← View Other Schools

🇺🇸 United States

University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine

Birmingham, AL Class Size: 180 Visit School Website →

QUICK LINKS

Statistics Tuition Friendliness Mission Statement

Situational Judgement Tests Dates, Deadlines, and Fees Prerequisite Courses Dual Degree Tracks

Contact Information Secondary App Questions Interview Questions

Gaining admission to University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine is Moderately Competitive. Applicants typically have an average GPA of 3.8 and an average MCAT score of 510.

📊 STATISTICS

To summarize, listed below are the most important academic statistics for University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine applicants:

Average GPA: 3.8

Average MCAT: 510

Competitiveness: Moderately Competitive

Note: Competitiveness is assessed based on the school's acceptance rate, average MCAT, and average GPA.

💸 TUITION

Affording medical school can be tough, often requiring students to take on significant loans. Information about the yearly tuition for University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine is below.

In-State Tuition: $35136

Out-of-State Tuition: $65779

For more information about tuition at University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, visit the following link: https://www.uab.edu/medicine/home/current-students/financial-services/tuition-fees

😀 FRIENDLINESS

Some schools prefer in-state candidates, while others are more receptive to out-of-state or international applicants. View our school "friendliness" scores for University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine below:

🏠 IN-STATE

In-State Friendliness: Very Friendly

🚗 OUT-OF-STATE

Accepts Out-of-State: Yes

Out-of-State Friendliness: Neutral

✈️ INTERNATIONAL

Accepts Canadian: No

Accepts International: No

International Friendliness: Not Friendly

Note: Most schools will be labelled "Neutral" for In-State Friendlines because they don't have a strong bias for in-state applicants compared to out-of-state applicants. In other words, we believe these schools view In-State and Out-State applicants more or less equally. Schools labelled as "Out-of-State Friendly / Very Friendly" have a high proportion of their class filled with Out-of-State applicants.

⭐️ MISSION STATEMENT

It is always important to read and understand a medical school's mission statement before applying. Often, you will find out what the medical school stands for, and if you fit in with the general "vibe" of the medical school. However, being honest, most medical schools have the same run-of-the-mill mission statement as everybody else. Anyways, you can be the judge. Below you can find the mission statement for University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine:

University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine Mission Statement:

Mission: To advance health and healing through patient care, education, and discovery. Vision: To be a leader in making a global impact through innovative care, transformative discovery, and collaborative teaching and learning.

For more information on the mission statement for University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, visit the following link: https://www.uab.edu/medicine/home/about/mission-vision

🤷‍♂️ SITUATIONAL JUDGEMENT TESTS

University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine does not require the completion of either the CASPer® nor the AAMC PREview™ examinations.

CASPer®: No

AAMC PREview™: No

📅 DATES, DEADLINES, AND FEES

Throughout your application cycle, there are many dates to be cognizant of in order to ensure the successful completion of your application.

Primary Application Deadline: November 15

Secondary Application Deadline: November 15

Secondary Application Deadline: $100

Note: The primary application deadline refers to when your primary application (i.e., the initial AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS application) needs to be completed. Please be aware that there are processing times associated with primary applications—for instance, there can be a several week processing time associated with verifying your acadmic transcripts when initially submitting the AMCAS application. Upon receipt of the primary application, most schools will then shortly send you a secondary application with targeted essay questions relevant to the specific school.

The secondary application deadline is the final day for all your application materials to be together, which includes submitting the secondary essays, all letters of recommendation, all test scores, etc. Sometimes, schools may have earlier deadlines for letters of recommendation. However, note that for the vast majority of schools it is best to submit your secondary application as soon as possible: within 2 weeks of receiving the secondary application is a good rule-of-thumb.

Below are some other helpful dates:

Interview Cycle Start: june

Interview Cycle End: december

INTERVIEW COMING UP?

Medical School Interview Question Bank

Learn to provide expert answers with expert questions & model answers.

100+ Questions & Answers

Interview Simulation Platform

Time & Record Yourself

Save Your Video Responses

MMI & Traditional Style

📚 PREREQUISITE COURSES

Most schools have a list of prerequisite courses that you need to have completed before matriculating. View information provided for University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine below:

Interpreting Semester Hours

Typically,

3 Semester Hours = A single semester-long course = 1 or 2 quarters

4 Semester Hours = A single semester-long course + associated lab unit

6 Semester Hours = Two semester-long courses = 3 quarters

8 Semester Hours = Two semester-long courses + two associated lab units

⚙️ PHYSICS

Semester Hours:

Lab?

Required

🧪 CHEMISTRY

GenChem = General Chemistry

OChem = Organic Chemistry

Biochem = Biochemistry

GenChem Semester Hours:

GenChem Lab?

Not Required

OChem Semester Hours:

OChem Lab?

Not Required

Biochem Semester Hours:

Biochem Lab?

Not Required

"Any sequence of chemistry courses that includes Biochemistry will satisfy the chemistry requirement."

🫀 BIOLOGY

GenBio = General Biology

HL Bio = Higher Level Biology

GenBio Semester Hours:

GenBio Lab?

Required

HL Bio Semester Hours:

HL Bio Lab?

Not Required

🔍 HUMANITIES & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Semester Hours:

"Any behavioral or social science coursework that addresses the biological, psychological, and/or sociocultural factors that influence perceptions, behaviors, interactions and well-being will be accepted."

✍️ ENGLISH/WRITING

Semester Hours:

Writing intensive coursework.

📈 MATHEMATICS/STATISTICS

Mathematics Semester Hours:

Statistics Semester Hours:

3 semester hours of statistics/biostatistics or 6 semester hours of college math

OTHER REQUIRED COURSES

OTHER RECOMMENDED COURSES

SOURCE: https://www.uab.edu/medicine/home/admissions/selection-criteria

🎓 SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Many schools have dual-degree programs for motivated applicants. View the ones offered at University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine below:

MD+PhD (MSTP - Medical Scientist Training Program):

Yes

MD+MPH (Public Health):

Yes

MD+MBA (Business, Healthcare Administration):

Yes

MD+JD (Law):

MD+MA (Master of Arts):

MD+MS (Master of Science):

📲 CONTACT INFORMATION

View contact information (phone and email) available to contact University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine below:

CONTACT #1

Title

E-mail

medschool@uab.edu

Phone

CONTACT #2

Title

E-mail

Phone

📝 SECONDARY APPLICATION ESSAY PROMPTS

Below are the past secondary (supplemental) application essay prompts for University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine.

State of Residence Section:

Non-Alabama Resident with Ties to Alabama: Describe any ties or meaningful experiences you have had related to the state of Alabama or UAB Medical Center (1500 characters)

(All Applicants) If the area you spent most of your life before college differs from where you currently consider your permanent address, please explain (1500 characters)

Essay Section:

Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now? (750 characters)

Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics or experiences that would add to the learning environment for your classmates. (750 characters)

Describe a patient interaction with the healthcare system. This could be a direct patient observation (in person or virtual) during a shadowing/clinical experience or a personal experience within the healthcare system. What did you learn from this experience? (750 characters)

Describe a fulfilling or challenging community service experience and how you grew personally from the experience. (750 characters)

UAB Medicine provides quality health care and compassionate service to every patient, every time, regardless of their individual differences or circumstances. Our academic medical center attracts patients from across the world who represent many cultures, religions, lifestyles, and economic backgrounds. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (750 characters)

(OPTIONAL): Describe your identity and how it has impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward individuals different from yourself and how this will impact your interactions with future colleagues and patients. (750 characters)

(OPTIONAL): Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application. (750 characters)

🙋‍♀️ INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Below are common interview questions that you might encounter on your important day for University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine.

Why Heersink?

How might your closest friend describe your qualities and quirks?

Which facets of academic medicine captivate your interest?

Delve into your volunteer endeavors and the impact they had on you.

What traits stood out to you in the physicians you collaborated with?

If likening yourself to an apple, what characteristics would you emphasize?

Detail your contributions to a specific volunteer activity you were involved in.

Walk me through the research you've conducted and any resulting publications or presentations.

Identify and discuss the primary challenges confronting the U.S. healthcare infrastructure.

What activities or hobbies do you immerse yourself in during your leisure time?

Share your stance on the topic of marijuana legalization.

What drives your aspiration to immerse yourself in the medical profession?

Which experiences or factors solidified your decision to venture into medicine?

Why is the realm of medicine compelling for you?

Name a recent book you've engaged with and its influence on you.

Describe the personalities and attributes of your three closest friends.

Is there any aspect of your background or experiences we haven't yet explored?

Detail your motivation to embrace medicine and any pertinent topics we've yet to address.

What catalyzed your resolution to venture into the medical field?

How might your mother encapsulate your personality in a few descriptors?

What would you emphasize as key aspects of your profile to the admissions panel?

If stranded on a secluded island, which five essentials would you prioritize?

Discuss the healthcare institution you affiliated with and its capacity.

Could you expound upon specific elements mentioned in your application?

Absent the avenue of medicine, which professional direction might you gravitate towards?

Reflect on a setback or failure that significantly influenced your trajectory.

Narrate the significant milestones and phases of your life's journey.

What attributes do you believe are integral to an accomplished physician?

Are you receptive to guidance or mentorship from individuals younger than you?

Have you had any exposure to the challenges and intricacies of emergency medical care?

In your assessment, why might patients encounter difficulties navigating healthcare services?

Chronicle your evolution towards embracing medicine as a vocation.

Why did you lean towards medicine rather than continuing a familial tradition in agriculture?

Identify three strengths that bolster your profile and a potential area of improvement.

Provide an overview of your family dynamics and relationships.

Enumerate three qualities you possess that would augment your efficacy as a doctor.

Describe the current phase or chapter of your life and your aspirations.

Delve into a specific experience you've had and the lessons or insights it afforded you.

Detail the medical exposures and experiences that have enriched your understanding of the profession.

Highlight three of your pronounced strengths and an area you're focusing on for growth.

How have you refined or enhanced your application since your prior submission?

The Bright Doctor and its products are not affiliated with or endorsed by University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), nor any other company, university, professional association, or academic institution.

The Bright Doctor and its products are not associated with nor endorsed by any particular academic institution, nor are they associated with or endorsed by any student-led or faculty-led organizations within any academic institution.