AD-2002 Admissions Process

1.0        Purpose

This policy outlines the VTCSOM admissions process to ensure a clear, consistent, and mission-driven approach to selecting applicants who demonstrate academic excellence, a passion for medicine, research, leadership, and a commitment to service.

2.0        Procedure

The minimum criteria to be considered for an interview at VTCSOM will include the following: 

1. Completion of the AMCAS formal application process with behavioral evidence of strong interest in medicine 
2. Receipt of a completed VTCSOM secondary application, and 
3. Receipt of three letters of recommendation

Phase I of the Application Process: AMCAS Application

The VTCSOM application process mirrors its mission: Seeking to enhance the scope of physician graduates with an emphasis on the development of future thought leaders grounded in inquiry, research, and discovery. More specifically, the Department of Admissions states, “Our mission is to matriculate competitive classes of academically capable students who demonstrate a passion for medicine, research, and community.” Accordingly, the application process will include both the AMCAS application and a follow-up secondary application looking for a behavioral demonstration of these traits. 

Phase II of the Application Process: Secondary Application 

Following the receipt and verification of the AMCAS application and supportive data, each applicant who meets the minimum criteria will be sent a secondary application which requires a $70 non-refundable application fee.  This second phase of the application process utilizes essay questions designed to explore the candidate’s prior experience in such areas as self-directed learning, independent study, research, inquiry,  and leadership activities. In particular, the candidate will be encouraged to describe how any of these activities may enhance their contributions to society during a career in healthcare. The secondary application will also offer candidates an opportunity to discuss their identity as they seek admission to medical school.

The decision to send secondary materials to an applicant will reflect our interest in learners who will likely achieve academic success in the rigorous academic setting of medical school, while experiencing further growth in other important aspects of professionalism. Accordingly, the secondary application will seek behavioral evidence of honesty, integrity, trust, and service to others with an emphasis on prior activities of inquiry, research, and leadership. Before submitting an AMCAS application to VTCSOM, we strongly encourage reviewing our website Class Statistics page. and the mean GPAs and MCAT scores to have a better idea of the typical qualifications of the students accepted. Candidates need a current (No older than January 1 of the year 3 years prior to their matriculation in medical school) MCAT with a combined score of 504 or higher (or set to approximately the 61%ile published by the AAMC for the previous 5 application cycles) to be considered for a secondary application invitation.

VTCSOM participates in the AMCAS Letters Service.  A complete VTCSOM application requires a minimum of three letters, but four to seven letters are recommended.  At least one recommendation should come from a science or math faculty member.  Letters from a medical professional and a research mentor are strongly recommended. A pre-health advisor letter packet and/or committee letter may also be submitted.

Phase III of the Application Process: Interviewing

Applicants must have a complete application to be considered for an interview at VTCSOM.  The minimum criteria that constitute a complete package include the following:

• Completion of the AMCAS online application with documented current MCAT scores 
• Receipt of a completed VTCSOM secondary application 
• Receipt of at least 3 recommendations or evaluations via AMCAS Letters Service 
• No felony convictions 
• A strong record of service, medical exposure, research experience, leadership, and teamwork as outlined in the AMCAS and secondary application 

Interviews typically take place on the VTCSOM campus but may also be held virtually.  Each applicant will have a traditional interview with one voting member of the Medical School Admissions Committee (MSAC).  Applicants will also participate in the Multiple-Mini-Interview (MMI) process, which assesses non-cognitive competencies such as professionalism, ethical and moral judgment, cultural competence, and communication. The MMI scenario interviewers are not members of the MSAC but include basic science and clinical faculty as well as members of the Roanoke professional community. MMI interviewers are blinded to demographic and academic information in the interviewee's application.  Interviewers assess applicants using predetermined evaluation criteria based on qualities that reflect the interviewees’ desire to develop into excellent clinicians and innovators in the biomedical sciences and public health. At times (pandemics, weather, etc.), it may be necessary to conduct the traditional and MMI interviews virtually.

Phase IV of the Application Process: Acceptance Process 

The MSAC will meet regularly throughout the interview season. The full committee is organized into two subcommittees. All application and interview materials will be made available to individual committee members, who will then present candidate records for consideration to one of the subcommittees.

After a holistic review of candidates' quantitative and non-academic attributes, the subcommittee members vote on their confidence level in each candidate. The results of those confidence votes become one of the categories of information (along with letters of recommendation, MCAT scores, GPA, graduate degrees, research experience, medical volunteer experience, campus/community volunteer experience, teamwork and leadership, and MMI scores) considered when the full committee members vote to offer acceptances. The committee also gives special consideration to applicants who are first-generation college students, come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, or are from medically underserved areas. 

When notified of an acceptance, applicants are clearly informed of the deadline by which they must notify the Admissions Office of their decision.  If an applicant accepts the offer of admission, they must set up their Virginia Tech student account and complete their Class Reservation Form.  Additionally, each accepted applicant will be advised that matriculation to VTCSOM will be dependent upon:

1. Satisfactory criminal background check,
2. Satisfactory completion of a prescribed drug screen,
3. Satisfactory completion of their bachelor’s degree program and required pre-medical coursework,
4. Understanding of and agreement to abide by the VTCSOM Standards of Ethical and Professional Conduct Policy,
5. Ability to comply with VTCSOM's Technical Standards, and
6. Completion of the VTCSOM medical history and physical examination forms.

Deferral of Acceptance 

Personal, family, or medical circumstances might prompt accepted applicants to request a deferral of matriculation to medical school for one year. Requests for deferral must meet the medical school’s standards for granting the request. Deferrals have been granted for medical, health, employment commitment, and educational experience reasons.

Deferral requests made in writing will be reviewed by the Associate Dean for Admissions to determine if the request meets the school’s criteria. If a deferral is granted, the applicant must comply with the medical school’s requirements for reapplication in the next admissions cycle.

If a request for deferral is denied, the applicant may appeal the decision by submitting a written request to the Dean of the medical school within ten working days of the notification. The Dean’s decision is final.

3.0        References

• VTCSOM Class Statistics

4.0        Approval and Revisions

Approved by Medical School Admissions Committee 1/21/2026