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Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 6/13/24
Is Weill Cornell your dream medical school? Follow along for admissions stats, acceptance rates, and a step-by-step guide on how to get accepted.
Weill Cornell Medicine is among the most prestigious schools in the U.S. As an Ivy League school, Cornell is known for leading discovery, producing creative work, and promoting a culture of broad inquiry. This guide will explain everything you need to know about attending this prestigious medical school.
98% of our students get into med school on their first try—find out how
Because Cornell has many schools and plentiful resources, several individualized program options exist. Weill Cornell offers the following medical programs:
| Programs Offered | Length of Program | Key Information |
|---|---|---|
| MD Program | Four years | The program is focused on the scientific basis of medicine, patient care, and physicianship. |
| MSHS PA Program | 27 months | The program starts with classroom learning and technical skills training, shifts into supervised clinical rotations with a preceptor. It includes a research project culminating in a written thesis and oral defense. |
| Pre-Op Program | N/A | It’s designed to expose students to various surgical specialties and enhance clinical experience. |
| Premedical Programs | Varies | Designed to provide opportunities in medicine and research for underrepresented populations. |
Each program has many options for students interested in joint-degree or master's programs. Refer to the links above for a complete list of every medical education option available at Cornell.
We know what committees want—our ex-admissions officers wrote the playbook.
Cornell Medical School’s acceptance rate is 1.47%. It is highly competitive, so make sure you have a strong application!
Please note that this is an approximate acceptance rate and refers to the percentage of matriculants and deferred students compared to verified applications. Medical schools often don’t release data pertaining to accepted applicants and verified applications.
Now, let’s see the past few years' acceptance rate for Cornell Medical School.
| Year | Number of Applicants | Matriculants | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7,221 | 106 | 3.4% |
| 2022 | 7,926 | 106 | 3.4% |
| 2021 | 6,385 | 323 | 5% |
Cornell Medical School is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 1.47%. This means that only about 1 in 100 applicants matriculate.
Cornell is a highly regarded Ivy League school, so it is tough to get into. Here are recent Weill Cornell Medicine admissions statistics.
The average GPA at Weill Cornell Medicine is 3.89. Although Cornell doesn’t have a minimum GPA requirement, ensure you aim above a 3.9 GPA to be a strong applicant.
The average MCAT score at Weill Cornell Medicine is 518.7, which is very competitive. Aim for an MCAT score of 519 or above to be considered a competitive applicant.
Reaching this score won’t be easy! You'll need plenty of practice and a solid review of the key concepts.
98.53% of Cornell's applicants get rejected. Is your application perfect?
Below are the Weill Cornell Medicine admission requirements you must fulfil to apply.
Now that you know how to get into Weill Cornell Medicine, note that failure to provide any of these materials will delay your application review or lead to rejection.
Weill Cornell Medicine requires specific coursework prerequisites from its applicants. Failure to submit these courses will make your application incomplete.
Here are the course prerequisites for Weill Cornell Medicine:
| Required Courses | Number of Required Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| Basic Sciences | Two semesters or equivalent of biology, chemistry, and physics. |
| Organic Chemistry | Recommended two semesters of organic chemistry with lab, or one semester of organic chemistry with lab, and one semester of another advanced biology or chemistry class. |
| Laboratory Coursework | Laboratory work may be substituted for courses in some circumstances. |
| Writing-Intensive Courses | Two semesters, one in the humanities or social sciences and one focusing on English literature. |
| Integrated Science Courses | Biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematical aspects of life sciences may be substituted for other basic science coursework. |
The minimum grade acceptable in any of the above courses is a "C.” All prerequisite courses must have been completed less than ten years before submitting your application.
Weill Cornell Medicine is looking for applicants who do well academically and have a diverse background in basic sciences, social sciences, and liberal arts. Admissions prefer applicants who have broadly explored academic disciplines and gone in-depth in specific areas.
Cornell admission also seeks applicants exploring medicine through research, clinical work, and volunteer service.
If you aspire to gain admission to Weill Cornell Medicine, it's essential to approach the application process strategically. Consider incorporating these key steps to increase your chances.
As Nate, an admissions expert and USC Keck/Caltech MD-PhD student, states, productive summers are key to building competitive applications:
“It's important to use your summer wisely as a pre-med student and can be a window of opportunity to enhance your medical journey. Summers provide the time and flexibility to engage in activities that deepen your understanding of the medical field, build practical skills, and bolster your competitiveness for medical school admissions."
So, whether you’re using those few months between your school years to hone in on your MCAT studies or gain useful experience for your resume, use them wisely!
If you want to learn more about how to spend your summer best, check out this webinar:
Partaking in research experiences can significantly boost your application to Weill Cornell Medicine. The admissions committee highly values applicants who have participated in research, be it in the area of basic science, social science, or liberal arts. Emphasizing your involvement in biomedical sciences research is particularly encouraged.
Highlighting your contributions to these areas shows your commitment to academic exploration and potential to contribute meaningfully to the medical field.
You take required courses and consider taking the recommended classes to enhance your application to Weill Cornell Medicine. Weill Cornell requires that applicants take two semesters of organic chemistry with lab, so ensure you take it to increase your chances of admission.
Weill Cornell Medicine values applicants who have explored medicine in diverse ways before entering their program. This exploration is encouraged through various avenues, including research, volunteering in medicine, experiences in medical practices or labs, and summer employment.
Volunteering is typically the easiest and most common way for students to gain clinical exposure, but Nate warns there is such a thing as too much volunteer experience:
“With volunteering, there's a point of diminishing returns. It's a necessary component of your medical school application but you don't have to have a thousand volunteer hours to be a competitive applicant. It's not just about accumulating hours but about gaining meaningful experience that you can discuss in your application and interviews. Think about how they are shaping your understanding of the medical field and your motivations for becoming a doctor.”
Showcasing your engagement in medicine through these diverse experiences connects with the school's values. It enhances your overall application by demonstrating your genuine interest, commitment, and understanding of the medical profession.
Our Team of Former Admissions Officers Knows What Committees Want to See
Weill Cornell Medicine will only interview around 10% of its applicants. Weill Cornell interviews begin in September and continue until early spring. If you’re selected for an interview, you’ll be notified via email and be given a schedule to select a date and time
Most students report the Weill Cornell interview as not overly stressful and a pleasant experience. You may be asked questions relating to:
You may also be asked about research/clinical experiences and other questions about your experience and goals.
Consider using our free interview question generator to ensure you’re as prepared as possible!
Annual tuition at Weill Cornell Medicine is $74,194. However, there are several other fees to consider. Here’s a list of some of Cornell’s additional med school fees:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $74,194 |
| Health Service Fee | $1,696 |
| Technology Fee | $1008 |
| Disability Insurance | $50.40 |
| University Fee | $820 |
| Education Facility Fee | $656 |
| Class Dues | $90 |
| Total | $78,514.40 |
Tuition costs may change annually. Check the school’s site for the most up-to-date costs for the year.
Weill Cornell Medicine’s four-year cost of attendance is approximately $314,057. Although this tuition cost is relatively high, Cornell Medical School has plenty of scholarships available to help cut costs!
Weill Cornell Medicine offers generous financial aid to students who need it. Cornell Medicine can offer debt-free, need-based financial assistance. Because of Conrell’s generous financial aid, students graduate with lower school debt than the average in the country.
Here are the important application dates for Weill Cornell Medicine. Like most med schools, you should begin preparing to apply two years in advance. This gives you enough time to take the necessary prerequisite courses, build your resume, get an excellent MCAT score, and secure recommendation letters.
Here is the Weill Cornell Medicine application timeline:
| Dates & Deadlines | Application Stage |
|---|---|
| May | AMCAS application opens |
| July | WCMC’s supplemental application opens |
| September-February | Interviews conducted (virtually) |
| September 14 | Latest MCAT date considered |
| October 15 | Deadline for submission of AMCAS application |
| November 15 | Deadline for submission of secondary application and supporting materials for M.D. Program |
| March | Admission decisions are sent via email |
| April 30 | Accepted applicants must accept the offer |
To ensure you’re keeping up to date with deadlines and what’s required by AMCAS and Cornell, check their websites frequently.
Here are our answers to some frequently asked questions about getting into this medical school:
The average GPA at Weill Cornell Medicine is 3.89. Applicants should aim for a GPA of 3.9 or above to be considered strong candidates.
The Weill Cornell Medical College acceptance rate is 1.47%. In a recent cycle, 108 students matriculated out of 7,345 applicants.
Weill Cornell is an excellent medical school, ranking among the top 40 in the world.
Weill Cornell Medicine emphasizes work in small groups instead of lectures, five institutions for research opportunities located on campus, and “early exposure to one of the most diverse patient populations in the world.”
Cornell isn’t a tuition-free school, although it offers students generous financial aid packages. For example, Weill Cornell Medicine offers “debt-free need-based financial aid for students in the MD program who have demonstrated financial need.”
If Weill Cornell is your dream medical school, you must go into application season well-prepared. Although acceptance rates are low, you can stand out with a polished, well-rounded application.
Our experienced admissions counselors hail from admissions committees of top universities nationwide and are dedicated to helping you get into medical school. We’ve got you covered from essays to interviews—we’d love to help you boost your med school application!
Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.
Reviewed by:
Dermatology Resident Physician, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
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