Weill Cornell aims to admit, support and educate a diverse set of individuals who will go on to serve as leaders in their communities through impactful and innovative endeavors in research, education, exploration, policy and patient centered care. Each year the committee selects 106 students from over 9,000 applicants. In addition to thorough preparation in the basic sciences, applicants should have a broad liberal arts education, with demonstrated accomplishment in the humanities and social sciences.

Please see our Technical Standards page for more information on the domains in which candidates must demonstrate ability. Prospective applicants requesting to review policies and procedures regarding medical student application, selection, admission, assessment, promotion, graduation, and any disciplinary action can reach out to the admissions office at wcmc-admissions@med.cornell.edu.

Weill Cornell recruits students who have demonstrated the adaptability and resiliency necessary to face the intellectual, emotional, physical, and interpersonal demands of medical school.

We especially seek applicants who have demonstrated the ability to:

• Succeed and thrive in an academically rigorous environment.
• Critically evaluate complex issues, formulate research questions and perform additional research to answer these questions.
• Contribute to their communities in impactful ways.
• Work collaboratively as well as serve as leaders to benefit patients and the broader community.
• Adapt and show resilience in the face of challenges.
• Inspire and engage others.

Premedical Curriculum

We encourage applicants to pursue premedical curricula that allow them to sample a broad range of academic disciplines, and to explore one or more areas in depth. All required premedical coursework should be completed by January 31 of the year for which admission is sought. Further details on the prerequisites can be found below.

Letters of Evaluation

Letters of evaluation play an important role in the committee's assessment of your application. Those who know you well personally should write these letters.

MCAT Scores

The committee regards the MCAT as a standardized tool that allows for one form of comparison among applicants. MCAT scores are considered as part of an application, but do not outweigh other components of the application. There are no cutoffs for MCAT scores. 

Extracurricular Activities

The committee is extremely interested in meaningful extracurricular activity participation, whether on- or off-campus. Such participation should demonstrate commitment and involvement, as evidenced by extension over time, leadership roles and accomplishments.  

Investigation in the Field of Medicine

We encourage applicants to explore medicine in some form before entering medical school. This exploration may take the form of volunteer activities in medicine, preceptor experiences in medical practices, summer employment, etc. We are interested in meaningful, rather than perfunctory, participation. 

Research

The committee values applicants' research experiences, whether in basic science, social science or liberal arts. Research in biomedical sciences is encouraged.

Character

The practice of medicine requires the highest level of personal integrity. The committee seeks applicants who demonstrate emotional maturity, personal depth, service to others, and ethical and moral integrity.

Each year the committee members interview 700-750 applicants for the M.D. program, and around 70 for the M.D.-Ph.D. program. As we receive over 9,000 applications, only a small portion of applicants will be selected for interviews.

We interview for the M.D. program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you are offered an interview, we will notify you by email. The message will indicate available dates and times. If you are able to attend those dates and times, please confirm as soon as possible. If you are unable to attend, we are happy to arrange alternative times.

We will conduct virtual interviews in the 2025-2026 interview season. On the day of the interview, please plan to attend the following scheduled activities:

• an informational meeting with an Admissions Dean or Director
• Q&A with medical students
• two interviews with members of the Committee on Admissions. The interviews, scheduled for 30 minutes each, are designed to provide you with an opportunity to discuss your decision to pursue a career in medicine, your preparation for medical school, and your life interests and experiences.

MCAT Requirement

MCAT scores are required for application.  Scores should not be older than three years at time of application. For 2026 matriculation, we will consider MCAT scores from January 2022 through September 14, 2025. Your application is not complete until we receive MCAT scores. The latest date you can take the test and still be considered for admission is September of the calendar year in which you are applying.  If your scores are over three years old, please send us a letter or email explaining why you waited to apply to medical school, and why you have not retaken the test. 

Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree

An undergraduate bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for matriculation.

Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) Coursework Prerequisites

See Advanced Placement and Minimum Course Grade Sections below.

Science Requirements​

Two semesters of biology coursework and one semester of biology lab​ or equivalent lab experience with analysis and interpretation of data.

Two semesters of general chemistry and one semester of general chemistry lab​ or equivalent lab experience with analysis and interpretation of data.

Two semesters of physics and one semester of physics lab​ or equivalent lab experience with analysis and interpretation of data.

Two semesters of organic chemistry and one semester of lab or equivalent lab experience with analysis and interpretation of data. The second semester of organic chemistry may be substituted with other advanced biology or chemistry coursework. Examples include biochemistry, physical chemistry, analytic chemistry, and molecular genetics.​

Writing Intensive Courses

WCM requires two semesters of writing-intensive courses, each with a minimum of 10 cumulative pages of submitted material, in the humanities or social sciences (e.g., English, history, philosophy, anthropology). AP or IB credits from high school are not accepted for the writing requirement. ​These courses must be taught in English; the writing must be submitted in English.

Breadth of Study

WCM strongly encourages coursework in math, statistics, and/or computational science. 

WCM strongly encourages applicants to study a broad range of disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences, beyond the minimal requirements for admission. Of particular value in the modern practice of medicine are ethics, psychology, anthropology, sociology, public health, communication and management skills. 

WCM values proficiency in a second language.

Coursework Completion Deadline

To fulfill an admissions requirement, courses must have been satisfactorily completed within 10 years of application. We recommend that one or more advanced science course(s) be completed within five years of application. All required premedical coursework should be completed by January 31 of the year for which admission is sought.

Advanced Placement Credits

Advanced credit (AP, IB, or equivalent) in biology and chemistry cannot be used to satisfy the WCM requirement.  If a student has advanced credit in an area other than physics, they fulfill the WCM requirement by completing advanced science coursework in that discipline. Advanced credit (AP, IB, or equivalent) from high school can be used to satisfy the WCM requirement in physics.

Minimum Grade

The minimum grade in any course to fulfill a WCM admissions requirement is "C” or “Pass” for pass/fail courses.

Online Courses

Courses taken online will be accepted. 

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

In general, scores on CLEP examinations may not be used to fulfill WCM admissions requirements. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Courses Taken Outside of the U.S. or Canada

Course taken outside of the U.S. or Canada may be used to fulfill WCM admissions requirements. We encourage applicants who have taken courses outside of the U.S. or Canada to take additional coursework in the U.S. (Please see Residency and Citizenship FAQs for more information.)

Exceptions to all requirements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.