Columbia Med School Acceptance Rate

Since Columbia Medical School is in such a unique location, students should want to live in or near Washington Heights. New York City can be a very fulfilling and engaging place to study, especially the cultural oasis that is upper Manhattan.

Columbia Medical School Acceptance Rate, Ranking, and More

The Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons is one of the best medical schools in the world–and also one of the most competitive.

Located in the incredibly diverse neighborhood of Washington Heights in Manhattan, NYC, VP&S is ideally situated to provide students with the unique perspectives needed to empathize and treat patients from around the world.

It’s not just the neighborhood that brings together people from all ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, though. VP&S is also extremely diverse in its student body and faculty.

In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks it as the 28th most diverse med school–an often relatively homogenous field.

VP&S seeks to expand the teaching of medicine beyond science and math to incorporate ethics, arts, and medical history coursework.

Therefore, graduates of VP&S enter the medical community with a broad knowledge of the historical significance and ethical frameworks surrounding their specialty.

VP&S students can choose a course of study from a wide range of medical fields. The school offers MD and PhD programs, as well as curricula in genetic counseling, human nutrition, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

Columbia states that their medical school’s variety of program choices and access to top-of-the-line research tools, combined with its close proximity to varying perspectives and backgrounds, make VP&S stand out amongst other medical programs in the country.

For these reasons, VP&S is enormously popular among future physicians and surgeons. Here is a breakdown of everything prospective students should know about applying to VP&S.

Columbia Medical School Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate into Columbia Medical School is 3.4%.

Obviously, VP&S is very challenging to get into. Therefore, Columbia’s medical school applicants must have outstanding MCAT scores and GPAs.

Upon acceptance into VP&S, students have several academic paths they can take.

Students can choose to enroll in a traditional MD program, which consists of typical medical-focused math and science courses for two years, followed by electives and clerkships in years three and four.

The final two years will also see students working hands-on in hospitals and clinics alongside licensed physicians.

VP&S also offers a few programs for students who already hold an MD and want to earn a PhD, or vice-versa. These involve pre-clinical, clinical, and elective courses for completion.

Students applying to VP&S should also be aware of the cost of attendance, which is quite steep. A year’s worth of tuition costs $66,816, but there are some scholarship opportunities for students who meet need-based financial aid qualifications.

Columbia Medical School GPA & Requirements

The recommended GPA for students applying to Columbia Medical School is 3.9.

Students should recognize, though, that this is the average GPA meaning there is a significant number of students accepted to Columbia Medical School with a GPA higher than 3.9.

It’s essential for students applying to VP&S to have achieved outstanding grades in classes specific to the math and science field.

For example, it’s ideal for a student to have achieved an A in biology, physics, chemistry, or a related class.

Prospective Columbia Medical School students must also take the MCAT and receive a competitive score.

The average MCAT score for Columbia Medical School admits is 521. This means students must earn a score of around 130 in each section, which is quite difficult, so study hard!

Applying to Columbia Medical School is a little more complicated than simply submitting a fantastic GPA and MCAT score, though.

Students must begin by submitting the American Medical College Application Service application, which is an online system used by medical schools across the country. It is similar to the undergraduate Common Application.

The AMCAS will require test and GPA scores, as well as an essay.

Once they’ve submitted the AMCAS, students will then complete an application directly from Columbia University Medical School. These applications open in July and are rolling admission, which means there is no set deadline on which students will hear whether they’ve been accepted or not.

The most important part of the Columbia application is the secondary essay, which includes seven required essay prompts, as well as some others for specific programs.

Students will want to stand out in their essays because these are how Columbia chooses which applicants to interview. Last year, Columbia Medical School interviewed only 878 of their 7,297 applicants.

Securing a coveted interview with VP&S is crucial for applicants because it gives students a chance to impress a Columbia representative face-to-face rather than simply through an application.

Columbia Medical School Notable Alumni

Because it is such a popular yet selective school, Columbia Medical School has many highly notable alumni.

One such notable alumnus is Dr. P. Roy Vagelos, for whom the school is named. Vagelos is a biochemist and is best known for leading technology and chemicals company, Merck as first the President of Research, then the CEO and Chairman of the Board.

In 2017, Vagelos and his wife, Diana, donated $250 million to Columbia Medical School to replace loans with scholarships for medical students with financial need.

Hal Blumenfeld, MD, PhD gave the distinguished alumni speech at Columbia University in 2020. He is a neurologist whose work focuses on epilepsy, cognition, and brain imaging.

Although he received both his MD (1990) and PhD (1992) from Columbia, Blumenfeld now directs Yale’s Clinical Neuroscience Imaging Center (CNIC). He has received many awards and recognitions, including the prestigious Francis Gilman Blake Award from Yale University in 2007.

Another notable alumna from Columbia Medical School is Priya Rajasethupathy, MD, PhD. Rajasethupathy is a neuroscientist and assistant professor at Rockefeller University, where she specializes in the Laboratory of Neural Dynamics and Cognition.

Rajasethupathy has won a series of prestigious awards, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award.

Columbia Medical School Ranking

In 2022, U.S. News and World Report ranked VP&S number three in best medical schools: Research and number 73 for best medical schools: Primary Care in the country.

VP&S is also ranked highly by U.S. News and World Report in anesthesiology, psychiatry, and radiology, among other fields.

VP&S’s unique location in Washington Heights makes the school one of the most diverse medical schools in the country. U.S. News and World Report ranks it as the 28th most diverse med school.

With its remarkable GPA and MCAT standards, along with its impressive alumni and comprehensive program selection, it’s easy to see how Columbia Medical School consistently ranks as one of the top medical schools in the country.

Should You Apply to Columbia Medical School?

The first thing students should consider when deciding whether or not to apply to Columbia Medical School is if they meet the high standards of entry.

Students must have at least a 3.9 GPA and an MCAT score of 521. Anything lower is unlikely to be accepted at Columbia Medical School due to its extreme selection rate of 3.4%.

The next thing to consider is whether the medical school is the right fit. Students at Columbia Medical School face at least three years of rigorous classroom and clinic/hospital work. Med school is a serious undertaking, and students should be ready to face the intense workload and hours of commitment.

Since Columbia Medical School is in such a unique location, students should want to live in or near Washington Heights. New York City can be a very fulfilling and engaging place to study, especially the cultural oasis that is upper Manhattan.

However, it is still New York City–an extremely bustling city that may be a tough transition for some students.

Students should also be familiar with the cost of over $66,000 per year. Financially speaking, the good news is that some scholarships are available. Before applying, it’s a good idea for students to strategize the financial implications of attending Columbia.

Finally, students must be ready to study at one of the top medical schools in the world and put their best foot forward doing so.

The opportunity to attend Columbia Medical School is many people’s dream but only becomes a reality for a few. So, if students do get the chance to earn their education there, they should be sure to soak up every minute and learn as much as they can while they’re there.

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How to Get Into Columbia Medical School: Requirements and Strategies

How hard is it to get into the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons? Learn the Columbia Medical School acceptance rate and admissions strategies, plus secondary essay examples

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Columbia Medical School MD programs

Part 3: How hard is it to get into Columbia Medical School?

Part 4: Columbia Medical School secondary application essays (examples included)

Part 5: Columbia Medical School interview

Part 1: Introduction

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) consistently ranks among the top ten programs in the nation, and with an acceptance rate of 2%, the prospects of landing yourself a coveted spot in the annual pool of Columbia-trained physicians can seem daunting, to say the least.

In this guide, we’ll break down the Columbia Medical School application piece-by-piece in order to prepare you to put your best foot forward when the application deadline rolls around. We’ll also discuss approaches to the Columbia Medical School secondary essays and interviews.

Part 2: Columbia Medical School MD programs

Columbia offers several tracks through which prospective students can complete an MD:

• The traditional, four-year MD program
• The 3-year PhD-to-MD Program for those who have already completed their PhD in a biological or related science
• The Columbia Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) through which students can receive an MD-PhD dual degree
• The Columbia-Bassett MD track for students interested in rural healthcare
• The MD-OMFS Program for graduates of Columbia’s dental school

These tracks range in popularity and selectivity. For example, though most applicants seek the traditional, four-year path to their MD from Columbia, only ten admitted students are selected for the prestigious Bassett track, which boasts a remarkably high residency match, with most of the program’s students getting their first choices in residencies.

Additionally, Columbia also offers several dual-degree programs that medical students can apply to after matriculation. These include:

• The MD-MS in Biomedical Sciences Program
• The MD-MPH Program
• The MD-MBA Program
• The MD-MS in Biomedical Engineering Program
• The MD-MA in Biomedical Informatics

Columbia Medical School tuition and scholarships

Beginning in 2018, Columbia Medical School became the first program in the nation to replace student loans with scholarships for all students who qualify for financial aid, thanks to a new scholarship fund with a $300 million endowment.

Given that the 2023–2024 first-year cost of attendance (including estimated living expenses and fees) runs $108,499 earning a Columbia MD isn’t cheap. However, under the new scholarship plan, Columbia aims to increase access to their program regardless of financial constraints.

Students whose families earn less than $125,000 per year will receive full-tuition scholarships (note: this may vary if your family has significant assets besides yearly income), and all students who would otherwise have loans included in their financial packages will no longer have to fear the daunting task of repayment.

Part 3: How hard is it to get into Columbia Medical School?

Columbia Medical School admissions statistics

With an acceptance rate of just 2%, Columbia Medical School’s admissions statistics are daunting. Let’s take a look at some numbers for the class of 2026:

• Applications: 7,008
• Interviews: 870
• Matriculants: 140
• Median GPA: 3.9
• Median MCAT score: 522

With statistics like these, the margins for gaining admission to Columbia’s MD program can be slight for even the best and brightest applicants. How do you stand out from the crowd of other 4.0 GPAs and top-percentile test scores? You’ll need to ace your secondary application essays. Luckily for you, we’ve got you covered on that front (and more) below.

Columbia Medical School admissions requirements

Here are the coursework prerequisites you’ll need in order to apply to VP&S:

• English: One year of English or another writing-intensive course
• Biology: One year with labs
• Physics: One year with labs
• Chemistry: Two years, one of which must be Organic Chemistry, both with labs

In addition, biochemistry, statistics, and biostatistics are highly recommended but not required. Note that AP credit will not count towards the prerequisites listed above.

You’ll need to have taken the MCAT within three years of applying. For the 2023–2024 application cycle, this means a test score earned between January 2020 and September 2023.

Columbia Medical School application timeline

Let’s go over the dates and deadlines that you’ll need to be aware of in order to apply to Columbia Medical School. Similar to the majority of medical schools in the U.S., you’ll use the AMCAS application to apply to Columbia.

• May 2, 2023: AMCAS application opens
• May 30, 2023: AMCAS application can be submitted
• July 2023–October 2023: Columbia secondary application sent to all applicants and applications processed
• August 2023–January 2024: Interviews invitations sent
• October 15, 2023: AMCAS application deadline
• October 22, 2023: Secondary application deadline
• October 29, 2023: Deadline for supporting documents, including MCAT scores and letters of recommendation
• March 2024: Admission offers sent and waitlist opens
• April 15, 2024: Admitted students must withdraw from all but three schools
• April 30, 2024: Admitted students must withdraw from all but one school
• May 2023–August 2023: Waitlist applicants reviewed

Part 4: Columbia Medical School secondary application essays (examples included)

Once you’ve submitted your AMCAS application and selected Columbia as a school of interest, you’ll receive your invitation to complete Columbia’s secondary application, which you can submit between July and October.

This application requires you to write seven essays of varying lengths (with additional responses required if you’re applying for programs besides the typical four-year degree), and you’ll need to take each prompt seriously.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of Columbia’s secondary essay questions, shed light on the best approaches to knocking them out of the park, and provided sample responses based on composites of successful applicants to show you how it’s done.

Columbia Medical School MD secondary essay prompts

Question 1: Have you previously applied to Medical School? (200 characters)

This question should be relatively easy to answer. If this is your first application cycle, go ahead and answer “No.” If you’re a reapplicant, describe your past application attempt(s) in a sentence or two. With just 200 characters on the table, you likely won’t have room for much else.

I applied to medical school during the 2021–2022 application cycle. Though I was placed on a few waitlists, I ultimately did not receive an acceptance offer.

Question 2: If you took time off from your undergraduate studies, please briefly summarize your reasons for doing so. (250 words)

Question 3: Did you work for compensation during college, during the year, or the summer? If so, what did you do? How many hours a week did you work? (300 words)

Question 4: If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim. (300 words)

Question 5: Please describe your most meaningful leadership positions. (300 words)

Question 6: Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values diversity in all its forms. How will your background and experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician? (300 words)

Question 7: Is there anything else you would like us to know? (400 words)

Gain instant access to med school secondary essay examples for every single prompt required by every medical school in the United States and Canada. Subscribe today to lock in the current investments, which will be increasing in the future for new subscribers.

Columbia MSTP secondary essay prompts

In addition to the essays above, you’ll need to respond to the following prompts if you plan to apply to Columbia’s MSTP (the dual MD-PhD program.)

MSTP Question 1: What academic honors have you received? (e.g. prizes, scholarships, fellowships, honors societies). (5000 characters)

MSTP Question 2: What are your major research interests? (20 words)

MSTP Question 3: PhD Goals (5000 characters)

MSTP Question 4: Additional Information (5000 characters)

Columbia-Bassett secondary essay prompts

Columbia-Bassett Essay 1: What aspect of Columbia-Bassett has the most appeal to you?

Gain instant access to med school secondary essay examples for every single prompt required by every medical school in the United States and Canada. Subscribe today to lock in the current investments, which will be increasing in the future for new subscribers.

Part 5: Columbia Medical School interview

Columbia begins inviting top applicants to interview in August and continues the interview process through January. They extend interview invitations to roughly the top 10% of their yearly applicants, so if you’re one of the lucky few to get the opportunity to interview, that means the admission committee sees something special in you and all that’s left is nailing this one important application component.

In the 2023–2024 application cycle, interviews at Columbia will be held virtually. They also utilize a traditional med school interview format, meaning you should be prepared to answer questions such as “Why Columbia?” speak about your most significant extracurricular activities, how you expect your medical career to unfold, and what you’ve done both in and outside the classroom to prepare for med school.

Our research has shown that many questions asked during a Columbia Medical School interview are specific to the applicant. If you mention something on your application, you should expect to be able to discuss that topic in greater detail. We’ve found the following questions are commonly asked at Columbia interviews:

• Where do you see your career going?
• What questions do you have for me?
• Why Columbia / New York?
• Tell me about this class you took.
• Have you thought about what field of medicine you might like to end up in?
• You’ve been out of school for a while. Do you think you are ready to take on a full course load?
• What sort of relationship, long-term or short-term, would you like with your patients?
• What do you think will be the most difficult part of medicine?

You may have thorough answers for questions such as “Why Columbia?” but do you really know what kind of relationship you would like to have with your patients or can you speak to the particulars of a class you took that adds something to what you mentioned in your application?

These considerations are vital to interview success. In such a high-pressure situation, your nerves are likely to get the better of you without adequate preparation. Make sure you’ve thought through your responses so you can walk into the interview calm and collected; conveying who you really are to adcoms.

Final thoughts

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons continues to hold fast to its top-ten ranking for good reason, and with their new scholarship-based loan replacement fund making the program even more alluring to potential applicants, one can only expect future admissions cycles to grow even more competitive.

In an application landscape where a far greater number of applicants boast high GPAs and MCAT scores than can be admitted, it’s becoming increasingly important to nail your supplemental essays in order to distinguish yourself from the pack. By following this guide, you’ll be one step closer to landing one of Columbia Medical School’s coveted spots.

THERE’S NO REASON TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE MED SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH ON THE LINE. SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.

Dr. Shemmassian

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and well-known expert on college admissions, medical school admissions, and graduate school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into elite institutions.