Albert Einstein College of Medicine: How to Get In

Mission Statement

“To prepare a diverse body of students to become knowledgeable, compassionate physicians and innovative scientific investigators, and to create new knowledge.”

Available Programs

Graduate/Medical Degree (MD) Program include:

Combined MD/Ph.D.

With an average completion time of 8.2 years, this combined program incorporates Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)-specific courses with graduate and medical courses in the first two years of preclinical course work. Further incorporation continues in the PhD thesis years via a week-to-week participation in the MSTP Continuity Clinic and MSTP Career Paths seminar and Clinical Pathological Conferences organized every month. 

Combined MD/M.P.H.

In collaboration with City University of New York School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), this is a 5-year combined program that provides a much-needed basis for medicine and public health which equips graduates with required skills to effectively tackle health-related issues across board. With concentrations in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Health Policy and Management, Public Health Nutrition, and Epidemiology and Statistics.

In addition to its M.D. program, it offers programs for Ph.D. in biomedical sciences.

M.S. in clinical research

This is two-year program is designed for students interested in a career in hypothesis-driven and investigative clinical research.

M.S. in Bioethics

In alliance with Cardozo Law, this program integrates courses specifically designed for the curriculum in bioethics. It equips students with the significant skills to navigate the nuances of laws, regulation and policies in a healthcare environment that is ever-evolving.

Special Program Graduate Programs

Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

This eight-week program is usually earmarked for 50 college students with a strong background in science who are passionate with a research-centered career. This program usually commences in early-June for a laboratory-based work experience. Students are matched to a laboratory in the area of interest they indicate on their application.

Academic Curriculum

The academic curriculum of Albert Einstein College of Medicine is designed with the ever-evolving dynamics of academics in mind through a balanced functional traditional teaching technique and innovative modern educational strategies.

The instruction style includes an 18-month pre-clerkship curriculum, incorporating a doctoring course, followed by clinical instruction and activities that facilitate and enhance professional development. The curriculum for the MD program is basically divided into:

Generally, as a requirement for graduation, all students are expected to submit a scholarly paper based on mentor-guided research.

Grading System

Since one of Einstein’s philosophies is that medical education should indeed simulate the realities of medicine by promoting an atmosphere of collaboration and collegiality bereft of competition; hence, the reason all pre-clerkship courses are graded on a Pass/Fail basis. However, Honors/High Pass/Pass/Low Pass/Fail are the grades used for clinical rotations and are they generally come with a written account summarizing the student’s performance – something that can greatly affect your MSPE.

Application Timeline

The medical school application timeline below provides a general outline of important deadlines. Always check the schools’ websites for the most up-to-date information. 

Admissions Statistics

Recommended Courses

Einstein employs a competency-based admission requirement process to evaluate prospective students. Applicants are assessed in four areas of competence which include: Co-curricular activities and relevant experiences; Communication skills; Personal and professional development; and Knowledge. Under knowledge competencies aspect, the prerequisites required for the MD program are:

1. Chemistry/Biochemistry: applicants are expected to have relevant knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry, as well as the biochemistry of living organisms.
2. Biology: applicants are expected to have proper understanding of eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses, as well as their respective cellular and molecular organization.
3. Physics: applicants are required to have functional knowledge of the various aspect of basic physics such as waves, electricity and magnetism, thermal physics, and Newtonian mechanics.
4. Mathematics: applicants are expected to possess good mathematical skills expressive in quantitative reasoning and data interpretation.
5. Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences: applicants are expected to have a good understanding of influential factors responsible for human decision making with respect to health and health care.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine does not encourage applicants to take pre-requisite science courses on-line or accept pass/fail grading system.

Do you need help preparing for the Physics Section of the MCAT? Check out this video!

Medical School Tuition and Debt

Funding Opportunities

The total direct federal research grants and contracts offered to Albert Einstein College of Medicine total about $126,000,000, and approximately 80% of the students benefit from financial aid.  Hence, to help students meet their financial obligations, here are available research funding and opportunities:

Institutional Aid

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) students are offered a stipend of $38,000 per year throughout their program, and they are entitled to subsidized on-campus housing, free membership to the athletic facility, medical insurance as well as tuition waiver for all years (MD and PhD Programs).

Research Fellowship

The major fellowships offered by Albert Einstein College of Medicine for research and global health include:

• Summer Research Fellowship: 2-months research projects supervised by faculty at Einstein or other institutions with $2,500 in stipend.
• Senior Research Fellowship: 5 months of research conducted under the supervision of faculty at Einstein or another institution.
• Einstein Research Fellowship: 12 months of research and mentorship usually between clerkship year and fourth year with a $16,000 stipend.

Federal loans

Eligible for only US citizens and permanent residents, these loans will be granted to students based on need. There are two types of federal direct loans: Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan. To access these loans, you must apply and process your request through the Office of Finance, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Other aid programs include National Health Service Programs (NHSC) Scholarship, targeting prospective students, as well as 1st and 2nd year students; and the Student to Service Loan Repay Program which has 4th year students selected as a priority target.

External Funding Resources

Einstein also recommend to its students to consider external funding. The Office of Finance and the Financial Aid Office usually provides students with an updated list of the available medical school scholarship and grant opportunities.

Selection Factors

The key selection factor deployed by Einstein is the competency-based admissions process. This is instituted to prepare applicants for an all-inclusive review that will cross-examine and evaluate their personal attributes along with their academic readiness for medical school. This approach affords applicants the opportunity to demonstrate the complex personal dimensions that contribute to being a good medical professional. These are detailed further below:

Although, Albert Einstein College of Medicine does not have specific semester requirements for each of the recommended science courses; however, they require that applicants should have 40 credit hours of science and mathematics, including advanced biology and 40 credit hours of humanities and social sciences. Your prerequisite coursework cannot be older than 5 years at the time of matriculation.

With regards to MCAT scores, according to Einstein’s admissions office, all applicants must take the MCAT no later than September of the year preceding matriculation and not later than three years prior to application.

MCAT and GPA

It’s a general belief that undergraduate performance is the most significant indicator of one’s academic abilities; hence, your GPA average is a particularly important requisite for admission selection. Consequently, while the accepted average GPA cut-off score for Einstein is 3.81, the accepted average MCAT score is 515.

To set the tone on how important an impressive MCAT and GPA score is to your prospect of getting admitted into Albert Einstein College of Medicine, here’s a quick perspective: Just last year, out of the 8,088 applicants to Einstein, only 12% got interviewed, and 2.23% matriculated. Out of the 183 matriculants, only two countries were represented – U.S. (18 states) and Japan. From these stats, it is evident that entry into Einstein is by no means an easy feat, it is highly competitive.

Therefore, in preparation for your application into Einstein, it is important to maintain a high GPA or an impressive MCAT score. While some schools may waive a low MCAT score for an outstanding GPA score, and vice versa, Einstein may not afford you this unprecedented privileged - competition is significantly high. Having an above average MCAT and GPA score is just the first step in your assessment process.

Applicant Essays

Einstein attaches great importance to the AMCAS personal statement and medical school secondary essays. This is usually the second stage in the assessment process after the admissions committee evaluates applicants based on their coursework grades, as well as GPA and MCAT scores. Because this stage can be a tie-breaker, your personal statement should be strong and compelling. It affords you the opportunity to reflect your unique strength and share your inspiring stories on your journey to becoming a potential medical doctor and why you chose Einstein as your school of choice. The content must be well-written, truthful and persuasive.

Secondary Application Prompts

Regarded as an important criterion for selection, secondary application asks you several questions about your personal experiences, cultural background, emotional capacity, stress threshold, academic records, as well as other bits of personal information that will inspire confidence in your potential ability to succeed as a medical doctor.

The format of Einstein’s secondary application prompt is unique as it comprises of questions that require ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. However, questions with affirmative answers necessitate a brief explanation of about 100 words. Examples of some of these questions are:

Recommendation Letter

Albert Einstein College of Medicine accepts all three recommendation letter options: Individual Letter, Committee Letter, and Letter Packet. Einstein requests a minimum of three individual letters of recommendation. The maximum number of letters accepted is six and all recommendation letters must be written on official letterhead and signed by the author or committee. However, committee letters are not mandatory, nonetheless if submitted; only the individual letters will count towards the number of recommendations. A committee letter alone will not substitute individual recommendations.

Extracurriculars

This demonstrates balance between your work and social life. It is important to show that you have fully explored, considered, and experienced the social and realistic aspects of the medical profession and as such, equipping you holistically for the societal, as well as professional demands and expectations of being a physician.

One way to impress the admissions committee is to volunteer at organizations or institutions where you can assume leadership roles and demonstrate a strong commitment. You can also initiate a pet project, pre-med student colloquium. or a mentorship program. Ensure your extracurriculars show initiative and commitment to betterment of humanity.

Interview Formats

At Einstein, invited applicants for interviews are expected to book an interview appointment within two weeks from the date of the invitation or risk it being revoked. During the interview, applicants will meet with an Admissions Committee member; and like most traditional medical interviews lasting between 30 minutes to an hour, the interview will be conducted by a scientist or clinician from the committee.

However, in the instance where applicants are not satisfied with their interview, Einstein offers a second chance at redemption. Notification of such request for another interview is expected to be made to the Office of Admissions on the day of interview because after a disposition letter stating if your admission has been accepted or rejected has been mailed, there will be no consideration of any request for re-interview.

For more details on the Albert Einstein College of Medicine admission interview, you should try our sample of some common medical school interview questions to get some practice.

Acceptance and Waitlist Information

The earliest and latest date of acceptance letter sent to applicants from Albert Einstein College of Medicine is early February and early August, respectively. The maximum allowed time for an applicant to respond to this offer is two weeks. However, if you received your letter by late April, you have a 5-day window to respond or wait until July 1, when you only have two days to respond or risk losing the admission.

Relatedly, Einstein informs students that they have been placed on the wait list. They are asked to accept or decline a place, and are invited to provide any updates they feel might strengthen their application. Although the number varies annually, typical number of waitlist positions per cycle is 275 and the number of accepted offers sent out from the waitlist to acceptable candidates is 75. In addition, Einstein handles admission deferment on a case-by-case basis. Learn how to get off a medical school waitlist in our blog.

Contact Information

Albert Einstein College of Medicine admission email box

Albert Einstein College of Medicine admission website

Albert Einstein College of Medicine homepage

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results. 

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