How to Get Into Morehouse School of Medicine: Requirements and Strategies
/How hard is it to get into Morehouse Medical School? Learn the Morehouse School of Medicine acceptance rate and admissions strategies, plus secondary essay examples
Morehouse school of medicine IS one of six medical schools in georgia
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Part 1: Introduction
The Morehouse School of Medicine is one of four historically Black medical schools in the United States. One of the six Georgia medical schools, it is a leader in healthcare education and has a commitment to training minority students to join the next generation of clinicians. The Morehouse School of Medicine is committed to diversity and inclusion; moreover, it places a strong emphasis on community-centered care delivery and family medicine. In fact, approximately 70 percent of graduating students match into a primary care residency for the next step of their training.
As a Morehouse student, you’ll benefit from having readily available access to faculty; one of the School of Medicine’s strengths is the low student-to-faculty ratio. Additionally, you will have early exposure to clinical environments, beginning with clinical preceptorships during your first year as a student. You’ll predominantly rotate at the Grady Memorial Hospital, a Level I trauma center at the heart of Atlanta; however, you will also have the chance to see patients in a variety of settings including the Veterans Administration Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. Moreover, as a third-year medical student, you can rotate in Columbus, Georgia to better understand healthcare delivery in a rural setting.
The Morehouse School of Medicine, which ranks highly among the country’s primary-care-oriented medical schools, offers a variety of both urban and rural clinical experiences in Atlanta and Columbus with the commitment to developing strong, patient-centered physician leaders. As a Morehouse student, you’ll have the opportunity to live in a vibrant city while serving patients from a wide range of backgrounds.
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Part 2: Morehouse School of Medicine MD programs
You can achieve your MD through a variety of avenues at the Morehouse School of Medicine.
The majority of Morehouse students will opt to pursue the traditional, four-year MD program and split their time between the preclinical curriculum in the classroom and the clinical rotations at the bedside. Other students will choose to acquire two degrees while at Morehouse, through one of the three dual degree program tracks which are detailed further below:
The MD-PhD program is a Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) that occurs via a collaboration with the University of Washington. This program is intended to support students who want to ensure that clinical research is a core component of their future career; the program offers full scholarships for students in the dual degree program. Those that are interested in this program should apply to the Morehouse School of Medicine MD program via AMCAS in addition to reaching out to the MSTP program directors for the University of Washington.
The MD-MPH program is a five-year program; students must first be accepted into the Morehouse School of Medicine MD program and then can apply to this dual degree program. There are a variety of combinations of coursework that students in this program can pursue in order to complete the necessary requirements for each graduate degree. The program is geared towards students who have a keen interest in public health, global health, community health, or epidemiology.
The MD-MSCR program is intended for medical students who are interested in clinical and/or translational research. The MSCR portion of the program is one year and accepted students will receive scholarships for tuition in addition to stipend payments. The program provides support for students who are interested in developing a better understanding of research but may not want to pursue a full-fledged PhD degree.
Morehouse School of Medicine tuition and scholarships
For the 2023–2024 academic year, tuition and fees at the Morehouse School of Medicine are estimated at $56,345 for Year 1 students; however, students should also budget for room and board, books, transportation, and personal expenses. To give an idea of what to expect, the total cost of attendance at Morehouse in 2023–2024 was estimated at $100,100.
Although these costs are high, Morehouse students can apply for financial aid for support during these academic years. Additionally, scholarships and stipends are offered for those students who opt for the MD-PhD program.
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Part 3: How hard is it to get into Morehouse Medical School?
Morehouse School of Medicine admissions statistics
In order to contextualize how difficult it is to receive an acceptance from Morehouse Medical School, it’s helpful to look at the admissions statistics. Here are some figures pertaining to the class of 2027 from AAMC:
Applications: 6,992
Matriculants: 110 (68.2% in-state)
While Morehouse’s doesn’t publish its acceptance numbers, given its high volume of applications, we estimate its acceptance rate to be around 3–4 percent. Furthermore, Morehouse’s website states that around 5 percent of applicants are invited to interview each year. Over half of each incoming class are typically Georgia residents.
Recent GPA and MCAT information are unavailable, but based on profiles for the classes of 2015–2018 and anecdotal evidence, we can say that Morehouse’s average GPA and MCAT score are around 3.6 and 504.
Additionally, as mentioned previously, the Morehouse School of Medicine is a historically Black medical school committed to maintaining a highly diverse student body. Although the majority of matriculants are Black or African American, this doesn’t mean you won’t be accepted if you are a non-Black applicant. You should still apply to Morehouse Medical School if your interests and experience align with the school’s mission.
(Suggested reading: Average GPA and MCAT Score for Every Medical School)
Morehouse School of Medicine admissions requirements
To apply to Morehouse, you must have completed specific premedical course requirements to ensure that you have a strong, proven foundation in core sciences. These classes should be taken such that students receive a letter grade rather than a Pass/Fail denotation. These courses include:
Biology: One year with lab
General chemistry: One year with lab
Organic chemistry: One year with lab
Physics: One year with lab
College-level mathematics: One year
English: One year, including composition
The Morehouse School of Medicine also stresses the following important considerations:
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents (i.e., international applicants must have a permanent visa).
Applicants must have experience shadowing physicians.
Applicants who have previously matriculated into medical school or who have been dismissed from another medical school will not be considered.
Applicants who have felony convictions will not be considered.
Applicants who reside in the state of Georgia will be given a higher priority upon evaluation.
Furthermore, the Morehouse admissions website states that the evaluation committee will look at both the objective academic achievements of individuals and the depth and breadth of their extracurricular activities, including hobbies, research projects, work experiences, and clinical opportunities.
Please note that MCAT scores that are over three years old will not be taken into consideration, and that the admissions committee at Morehouse will not look over an applicant’s file until the MCAT has been received by the School of Medicine. Thus, if you are strongly interested in attending the Morehouse School of Medicine, it is recommended that you take the MCAT as early as possible so that you have time to retake the test if needed.
A relatively new admissions component is the AAMC PREview Exam (formerly known as the AAMC Situational Judgment Test). Morehouse is one of just a handful of medical schools currently accepting this assessment. However, take note that while PREview is strongly recommended by Morehouse, it is not strictly required.
If your parent is an alum of the Morehouse School of Medicine, he or she can participate in the MSMLegacy experience. The MSMLegacy program pairs children of Morehouse alumni with a School of Medicine dean and faculty representative who then facilitate an on-campus visit for these interested individuals. Interested participants who have completed their undergraduate freshman year and have declared a health-oriented major are welcome to apply to participate in the MSMLegacy program.
(Suggested reading: Medical School Requirements: The Definitive Guide)
Additional requirements: Making yourself stand out with targeted extracurriculars
The Morehouse School of Medicine seeks students with a proven commitment to academic excellence, leadership, social justice, and serving underserved communities. Specifically, they note in their mission statement that they have an “emphasis on people of color and the underserved urban and rural populations in Georgia, the nation, and the world.”
In addition to taking the required courses in college, keeping your GPA up, and scoring well on the MCAT, you can demonstrate your fit with these values through your extracurriculars.
Here's some advice on gaining experiences to highlight these qualities.
Community Service: Seek volunteer opportunities focused on healthcare, underserved populations, or addressing health disparities. Consistent involvement with these communities speaks volumes about your dedication to the values Morehouse upholds. If you can find volunteer opportunities assisting rural residents in Georgia, all the better.
Shadowing and Clinical Experience: We noted earlier in this section that some shadowing experience is required by Morehouse but shadowing doctors who work with underserved populations demonstrates a sincere interest in the realities of working with populations Morehouse focuses on.
Research: Participating in research, especially projects related to health inequalities or community wellness, shows intellectual curiosity and an ability to align with Morehouse's mission. The topic of the research you engage in can be just as important as doing the research itself.
Advocacy: Look for opportunities to advocate for health equity and social justice initiatives. This could involve involvement in student government, community organizing, or raising awareness campaigns. Furthermore, this will help highlight your leadership abilities and dedication to the cause of helping the less fortunate.
Morehouse School of Medicine application timeline
To apply to the Morehouse School of Medicine, you’ll submit your application via AMCAS. Morehouse invites interested applicants to apply either via the Early Decision pathway or for regular admission. Regardless of which timeline you choose, here are the dates and deadlines to keep in mind as you apply to Morehouse:
May 1, 2024: AMCAS application opens
May 28, 2024: AMCAS application can be submitted
August 1, 2024: AMCAS application deadline for Early Decision
August 2024–March 2025: Interviews conducted
October 1, 2024: Early Decision candidates notified
November 2024–June 2025: Admissions decisions released on a rolling basis
December 1, 2024: AMCAS application deadline
January 5, 2025: Secondary application deadline
April 30, 2025: Applicants can hold only one offer of acceptance
The earlier that you submit your AMCAS application, the better you will perform throughout the application process. While Morehouse does not specify when their secondary application opens, anecdotal evidence tells us that they typically become available beginning in mid-July.
If your first choice medical school is the Morehouse School of Medicine, you may want to consider the Early Decision track. If you decide to do so, note that you cannot apply early to any other medical schools, you must live in Georgia, and you must have completed or show evidence that you plan to complete a minimum of 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours that indicates completion of your academic requirements prior to matriculation.
(Suggested reading: The Ideal Medical School Application Timeline)
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Part 4: Morehouse School of Medicine secondary application essays (examples included)
Applicants to the Morehouse School of Medicine are emailed a secondary application by invitation only after the admissions’ committee evaluates prospective files through a multidisciplinary lens. High-quality secondary essays will state with clarity and conviction why Morehouse is the best choice for you and why you will contribute positively to the student body. The secondary application is the best place for you to differentiate yourself from the thousands of other applicants who are also applying for consideration.
Below we’ll go over the two secondary essays required by Morehouse and provide strong example responses.
Question 1: Briefly explain the reasons for your selections in the Perceptions of Your Medical Career Section. (No limit)
Example:
Having grown up in Atlanta with two parents experiencing health problems from preventable diseases, I hope to center my career around care for local underserved communities and education. I hope to both educate my patients and help train the next generation of physicians to provide the best possible care with compassion, cultural competence, and skill. Educating both patients and future generations of medical providers is equally important to me, as we will need both educated patients and well-trained physicians to overcome the health problems affecting Atlanta and surrounding areas. While I hope to spend the majority of my time with patients, I also want to contribute to the day to day functioning of the team and medical office and devote time to innovative research that can improve care and health outcomes for a large number of patients.
Why does it work?
This essay does a great job focusing on underserved communities and directly reflecting Morehouse’s commitment to social justice and serving those populations. The writer mentions their personal experience growing up with parents who suffered from preventable diseases and this showcases a deep understanding of the healthcare problems these communities face.
Furthermore, two main ideas stand out—patient care and health education. This helps to highlight that the experiences of the writer have shaped them into an individual keenly aware of what a career in medicine entails as well as the kind of well-rounded applicant Morehouse seeks.
Question 2: Type a brief statement setting forth the key motivational factors in your decision to apply to Morehouse School of Medicine and any information about yourself you feel would be of interest to the Committee of Admissions in the consideration of your application. (No limit)
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 after May 31 for new subscribers.
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Part 5: Morehouse School of Medicine interview
Approximately 5 percent of all students who apply to the Morehouse School of Medicine will be offered an interview; however, the interview rate for Georgia in-state residents is likely substantially higher.
In the 2024–2025 application cycle, all interviews will be held virtually. You will have two individual interviews with faculty members of the Morehouse School of Medicine. Morehouse uses a traditional interview format, and interviews last anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes.
Given the format, you should prepare answers to questions such as “Why Morehouse?” and “Why medicine?” If you are an out-of-state candidate, you should also have a compelling explanation for why you want to attend this school specifically, given the low admission rate for this group of applicants.
We’ve researched common questions from Morehouse that students get asked and created the following list:
Why Morehouse and not any other HBCU?
If you were given the chance to vouch for yourself in front of the admissions committee, what would you say in your favor?
How did you study for the MCAT?
What would your friends say about you?
What is the most recent movie you've seen?
What are your hobbies?
What is your opinion of your MCAT score?
Why did you apply this cycle when you graduated a year ago?
Why medicine?
If you got 5 acceptances, how would you decide which medical school to go to?
Why would you be a good fit?
As mentioned previously, we can see that questions like “Why Morehouse?” and “Why medicine?” tend to come up regularly, but would you know what to say to “What would your friends say about you?” or “Why did you apply this cycle when you graduated a year ago?”
Questions like these may seem simple on the surface, but they contain opportunities to pepper your answer with reasons why you chose Morehouse and how you fit with their mission and values. For example, would your friends describe you as a genuine kind person, willing to lend a hand to anyone from any walk of life? What have your gap year experiences taught you? Did you spend time volunteering with urban underserved communities?
Approaching your answers this way and thinking of them before your interview, will help you come across as confident and certain that studying medicine at Morehouse is the path for you. Importantly, you should prepare a list of questions to ask each interviewer at the end of your conversation to show that you have researched the program and can ask thoughtful questions to demonstrate your interest.
(Suggested reading: How to Ace Your Medical School Interviews)
Final thoughts
The Morehouse School of Medicine offers the opportunity for students to train in an eclectic environment; students may rotate in large metropolitan Level I hospitals in addition to rural health centers focused on primary care. In order to stand out amongst the thousands of applicants eager to attend Morehouse, leverage the insights from this guide to submit strong secondaries and to prepare effectively for interview so that you are able to celebrate your acceptance come spring.
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. Over the past 15 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.