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Admissions Requirements

Find out more about medical school admission requirements, including key prerequisites and MCAT information.

Students and graduates of any accredited college or university in the world are invited to apply to Medical University of the Americas (MUA). In seeking to support the international health-care system and advance the diversity of our student body, MUA considers a variety of scholastic experiences from around the globe. The Admissions Committee actively seeks individuals who are passionate about a career as a practicing physician and a commitment to care.

MD Program Prerequisite Courses

  • General Biology: One academic year with a laboratory component; applicants can substitute a biology-related course for ½ year of general biology. Students who pursue additional courses in the biological sciences should consider genetics, embryology, cell and molecular biology, or comparative anatomy.
  • General Chemistry: One academic year with a laboratory component.
  • Organic Chemistry: One academic year with a laboratory component.*
  • English: One year of college-level English literature or composition. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in writing, reading and oral communication.

    * An applicant may substitute ½ year of Biochemistry for ½ year of Organic Chemistry.

Exceptions and substitutions to prerequisite courses will be considered on an individual basis.

Are you missing prerequisite courses? Please consider the 8-month Pre-Medical Master’s Program, which is an accelerated medical education program for career changers with an undergraduate-level degree and some foundational science coursework. Graduates earn an MSc in Biological Science and become eligible for our 4-Year MD program.

Required Application Support Documents

After submitting your application, you must upload the following documentation as soon as possible. As part of the admissions process, applicants are required to complete an interview, either in-person or via video-call.

  • MCAT scores
  • Official transcript(s) from each College, University and/or professional school attended
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Personal statement (500 words or less).

*For recent graduates it is highly recommended that at least one letter is from a professional supervisor/acquaintance and the other is from an academic professor/instructor.

MCAT (For U.S. Students)

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required for all applicants who are citizens, nationals or permanent residents of the United States. Canadian and international applicants are encouraged to take the MCAT and submit their scores as well, although they are not required to do so. 

More information about the MCAT is available at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website. Applicants can send MUA their MCAT exam scores through the AAMC’s online THx system as soon as they are available to the AAMC.

English Proficiency

Since English is the language of instruction at MUA, it is important that applicants be prepared to understand the curriculum and be able to communicate effectively. Applicants whose principal language is not English may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). These requirements do not apply to all applicants.

Transfer Applicants

MUA welcomes applications from qualified transfer students from medical schools recognized in the World Directory of Medical Schools. Acceptance of transfer credits is at the discretion of MUA.

Technical Standards

A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) must have abilities and skills in the five broad areas of observation, communication, motor function, intellectual-conceptual, and behavioral and social. Learn more here.

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