The Medical College Admission Test and a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada are required unless the student is being admitted through an SKMC approved special program with modified requirements. Credit for foreign course work must be validated and/or accepted by an accredited U.S. college or university. It is preferable to have courses graded by the traditional grading system rather than by pass/fail grades.

All academic requirements should be completed prior to matriculation. All prerequisite courses should be completed within five years of application.

We recommend that applicants have strong preparation in the sciences basic to medical school studies. A variety of college course formats and combinations, including biology, general and organic chemistry and physics are a minimum. Courses taken should include or be supplemented by laboratory experiences. Courses should be comparable to courses accepted for concentration in these disciplines. We encourage you to supplement any advanced placement credits with additional courses in similar subjects. Upper level science courses that cover material taught within the medical school curriculum will not affect our admissions decision.

We encourage you to take honors and independent study or research courses to explore a specific area of knowledge and provide scholarly experience which will facilitate a lifelong habit of self-education.

We expect breadth of education, and encourage the in-depth pursuit of one discipline. Studies in the humanities, social and behavioral sciences and the development of effective writing skills are strongly suggested to learn how to effectively acquire, synthesize, apply and communicate information. These skills are crucial to success in medical degree programs and professions.

The MCAT is required for all applicants. The test may be taken anytime in the three years prior to the time of application, but the best time to take it is in the spring before you apply.

All applicants must request that their MCAT scores be sent to the Admissions Office.

To register for the MCAT, contact your premedical advisor or the MCAT Program Office:

MCAT Program Office
P.O. Box 4056
Iowa City, IA 52243-4056
Phone: 319-337-1357

Learn more about the MCAT

Certain minimum academic and technical standards are essential to complete your medical education and become a Doctor of Medicine. Any questions regarding these standards should be directed to the Office of Admissions for clarification. Accepted applicants requiring special accommodations should contact the admissions office as early as possible.

All students must possess the perseverance, diligence and consistency to complete the medical school curriculum and to enter the independent practice of medicine. Among the other requirements for admission to Sidney Kimmel Medical College are the abilities to:

• The ability to analyze, synthesize and solve problems, and reach diagnostic and therapeutic judgments.
• Sufficient use of the senses of vision and hearing and somatic sensation necessary to perform a physical examination using observation, palpation, auscultation and percussion and the ability to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide both general patient care and emergency treatment.
• The ability to relate to patients and to establish sensitive, professional relationships with patients.
• The ability to work as an effective team member of the health care team. The ability to communicate in writing and verbally with patients and medical colleagues with accuracy, clarity and efficiency in both routine and emergency conditions. Accommodation through use of a trained intermediary or other communications aide may be appropriate when this intermediary functions as an information conduit.
• The ability to learn and perform certain laboratory and diagnostic procedures.
• The ability to use good judgment in the assessment and treatment of patients.
• The ability to accept criticism and to respond by appropriate modification of behavior.
• No infectious disease which would prevent the performance of essential clinical activities required to complete the curriculum.
• The perseverance, diligence and consistency to complete the medical school curriculum and to enter the independent practice of medicine.

Students may not have any infectious disease which would prevent the performance of essential clinical activities required to complete the curriculum.

Once we receive your verified AMCAS application we will e-mail you instructions for completing the SKMC Secondary Application. These instructions will include a log-in ID and PIN for you to complete the application online. 

(Note: You will need a credit/debit card to pay the application fee.)

Each year, we invite (by e-mail) approximately 600 applicants to interview at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. The interview process begins mid-September and continues through February. Interviews take place each Wednesday (except for the week of Thanksgiving, and our two-week Winter Break).

We offer applicants invited for an interview the opportunity to experience Sidney Kimmel Medical College with a full day of activities, starting at 9:00 a.m. During the Wednesday program, invited applicants have the opportunity to meet with the Dean of Admissions, the Director of Admissions, current students and faculty. Applicants will interview one-on-one with a current Medical Student and a Faculty member who serves on the Committee on Admissions.

The Committee on Admissions of Sidney Kimmel Medical College establishes criteria for granting interviews to applicants. These criteria include academic performance, letters of recommendation, and community involvement. We send a supplementary application and brochure to everyone who applies, however, not every applicant can be granted an interview.

Please use the links below to learn more about our Special Programs. If eligible, you may apply to either program during your completion of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College Secondary application. 

Physicial Shortage Area Program

DIMER Program