Admissions Requirements
Calling all aspiring physicians and future healthcare leaders!
At St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine (SMUSOM), we firmly believe that any student who possesses a genuine passion for medicine, a dedication to serving others and a strong work ethic should have the chance to pursue a medical education. We encourage students and graduates from accredited colleges and universities around the world to apply to our 4-Year Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program and become the impactful physicians that our world needs.
Medical School Admissions Process
At St. Matthew’s University, our admissions team is committed to evaluating applications holistically. This means that we want to get to know you as both an individual and as a student; applicants are encouraged to highlight their passion for medicine and soft skills, along with their academic performance and volunteer/work experience in health-related roles.
When applying for our MD program, or a pre-med program, the general medical school admissions process will proceed as follows. Please contact our admissions team if you have any questions.
- Gather required support documents
- Submit your application*
- Eligible candidates will undertake a video interview
- A decision will be tendered
Our admissions team will remain available to provide any required support throughout this process. They will also help successful candidates prepare for their medical program by providing housing, travel and visa application guidance.
*Importantly, you can apply via our school portal or by submitting a verified copy of your AMCAS, OMSAS, AACOMAS or TMDSAS application through the common app form.
MD Program Prerequisite Courses
As part of our medical school requirements, future MD degree program attendees should have completed the following undergraduate courses:
- General Biology: One academic year with a laboratory component; applicants can substitute a biology-related course for ½ year of general biology. Students who pursue additional courses in the biological sciences should consider genetics, embryology, cell and molecular biology, or comparative anatomy.
- General Chemistry: One academic year with a laboratory component.
- Organic Chemistry: One academic year with a laboratory component.*
- English: ½ year of college-level English literature or composition. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in writing, reading and oral communication.
*An applicant may substitute ½ year of Biochemistry for ½ year of Organic Chemistry.
Exceptions and substitutions to prerequisite courses will be considered on an individual basis.
Are you missing any med school prerequisites? If so, please consider the Pre-Medical Master’s Program, which is an accelerated medical education program for career changers with an undergraduate-level degree and some foundational science coursework. This pre-med program is delivered through Medical University of the Americas (MUA), our fellow GUS Med & Vet institution. Students who successfully complete it will receive a Master of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Science degree from MUA and become eligible to apply for St. Matthew’s University’s 4-year MD program.
Medical School Application Requirements
Required Application Support Documents
After submitting your application, you must upload the following documentation as it becomes available. Unofficial documents, such as transcripts, can be uploaded with the initial application and then replaced with official documents when they become available. This accelerates the review process and helps get you a decision more quickly.
As part of the process, eligible applicants are required to complete an interview with a member of our admissions team, either in-person or via video call.
- MCAT scores (required for U.S. applicants)
- Official transcript(s) from each college, university and/or professional school attended
- Two letters of recommendation*
- Personal statement (500 words or less)
*For recent graduates, it is highly recommended that at least one letter is from a professional acquaintance and the other be academic related.
MCAT Requirements for U.S. Students
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a medical school admission requirement for all applicants who are citizens, nationals or permanent residents of the United States. Canadian and other international students are not required to submit their MCAT scores, although they are still encouraged to do so.
More information about the MCAT is available on the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website.
English Proficiency
Since English is the language of instruction at SMUSOM, it is important that applicants be prepared to engage with the curriculum and be able to communicate effectively. Applicants whose principal language is not English may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or other comparable exam.
Letters of Recommendation
Complete applications must include two letters of recommendation.
For students who have recently graduated, one letter should come from a pre-med professor or academic advisor, and the other should be from a work or volunteer supervisor/coworker (ideally from your time in a health-related role). Long-time professionals who no longer have academic references may submit letters from two employment contacts.
When choosing someone to write you a recommendation, select people who know you well and can provide detailed insights about your knowledge and abilities.
Interested in St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine?
Connect with our admissions team to ask questions and learn more about medical school requirements.
Transfer Student Admissions and Credits
St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine welcomes applications from eligible transfer students who have attended medical schools recognized in the World Directory of Medical Schools. Acceptance of transfer credits is at the discretion of St. Matthew’s University.
Excitingly, St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine offers a $10,000 USD transfer scholarship for eligible students. When combined with our extensive Student Services and commitment to providing faculty support, aspiring physicians find they can thrive at SMUSOM.
Technical Standards for Medical Students
In order to achieve admissions, academic and future career success, candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine must have abilities and skills in the following five broad areas:
- Observation
- Communication
- Motor skills
- Intellectual-Conceptual
- Behavioural and Social
All students must be able to meet these St. Matthew’s University technical standards, either without accommodation or with those limited, reasonable accommodations that the school provides at its discretion.
Next Steps After Your MD Application
After submitting an application, remember to upload any outstanding documents (e.g. official transcripts) as they become available. An official offer from SMUSOM cannot be tendered until all required support documents are reviewed.
The St. Matthew’s University admissions department will contact you if the application review committee has any questions or if any documentation is required before the process can continue.
If at any point a candidate is not selected to proceed through the admissions process, they will be notified as soon as possible. Our admissions team can then continue providing support as students consider pre-med program options or application enhancement steps.
Personal Interview for MD Program Applicants
Once an eligible candidate has been selected, they will undertake an admissions interview with a member of the admissions team, either in-person or via video call. The interview will last for approximately 45-60 minutes, and will cover a range of topics related to the applicant’s candidacy.
Participants should come prepared to answer questions about their medical practice goals, academic outcomes, work/volunteer experience, interest in SMUSOM, and more. It is also advisable to prepare 3-4 questions to ask the interviewer, to demonstrate your interest in our academic community and suitability for a career as a physician.
To support your preparation efforts and help you achieve success, our admissions team will be available before the interview to answer questions and provide key insights.
Contact admissions: admissions@stmatthews.edu.
MD Program Start Dates
St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine offers annual start dates in January, May and September, which provides future students with important flexibility as they plan for medical school. Due to our rolling admissions cycle, students can also apply at any time throughout the year and begin with the next available class, once they are accepted.
FAQs About Medical School Admissions
There is no minimum required GPA to apply for the SMUSOM MD program. Our review committee looks at each applicant as an individual and does not solely rely on academic success rates to make their decisions. However, the higher your GPA, the stronger your application will be.
SMUSOM does offer rolling admissions, with start dates January, May and September. Apply at any time throughout the year and join your desired class of entering MD students.
Letters of recommendation are important medical school requirements, as they provide third-party insights about a potential student’s knowledge and abilities. Letters that provide glowing recommendations, featuring detailed descriptions of an applicant’s performance, are well-received by the review committee.
MCAT scores are required for all U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents. They are recommended but not required for any other applicants.