a student-oriented version of LinkedIn that’s specifically tied to UR)
• In the event that you have the opportunity to perform patient care in an international clinical setting, there are some extra considerations. In most cases, the experiences you’d have abroad would likely be similar to those you’d have in the U.S. However, at times, you may be asked—or even required—to engage in practices that are legal in one country but may be illegal in the U.S. To address this, the AAMC has put together Guidelines for Premedical Students Providing Patient Care During Clinical Experiences Abroad which will help you think through the ethical considerations of such practices. You should also be prepared to explain your participation in a medical school interview.

In addition to the above, premed students at the University of Rochester may be interested in becoming involved in the following student organizations:

Part 4: Getting into medical school as a Rochester premed

Ultimately, your goal is to enter medical school. Whether you’re interested in the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry or are considering other paths to a white coat, you’ll want to know that you’ve prepared properly for acceptance. But, what precisely is required?

Regardless of where you attend for undergrad or which med school you apply to, every premed will need to supply an application composed of the following elements:

• An application – You’ll need to submit an AMCAS application if you’re interested in MD schools, an AACOMAS application if you’re interested in DO schools, and/or a TMDSAS application if you’re interested in a public medical school in Texas.
• Competitive GPA and MCAT scores – Different schools have different averages for matriculants, so while there’s really no “standard” across the board, all medical schools will expect you to have competitive grades and test scores. That said, it’s safe to say that you should be a high-achieving student and that your GPA—and especially your science GPA—should reflect that.
• Complete prerequisite coursework – We’ve provided a general list of med school prerequisites in Part 2 above, but to know which specific prerequisites you’ll need to complete for the precise medical school you want to attend, consult the MSAR database, which is a resource published by the AAMC and that lists each medical school’s specific requirements.
• Secondary applications – You may think the bulk of your application is complete once you submit the primary portion (which includes the personal statement and initial application). However, as you progress through the process, you’ll encounter the secondary application. Receiving an invitation to complete the secondary application happens in one of two ways: either everyone who submits a primary application will receive a secondary application or only select students who meet a particular GPA and MCAT requirement will receive the invitation. This depends on the medical school in question. If you do receive an invitation to complete a secondary application, aim to complete it as quickly as possible (without sacrificing quality). The secondary application involves writing a set of essays—known as secondary essays—and submitting the required letters of recommendation.
• Letters of recommendation – Whereas most components of your med school application will come from you, letters of recommendation are the one opportunity for others to speak highly of you. In terms of how many you will need or whom you should ask to write them on your behalf, it varies based on the med school you apply to, so check the requirements for each school. Generally speaking, three letters are the most common requirement. As a University of Rochester student, you’ll also have the benefit of having the Health Committee Letter prepared for you. This is a letter developed by the Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education and Connections that includes a cover letter as well as a letter outlining your accomplishments during your time at UR.
• Extracurriculars – We already listed some of the extracurricular activities you can become involved in as a UR student, so all we’ll mention at this point is that these experiences will be used to complete the Work and Activities section of your AMCAS application.

Rochester Early Medical Scholars Program

If the above requirements sound daunting, keep in mind that as a future physician, you’re in a unique position to change the face of medicine, conduct life-changing medical research, and ultimately be on the frontlines of powerful breakthroughs in healthcare. It’s not for the faint of heart!

Still, there’s at least one other pathway you may embark upon to realize your dream of becoming a physician. Through Rochester’s own combined degree program known as the Rochester Early Medical Scholars Program (REMS), you’ll be enrolled in an eight-year BS/BA + MD program that will provide you with assurance and a guaranteed spot in medical school as soon as you complete your undergraduate degree and the premed coursework. There’ll be no need to stress and wonder if you’ll get in as you anxiously await application decisions. While this program may sound like a student’s dream, it’s also a highly competitive program— the most competitive program at the University of Rochester. But if you’re dedicated and have the grades to prove it, then it’s certainly an option to consider.

Final thoughts

The University of Rochester provides students with excellent preparation for medical school, as evidenced by its students’ accomplishments. The motto at the University of Rochester is “Meliora” (which means “ever better”), and this is especially true with its premed students who continue to prove that they are taking those accomplishments to the next level. As a UR premed student, you can have the unique opportunity to join this group of individuals and push medicine to further heights.