Admissions

Programs

M.D. Program

• Program Description
• Admission Requirement
• Selection Criteria
• How to Apply
• Binary Programs
• Advanced Standing

The primary goal of the M.D. Program is to provide quality medical education. A strong foundation in the Basic Sciences is stressed so that students can obtain the most from their training in the clinical sciences. About sixty (60) students are admitted to the freshmen class each year on a competitive basis. It is mandatory that the students be fluent in both English and Spanish, (writing, reading, speaking and understanding) or their application will not be considered.

A five-year program is also available for students who need to proceed at a lower pace during the basic sciences.

All students are required to pass the USMLE Step I before continuing the third year rotations. The USMLE Step II must be passed prior to graduation.

Tuition: (Subject to change with no prior notification)
First year Puerto Rico’s residents is $24,358.85 and for non residents is $36,315.12

 

•  BA / BS
  
  Ordinarily, four years of undergraduate education are necessary to prepare for entrance into medical school; however, special programs (e.g., combined baccalaureate-M.D. programs) may allow this to be reduced. General education that includes the social sciences, history, arts, and languages is increasingly important for the development of physician competencies outside of the scientific knowledge domain. Ponce School of Medicine strongly suggests that applicants apply with a BA / BS completed at a college level institution accredited by the Council of Higher Education of PR or by a US accrediting organization. Candidates that have completed the degree (BA / BS) will be given preference. Within the studies of the degree all applicants are requested to have completed the Pre-Med Requisites (to comply with the Puerto Rico Medical Board of Physicians, “Junta de Licenciamiento y Disciplina Médica de Puerto Rico” and six credits in mathematics.
  
  The courses required for admission are as follows (to be included in the BA / BS):
   

 
*(Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Sciences, and/or Economics).

The English and Spanish requisites are direct language classes (grammar or literature). For the English courses, classes from other departments described as “intensive writing” may be considered as substitute.

In addition to the above requirements, we strongly recommend course work in:

Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Genetics
Microbiology
Liberal Arts
Humanities

•  Fully bilingual in English and Spanish (read, write, speak and understand)

• Minimum GPA of 2.7 (on a four-point scale) is required for applying; our average is 3.5.

• Minimum SGPA of 2.7 (on a four-point scale) is required for applying; our average is 3.2.

• Minimum MCAT score of 19; our average scores are: 21 for total score, 7 for each part (it must be taken no more than three years prior to matriculation at PSMHS). If your score is less than 19 you must repeat the test.
   

When evaluating the applicants, the Admissions’ Committee selects the best of all candidates applying. We look for accepting students of integrity and maturity that show concern for others, leadership potential and a positive attitude for working with people. Preference will be given to local residents, but US citizens from the mainland are also invited to apply.

The Admission’s Committee evaluates applications considering several factors which include:

1. Academic Performance

2. MCAT scores

3. Applicant’s essay

4. Extracurricular activities

5. Life experiences

6. Experience in the health field (research, community work)

7. Interviews

8. Letters of Recommendation

Accepted applicants must successfully complete all courses and programs in progress at the academic level they had been performing at the time of application

The AMCAS application deadline is DECEMBER 15 of the year prior to the requested admission date. We do not use a secondary application but the following documents will be requested after the AMCAS application is received at the Admissions Office:

• US$100 Application Processing Fee (Check or MO payable to Ponce School of Medicine). Non-refundable.
   

• Letters of Recommendation (a minimum of three) Your letter authors can forward your letters to AMCAS in one of the following ways:

  • AMCAS Letter Writer Application: This application enables letter authors to upload PDF versions of letters to AMCAS rather than send letters via the mail.

  • Interfolio or Virtual Evals (VE)

  • Regular Mail: Make sure your letter author has a copy of the AMCAS Letter Request Form, which includes your AAMC ID and AMCAS Letter ID. Your letter writer should include this form when sending your letter in order to guarantee that your letter is correctly matched to your application.
    
    The letters should provide input from people in responsible positions who can comment on your academic, employment or volunteer performance, advocacy experience, character and interests. For undergraduates, this often means professors, academic advisors or employers. Letters from people that really know you, rather than from people who have impressive titles, are the most valuable.
    
     

• Official Transcript (s) – You must send an official copy directly to the Admissions Office. These are besides the one(s) you sent to AMCAS. If at the present time you are enrolled in classes that are necessary to complete your degree or prerequisites, you must also send a transcript once you complete the courses or degree.
   

An AMCAS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK (Certiphi Screening) will be conducted once the applicant is accepted. If a criminal record appears in the results of the background check, the acceptance will be revoked.
 

Upon acceptance, all students are required to submit the following:

• Written confirmation of acceptance and a deposit of $100.00 to secure your seat in the entering class.

• Physical Exam

• Evidence of up to date immunization certificate, including Hepatitis B.

• Other documents will be notified as pertinent

Registration, orientation period and commencement of classes take place in the second half of July.

 

Ponce School of Medicine (PSM) has a combined baccalaureate-MD program in consortium with two private universities:

1. Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico at Ponce (PUCPR) - The program with PUCPR includes two years of pre-medical courses at PUCPR and four years of medicine at PSM. You must contact their General Science Department at 787- 841-2000.

2. Interamerican University of PR at Ponce (UIA) - The program with UIA includes three years of pre-medical courses at UIA and four years of medicine at PSM. You must contact their Science Department at 787-284-1912.

Each university is responsible for the selection of the candidates to participate among those who show outstanding performance in High School and College Board Exams.

These candidates are requested a minimum MCAT score of 20. Once the student meets all the admission requisites, will automatically be admitted to Ponce School of Medicine.
Applications are processed through AMCAS.


 

* (Psychology, Sociology, Political Sciences, Economics, or Anthropology)

• GPA of 2.7 or higher (on a four-point scale)
• Fully bilingual in English and Spanish (read, write, speak and understand)
• Have taken the MCAT.
• Be a bona fide student in good standing at his/her Medical School
• Have completed courses in medical school equivalent to Ponce School of Medicine's curriculum prior to the year for which admission is requested.
• USMLE Step 1- approved to apply for admission to the third year, preferably on the first attempt.
• The student must submit the following:
  • Official transcript from all institutions attended (undergraduate and graduate)
  • Official transcript from the medical school from which the candidate is seeking transfer
  • Letter of good standing from the dean of the medical school
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors of the medical school who can comment on your academic performance and character.
  • Letter explaining the reason(s) for seeking transfer to Ponce School of Medicine
  • Certificate of No Penal Record (Police Clearance/Background Check)
  • Application fee of $100 (USD) non-refundable
     

Upon acceptance, all students are required to submit the following:

• Written confirmation of acceptance and a deposit of $100.00 to secure the seat in the entering class.
• Health Certificate from the Department of Health of PR
• Physical Exam
• Evidence of up to date immunization certificate (must include Td Adult, MMR, Polio and Hepatitis B).
• Other documents will be notified as pertinent
  
  Classes and clinical rotations begin every July.
  
   

USMLE REQUIRED FOR PROMOTION

USMLE Step 1 - must be passed before continuing to the third year clinical rotations
USMLE Step 2 - must be passed prior to graduation.



SELECTION CRITERIA

We look for accepting students of integrity and maturity that show concern for others, leadership potential and a positive attitude for working with people. The Advanced Standing Committee will also consider:

• Student's performance in medical school
• Undergraduate record
• MCAT and USMLE scores
• Interviews
• Letters of recommendation - the letters of recommendation should provide input from people in responsible position who can really comment on your academic performance, character and interest.

Students from non-LCME accredited medical schools must have at least two years of medical studies to be considered for a second year position.

Already graduated medical doctors from a non-LCME accredited school will not be considered for Advanced Placement at PSMHS. Neither will be considered for admission applicants who have been dismissed from another medical school due to academic or disciplinary reasons. Transfers from osteopathic, veterinary or dental schools will not be considered either.

PSMHS Admissions Office and the Admissions Committee act in accordance with the “Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990” including the Amendments Act of 2008. Once the candidate is accepted, if he/she needs special accommodations, he/she is responsible to contact the Academic Affairs Office for further information. It is the student's responsibility to make his/her condition known to PSMHS Administrators and to seek out assistance.



HOW TO APPLY

The Application for Admission to MD Advanced Standing can be downloaded or obtained personally at our Admissions Office.

The deadline for submitting a complete application is MAY 15 of the same year admission is sought.