Admissions requirements

Clinical experience is essential for gaining a realistic understanding of patient care and the health care environment. It allows aspiring medical and biomedical professionals to observe the dynamics between patients and providers, understand the challenges of diagnosis and treatment and appreciate the emotional and ethical complexities of medicine. For medical school applicants, clinical experiences demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered care. For those entering medical engineering, it demonstrates contextual awareness of the role technology plays in meeting the needs of clinicians and patients.

Engineering experience is particularly valuable for those pursuing medical engineering or bioengineering, but also benefits future physicians by fostering analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Exposure to engineering principles and data science, such as systems design, mechanics and computational modeling demonstrates that prospective students have the technical foundation to understand and contribute to the development of medical devices, diagnostics and digital health tools that are increasingly relevant in a health care landscape that relies on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Leadership experience showcases an applicant’s ability to take initiative, manage teams and drive change. These qualities are vital in both clinical and research settings. Whether leading a student organization, coordinating a volunteer project or managing a lab team, leadership roles demonstrate communication, decision-making and conflict-resolution skills. These experiences also reflect a readiness to take responsibility, inspire others and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of health care and technology.

Research experience is a cornerstone for applicants to both medical and medical engineering programs, cultivating critical thinking, scientific literacy and a methodical approach to problem-solving. Through research experiences at the school, students learn how to formulate hypotheses, analyze data and contribute to the generation of scientific knowledge. This experience is particularly important for those interested in academic medicine, translational research and the development of new medical technologies, as it demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a commitment to innovation.

Service experience reflects a candidate’s empathy, social responsibility and a desire to improve the lives of others, which are core values in both medicine and medical engineering. Volunteering in underserved communities, mentoring youth or participating in public health initiatives demonstrates that applicants have developed cultural competence and a broader understanding of the social determinants of health, and are not only academically capable but also compassionate and community-oriented.

Personal hobbies and passionate pursuits play a vital role in preparing individuals for the demands of a rigorous program. These activities reflect a candidate’s ability to maintain balance, manage stress and stay motivated. These qualities are essential in high-pressure academic and working environments. These pursuits also demonstrate creativity, discipline and a commitment to personal growth and offer a window into an applicant’s unique identity and values.