Applicant Criteria

The Morsani College of Medicine is committed to the principle of a diverse classroom. According to the AAMC our program is in the top 25% of medical schools in the nation for ethnic and racial diversity. Our students exemplify diversity through their different educational backgrounds, amazing life experiences, and personal histories

Holistic Review Process of Applications

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of:

  • Personal attributes and Achievements
  • Academic Record
  • Performance on the MCAT
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Interviews
  • Demonstrated Motivation for Medicine and Helping Others
  • Ability to diversify the class and add to the educational experience of their classmates

Residency Requirements

Applicants must be either a:

  • U.S. Citizen
  • Permanent Resident of the U.S.

An alien registration receipt (green) card must be in your possession when completing the AMCAS application. Documentation will be required and failure to provide such documentation may result in rescinding of an acceptance offer.

Florida residency requires:

  • Proof of permanent residency in Florida for 12 months preceding registration to USF COM

Residency can be established from a parent or guardian living in the state of Florida if the applicant is a dependent. The owning of property in Florida, while being physically located in another state, does not qualify a person to claim Florida residence. In those instances where residency is in question, an applicant is requested to submit a Declaration of Domicile one year in advance of matriculation for tuition purposes.

Please visit http://www.registrar.usf.edu/Residency/Definitions.php for additional residency requirement information.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit a minimum of five (5) letters of recommendation from:

  • Three Faculty letters or a Committee Letter
  • Two Character letters

Character letters may be written by physicians you’ve shadowed, team leaders, supervisors, clergy, etc. The faculty letters should include only instructors who taught you in a formal course. Two of the faculty letters should be from the basic sciences and one letter from a non-science professor. Also review our FAQs about letters of reference.

Interview Invitations

Interview invitations for all applicants are at the discretion of the Medical Student Selection Committee. An invitation to interview means only that the initial evaluation is sufficient to warrant further consideration by the committee. Please keep your contact information updated through AMCAS in order to properly contact you to schedule an interview.

Application Status & Updates

Applicants will submit their application through the AMCAS online application service. They are required to adhere to the AMCAS standards as stated in the instruction booklet and the AAMC traffic rules for their application throughout the admissions cycle. All of our correspondence for application updates will be done via AMCAS and the contact information provided. We do not accept any application updates until an invitation for an interview has been offered to an applicant.