← View Other Schools

🇺🇸 United States

University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

Vermillion, SD Class Size: 75 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 South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine is Moderately Competitive. Applicants typically have an average GPA of 3.8 and an average MCAT score of 508.

📊 STATISTICS

To summarize, listed below are the most important academic statistics for University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine applicants:

Average GPA: 3.8

Average MCAT: 508

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 South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine is below.

In-State Tuition: $32105

Out-of-State Tuition: $76935

For more information about tuition at University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, visit the following link: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Tuition-and-Costs/School-of-Medicine-Tuition-and-Costs

😀 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 South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine below:

🏠 IN-STATE

In-State Friendliness: Very Friendly

🚗 OUT-OF-STATE

Accepts Out-of-State: Yes

Out-of-State Friendliness: Friendly

✈️ 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 South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine:

University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine Mission Statement:

The University of South Dakota offers undergraduate, graduate and professional programs within the South Dakota System of Higher Education. As the oldest university in the state, the University of South Dakota serves as the flagship and the only public liberal arts university in the state.

For more information on the mission statement for University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, visit the following link: NA

🤷‍♂️ SITUATIONAL JUDGEMENT TESTS

University of South Dakota Sanford 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 1

Secondary Application Deadline: Mar 1

Secondary Application Deadline: $35

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: NA

Interview Cycle End: NA

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 South Dakota Sanford 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?

Required

OChem Semester Hours:

OChem Lab?

Required

Biochem Semester Hours:

Biochem Lab?

Required

Second semester of organic chemistry recommended.

🫀 BIOLOGY

GenBio = General Biology

HL Bio = Higher Level Biology

GenBio Semester Hours:

GenBio Lab?

Required

HL Bio Semester Hours:

HL Bio Lab?

Not Required

Genetics, Microbiology, Physiology recommended.

🔍 HUMANITIES & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Semester Hours:

Psychology and Sociology recommended.

✍️ ENGLISH/WRITING

Semester Hours:

📈 MATHEMATICS/STATISTICS

Mathematics Semester Hours:

Statistics Semester Hours:

OTHER REQUIRED COURSES

OTHER RECOMMENDED COURSES

SOURCE: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Medical-School-Admissions/How-to-Apply

🎓 SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Many schools have dual-degree programs for motivated applicants. View the ones offered at University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine below:

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

Yes

MD+MPH (Public Health):

MD+MBA (Business, Healthcare Administration):

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 South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine below:

CONTACT #1

Title

E-mail

md@usd.edu

Phone

CONTACT #2

Title

E-mail

Phone

📝 SECONDARY APPLICATION ESSAY PROMPTS

Below are the past secondary (supplemental) application essay prompts for University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.

Given the mission statement of the school, please explain how your experiences and long-term goals would help meet the mission. (1500 characters)

Given the diversity statement of the school, explain how your background and experiences with diversity will bring value to the school. (1500 characters)

Describe how your experiences in health care or social care activities will help you become a good physician. (1500 characters)

Briefly describe a crisis or significant challenge in your life, how you have worked through the crisis or challenge, and what you have learned from this experience. (1500 characters)

What are your career plans in the event that you are not admitted to a medical school this year or after several applications? (1500 characters)

Please use this space to update the information contained on your AMCAS application (i.e. grades in recent courses; alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation; additions to your extracurricular activities) or anything else you want the committee to know. (1500 characters)

For repeat applicants only. Since your last application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? Please note any relevant academic, employment, clinical and personal experience. (1500 characters)

For non-South Dakota residents applying to the regular MD program – please describe your ties to South Dakota. (1500 characters)

Please share and explain any disruptions/hardships in your academic, volunteer, work, and/or personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (5000 characters)

Please use the space below for anything you might wish to discuss related to the corona virus (COVID-19) public health crisis. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; how the pandemic has affected your outlook on the role of medicine. (5000 characters)

Knowledge and skill are crucial, but why should a physician be kind? (5000 characters)

🙋‍♀️ INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Below are common interview questions that you might encounter on your important day for University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.

Discuss a significant research experience you've had.

What qualities do you believe make a good physician?

Who are two individuals that inspire you and why?

Where do you envision yourself in the field of medicine in 10 years?

Discuss a course that has left a lasting impact on you.

Why do you want to be a doctor?

Choose a significant experience from your life and discuss its importance to you.

How have your academic experiences shaped you? How do you handle stress?

Who do you believe has had a significant impact on the last century?

Discuss an interest or experience that has influenced your medical aspirations.

If you could be any animal, which one would you choose and why?

What can you share about yourself that might not be on your application?

How do you align yourself with the mission statement of this medical school?

Have you read any books related to healthcare or medicine? If so, which one impacted you the most?

How do you typically navigate and manage your emotions?

Describe an experience you've had shadowing or working alongside a medical professional.

Describe yourself using a fictional character and explain your choice.

What differentiates you from other medical school applicants?

(If applicable) Do you have personal commitments or relationships that could influence your medical career decisions?

What type of literature or genres do you prefer reading?

Describe a situation where you took on a leadership role within a team or group.

Provide an example of a time you demonstrated compassion.

Discuss a particular instance or experience that solidified your decision to pursue medicine.

How do you define health?

How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with others?

What makes you a strong candidate for serving in underserved or marginalized communities?

Describe any significant experiences or exposures you've had to the medical field.

If there's one thing you'd like the admissions committee to remember about you, what would it be?

How has your academic major or field of study prepared you for a career in medicine?

Have you considered or are you interested in primary care? Why or why not?

How would you approach building trust and rapport with potential patients?

How do you keep yourself informed about the latest developments in medicine and healthcare?

What are your thoughts on the role of technology in medicine?

Describe a challenging situation and how you overcame it.

What do you believe are the current challenges in healthcare and potential solutions?

Discuss a time when you had to work in a multicultural or diverse setting. What did you learn?

How do you envision balancing your personal and professional life as a physician?

What role does empathy play in the patient-doctor relationship?

How do you approach continuous learning and professional development?

What is your perspective on patient autonomy versus medical advice?

The Bright Doctor and its products are not affiliated with or endorsed by University of South Dakota Sanford 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.