Linkage Program

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM) has entered into an agreement (or an arrangement) with several post-baccalaureate or master’s programs that allows qualified students to accelerate the enrollment process.  The Linkage Program is not the optimal path to medical school and is designed to eliminate a glide (or gap) year between completing the post-baccalaureate or master’s degree and entering medical school.  Students who enroll in these programs have strong undergraduate academic records but made a late decision to attend medical school and must now fulfill the required pre-requisite course work.

The following institutions have a “Linkage” agreement with UPSOM (click on the institution to learn more about their individual program):

General Requirements & Eligibility

UPSOM will consider applicants, from the above institutions, the Director(s) believe to have the credentials, motivation, and personal qualities that evidence their suitability for a career in medicine and their likely success at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  The Linkage process is provisional on success in the post-baccalaureate (or Master’s) program and is not a guaranteed avenue for admission to medical school.  Applicants will have to maintain an overall GPA of 3.75 or higher throughout the post-baccalaureate program (or Master’s) for interview consideration as well as in the final decision to admit or not (an undergraduate GPA of 3.70 or higher is preferred).  Any grade below a “B” in the post-baccalaureate (or Master’s) program would initiate an immediate re-review and is grounds for loss of eligibility to participate in the linkage program.  The MCAT examination is not required or considered in the admissions process. Any comportment or academic integrity issues will be immediately reported to UPSOM.  In addition, applicants must commit to only applying and matriculating at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Admissions Requirements & Application Deadlines

  • December 1 (of application cycle before enrollment year) – Interested applicants will work with their program Director or Advisor(s) to identify UPSOM as their top choice to attend medical school.  The Director will notify UPSOM of the students interested in applying.  Detailed instructions will be emailed to the qualified candidates.
  • December 15 (11:59 PM EST) – Applicants must submit the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application.  Once UPSOM receives your verified AMCAS application, an UPSOM specific Supplemental application will be emailed to the applicant.
  • January 15 (11:59 PM EST) – Applicants must submit our school specific Supplemental application by this deadline.
  • January 15 (11:59 PM EST) – UPSOM requires a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation as part of a complete application package.  We recommend one letter from the Post- Baccalaureate (or Master’s) Director and two other supporting letters from faculty or a research mentor.  A complete application package will include the verified AMCAS application, the UPSOM Supplemental application, and the 3 letters of recommendation.
  • Early February – Interview invitations will be sent to those candidates that the Admissions Committee determines to be a good fit for UPSOM.
  • Mid to Late February – UPSOM will conduct interviews with each qualified applicant.
  • Mid- March – UPSOM Admissions Committee will release conditional admission decisions to the Program Directors (or Advisors) and the applicant.

Please Note: A final review of all application materials, including but not limited to all college and post-baccalaureate course work, letters of reference, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine interview reports and any updates from the programs will be conducted by the Admissions Special Programs Committee, which will then make the final decision to admit or not.