Requirements
Applicants are expected to earn a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university that is located in and accredited in the U.S. or Canada. Applicants who have not graduated from an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution, but who completed a minimum of two (2) years in such an institution, including all of the prerequisites, may be considered to be eligible and should bring the details of their record to the attention of the Committee on Admissions.
Applicants currently enrolled in a professional or graduate school program must be in the terminal year of the degree program to be considered for admission to the first year class and all applicants are expected to complete any academic program in which they are enrolled at any time during the application process. Individuals who have previously matriculated at another medical school are not eligible to apply to the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.
Due to the retention of the current student body, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine does not have any slots available for advanced standing in the second or third classes.
Prerequisite Coursework
We encourage all applicants to follow their own interests whether in the arts or in the sciences and acquire a broad range of experience through their education. In addition, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine asks applicants to demonstrate competency by completing college-level coursework in the following subject areas:
• English Composition or Literature (or other writing intensive course(s))
• Humanities
• Biological Sciences including Lab work
• Chemistry including Lab work
• Physics
In addition, course work in Mathematics (particularly statistics), Biochemistry, Social and Behavioral Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology), Genetics, and Molecular Biology is important. As a guideline, students typically take two semesters each of English, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics, and social sciences. Because schools and applicants differ from one another, our “requirements” are flexible.
All prerequisites must be completed before a student can matriculate at the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. We prefer that applicants take these courses at a 4-year undergraduate institution rather than utilize advanced placement credits. In general, we discourage online courses, P/F courses, and courses taken at community or junior college. If you have used these course options for that or any reason, please explain the circumstances on the “educational history” section of your secondary application. The Committee on Admissions will then consider the matter as a part of its comprehensive review of the application. If an applicant has placed out of a required college level course, we will also accept another course in that discipline at the same or higher level.
Example of How Applicants Demonstrate Competency:
1 year English Composition or other writing intensive course
1 year Humanities
1 year Biological Science with lab
1 year Physics
At least 2 years of Chemistry such as:
2 Semesters Chemistry with Lab + 2 Semesters Organic Chemistry with Lab + 1 Semester Biochemistry
2 Semesters Chemistry with Lab + 1 Semester Organic Chemistry with Lab + 1 Semester Biochemistry
1 Semester Chemistry with Lab + 2 Semesters Organic Chemistry with Lab + 1 Semester Biochemistry
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit either one committee letter/packet letter (prepared by your pre-health advisor or committee) or three (3) individual letters. We suggest that individual letters be submitted by persons who know you well “as a person” and who are able to describe the unique qualities you possess that will help you to be successful in navigating our curriculum and the medical profession. Letters may be written by faculty members, supervisors for work or volunteer experiences, coaches, etc. MD-PhD applicants should provide at least one letter from a research mentor. Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine prefers to receive three (3) individual letters, but will accept a maximum of five (5) in cases where an applicant feels that additional letters are necessary (for example, applicants who have been working for several years, who have completed a graduate program, etc.).
Formatting Requirements:
All letters of recommendation must contain official letterhead (or contact information if letterhead not available) and handwritten signatures.
Institutional Action Letters
An Institutional Action results from unacceptable academic performance or a conduct violation, even if such action did not interrupt your enrollment, require you to withdraw, or does not appear on your official transcripts or record due to institutional policy or person.
If you are not certain whether or not you have been the subject of an institutional action, contact the registrar, student affairs officer, or other appropriate party at the relevant institution for confirmation of your record. Applicants who become the subject of an institutional action after certifying and submitting the AMCAS application must notify the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (camedadms@bu.edu).
If you have an Institutional Action on record, verification is required by a letter from your university stating the nature of the incident and that you are currently in good standing at your university or a clearly identifiable comment in Health Professions Advisory Committee letter.
If you have an Institutional Action that is NOT on record, verification is required by a letter from university official stating that no record exists.
All institutional action letters must contain official letterhead (or contact information if letterhead not available) and handwritten signatures. They may be submitted via email camedadms@bu.edu or via AMCAS letter service identified as an individual letter. Institutional Action emails are accepted only from university officials, not directly from applicants.
MCAT & CASPer Tests
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):
- Communicate directly with the Association of American Medical Colleges for information concerning these examinations
- Latest MCAT test date for 2025 cycle: September 2025
- Oldest test accepted is September 2022
CASPer Test:
CASPer an online test which assesses non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics is REQUIRED for the 2025-2026 cycle. (SNAPSHOT & DUET sections are not required.)
- Go to TakeAltus.com to register for a test date.
- Step 1: Select United States of America
- Step 2: Select Medicine (Allopathic), CSP-10111-US test
- Step 3: Select Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (formerly Boston University School of Medicine)
- Latest CASPer accepted test date for 2025 cycle: October 2024
- You must retake the CASPER test for each application cycle.
Note: It is not required to have test scores available to submit the Supplemental Application.
Interviews
Interviews are by invitation only and are held virtually with a randomly assigned faculty member. Interviews are conducted on select days mid-September through mid-February.
All applicants invited to interview are also required to attend a remote information session with Dr. Hanssen and students. MD-PhD applicants will have the opportunity to meet with MD-PhD students and faculty in addition to other sessions.
Final Official Transcripts
Final Official transcripts are required from all accepted students. A transcript from all degree granting universities should be submitted as soon as they become available. Transcripts must be sent directly from the college or university to Chobanian & Avedisian SOM at camedadms@bu.edu. These transcripts will be required of all matriculating students.
Final Official Transcript requirements:
- College seal
- Course listing with final grade
- Degree earned
- Date degree earned
Accepted students only:
Still have questions? Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us at CAMEDadms@bu.edu or 617-358-9540.