Mayo Medical School is cutting-edge and competitive, and we have tips to help you get in. Renowned for its small class sizes, high patient-to-student ratios, flexible electives, and world-class research opportunities, Mayo Medical School is extremely appealing to aspiring physicians. Yet, with a medical school acceptance rate of only 4.5%, securing a spot at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM) is challenging.
In this blog, you will learn essential strategies for navigating the rigorous selection process and tips to maximize your potential for success at Mayo Medical School.
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Mayo Medical School Mission Statement
“To provide an outstanding medical education that results in an inspired and diverse workforce of physicians and scientists who are leaders in advancing exemplary, equitable, and affordable clinical care; health care system design; and related innovation. To alleviate human suffering and best serve critical health needs of our broadly diverse and increasingly connected nation and world.”
Mayo Medical School Admissions Statistics
Overall acceptance rate: 4.5%
In-state success rate: 2.19%
Out-of-state success rate: 2.03%
GPA: 3.95
MCAT: 521
Mayo Medical School Overall Success Rate:
Available Programs at Mayo Medical School
“For me, I knew the Mayo Clinic was special right from my interview invitation. I had an attending physician reach out about something specific I had written in my personal statement. She related it to her life experiences before extending the program invitation to get to know me better personally. Though it seemed small, that extra step instinctually told me that the institution saw us as being part of a community, which was an aspect I valued. The other facets that drew me in were autonomy and respect - including the diversity of electives and support for different areas of medicine to better prepare you for your future practice goals and the ability to cater your training to urban and rural populations.” - Dr. Shaughnelene Smith, DO, Current Mayo Clinic Resident
Check out our video for more information about the Mayo med school:
Academic Curriculum at Mayo Medical School
The Mayo Medical School academic curriculum centered around three main components: subject blocks, academic enrichments, and clinical clerkships and electives.
Subject Blocks
The 1st and 2nd years of the MD program are focused on two major subject blocks of coursework and applied learning/clinical integration activities.
The 1st year includes coursework on basic sciences including anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, pathology, immunology, pharmacology and more. Students also participate in the Basic Doctoring course, which focuses on clinical skills.
The 2nd year subject block emphasizes the “organ systems approach”. Students also participate in the Advanced Doctoring course, which builds on the foundations of the 1st year’s basic course, and gain clinical experience in core specialties.
Lastly, 2nd year students begin preparation for the clinical clerkships that begin in the 3rd year, with courses focusing on clinical assessment skills and common presentations in specialties including ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, family medicine and many more.
There is also an intensive review section toward the end of this year to prepare for the USMLE Step 1 exam.
Academic Enrichments
Academic Enrichments are one of MCASOM’s most inventive features. They are self-directed elective blocks of one to two weeks that emphasize cultivating a sense of career direction and/or personal exploration in various modalities, including research, enhancement of clinical skills, professional skill development, and much more.
During their electives, students can work at any of the Mayo Clinic campuses or at other institutions within the Mayo Clinic Health System.
For more information on this novel aspect of the Mayo MD program, check out the MCASOM Academic Enrichments page.
Clinical Clerkships and Electives
The 3rd and 4th years of the MCASOM MD program are oriented around extensive clinical and applied work. These include required clerkships in:
- Emergency medicine (4 weeks)
- Family medicine (4 weeks)
- Internal medicine (8 weeks)
- Neurology (3 weeks)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (6 weeks)
- Pediatrics (6 weeks)
- Psychiatry (4 weeks)
- Surgery (8 weeks)
Lastly, there is a 12-week research quarter requirement that introduces principles and practices relating to biomedical research, which is a central aspect of the Mayo Clinic’s overall project.
The 4th year is intensive preparation for specialization and residency, so students must participate in a wide range of electives. Students can opt to participate in the 12-week Community Physician Apprenticeship Program (CPAP), focusing on community care in hospital and outpatient environments.
Application Timeline
Be sure to check the exact medical school application timelines or the AAMC MSAR portal before beginning your application. MCASOM does not offer an Early Decision Program.
Eligibility for Mayo Medical School
The eligibility requirements for admission to Mayo Medical School are:
- Citizen of the United States or lawful permanent resident of the United States
- Noncitizen national of the United States
- Asylee
- Refugee
- DACA recipient
Foreign nationals may be eligible for admission if they provide proof of eligibility for either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Canadian financial aid support.
Recommended Courses for Mayo Medical School
The Mayo Medical School does not have specific medical school prerequisites, but recommends that applicants have a strong background in life and social sciences including, but not limited to:
- Biochemistry
- Biology/Zoology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Social Sciences
Successful lab work is also recommended in these fields, though there is no indicated number of hours.
Lastly, the school does require either a Bachelor’s or Pharm.D. degree from an accredited college in the US or Canada. There are no substitutions for this degree requirement.
Check out the reasons prerequisites are so important for medical school applicants:
Tuition and Debt
MCASOM offers the following medical school tuition and budgetary estimate for its MD program:
Funding Opportunities
95% of medical students at MCASOM receive financial aid. Tuition scholarships are provided based on both merit and financial need through generous donations. Scholarships are renewable depending on continued meritorious performance.
For even more funding opportunities, check out Mayo College’s extensive Grants and Scholarships page.
Federal Loans
Eligible US citizens and permanent residents may be awarded federal loans through the US Department of Education. These include Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. To apply for federal financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information on US Federal Student Aid, check out the Department of Education’s Student Aid page on loan types and details. Learn more about how to pay for medical school in our blog.
Selection Factors at Mayo Medical School
The Mayo Medical School selects its first-round interviewees based on these factors:
- MCAT score and percentile (75th percentile or above)
- GPA
- Depth and breadth of extracurricular experiences like volunteering, research, and creative endeavors
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
MCAT and GPA
Accepted applicants had a median MCAT score of 521, ranging from 513 to 525, and a median cumulative GPA of 3.925, making admission particularly competitive.
Before you begin your prep, learn when to start studying for the MCAT and review the best MCAT study schedule to inspire your own. Make sure to take an MCAT diagnostic test to gauge your baseline and see improvements as you study.
Aim to make your application materials impeccable to offset any perceived weaknesses in your numerical statistics. Current Mayo Clinic resident Dr. Shaughnelene Smith reminds prospective students that while the numbers are important, so is having the other skills and experiences that will help you be an exemplary physician.
“My advice would be to simply share your authentic self. It took me a while to mature into this, but the more applications I completed over the years, the more I learned that sharing raw experiences and lessons had a more significant impact than test scores alone. For me, this meant outlining my experiences trying to navigate premed and medicine as a rural applicant who grew up on an island in northern British Columbia, Canada – which ultimately set me on a non-linear trajectory. I chose to find humor in the realistic challenges this presented me rather than focusing on test scores or forcing my story to be cliché or exaggerated, and this seemed to work really well!” - Dr. Shaughnelene Smith, DO, Current Mayo Clinic Resident
Are you wondering if you really need to take the MCAT diagnostic test?
Medical School Personal Statement
Crafting your medical school personal statement for Mayo Clinic's Medical School is your opportunity to align your narrative with the institution's mission and values.
Your narrative should reflect Mayo Clinic's commitment to producing an inspired and diverse workforce of physicians and scientists who are leaders in advancing exemplary, equitable, and affordable clinical care through practice, research, and innovation.
Focus on two or three solid experiences that demonstrate your suitability the Mayo Medical School program. The admissions committee wants to learn more about your community and volunteer service, leadership and research experiences, and exploration of various facets of medicine.
Secondary Essay
Students who pass through the first round of selection are asked to complete a secondary application, which is composed of two elements: a medical school secondary essay and your ranking of four campus track options, which are:
- Arizona (ASU) 4-year track
- Minnesota 4-year track
- Arizona/Florida 2+2 track
- Minnesota/Florida 2+2 track
The secondary essays are more specialized than personal statements and require responses of maximum 500 words to three prompts:
Check out our video on medical school secondary essays for more tips on how to craft winning responses to prompts like these:
Letters of Recommendation
The Mayo Medical School only accepts letters of recommendation through the AMCAS letter service, they cannot be sent directly to the school. MCASOM requires three letters of recommendation or one composite or committee letter from a premed committee.
At least one of your letters must be from a science professor, or at least a teaching assistant in the sciences. Ask people who can give concrete examples of the specific skills and qualities that the Mayo Medical School admissions committee is looking for, like research, volunteering, and clinical experience. Try to include a letter from a research supervisor, volunteer supervisor, and a doctor that you have worked with.
Extracurriculars
Successful applicants to the Mayo Medical School M.D. program typically have extensive relevant extracurricular involvement. In recent years, most matriculants displayed premed involvement in the following:
To get into MCASOM’s M.D. program you’ll want to spend time volunteering in medical and non-medical environments, and have substantial research experience. The good news is that this kind of work usually benefits the writing of both the initial personal statement and the secondary essays.
For more suggestions and tips, check out our blog on extracurriculars for medical school.
Interview Format
The Mayo Medical School utilizes a comprehensive virtual interview day, which includes:
- Welcome sessions at one of three campuses (depending on your campus rankings in the second application)
- Two 1-on-1 virtual interviews lasting 30 minutes each
- Virtual tour of campus
- Connecting with current students
- Q&A sessions
The two one-on-one interviews are the most important part of your interview day. They are conducted in traditional medical school interview format. Make sure to review common medical school interview questions, and panel interview questions.
Come prepared with questions of your own. This is your opportunity to further demonstrate your interest in Mayo Medical School, and get more information about what to expect in your first year. Here are a few sample questions to consider asking:
- How will a first-year student’s experience at Mayo Medical School be different compared to other medical schools?
- What supports are available to help students?
- What do you like best about the Mayo Medical School program and curriculum?
- What advice would you give to a first-year medical student?
Acceptance and Waitlist Information
Mayo Medical School makes their acceptance decisions following the completion of all applicant interviews and committee deliberations. Initial offers of acceptance are made in mid-February via phone call.
MCASOM utilizes an alternate or waitlist as well, and notifications for being placed on this list are sent after initial offers of acceptance go out. If chosen for acceptance from this secondary list, students should receive notice between March and June. Of the approximately 500 waitlisted students, 40 are usually granted acceptance. If placed on the waitlist, Mayo Medical School welcomes significant updates to your application.
Contact Information
Mayo Medical School Admissions Page
Mayo Medical School Admissions Offices:
Minnesota: 507-266-5568
Arizona: 480-301-9643
Florida: 904-953-3403
Email: [email protected]
FAQs
1. Do I need a specific degree to get into the Mayo medical school?
You’ll need a BA/BS or Pharm.D., but there’s no specific major requirement for the Bachelor’s.
2. What is Mayo Medical School best known for?
Mayo Medical School is best known for its exceptional clinical and research opportunities in partnership with the Mayo Clinic, one of the foremost hospitals in North America.
3. Why should I choose Mayo Medical School?
Mayo Medical School has a 3:1 full-time faculty to student ratio, access to over 3700 additional medical professionals, and three campuses located across the United States. The program can be personalized to each student’s interests and professional goals.
4. Does the Mayo medical school have specific course requirements for admission?
No, but significant experience in life and social sciences is recommended. Additionally, there should be demonstrable research and lab experience during your undergraduate education.
5. What kind of GPA and MCAT scores do successful applicants have?
For recent matriculants, the median GPA was 3.95 and median MCAT score was 521.
6. What is Mayo medical school's overall acceptance rate?
Mayo Medical School’s overall acceptance rate is 4.5%.
7. How many letters of recommendation does Mayo medical school require?
Three individual letters or one composite/committee letter from a premed committee.
8. What are Mayo medical school's tuition fees?
Annual tuition fees themselves total $64,000 (USD) for in- and out-of-state students. With added costs like books, rent, transportation, and student insurance, Mayo estimates the annual cost of attendance to be $99,930.
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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