Applying to NJMS

NJMS is committed to educating humanistic, culturally competent physicians who will respect each other and their patients regardless of race, ethnicity, socioe conomic status, language, sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

COVID-related Impact on Admissions

Our application screeners and admissions committee members are sensitive to the disruptions caused to premedical students during the pandemic. They are aware of the multiple issues that have resulted including but not limited to pass/fail grading, online or cancelled labs, limited direct clinical experiences, etc. These challenges will be taken into consideration during the review of applications. For applicants who were significantly impacted in any way during the COVID pandemic, we urge them to provide additional insight in the NJMS secondary application.

Application Deadlines

Due to our rolling admissions process, we encourage applicants to have all requirements submitted as soon as possible, but no later than the following dates:

• Early Decision: August 1
  (supporting materials are due by 9/1 and decisions begin in July)
• Regular MD: December 1
  (this includes all joint degree applications)
• Secondary Application: December 15
• Letters of Recommendation: December 15
• MCAT Scores: Applicants must take the MCAT by October

Application Requirements

Application screening commences as soon as applicants have a completed application file. A completed file includes:

• Verified AMCAS Application
• Secondary Application(along with the paid fee or fee waiver)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Most recent MCAT results

We do not require the PREview or CASPer tests

AMCAS Applications are received from July through March. Due to our rolling admissions process, we encourage applicants to have all requirements submitted as soon as possible.

Secondary Application

All applicants are sent the link to the NJMS Secondary Application and are required to submit their secondary along with the $95 fee no later than December 15 in order for an application to be reviewed by the screening committee. The Secondary Application fee is waived only for applicants who have received approval for the AMCAS Fee Assistance Program (FAP).

The NJMS Secondary provides applicants with an opportunity to expand on topics in support of their candidacy beyond what is included on the primary application. It includes questions addressing special program interests and their participation in NJMS pipeline programs. The secondary also includes reflective writing essays where applicants are able to share their thoughts on topics that are critical to NJMS such as adversity, integrity, collaboration, diversity, humanism in medicine, etc.

Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

We encourage applicants to have letters of recommendation submitted via the AMCAS Letter Service as soon as possible. Our preferences are as follows:

• A pre-medical committee packet is preferred by the NJMS Admissions Committee
• If a pre-medical committee packet is not possible, we require a minimum of (2) science and (1) non-science letters from individuals able to assess the applicant's candidacy
  • All applicants are required to submit academic letters of recommendation
  • Letters from principle investigators and/or employers may be submitted as supplemental letters

  Exceptions to the above stated requirements can be made at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. In the event you are unable to submit the required letters, please email the admissions committee at: njmsapplicant@njms.rutgers.edu requesting approval for the letters you intend to submit.
  For additional information on the AMCAS Letter Service, please visit: http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/amcasletters.htm.

  MCAT

  Applicants must take the MCAT no later than October of the year of their application. We will consider requests to take the MCAT in January on a case-by-case basis, providing there are extenuating circumstances. Applicants seeking approval for a January MCAT to be considered should make a formal request by email explaining the circumstances for the request. This request should be emailed to: njmsapplicant@njms.rutgers.edu.

  APPLICATION SCREENING PROCESS

  Our admissions criteria places value on a broad range of factors such as experiences, attributes, and academic factors when assessing candidates. Screening is on a rolling process as applications are completed. Applicants are reviewed holistically and our screening process is guided by the Mission, Vision and Values of NJMS. Screening factors considered include, but are not limited to; academic performance (GPA, difficulty level of coursework, academic load, trend in grades, MCAT scores), interpersonal characteristics, validation of decision to pursue medicine, self-awareness, leadership qualities, integrity, demonstrated compassion for others, ability to navigate challenges, broad extracurricular experiences and motivation for medicine.