Saturday, August 27, 2011

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) hasn't changed much. They have upped their score requirement to 1490 for SAT and 34 for ACT. Have to maintain a GPA of 3.75 (<-- this is no easy feat) in college. MCAT needs to be taken but score is only used for "advising" purposes, whatever that means (sounds shady). 

This was one of the schools that gave me a full tuition for their undergrad. Alas, I was not even given a chance for interview at their med school.

Their requirements

Applying for the Guaranteed Admission Program

Applying for the GAP is a multi-step process.  To be considered, applicants must submit a completed undergraduate application for admission on or before November 1 (applicants must be a US Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident (not pending or conditional) or have Asylee Status. International students as well as applicants to the regional campuses of the University of Pittsburgh are not eligible for this program).  An applicant must indicate an interest in Pre-Medicine or Bioengineering on their undergraduate admissions application. Also, applicants must earn the highest grade point average available at your high school in the context of a curriculum showing the greatest academic rigor possible.  In addition, achieve a minimum SAT score of 1490 (combined Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) or 34 ACT composite score. Due to the University expanding the Fall 2021 test-optional policy, the MCAT will be required prior to matriculation to the medical school only for test-optional candidates entering Pitt as first-year guaranteed admits in 2021.  However, the earned score will only be used for advising purposes following matriculation to medical school. The MCAT requirement does not apply to students admitted with SAT/ACT scores. 

After the initial review described above, students selected to continue in the process will be notified by the School of Medicine of their eligibility to apply for the Medicine GAP. Those selected will be asked to submit a supplemental application in support of their candidacy. The supplemental application will be reviewed by the School of Medicine’s Admission Committee. Selected students will be invited for an interview in the School of Medicine in March (no one is admitted to the medical school without an interview).

Selection for the interview is based on:

  • Academic performance
  • Medically related experiences
  • Research Experience, if available
  • Community Service
  • Two letters of recommendation (1 from either a school counselor or and teacher and the other from a person who knows the applicant through their participation in the activities above)
  • An essay

Requirements

If accepted into the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Guaranteed Admission Program, students must:

  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.75 with a Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics  (BCPM) GPA of 3.75 as an undergraduate
  • Complete the undergraduate degree within four years
  • Continue to gain medically related experiences* during their undergraduate years
  • Seek research opportunities in a medically related field
  • Seek opportunities for community service 
  • Meet with the Director of the Guaranteed Admit program once every semester to discuss their progress in terms of medically related activities, research and community service.
  • Meet with the University Pre-Medical Advisor at the start of each semester in order to confirm that they are fulfilling the academic pre-requisites for admission to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.   In addition, students will be given information regarding various research** and volunteering opportunities.
  • Provide the Office of Admissions with an official transcript at the completion of their junior year

Please keep in mind, students must also meet with the advisor who was assigned to them by the University of Pittsburgh at matriculation.

*Students need to be HIPAA certified before they can be permitted to volunteer in any UPMC-affiliated hospital. The certification can be done online by:

  • Visiting http://cme.hs.pitt.edu
  • Clicking on “Internet Based Studies in Education and Research” and then
  • Clicking on “HIPAA Privacy Awareness for Faculty, Students, Health Professionals and Trainees.”

**For those interested in Neuroscience Research visit the website of The Center for Neuroscience for the University of Pittsburgh.


(below was last edited on 8/28/2011)
UPitt Med has a program with its undergrad, University of Pittsburgh. The program is called Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP). There are many GAP programs, including medicine, dental, nursing, law, engineering, business, just to name a few. Pitt Med is a really great med school according to US News. Therefore its program is tougher to get in compared to others. The undergrad will give you at least a full tuition scholarship if you meet the criteria to apply to this program (actually, I think you need SAT score of around 1500). Therefore this program is one of the best deals out there. To stay in the program, you have to maintain a 3.75 GPA. A 3.75 GPA is higher than most other programs, but I think it's still definitely doable. MCAT is waived. Admission Requirements: University of Pittsburgh
  • Apply by December 15th
  • To compete for the medical school guarantee, applicants must meet the initial eligibility requirements of earning the highest grade point average available in their high school in the context of a curriculum showing the greatest academic rigor possible and earning a minimum SAT I score of 1450 (combined Critical Reading and Math) or 33 ACT.
  • Students meeting these criteria will be asked by the School of Medicine to submit additional information in support of their candidacy. Students selected on the basis of their submissions will subsequently be invited for an interview in the School of Medicine.
  • The choice of final candidates is contingent upon this interview in combination with other factors. Historically, an average of 8-13 students from the entering undergraduate class are chosen each year for the School of Medicine guarantee.
  • Students offered the guarantee must complete an undergraduate degree at Pitt within four years, complete the prerequisite course work, maintain a cumulative science and quality point average of at least 3.75, and engage in undergraduate research and extracurricular activities that provide greater knowledge of the science and practice of medicine.

28 comments:

  1. Hi there!
    First off I just want to let you know that this site is a godsend. Fuh realz. You don't even know how much you're helping me and words cannot describe how much I love you.

    Anyway, this "earning the highest grade point average available" is worrying me. Does that mean if I made two B's my junior year UPitt is out of the question?

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  2. No. If your GPA is above 3.9 you should be fine. Not everyone has a 4.0.

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  3. Hey i have a question. When they say hardest courseload, how many APs should I take?

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  4. As many as you can? Most people take around 5 or 6 a year.

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  5. Regarding the high chances of getting a full tuition scholarships with an SAT score of 1500+, do you have any idea what they do with ACT scores? Do they convert them to SAT scores somehow, and if so, do they only take Math and English subscores? Do they take subscores from multiple tests?

    I was just wondering because I have a 34 ACT composite with 34 on English and Math, but another 32 ACT test where I have 35 English and 36 Math.

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  6. Most colleges do not superscore the ACT. In your case, a 34 and a 35 isn't going to make or break your chances anyway. Concentrate on other aspects of your application.

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  7. Hey!

    I am already in college and I was wondering if you know anything about the few programs that accept transfer students since it seems like most do not. Thank you!

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  8. Sorry, maybe I should clarify: few programs that accept undergraduate student, not necessarily enrolled in a ba/bs/md program. Thank you!

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  9. In programs list you can find programs that offer "early assurance" or "early acceptance", which means you can apply while you're in undergrad. Usually these programs have the same requirements as the BA/BS/MD students. Make sure you check with each school/program specifically though.

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    Replies
    1. i applied have not heard back do you know the timeline

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    2. I think it's around mid February. You should hear back soon.

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  10. Hey I was wondering if the U Pittsburgh program is available to ALL US citizens to apply or only in state residents? Same with the U Rochester program. Thanks :)

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  11. Yes. All US citizens can apply to both programs.

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  12. Wait...I got a 2150 Sat score total and a score of 1450 for reading/math combined? Does that mean I have a low chance because you said we actually need 1500+?

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  13. I have taken challenging courses in the context of my school and have maintained a 4.0 GPA (I am a junior). I have decent extracurriculars as well. I really want to attend this program, but my chances don't seem very high due to my SAT :/

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    Replies
    1. Don't worry. You still have a chance. Apply widely and hope for the best.

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  14. Do you know about how many people apply to this program? Also, how many of those get an interview? Thanks :)

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  15. Hi I am a junior , my GPA is 97 % and I am taking SAT this october hoping to get > 1500 but I have decent extracurriculars including 150 hrs hospital base voluntry. Do I have a chance, as I undrstant it is very competetive.

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  16. If i have a two 32 act but they superscore to 33 and i have a high gpa and rank will I be eligible. I also volunteer over 200 hrs in hospital and have done two summer internships at the cleveland clinic.

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  17. which would you say is more competitive?
    upitts or urochester?

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    Replies
    1. and, do you know if upitts will rescind its medical school guarantee for a student if the student ends up applying to other medical schools? thank you!(:

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  18. if i applied and i have sent my scores but i still have one score upcoming can is end that for the bsmd application

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  19. Hello,

    I attend a private college prep boarding school and interested in U Pitt BS/MD program. At my school we are allowed to take AP courses starting Junior year. That said, I have taken two AP courses Junior year and intend to take more during the senior year. I am in the High Honors category but my GPA is not the highest possible at my school. I have a ACT score of 33 super score 34. I have done lot of Medical related programs and done Medical research during summer. Am I eligible to apply though I didn't score highest possible GPA?

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  20. If I applied to Pitt's GAP on 11/08/15, is it likely that I will hear back about an interview before the 2nd week of February?

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  21. Significant Deadlines
    Complete applications must be submitted within a month of receiving the invitation email with the applicant’s username and password.
    Applications will not be accepted after January 31.
    Applicants who are invited for interview will be informed by February 15.
    Interviews will be scheduled for the 2nd-3rd week of March.
    Admitted applicants will be informed by April 15.

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  22. ConcernedadmittedstuMarch 27, 2018 at 11:51 AM

    Does anyone know how many students from the Pitt GAP program do not make it to med school dueto failing to meet the GPA requirement? I mean the attrition rate due to failing to meet the GPA requirement in the GAP program.

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