How to Get into NYU Medical School, 2025-2026

April 15, 2024

Written By

Zach French

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Renowned for its innovative research and commitment to providing accessible medical education, NYU Medical School (also known as NYU Grossman School of Medicine) is a dream destination for many aspiring doctors. In this post, we'll explore everything you need to know to craft a compelling application.

We’ll share:

  • An overview of NYU Medical School’s curriculum for MD students
  • Tuition fees 
  • NYU Med school eligibility restrictions
  • Required premed courses, GPA, and MCAT
  • Current admission rates
  • NYU Med School admission essay prompt examples
  • Letter of recommendation guidelines
  • Application timeline

Without further ado, let’s get started.

An Overview of NYU Medical School’s Curriculum for MD Students

The MD program at NYU Medical School is designed to integrate basic science education with clinical training from the start. The program is divided into four stages.

  • Pre-Clerkship phase: an 11-month program combining interdisciplinary pre-clerkship modules with a focus on basic science topics such as biology, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Alongside, students engage in a Foundational Clinical Skills module, allowing for early clinical experiences with patients. 
  • Clerkship phase: Throughout 10 months, you will cultivate the clinical judgment skills crucial for diagnosing and treating patients. Your clerkship year starts in October of your second year, earlier than at many other medical schools, giving you extra time to delve into electives and areas of concentration that align with your interests in specific specialties or subspecialties later in the curriculum.
  • Individualized exploration: students take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 and explore specialties through post-clerkship electives, Advanced Clinically Integrated Science Selective (ACISS), and an advanced clinical skills module.
  • Career preparation: Over 11 months, students engage in career preparation activities, completing essential rotations in critical care and a sub-internship for advanced patient care experience. This period also includes preparation for residency interviews, completion of clinical electives, selectives, ACISS courses, scholarly concentrations, and a course transitioning to residency.

NYU Medical School also offers an accelerated, three-year MD program with a residency match. You can also apply to a variety of dual MD/master's degrees and the MD/PhD program.

NYU Medical School Tuition Fees and Scholarships

NYU Grossman School of Medicine has been known for its innovative approaches to medical education, including offering full-tuition scholarships to all enrolled students in the MD degree program to alleviate the financial burden of medical education. This may impact the competitiveness and diversity of the applicant pool.

Nevertheless, the cost of living in New York City is estimated to be $22,836, while educational expenses are approximately $1,166. Including all the fees mentioned, the total estimated cost of attendance amounts to $28,153.

How Hard Is It To Get Into NYU Med School?

NYU Medical School admissions are highly competitive. NYU Medical School seeks to enroll students who can demonstrate academic excellence, a solid scientific background, and a strong commitment to medicine. 

NYU Med School Requirements

There are several key aspects of NYU Med School admissions, including:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university before matriculation
  • A strong MCAT score (only from three years prior to your expected matriculation)
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Meeting NYU Grossman School of Medicine's technical standards (These outline the physical, mental, emotional, and social capabilities necessary for succeeding in medical school)
  • Completing a criminal background check

Are International Students Eligible to Apply to NYU?

NYU Medical School welcomes applications from international students who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in either the United States or Canada.

Required Premed Courses at NYU Med School

NYU Grossman School of Medicine does not require prerequisite courses, but suggests the following premedical coursework:

  • Inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry with lab
  • General biology with lab
  • General physics with lab
  • Statistics
  • Genetics
  • English

While courses taken at dental, nursing, veterinary, or pharmacy schools are considered during the application review, credit is not awarded for these courses.

NYU Pre Med Acceptance Rate, School GPA, MCAT and GPA, 

The admissions process for the class of 2027 at NYU Medical School was highly competitive. The school received a total of 8,316 applications, out of which 1,040 candidates were interviewed. Ultimately, only 105 applicants enrolled. For the class of 2027, NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s acceptance rate was approximately 2.1%

In terms of academic performance, admitted students had an MCAT average of 523, and the average GPA was 3.96.

NYU Med School Essay Prompt Examples

After completing your AMCAS application, you’ll need to write several secondary essays specifically for NYU Medical School. These essays are crucial as they allow you to demonstrate how your background aligns with NYU, beyond what is conveyed in your general medical school personal statement and the AMCAS Work and Activities section.

The secondary essay prompts for NYU Med School require thoughtful and comprehensive responses. Here's an example provided by the university:

1. If applicable, please comment on significant fluctuations in your academic record which are not explained elsewhere on your application. 

2. If you have taken any time off from your studies, either during or after college, please describe what you have done during this time and your reasons for doing so. Please limit your answer on the following essays to a maximum of 2500 characters each. 

3. The Admissions Committee holistically evaluates a range of student qualities and life experiences that complement demonstrated academic excellence. What unique qualities do you possess that make you uniquely suited to become a physician or physician scientist? How have your individual lived experiences shaped your core values and desire to be a future leader in our profession? 

4. Please answer only one of the following three questions: 

a. The most meaningful achievements are often non-academic in nature. Describe the personal accomplishment that makes you most proud. Why is this important to you? 

b. Conflicts arise daily from differences in perspectives, priorities, worldviews and traditions. How do you define respect? Describe a situation in which you found it challenging to remain respectful while facing differences? 

c. Describe a situation in which working with a colleague, family member or friend has been challenging. How did you resolve, if at all, the situation as a team and what did you gain from the experience that will benefit you as a future health care provider? 

5. NYU Grossman School of Medicine strives to provide our students with the option of accelerating their medical educational training. In order to guide our curricular efforts to provide additional opportunities for early career exploration for our students, please select up to three residency specialties that are currently of interest to you. Please note that your selection in no way impacts your admissions decision (i.e., there are no right or wrong selections), that it is not binding in any way, and that you may select “Undecided” if you are unsure of your future career path. 6. Please upload your most recent CV, ensuring the CV includes updated publications, abstracts, and presentations. (PDF format)

NYU Medical School Letter of Recommendation Requirements and Guidelines

Applicants can submit either: 

  • One letter from a premedical committee (which is preferred), or 
  • Two letters from professors who have taught you, with at least one being in a science subject. 

For nontraditional applicants, NYU Medical School encourages the submission of two letters of recommendation from colleagues with whom you have had a close working relationship. Applicants should choose letters they believe will best support their application. 

NYU Application Timeline 

Once your application is submitted through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), you will be invited to access and fill out the online secondary application for NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

The application timeline for the 2024-2025 academic year hasn't been published yet, but we can consider last year's timeline as a guide to what you can expect.

  • July: NYU Grossman School of Medicine begins sending interview invitations.
  • September: Interview season at NYU Grossman School of Medicine starts.
  • October 1: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications become available.
  • October 15: Primary applications to NYU Grossman School of Medicine are due.
  • November 15: Secondary applications to NYU Grossman School of Medicine are due.
  • December: Interview season at NYU Grossman School of Medicine ends.
  • January 31 at 11:59 PM ET: Tertiary applications to NYU Grossman School of Medicine are due.
  • January: All MD applicants are notified of the admissions decision.

Let’s Put You on the Path to NYU Medical School

Navigating the path to NYU Grossman School of Medicine requires showcasing your exceptional academic achievements, dedication to medicine, and commitment to community service. Initiating this process early, ideally from your freshman year, positions you to cultivate the qualities NYU seeks: empathy, resilience, and the ability to work collaboratively.

At Premed Catalyst, we specialize in equipping premed students with the tools and insights necessary to highlight these attributes, ensuring your application stands out. Our personalized mentorship and strategic advice are tailored to accentuate your unique narrative and build a robust foundation for your medical school journey. Simply fill out a brief form (in under two minutes) and make your first move towards donning your white coat.