Frequently Asked Questions
Changes: Address, E-mail, Phone Number
These changes have to be made through your account with AMCAS. We cannot change any of your information in our database.
Supplemental Applications
How many supplemental applications are sent out?
All applicants have the opportunity to submit the supplemental application.
How are supplemental applications sent to applicants?
They are sent via e-mail with a link and password attached.
Letters of Recommendation
Can I add more than the number of required recommendation letters to my file?
Yes. You may add as many personal, academic, or other documents as you wish. However, be certain that you complete the minimum requirements for letters of recommendation.
What are the minimum requirements for letters of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation from a Pre-Health Advisory Committee or three individual letters of recommendation are required to complete an application for admission to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. While any three letters of recommendations will be accepted, it is preferred that the applicant submit three academic letters.
What is considered an academic letter of recommendation?
An academic letter can be written by a professor from whom you took a class, a pre-health advisor, or a research mentor(s).
What is considered a committee letter?
Many medical, dental, and some other health professional schools require or prefer applicants to have letters of evaluation from their undergraduate school's pre-health committee. This committee may be called the Pre-health Advisory Committee and is composed of faculty, administrators, and staff from across the university. The Committee Letter is essentially a cover letter, and part of the packet includes other individual letters of recommendation that are obtained from professors, instructors, research supervisors, and other mentors. As a cover letter, the Committee Letter serves several purposes: it introduces you to medical school admissions committees and it reviews your strengths and accomplishments. The Committee Letter is thorough, detailed, and individualized. A single letter from a pre-health advisor/counselor is not considered a committee letter.
Academic Requirements
In addition to thorough preparation in the basic sciences, applicants should have a strong liberal arts education with demonstrated accomplishment in the humanities and social sciences. A strong background in mathematics is highly recommended.
Acceptance of courses taken at foreign universities is determined on an individual basis at the discretion of the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. You should have completed most premedical requirements to receive serious consideration. All requirements must be met before matriculation.
Specific minimum course requirements for all lab requirements
One year each of:
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Biology, exclusive of botany (with one full year lab or single two credit lab)
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General or inorganic chemistry (with one full year lab or single two credit lab)
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Organic chemistry (with one full year lab or single two credit lab)
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Physics (with one full year lab or single two credit lab)
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English (including W courses taken outside of the English department)
We will accept AP credit if credit was awarded by your college/university and the course credit granted appears on your transcript.
International Students
Do you accept international applicants?
All applicants must have United States citizenship, or hold permanent resident or refugee/asylee status with the USCIS. A student visa classification is not acceptable.
