How to Get Into New York Medical College: Requirements and Strategies

How hard is it to get into the New York Medical College? Learn admissions statistics, requirements, and how to craft NYMC secondary essays

A group of New York Medical College students standing beside a doctor

new york medical college is ranked #93 by us news and world report for best medical schools (research)

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Part 1: Introduction

Located just twenty minutes outside of New York City in Valhalla, New York, New York Medical College is a private medical school that is a part of the Touro College and University System. One of 17 New York medical schools, NYMC gives students the opportunity to rotate through numerous clinical sites in various states. Training institutions include large urban academic medical centers, small practices in suburban neighborhoods, and rural care centers. The main hospitals that students will rotate at are the Westchester Medical Center, the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, and the Metropolitan Hospital Center. These affiliated institutions are located throughout the East Coast; students can rotate in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and West Virginia. 

New York Medical College has an extensive number of faculty that are actively involved in clinical practice, research, community service, public health, education, and administration. Additionally, New York Medical College provides medical students early exposure to community-based primary care practice with the goal of instituting foundational principles in medicine from the very beginning of these future clinicians’ careers. In addition to the school’s emphasis on teaching students about patients in their own community, NYMC provides students with the opportunity to observe and practice international health through its exchange programs with four foreign medical schools in Japan, Korea, Hungary, and Israel. At these various sites abroad, students have the opportunity to complete electives required for graduation. New York Medical College also has a robust student life; students can participate in clubs and organizations oriented towards various career paths, community service, cultural and religious affiliations, and recreational interests.  

If you hope to join the next group of New York Medical College medical school graduates, this guide will serve as a helpful resource to ensure that you are fully informed and prepared to successfully apply to New York Medical College. 

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Part 2: New York Medical College MD programs

You have a few avenues through which you can graduate with a medical degree from New York Medical College. Many students will elect to complete their MD degree exclusively and graduate in four years. Other students will opt for one of the two available dual degree programs:

  • MD/PhD program: Students who want to explore research and are interested in a future career as a physician-scientist should apply to the joint MD/PhD program which is obtained through studying at both New York Medical College’s School of Medicine and Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences. Students will most often complete both degrees in 6–7 years and will be supported through free tuition and a living stipend throughout their academic pursuit. 

  • MD/MPH program: Students with a keen interest in public health should apply to the MPH program after they have been accepted to the MD program. The MPH is obtained by completing coursework at New York Medical College’s School of Health Sciences and Practice. Students will complete both degrees in either four or five years. 

New York Medical College tuition and scholarships

In the 2023–2024 academic year, tuition and fees for New York Medical College cost $60,800 for both on-campus and off-campus students. When factoring in room and board, personal living expenses, and health insurance, the total cost of attendance grows to $90,234 for students living in campus housing and $98,064 for students living off-campus.

In addition to financial aid, select high-performing students will receive monetary support via scholarships that can be awarded for 1–4 years. 

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Part 3: How hard is it to get into the New York Medical College?

With an acceptance rate of 3.5%, New York Medical School is competitive to get into. To develop a better understanding of the benchmarks typical of New York Medical College students, let’s take a look at the most recently reported New York Medical College admission statistics for the class of 2027:

  • Applications: 10,655

  • Interviews: ~1000

  • Matriculants: 220 (57.7% in-state)

  • Average GPA: 3.65

  • Average MCAT score: 515

(Suggested reading: Average GPA and MCAT Score for Every Medical School)

New York Medical College admissions requirements

To apply to New York Medical College, you must complete the following course requirements:

  • English: 2 semesters or equivalent

  • General biology: 2 semesters or equivalent with lab

  • Physics: 2 semesters or equivalent with lab

  • General chemistry: 2 semesters or equivalent with lab

  • Organic chemistry: 1 semester or equivalent with lab

  • Biochemistry: 1 semester or equivalent, with or without lab

The New York Medical College screens applicants comprehensively by evaluating their academic achievements, prior experiences, and attributes evident in their application. In addition to the primary and supplementary applications, students must take the Casper examination. The Casper test is a 90-minute situational judgment test that is administered electronically. You can find more information about how to prepare for it by reading our Casper guide

Be aware that, if you have attended a different medical school prior, have withdrawn from a different medical school, or have ever been dismissed from a different medical school, you will not be considered for acceptance at New York Medical College.  

Note that, in the 2024–2025 application cycle, applicants must have taken the MCAT between January 2022 and September 2024.

The New York Medical College supplemental application requires you to ensure that your letters of recommendation are uploaded through the AMCAS letter service by January 31, 2025. You can either submit an undergraduate pre-medical committee letter or three individual letters. If you opt to submit the three individual letters, two letters must be from the science faculty that have taught you and your third letter must also be an academic letter but does not necessarily have to be from a science faculty. Of the three letters, one of your letters must be the department responsible for your major of choice.

(Suggested reading: Medical School Requirements: The Definitive Guide)

Holistic applications: Demonstrating the qualities New York Medical College looks for

The mission statement of New York Medical College mentions its purpose of educating “clinical and public health professionals as well as researchers, to conduct biomedical and population-based research.” When determining how to satisfy their requirements so that you have the best chance of acceptance, it’s important to think ahead and consider activities you might engage in to demonstrate your fit with their mission of research.

New York Medical College seeks applicants who are not only research-oriented but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to the medical field and possess the humanistic qualities essential to becoming a compassionate physician through their holistic review process.

Here are a few suggestions for extracurriculars to showcase the qualities they look for.

  • Research: Participation in scientific research, especially if related to healthcare or medicine, highlights your dedication to understanding the intricacies of the field. If you get involved in a research project, aim for presentations or publications, as this will underscore your in-depth involvement. Many premeds seek out summer undergraduate research opportunities as a way to enhance their research profile.

  • Clinical Experience: Seek out opportunities that directly expose you to patient care. This could include volunteering at hospitals, clinics, or shadowing physicians in various specialties. Hands-on clinical exposure helps confirm your interest in medicine and demonstrates your willingness to go beyond the classroom.

  • Volunteer Work: Community service demonstrates your compassion and your desire to help others. Look for volunteer opportunities that align with healthcare, such as working with underserved populations or health awareness campaigns.

New York Medical College application timeline

To apply to New York Medical College, you’ll submit your AMCAS application in accordance with the following dates:

  • May 1, 2024: AMCAS application opens

  • May 28, 2024: AMCAS application can be submitted

  • August 1, 2024: AMCAS application deadline for Early Decision

  • August 31, 2024: NYMC secondary application for Early Decision

  • September 2024–March 2025: Interviews conducted

  • October 1, 2024: Early Decisions applicants notified by this date

  • December 15, 2024: AMCAS application deadline

  • January 31, 2025: NYMC secondary application deadline

Because New York Medical College has rolling admissions, you should plan to submit your AMCAS and secondary applications as soon as you can. All applicants will receive a secondary application as soon as their AMCAS application is in.

(Suggested reading: The Ideal Medical School Application Timeline)

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Part 4: New York Medical College secondary application essays (examples included)

When you open your NYMC supplemental application, you’ll encounter a few simple questions about family members who have affiliations with NYMC, plus a question pertaining to the school’s social media policy. However, in most years, the NYMC supplemental application does not require you to actually write any essays.

You can find NYMC’s supplemental application instructions for the 2024-2025 application cycle here.

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Part 5: New York Medical College interview

Around 1,000 applicants are invited to interview with New York Medical College each year, and due to their rolling admissions process, you might be asked to interview at any time.

If invited for an interview at NYMC, you will experience the multiple-mini interview (MMI) format. During this evaluation process, you should expect to meet and discuss with several different evaluators for brief amounts of time in scenario-based interviews. The goal of the MMI is to evaluate you on your ability to communicate, problem solve, work in a team, think creatively, and convey your ethical and moral reasoning. You can find more information on how to prepare for the MMI by reading our comprehensive MMI interview guide.

Final thoughts

New York Medical College offers students a wide range of training opportunities in tertiary care academic hospitals and rural health clinics. Students will also have the opportunity to experience New York City, given the school’s close proximity to the metropolitan hub. As a New York Medical College student, you can expect to have the opportunity to delve deep into clinical experiences, research opportunities, and community service. 

Moreover, given that the New York Medical College supplemental application does not require additional essays to demonstrate your specific interest in the program, it is important that you prepare for the MMI and interview day to make sure you stand out from the other competitive applicants.

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian headshot

About the Author

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.