Navigating the Admissions Landscape: Requirements for the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine

The University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (UPR-SOM), a prestigious public medical institution in San Juan, Puerto Rico, established in 1950, offers a comprehensive 4-year MD program. This article delves into the specific requirements and unique aspects of the UPR-SOM admissions process, providing prospective students with a detailed guide to navigate their application.

Overview of the UPR School of Medicine

The UPR School of Medicine is distinguished by its commitment to training bilingual (English and Spanish) physicians who are well-prepared to serve Spanish-speaking communities. The program follows a traditional medical education structure with comprehensive pre-clinical and clinical training. With an annual class size of 102 students, the school offers a close-knit learning environment.

Academic Requirements and Holistic Review

UPR School of Medicine employs a holistic evaluation approach. While academic metrics are important, the admissions committee also considers extracurricular activities, clinical experience, research involvement, community service, and leadership roles.

The median GPA for admitted students is 3.83, and the median MCAT score is 504. While these scores are slightly below the national average (MCAT: 513), the school maintains rigorous standards. MCAT scores below 495 will not be considered for evaluation. A minimum general grade point average of 3.00, based on an A=4.00 scale (includes all courses taken at college/university level), is required. Also a minimum science grade point average of 3.00, based on an A=4.00 scale (includes all courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics taken at college/university level) is needed.

Residency Preference

There is a strong preference for Puerto Rico residents. While out-of-state applications are considered, the majority of accepted students are either Puerto Rico residents or have strong ties to the island.

Language Proficiency

Given its location, proficiency in both Spanish and English is essential for success in the program. The school operates bilingually, with clinical interactions often occurring in Spanish while progress notes are typically written in English.

Application Process and Timeline

Applications open through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) in early May, with a deadline of December 1. Early submission (June-July) is highly recommended. All applicants who are permanent residents of Puerto Rico must complete and submit the University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus Application Form between September 1st and December 1st.

The UPR-SOM application requires letters of recommendation: two from professors in the major field and one from a professor in another department.

The admission process starts in December and ends by mid-March.

Secondary Application and Essay Topics

The school requires a secondary application with additional essays and school-specific questions. While specific essay topics may vary from year to year, previous prompts have included:

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An autobiographical statement detailing the motivation to become a physician, prior healthcare experiences, steps taken to explore a career in medicine, eventual goals as a physician, and personal attributes.
How experiences have prepared the applicant to be a physician.
Perspectives or experiences the applicant brings that would enrich the class.
Obstacles the applicant has experienced and how they were overcome.

Research and Clinical Experience

Research experience is not strictly required but is valued. The school offers research opportunities through its Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program and encourages student scholarly activity. Clinical experience, whether in the US or abroad, is also an important factor, particularly for applicants with a gap of one year or more between medical school graduation and entry to residency.

International Applicants

UPR-SOM accepts applications from U.S. citizens and permanent residents. International acceptance is very limited and typically reserved for exceptional circumstances. Any applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting IELTS or TOEFL scores for the Yale BBS Ph.D. program.

Dual Degree Program: Yale-UPR M.D./Ph.D. Cooperative Program

The Yale-UPR M.D./Ph.D. Cooperative Program is designed for students committed to a career as a physician-scientist. It allows students to obtain an M.D. from UPR-SOM and a Ph.D. from the Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) at Yale University in approximately eight years.

Application Process

Prospective students apply simultaneously to UPR-SOM and to BBS via each institution’s online application process. Students must communicate their desire to participate in the Cooperative M.D./Ph.D. Program to Ricardo González Méndez, Ph.D., Coordinator and Director of Dual Degrees at UPR-SOM, prior to applying to the BBS Ph.D. program.

The application process at UPR-SOM has an absolute deadline of December 1. Students must submit applications through AMCAS and the UPR-MSC by this deadline. The Yale BBS application deadline is also December 1.

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Successful applicants to BBS should possess:

A strong academic record
Independent research experience
Strong letters of recommendation
A Statement of Purpose clearly articulating how research will be incorporated into career plans
Proficiency in English

Training Program and Academic Schedule

Students complete all requirements for the M.D. degree at UPR-SOM and all requirements for the Ph.D. at Yale. While enrolled at UPR-SOM, students are classified as medical students only and participate in clinical activities as part of the M.D. degree. While enrolled at Yale, they are classified as graduate students only; clinical activities are not part of the Ph.D. program. The academic schedule is structured as follows:

Years 1-3: UPR-SOM. Students will complete the first three years of medical school at UPR-SOM. In the summer after year 1 they will conduct a lab rotation at Yale. In the summer after year 2 they will complete USMLE Step I.
Years 4-7 (or 8): Yale. Lab rotations continue in the fall semester of the students’ fourth year, and students will select a thesis lab by the start of the spring semester. In years 4 and 5 they will complete course requirements for the Ph.D. degree, take a qualifying exam, and begin thesis research.
Year 8 (or 9): UPR-MSC. After receiving the Ph.D. from Yale University, students will return to UPR-SOM for the remainder of their medical training and to receive their M.D. degree.

Funding

UPR-SOM provides financial aid during the M.D. part of the program, including a graduate research assistantship, tuition remission, a stipend, healthcare insurance, and coverage of UPR fees. Yale provides a full stipend, tuition coverage, and student health insurance during the summer rotation and for the duration of the Ph.D. studies.

Program Leadership

Ricardo González-Méndez, Ph.D., and Craig Roy, Ph.D., direct the program. Karina González Herrera, Ph.D., serves as an additional mentor to establish a Yale connection with the students. Marietta Vazquez, M.D., serves as a clinical advisor to the scholars.

Additional Program Information

The program participates in the Main Match of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The latest date for applications for 2026-2027 is December 15, 2025, with interviews conducted from October 1, 2025, to January 26, 2026.

Virtual interviews were conducted last year for first-year positions, with a ratio of 5 interviews to 1 position. DO Applicants must have passed USMLE Step 2 to be considered. PGY1 applicants to this program must have graduated from medical school within the past 5 years. Clinical experience in the US or outside the US is required for PGY1 applicants with a gap of 1 year or more between medical school graduation and entry to residency.

The program considers applicants with a J-1 visa sponsorship through ECFMG.

Addressing Misconceptions and Discrimination

Graduates of the four LCME-accredited medical schools in Puerto Rico, including UPR-SOM, sometimes face misconceptions and discrimination during residency applications. These schools graduate nearly 20% of Latina/Latino physicians, and it's important to recognize their accreditation and the bilingual skills their graduates possess.

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