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University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Philadelphia, PA Class Size: 145
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Statistics Tuition Friendliness Mission Statement Situational Judgement Tests Dates & Deadlines Prerequisite Courses Dual Degree Tracks Contact Information Secondary App Questions Interview Questions

Gaining admission to University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine is Ultra Competitive. Applicants typically have an average GPA of 3.96 and an average MCAT score of 522.

Statistics

To summarize, listed below are the most important academic statistics for University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine applicants:

Average GPA:
3.96
Average MCAT:
522
Competitiveness:
Ultra 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 Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine is below.

In-State Tuition:
$69000
Out-of-State Tuition:
$69000

For more information about tuition at University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, visit the following link: https://www.med.upenn.edu/admissions/tuition-fees.html

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 Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine below:

IN-STATE

In-State Friendliness:
Neutral

OUT-OF-STATE

Accepts Out-of-State:
Yes
Out-of-State Friendliness:
Very Friendly

INTERNATIONAL

Accepts Canadian:
Yes
Accepts International:
Yes
International Friendliness:
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 Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine:

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Mission Statement:
Our mission is to advance knowledge and improve health through research, patient care, and the education of trainees in an inclusive culture that embraces diversity, fosters innovation, stimulates critical thinking, supports lifelong learning, and sustains our legacy of excellence.

For more information on the mission statement for University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, visit the following link: https://www.med.upenn.edu/psom/overview.html

Situational Judgement Tests

University of Pennsylvania Perelman 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:
October 15
Secondary Application Deadline:
Nov 15
Secondary Application Fee:
$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:
August
Interview Cycle End:
January
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Prerequisite Courses

Most schools have a list of prerequisite courses that you need to have completed before matriculating. View information provided for University of Pennsylvania Perelman 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?
Not Required

"Physics provides the conceptual framework for quantitative biology and biomedical sciences. A firm foundation in mathematics, statistics, and physical science is essential in medicine, and includes knowledge of algebra, equations, constants and units of physical measurements, and interpretation of graphic representations of data."

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

"Competency in the basic principles of chemistry is essential for understanding the complex systems that underlie many disorders cared for by physicians. This includes understanding the molecular basis of life; principles of chemical equilibria and thermodynamics; acid-base balance; ionization and redox reactions; the structure of molecules and experimental methods and the molecular architecture of organic compounds; and the quantitative and qualitative aspects of reaction rates, binding constants, and reaction mechanisms."

BIOLOGY

GenBio = General Biology

HL Bio = Higher Level Biology

GenBio Semester Hours:
GenBio Lab?
Not Required
HL Bio Semester Hours:
HL Bio Lab?
Not Required

"Competency in basic biological principles of all living organisms is required for the practice of medicine. This includes comprehension of the diversity of life, basic molecular and cellular structures, life cycles and metabolic processes, and transfer and storage of biological information."

HUMANITIES & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Semester Hours:

"Understanding the basic social, cultural, and behavioral factors that influence individuals and decision making, and that impact the overall health of (and health outcomes within) local and global communities, is essential for the practice of medicine. Applicants should also seek opportunities to understand societal forces that inform the delivery of healthcare and contribute to care access barriers for various populations. Appreciation of these elements can in turn be incorporated into research projects spanning the gamut of laboratory, clinical, translational and health service sciences. Knowledge in this area is not limited to one discipline, but can be derived from a range of courses, such as history, philosophy, ethics, anthropology, political science, economics, sociology, and psychology."

ENGLISH/WRITING

Semester Hours:

"Competency in communicating vital information across a wide range of situations and modalities is essential in medicine. This includes English fluency in writing, speaking, and reading as well as demonstrated abilities to organize and deliver oral presentations, the ability to read critically and appraise technical content, and develop strong interpersonal skills. Fluency in other languages is also considered a valuable asset to delivering care to an increasingly diverse patient population."

MATHEMATICS/STATISTICS

Mathematics Semester Hours:
Statistics Semester Hours:

"Physics provides the conceptual framework for quantitative biology and biomedical sciences. A firm foundation in mathematics, statistics, and physical science is essential in medicine, and includes knowledge of algebra, equations, constants and units of physical measurements, and interpretation of graphic representations of data."

OTHER REQUIRED COURSES

OTHER RECOMMENDED COURSES

SOURCE: https://www.med.upenn.edu/admissions/admissions.html

Special Programs

Many schools have dual-degree programs for motivated applicants. View the ones offered at University of Pennsylvania Perelman 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):
Yes
MD+MA (Master of Arts):
MD+MS (Master of Science):

Contact Information

View contact information (phone and email) available to contact University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine below:

CONTACT #1

Title:
E-mail:
admiss@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Phone:

CONTACT #2

Title:
E-mail:
Phone:

Secondary Application Essay Prompts

Below are the past secondary (supplemental) application essay prompts for University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

If you were offered an option to continue courses with a standard grading system or switch to Pass/Fail, and you elected Pass/Fail, please describe the reason(s) for your decision here (500 characters).
The Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) is deeply committed to recruiting a class inclusive of diverse perspectives and experiences; this enriches the instruction we provide, enhances team-based learning, and ensures our students’ preparation to address the health needs of a pluralistic society. How would your life experiences contribute to the student body and how would you contribute to an inclusive atmosphere at PSOM? Please explain and limit your response to 1,000 characters.
We are all navigating through challenging times, and physicians and physician-scientists must contend with many instances of uncertainty. Describe a time when you faced a situation that was ambiguous, confusing, or uncertain, and how you navigated making a decision without complete information (3000 characters).
Please explain your reasons for applying to the Perelman School of Medicine and limit your response to 1,000 characters.

Interview Questions

Below are common interview questions that you might encounter on your important day for University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

What qualities do you look for in friends?
What do your friends think of your personal qualities?
What do you want the admissions committee to know about you that may not be evident in your application?
How do you plan to balance your work and personal life as a physician?
How do you plan to deal with the current healthcare system situation as a physician?
When you are 65 and looking back at your life, what do you want to be able to tell your grandkids?
How do you handle stress?
What makes you different from other applicants?
Can you describe a stressful situation you have faced and how you handled it?
What is your favorite book or movie?
Can you explain your clinical experiences or shadowing?
How do you plan to use the skills from your non-science major in medicine?
How do you plan to contribute to the field of medicine?
How do you handle the demands of medical school and your personal life?
How do you feel about living in Philadelphia compared to other cities?
How do you handle frustration and anger?
How do you plan to handle the demands of medical school and a family?
Can you explain your interest in global health?
What do you like about the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia?
What do you like to do in your free time?
What do you see as the future of medicine?
Can you provide examples of times when you have been a leader?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What do you see yourself getting involved in at Penn Med?
What made you decide to pursue a career in medicine?
Why do you want to attend the University of Pennsylvania?
How will you handle the stress of medical school?
Tell me about yourself and your current job or research.
Can you discuss the ethical issues you have encountered in your experiences?
Can you tell me about a challenge you have overcome?
Why do you want to be a doctor?
What is your greatest weakness?
Can you discuss your specific research experiences?
Can you explain your research or clinical experiences?
What specific aspects of the University of Pennsylvania appeal to you?
How do you plan to pay for medical school?
How do you handle conflicts or challenges?
Can you explain your involvement in community service?
What do you like to do outside of school or work?
Can you tell me about a specific activity listed in your application?