Frequently Asked Questions

 

We are seeking students who bring a variety of experiences and backgrounds to our student body. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they are academically prepared to handle the rigorous curriculum of medical school and become active participants in their medical education. In addition, we highly value students who resonate with our mission and will make a positive impact in their community.

• We are a state supported school and approximately two-thirds of our students are from New Jersey
• We value diversity as we serve a diverse community
• We look for students who have shown they value long-term commitments to service to others 
• We seek applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence while seeking meaningful personal and professional growth
• We look for students who will thrive in small group learning environments and who will enjoy the challenge of a curriculum emphasizes active learning

Click here to learn more about CMSRU's selection criteria.

Due to the spiral nature of our curriculum, we are unable to accept transfer students.

No, all applicants to CMSRU must be US citizens or permanent residents.

Yes, out-of-state candidates are encouraged to apply to CMSRU.

For all questions and concerns regarding tuition and other veteran educational benefits, please contact the Rowan University Veteran Affairs Office at (856) 256-4233 or email your question to: veteranaffairsoffice@rowan.edu.

All of our interview days are currently being conducted virtually. For accepted students and family members, we do offer the opportunity to visit the CMSRU campus, take a tour of our medical education building, and meet some of our current students. We also invite you to take a virtual tour of the CMSRU Medical Education Building.

No, unfortunately, CMSRU does not provide shadowing experience for non-matriculated students. Individuals interested in a shadowing experience should reach out directly to Cooper University Health Care to inquire about opportunities available in Camden and in the southern NJ region.

All letters of recommendation should be submitted through AMCAS Letters. CMSRU is not able to accept letters submitted outside of this system. When possible, an official letter authored by a pre-health committee or advisor from your undergraduate or graduate institution is preferred. This committee letter may include additional letters of support from other individuals. Individual letters of recommendation are also welcome. We require a minimum of three letters and we do not impose a maximum number. At least two of the letters should be from academic faculty. Applicants should selectively request letters from individuals who know them well and can provide insight into their potential as a future physician. The AAMC has developed guidelines for letters of recommendation, and we encourage applicants to refer letter writers to them.

Yes, updates to your application may be submitted through your CMSRU application portal.

Updated contact information should be submitted to AMCAS only. Our system will pull in the updated AMCAS data automatically. Mid-cycle grade updates or additional activity statements may be submitted through your CMSRU application portal. Final transcripts verifying graduation should be sent by July 1 prior to matriculation.

Application fees may be paid directly online at the time you apply. Our system will accept credit or debit cards only. Checks and/or money orders are not accepted.

Applicants who qualified for the Fee Assistance Program (FAP) through AMCAS are eligible to receive a fee waiver for our secondary application. The waiver will be applied automatically to your secondary application and you will not be prompted to pay.

Click here to learn more about both general and course requirements that applicants must possess to be considered for admission to CMSRU.

To be considered, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores must be within the three years prior to the anticipated matriculation date. For Fall 2025 entrance to CMSRU, the MCAT must have been taken between January 2021 and September 2024. 

We will use the highest composite score of any single exam taken in the accepted time frame. Individual section scores from different test dates will not be combined to produce a new composite score.

Applicants are reviewed in a holistic manner and we recognize that Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) performance and GPAs are part of the candidate’s entire resume. We do not have absolute thresholds in terms of MCAT score and GPAs; however, will do look for evidence that each candidate possesses the capacity to succeed in our curriculum, as indicated by the academic record, successful balance of obligations, and indications of personal resilience.

Please note Student Residence and In-State Tuition Policy in the CMSRU Student Handbook. CMSRU complies with N.J.A.C. 9A:5-1.1 and this provides that persons residing in New Jersey for a period of 12 months before first enrolling at a public institution in the State are presumed to be domiciled in the State for tuition purposes. This means that a student, once matriculated, who does not meet the residency requirements stated in the policy will be recorded as an out-of-state student for all four years.

Our interview process is described here. Our best recommendation for your interview is, simply, to be yourself. The reason you have been invited for an interview is because we feel you are academically ready for medical school and that your experiences resonate with our mission. Expect to have a relaxed conversation with your interviewers about your application and your experiences.

Orientation and classes begin the second week of August. We recommend that you allow yourself ample time to get settled, purchase supplies, and begin learning about the area prior to this date. CMSRU does not provide student housing, but our Office of Student Affairs will be available to provide information about safe, convenient housing, roommate questions, and general relocation information. In addition, CMSRU is partnering with Places4Students.com, a company that specializes in providing off-campus housing solutions for graduate students. This service is free for students to help find a place to live off-campus or find a roommate.

Students accepted to CMSRU will be invited to submit an application, which includes a personal statement and curriculum vitae.

For further details about the PC3 program at CMSRU, please click here. For the PC3 application portal, please click here (the PC3 application portal will be available after October 20).

 

Depending on where you choose to live, you may wish to have a car.  CMSRU has a 24-hour access parking garage for a nominal annual fee.  During the 3^rd year clerkships, you will need to have access to a car to get to some of our affiliated clinical sites.