MD Program Selection Criteria

The Admissions Committee conducts comprehensive reviews of applicants in alignment with our mission-based admissions criteria including consideration of applicants' academic preparation, professional competencies, and premedical experiences. For more information, please review our Admissions Preparedness Guide.

In addition to our preparedness guide, we invite you to check out the AAMC's Anatomy of an Applicant. This guide includes competency resources as well as a self-assessment for medical school applicants, prepared by the AAMC.

Requirements to Receive a Secondary Application

To receive an invitation to complete the secondary application, applicants must meet all minimum requirements under the MCAT Score, Grade Point Average, and Citizenship/Permanent Resident Status.

MCAT Score

Applicants with a 495 total MCAT score are typically eligible to receive an invitation to complete our secondary application. The Early Decision and EMSAP programs have different MCAT criteria.

• Scores from the September 2025 MCAT dates are the latest that will be considered.
• A 2023 MCAT score is the earliest score considered for the 2026 entering class.

See the MCAT website for more information.

We will use the most recent MCAT total score for consideration to receive a secondary application.

Grade Point Average

Alabama residents must have a 3.0 science (BCPM) GPA at the undergraduate level or a 3.0 science (BCPM) GPA after 20 or more BCPM credits at the post-baccalaureate or graduate level to receive the secondary application invitation. Since pass/fail grades are not included in the GPA, they do not count toward the 20-credit requirement at the post-baccalaureate and graduate level to receive the secondary application.

Out-of-state applicants must have a 3.3 science (BCPM) GPA at the undergraduate level or a 3.3 science (BCPM) GPA after 20 or more BCPM credits at the post baccalaureate or graduate level to receive an invitation to complete the secondary application. Since pass/fail grades are not included in the GPA, they do not count toward the 20-credit requirement at the post-baccalaureate and graduate level to receive the secondary application.

The GPA minimum requirement does not apply to MSTP program applicants to receive a secondary application.

Citizenship

Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are considered for admission.

Academic and Course Requirements

All applicants must demonstrate solid knowledge of relevant sciences and the ability to manage a rigorous academic curriculum. Admissions Committee members will review your academic preparedness including grades, grade trends, courses taken, and standardized test scores. The committee will consider the applicants’ scores from all MCAT tests when evaluating applicants for admission. Particular attention will be given to the science sub-scores in determining readiness.

Credit Hours

Applicants should report at least 90 hours of undergraduate course credit from an accredited U.S. college or university on the AMCAS application. Applicants educated at a college or university not regionally accredited in the U.S. should complete a minimum of 24 credits in biomedical sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, and/or math) at a U.S. accredited institution and submit a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES.org evaluation service for education completed outside the U.S.

All requirements to complete current degree programs must be completed by July 1 before matriculation. All college majors are considered equally; however, you should consider how your major prepares you for the rigorous science coursework of medical school and how your major will be useful if not accepted to medical school.

Pass/Fail Grading

While we prefer letter grades to better show preparation for medical school, we understand that the pandemic impacted instruction in 2020 and 2021. We will accept pass or satisfactory grades during semesters when courses were moved from in-person to virtual due to the pandemic.

Required Undergraduate Courses

For required courses, we expect to see the majority of these classes completed prior to submission of the AMCAS; however, we understand that many applicants may have one or two of these courses scheduled during their senior year after the AMCAS application has been submitted. Students offered acceptance are required to submit proof of successful completion of required coursework.

• Online and community college courses are accepted unless otherwise noted.
• Students must receive a "C" or better in required courses.

General Biology (with lab)
8 semester hours

• Applicants awarded AP, CLEP, or community college credit for biology are expected to complete 8 hours of additional advanced biology coursework.
• Laboratory courses should be completed in-person; however, online labs will be accepted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biochemistry
3 semester hours

• Any sequence of chemistry courses that includes Biochemistry will satisfy the chemistry requirement.

General Physics (with lab)
8 semester hours

• We accept AP or CLEP credit for physics.

Biostatistics/Statistics or College Mathematics
3 semester hours of biostatistics or 6 semester hours of college math

• A 3-hour college course in biostatistics or statistics is expected.
• Applicants with 6 hours of college level math coursework other than biostatistics/statistics will also meet the requirements.
• Applicants awarded AP, CLEP, or community college credit for statistics or college mathematics are expected to complete a college level biostatistics course to meet the requirement

English
6 semester hours

• Complete at least 6 semester hours of college level English, writing composition, or writing intensive coursework.
• AP and CLEP credit in English are accepted.

Behavioral and Social Sciences
3 semester hours

• Any behavioral or social science coursework that addresses the biological, psychological, and/or sociocultural factors that influence perceptions, behaviors, interactions and well-being will be accepted.
• AP and CLEP credit in Social Sciences are accepted.

Regarding AP and CLEP credit: For AP or CLEP credit to meet a minimum requirement, college hour or unit credit for a course must appear on your transcript.

Regarding Online Coursework:  We accept online coursework for all prerequisite lecture-based courses. While we normally expect students to take their labs in person, we will make an exception for labs that were transitioned to an online format due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. 

State Residency

While we admit applicants from all over the United States, we have a strong preference for legal residents of Alabama. Resident tuition status is determined by the university, with regard to Alabama law, and the policies of the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System. For more information on residency, please visit the UAB Resources page for In-State Residency.

AAMC PREview^TM professional readiness exam (Required starting 2026)

Beginning with the 2026 application cycle, applicants are required to complete the Association of American Medical Colleges Professional Readiness Exam (AAMC PREviewTM), to assess the pre-professional competencies that our admissions committee believes are essential for success at our medical school and will be increasingly important in meeting the needs of patients and improving the health of all people.

PREview exam scores are considered by our Admissions Selection Committee as part of our comprehensive review process.

Timeline

Test dates range from mid-March through October. Scores must be from 2023 or later for applicants applying to start medical school in 2026. The AAMC PREview exam is administered online using remote proctoring. There is a $100 fee for examinees to take the AAMC PREview exam. Students who qualify for the Fee Assistance Program will receive a full fee waiver (no cost) for their first examination. Free preparation materials, including a full-length practice exam, are available through the AAMC.

Information about the AAMC PREview exam, including preparation materials, test registration, requests for accommodations, and important dates and deadlines, is available here.

Premedical Experiences and Competencies

Professional Competencies

Commitment to Learning and Growth, Empathy and Compassion, Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others, Interpersonal Skills, Communication, Reliability and Dependability, Resilience and Adaptability, Service Orientation, and Teamwork

Service & Volunteer Experiences

Evidence of a demonstrated commitment to something larger than oneself; demonstrated dedication to service and a commitment to making meaningful contributions that meet the needs of communities through a pattern of on-going, face-to-face, hands-on service.

Medically Related Experiences and Shadowing

Medical exposure is an essential part of being considered competitive for admission. Through experiences in a medical setting, you should develop an understanding of what happens when doctors and patients interact, gain insight into the patient’s experience, and better understand what becoming a physician would mean to you.

Extracurricular Activities/Work Experience

Getting involved and building the above-mentioned professional competencies is critical to your development in becoming an exceptional physician. These activities will also help you develop effective time management skills.

Teamwork & Leadership Roles

Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others to achieve shared goals and prioritizes shared goals; adjust role between team member and leader based on one’s own and others’ expertise and experience; share information with team members and encourages this behavior in others; and give and accept feedback to improve team performance.

Research Experience

Research experiences provide an opportunity to develop fundamentals of scientific inquiry important for evidence-based medicine.

Technical Standards

Please see the UAB Heersink School of Medicine's Technical Standards Policy for more information on the abilities and skills required for MD degree candidates.

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine welcomes and embraces people with disabilities. As such, the Heersink School of Medicine will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. Please contact the UAB Office of Disability Support Services for more information or to make an accommodation request.