When is the deadline for applying through AMCAS to USF Morsani College of Medicine?
The deadline for submitting the AMCAS application to AMCAS in Washington, DC is November 15.

How do I send updated information regarding my address and phone number after I submitted my AMCAS application?
Applicants must make all changes in contact information through AMCAS – not USF COM Admissions Office. AMCAS will then relay your changes to all the schools to which you have applied. You also should inform AMCAS when you change email accounts. This is extremely important because more and more schools are relying on email almost exclusively to communicate with applicants.

What should my essay be about?
Each essay should be considered an opportunity to tell the schools you are applying to something about yourself. You should write in a style that is comfortable for you, despite the rumor that there is a special essay style we want to see. The essay expresses who you are and why you want to be a doctor. It is also your opportunity to explain something in your record or on the AMCAS application that may be questionable to us.

Can I take all of my premed courses at a junior college?
In order to create the most academically competitive application you should take all prerequisite courses at the most competitive bachelor degree granting institution where you can gain entrance. You should take your pre-requisite courses from your degree granting institution. However, if you started your academic career at a junior college those courses are acceptable for completion of the pre-requisites. In this case you are encouraged to take additional science courses at a bachelor degree granting institution.

Can I take the prerequisite courses through distance learning or through the internet?
No. Online coursework is not acceptable as fulfilling the prerequisite coursework requirements.

Should prerequisite courses be successfully completed before I apply?
You can apply without completing all of the prerequisite courses but the majority should be completed for you to be a more academically competitive applicant.

Does USF accept/recognize AP/IB credit in place of taking the required science classes required for admission to medical school?
While USF does "accept/recognize" AP/IB credits, we encourage students to complete advanced course work in those disciplines in order to demonstrate their academic strength. You must have received college credit for your AP/IB courses as reflected on your undergraduate transcript.

Both my grades and MCAT scores are competitive. How important is getting health-care experience?
You need quality hands-on patient care experiences. These experiences should be consistent during your four years as an undergraduate and beyond. It is important to able to communicate what you learned from these experiences. Community service that is not health-care related and working in an underserved community is recommended.

How much volunteering/shadowing/research is sufficient and when should I start?
There are no set hours for volunteering/shadowing/research. You need to select meaningful volunteering and shadowing experiences and attention should be placed on quality versus quantity. You should be able to communicate what you learned from the experiences. Research is great if you are doing research because you have an interest.

What is the minimum GPA I need to apply?
Our average science (BCPM) GPA is 3.8 and our average MCAT is 31P (as stated in the 2012-2013 AAMC MSAR http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/msar.htm). The further your GPA and/or MCAT score is below the average, the more difficult it is to be considered for an acceptance.

Who will interview me and what is the interview format?
Each candidate will participate in two interviews conducted by USF faculty. On occasion, 4th year medical students will conduct interviews.

How do I prepare for a medical school interview?
Some sources will tell you that you cannot prepare and that you should just be yourself. However, there are some common sense things you should consider to make a better presentation. Some ideas include doing your homework about the school you are visiting or practicing through mock interviews.

Letters of Recommendation

How do I submit letters?
Letters of recommendation need to be submitted by January 5 of each year through your AMCAS application. Please review pages 56-60 of the AMCAS 2013 instructions for complete details.

What type of letters do I need for my application?
Our committee requires three Faculty Letters (2 science 1 non-science) and two character letters. The Faculty letters must be from professors who have instructed you in a formal course. Two character letters can be from physicians you shadowed, employers, research mentors, or any person who can attest to your interest in medicine. The spirit of the character letter is to corroborate your AMCAS experiences. Please do not submit letters from family members, close friends or peer letters. 

You can also provide a composite evaluation from your school's premed advisory committee in lieu of the three faculty letters, in addition to the two required personal character letters.

What type of information should be included in letters of recommendation?
The best letters are from faculty members who know you well enough to comment in some depth, not only on your academic performance, but also on your personal qualities for a career in medicine. Both attributes are equally important. They should mention how long they have known you and in what capacity, and how well they know you. They should also put their remarks about you into some kind of comparative context with others for whom they have written letters.

Do I need new letters as a re-applicant?
It would be beneficial to add new letters when possible; you should try your best to submit at least one new letter. 

Will USF MCOM accept letters if I mail them directly to your office?
No.

Where do I submit my letters of recommendation?
All letter submissions are done through AMCAS letter service through USF MCOM.

I have been out of school for a while and cannot get faculty letters? What should I do?
Contact each medical school to which you are applying. Military commanders (for military personnel) and immediate supervisors (for applicants with lengthy employment histories) may be good people to write such letters in lieu of the faculty letters.

Will taking the MCAT in September hurt my chances of getting accepted to medical school?
No. Scores from the September test are reported to AMCAS within 30 days from the test date.

What if I am taking the MCAT in January?
January MCAT test scores will not be considered for the same application cycle year.

I have taken the MCAT three times. Do you see all of my scores?
Yes. The AMCAS application will show your testing history and include the date of every MCAT you have taken since 1991.

I took the MCAT several times. Does USF MCOM combine scores of the sections to make the end score higher?
No.

Does the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine accept international students?
No. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents of the US with an alien registration receipt (green) card in their possession when they complete the AMCAS application.

What types of documents are necessary to support my claim to Florida residency?
Acceptable forms of documentation include: At the time of application, we collect your driver's license, vehicle registration and voter registration card.to claim residency. If further proof is needed, you will be asked to provide additional information. http://www.registrar.usf.edu/Residency/

I have a medical degree from a country outside of the United States; can I enter your medical school?
You will have to follow our regular admissions process: We require that you have citizenship or permanent resident status, either a Bachelor's degree from a United States accredited institution or an international degree that has been found equivalent to one, completed all prerequisite courses from a United States accredited institution and an AMCAS application. You will not receive advanced standing based on coursework completed at your previous medical school. You should go to the website www.ECFMG.org. This is for the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates and Students. They can typically assist you in continuing/completing your education in the U.S.

Please see http://hsc.usf.edu/medicine/mdadmissions/academic_requirements.htm for all required prerequisite courses.

Secondary Application

How do I receive a secondary application?
Once we receive your verified application through AMCAS, the link to the secondary application, along with instructions will be emailed to you.

Is there an application fee?
Yes, it is $30. The application fee is non-refundable and is charged to all applicants who complete a secondary application. This fee (or the fee waiver form) must be received by USF MCOM in order to consider your file complete.

I have an application fee waiver from AMCAS. Does it work for the secondary?
Yes. Please forward the original email you received from AMCAS granting you the FAP to md-admissions@health.usf.edu or usfmdadmissions@health.usf.edu before you submit your secondary. Remember this must be received by USF MCOM in order to consider your file complete.

Will I be informed if anything is missing from my file?
Yes, but it is your responsibility to ensure your file is complete. Make sure your email address is correct in AMCAS and that you check your SPAM mail periodically.

Is there a deadline for submitting my secondary application?
Yes. The deadline for all secondary application materials is August 15 for the Early Decision Program and January 5th for the regular MD program.

Does a B- grade on my transcripts need to be explained on the Secondary Application?
Yes. Any grade less than a B must be explained.

Can I make changes to the application after I submit it?
No.

How will I receive notification of my application status with USF MCOM?
All correspondence regarding application status is sent via e-mail using the email address you provided on your AMCAS application. For the best results, be sure not use a SPAM blocker or firewall.

Where can I find more information on the USF Morsani College of Medicine's Early Decision program?
More information can be found on our website. http://www.hsc.usf.edu/medicine/mdadmissions/early_decision.htm

Does USF Morsani College of Medicine accept transfer students?
We only consider transfer students who are between the second and third year, who have passed STEP 1 of the USMLE examination, and who are transferring from an LCME- accredited school and are U.S. citizens or hold a Permanent Resident (Green Card) immigration status. For candidates who meet these criteria, the next hurdle is one of space availability in our program. It is typically not until early Spring of each year that we are in a position to evaluate such availability.

Does USF MCOM accept credit from undergraduate work in a foreign country?
No. Not even Canada.

Where can I find more information on special programs that can assist me in preparing for medical school?
http://hsc.usf.edu/medicine/educationalaffairs/special_programs.html#ims

How do I make an appointment with an admissions counselor?
Call 813-974-2229 – option 1 to make an appointment.

Where is the AMCAS FAQ page located?
http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/start.htm

Where can I find more information on Florida residency?
More information on Florida residency can be found at http://www.registrar.usf.edu