Transfer Students

Students interested in transferring into SUNY Upstate Medical University's College of Medicine is limited to United States citizens or permanent residents. To be eligible for transfer, students must be in good standing and matriculated at a medical school approved by the New York State Department of Education. Individuals who have already earned an M.D. degree are not eligible to transfer.

Applications are accepted to the third year class from LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) approved schools. The deadline to complete an application is April 1.

The Admissions Committee takes into consideration as much information as possible that delineates an applicant's total qualifications for the study and practice of medicine. Decisions are influenced by a review of college records, medical school records, letters of recommendation, USMLE Step 1 scores, MCAT scores and personal data. The following factors are also considered in the selection of applicants. The order of listing is not intended to indicate their order of importance.

• Character. Because the honesty and integrity of a physician are such important traits, the applicant's character is of great concern to those who evaluate qualifications for admission.
• Communication Skills. Due to the importance of being able to communicate effectively with patients and other people, consideration is given to the applicant's ability to express himself/herself clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Personal Experiences. Meaningful experiences in relating to people is an asset.
• Scholastic Aptitude. The need for learning a vast amount of material quickly and well, applicants must demonstrate a high level of scholastic aptitude in previous college experience and current medical school performance. A broad liberal arts background is also an asset. Most selected applicants, will have a better than average USMLE, Step I Score.
• Scientific Aptitude. Because of the scientific nature of medical study and practice, applicants must provide evidence of being able to handle scientific subjects with reasonable facility.

Letters of Recommendation

• A letter from the premedical college's Health Professions Advisory Committee must be forwarded to us. If this has been sent with a previous application to Upstate (within the past three years), only a supplementary letter is required. Please indicate this in writing to our Office of Admissions. If the premedical college does not have a committee, then letters from faculty members in two different departments under whom courses have been taken will be acceptable.
• A letter of recommendation from the Dean of Student Affairs at the medical school you are attending is required and must include certification that you are in good standing and eligible for promotion.
• If you have completed a clinical experience in the U.S. the person who supervised your work should forward a letter of recommendation to our Admissions Committee.

Admissions Requirements

Only applicants who qualify for admission to the first year class, in terms of premedical education, will be considered for admission to the third year class. Applicants must have the following pre-requisite courses:

Professional Education—In addition to meeting all premedical requirements, transfer applicants to the third year class must have satisfactorily completed all courses, or the equivalent, which comprise the first two years of the curriculum at Upstate. The required courses include:

Test and Exam Scores - The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) must be taken and the scores submitted to the Admissions Committee. Admission preference will be given to applicants who have scores within five years of the date of the transfer application.

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 —Applicants applying for transfer to our College of Medicine must submit passing scores from the Step 1 United States Medical Licensing Examination by July 1st.

Official College Transcripts—Official Transcripts of all academic work undergraduate, graduate, and professional are required. If you are applying from a foreign medical school, then the documents must be accompanied by notarized official translations (World Education Services).

Personal Interview — The limitations of time and interviewing personnel make it impractical to interview every applicant. For this reason, invitations for a personal interview are issued only to those whose academic records and other qualifications appear sufficiently strong to justify such detailed study. The interview provides a means for both the school and the applicant to learn more about each other. The candidate may see the medical center's facilities and obtain additional information about the college. It also provides an opportunity for discussion and clarification of information submitted on the application form regarding academic record, extracurricular interests, etc. In addition, the interviewer endeavors to appraise such personal qualifications as warmth of personality, ability to adjust to social situations, poise, ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, and soundness of motivation.

Application Procedures
The following procedures must be followed:

• Download a transfer application form.
• Submit the application form prior to April 1 of the year for which admission is desired. Please indicate in the Personal Comments section your reasons to transfer to Upstate's College of Medicine.
• An application fee of $100 must be submitted with the application. Checks must be made payable to SUNY Upstate Medical University.
• You must forward official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and medical colleges attended. If you are attending a foreign medical school, the documents must be accompanied by a notarized official translation (World Education Services).
• Forward an official letter of recommendation from your Health Professions Advisory Committee. In the absence of such a committee, letters from faculty members in two different premedical science (biology, chemistry, physics) departments under whom courses have been taken will be acceptable. You may also submit additional letters of recommendation from your medical school faculty.
• Forward an official letter of recommendation from the Dean of Student Affairs at your medical school.
• Forward official scores of your Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
• If you have completed a clinical experience in the United States, the person who supervised your work should forward a letter of recommendation to our College of Medicine.
• Accepted applicants are required to submit official score reports from USMLE Step 1. Acceptance to the third year is conditional upon receipt of a passing score by July 1st.
• A favorable decision on any applicant cannot take place until all requirements are met.
• If an applicant should decide to withdraw his/her application, the Admissions Committee must be notified in writing.