How to Apply
Realize Your Future in Medicine
Whether you are seeking a career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or an allied health field, our internationally recognized faculty, dedicated academic advisors, network of clinical and research opportunities, and resource-rich campus in New York City will help you realize your future in medicine.
Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some have already begun a career and are looking for more from their professional lives, others have experienced personal situations that inspired them to go into a medical field, and some are seeking the science education they didn't take as an undergraduate. No matter your situation, we will set you on the path to medical school.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
The admissions policies of the Postbac Premed Program at the School of General Studies adhere to the Columbia University Non-Discrimination Policy.
Full Non-Discrimination Statement and Policy
How to Apply
The following items are required to review an application for admission to the Postbac Premed Program. Please note that unofficial documents are accepted as part of the application process, and can be used to make an admissions decision. If offered admission, in order to enroll you will be required to submit official* documents.
- A submitted online application.
- Submission of high school transcripts, secondary school records, or GED/TASC test results is optional
- Please note on your application where you graduated from high school and if you intend to submit the record in order to be reviewed for admissions purposes.*
- Please note on your application where you graduated from high school and if you intend to submit the record in order to be reviewed for admissions purposes.*
- Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations.*
- Documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations.*
- Test Scores
- If you have taken any standardized tests such as ACT, SAT, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT, you have the option to report them on your application in the Test Scores section, if you choose to do so. If you are admitted, we will inform you of any requirement to have the scores sent to us officially.
- If you have taken any standardized tests such as ACT, SAT, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT, you have the option to report them on your application in the Test Scores section, if you choose to do so. If you are admitted, we will inform you of any requirement to have the scores sent to us officially.
- A double-spaced essay of approximately 500 words
- Two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources
- Letters should be requested and submitted via the application portal
- Letters should be requested and submitted via the application portal
- A nonrefundable application fee of $80, submitted using the secure online application system**
*Official documents are those that arrive directly from the institution, testing service, or recommender electronically. If electronic documents are not available from your high school, we will accept mailed copies of the transcripts sent directly to the GS Office of Admissions from the issuing agency. Paper transcripts may not be delivered or forwarded by a student. If electronic documents are not available from your college or university, please contact the GS Office of Admissions for further instruction.
Note that applicants must submit all materials directly and not through an agent or third-party vendor. In addition, the applicant will be required to attest to the accuracy and authenticity of all information and documents submitted to Columbia. If you have any questions about this requirement please contact us at [email protected].
Important Contact Information
Office of Admissions and Educational Financing
Columbia University School of General Studies
408 Lewisohn Hall, MC 4101
2970 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-2772
[email protected]
Tracking Your Application
If you have already applied to the Postbac Premed Program, you may check the status of your application online.
Premedicine, Oesteopathic Medicine, and Predentistry
Students preparing for admission to allopathic, osteopathic, or dental schools have the same course curriculum. Differences typically occur in clinical or volunteer options.
Preveterinary Medicine
Students preparing for admission to veterinary schools follow the same series of basic requirements that premedical students follow and often need additional requirements such as anatomy and physiology as well as large, small, and exotic animal experience, either paid or volunteer. Students should plan early and carefully for their exotic and large animal experiences because opportunities are limited, especially in New York City. Many students pursue exotic and large animal work in out-of-town settings.
Allied Health Track
The Postbac Premed Program supports students interested in pursuing careers as physician assistants, in occupational or physical therapy, public health, or other health care professions. Much of the coursework required for admission to these professional programs corresponds to the premedical curriculum. As with the premedical students, prehealth students receive close advice and support from the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Office.
The Postbac Premed Program affords students great flexibility, with the option to enroll full or part time, beginning study in the fall, spring, or summer. Courses are offered both during the day and in the evening. Students who must work full time should give themselves more time to complete the first phase of their studies, and may want to consider enrolling part time.
Program length is determined by a variety of factors. Please be aware that most students do not complete more than two core science courses (plus lab) in any given term. If a student has previously taken any core science courses, these must have been taken during a full-length semester and not a mini-session or abbreviated summer semester.
Traditional and Accelerated Program Sequences
The traditional program and the accelerated program are both four semesters long, and each track covers the same classes and amount of material—the difference lies in the time it takes to complete each track.
Traditional Program Sequence
The traditional program begins in the fall semester and takes two years to complete (a fall and spring semester followed by another fall and spring semester).
Students interested in beginning the traditional program in the fall can expect to complete their coursework after two full academic years of study. In the third year, known as the glide year, students will focus on applying to medical school while deepening their exposure to medicine through advanced science coursework, research, or clinical work.
Accelerated Program Sequence
Students in the accelerated program complete coursework within 18 months if they are prepared to begin General Chemistry I, Physics I, and Calculus I. The program begins in the spring semester, includes a full-length summer term, and finishes with a typical fall-spring semester academic year. The accelerated program is suitable for students who have demonstrated strong quantitative skills and have recently completed calculus or are calculus-ready. Like those in the traditional program, students spend the following year applying to medical school, taking advanced coursework, and engaging in research or clinical work, upon completion of academic coursework.
12-Month Program Sequence
The 12-month sequence begins in May and consists of the two-semester General Chemistry sequence in consecutive six-week sessions over the summer, followed by full-length fall and spring semesters of Physics, Biology, and Organic Chemistry. The program concludes the following May. As in the other program schedules, students in the 12-month program will spend their glide year applying to medical school while engaging in research or clinical work or taking advanced coursework.
Because of the fast pace of instruction and heavier course load, it is recommended that applicants to the 12-month sequence have shown the ability to succeed in STEM coursework. To be eligible for admission, applicants to this program must have completed two semesters of math beyond algebra (preferably calculus and statistics) and two semesters of English before matriculating at Columbia. This program is most suitable for students who have already gained significant clinical experience before matriculating.
Part-time Program
Students may opt to enroll for part time study, which offers greater flexibility. Many students begin by taking a single course while continuing to work a full-time job; this is especially the case for students who begin in the spring or summer terms in order to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the required science courses.
Summer Enrollment
All preparatory coursework, including pre-calculus, pre-chemistry, and basic physics, is offered during at least one of the summer terms. These courses may also be offered during the fall and spring semesters. Information about summer enrollment is also available for students who may need to begin their studies in the summer before their first fall enrollment to prepare for mathematics, chemistry, and physics.
Prospective Student Appointments
The Office of Admissions dedicates time for prospective students to speak directly with a representative of the Admissions Team. Topics that might be discussed during these appointments include:
- Academic record
- Eligibility to apply
- Postbac Premed Program curriculum
Appointment Procedures
An appointment is recommended for students who cannot attend an information session, or have attended an information session and have specific questions, to more directly discuss the Postbac Premed Program and the application process.
Appointments are 20-30 minutes in length and may be conducted over the phone or in person.
Appointment Availability
Students who seek admissions advising appointments should note that appointments are only listed if they are available. If none are listed, please check back for additional availability.
Note: We are unable to provide feedback on previously denied applications to the Postbac Premed Program.