How to Apply
Apply to the Drexel Pathway to Medical School Program
Below you'll find details about the types of students who apply to the program as well as admission requirements, tuition, fees and financial aid information. Should you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at CoM_MedicalSciences@drexel.edu.
Who Should Apply?
The Drexel Pathway to Medical School program is designed for students who want to attend Drexel's MD program and have taken traditional premed coursework and the MCAT before applying. Applicants who are admitted to the program typically:
- Have been personally impacted by healthcare disparities, socioeconomic or educational barriers;
- Have MCAT scores in the 25th percentile or better in each section and overall;
- Have an undergraduate science and overall GPA of 2.9 or better; and
- Possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution, or an international equivalent and are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
Back to Top
Admission Requirements/Prerequisites
Future Admission Recommendations
In recent years, the scientific knowledge important to the learning and practice of medicine has changed and expanded dramatically. Drexel recognizes that future physicians must be equipped with a strong scientific foundation to practice modern medicine. In addition, they should have certain personal competencies that will allow them to have a successful career as a culturally proficient, ethical health care professional.
Therefore, the Drexel MD program considers applicants based upon a mixture of scientific and personal capabilities, based on the recommendation of the HHMI and AAMC in their publication, “Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians.”
Learn more about these recommendations
In order to fulfill the basic requirements for matriculation at Drexel University College of Medicine, applicants must:
- Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or an international equivalent.
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Have taken a year of biology, chemistry, physics and organic chemistry, including respective laboratory sections. In addition, potential applicants are strongly encouraged to take a course in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, or other higher level science courses, as well as a variety of liberal arts and social science courses, such as philosophy, ethics, history, psychology and other humanities classes.
- There is no minimum required GPA requirement, but we like to see applicants with a 2.9 or better science and cumulative GPA.
- Have taken the MCAT. While we do not have a minimum required score, competitive applicants have generally scored in the 25th percentile or better overall, and in each section.
- A completed application includes MCAT scores, transcripts, letters of evaluation/recommendation, an essay and a $65 application fee. Please see the application materials section below for more information.
Back to Top
Instructions for Applying Online
- Click on yellow "APPLY NOW" box on the right side of this page
- Login to "Returning User" or create a new account "First Time User"
- Click on "Start New Application" at the bottom of the page
- Select Application Type "Fall 2025–Summer 2026"
- Next, choose drop down menu option "2025–2026 Graduate"
- Click on "Create an Application" box
- Open Application
- All information in "Personal" must be completed first
- Then, go to "Application Information"
- For Academic Area of Interest choose "Medicine"
- For Program choose: "Drexel Pathway to Medical School" (DPMS Program)
Back to Top
Application Materials
Prospective students will apply to the program via the online application system, where they will provide personal and demographic information, academic history, and answers to several essay questions that address the student's achievements, activities, work experience and goals, as well as a personal statement.
In addition to the information provided via the online application system, a complete application to the Drexel Pathway to Medical School includes the following materials:
- Official MCAT score (GRE not accepted). There are no minimum MCAT requirements for the program, but to be competitive, we look for a score in the 25th percentile or better overall and in each section. Login to the MCAT system via AAMC’s website , then under the 'My Reports' tab click 'Send Scores Electronically'. Be sure to select “Medical Sciences Program” under Drexel University. Your scores will only be accepted this way. Unofficial copies of your scores will not be accepted.
- There is no minimum GPA requirement, but to be competitive we recommend a 2.9 or better math-science and cumulative GPA.
- Three letters of evaluation/recommendation. See submission details below.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities where coursework was attempted or completed including withdrawals.
- Personal statement essay (5,300-character limit):
The personal statement may be taken from a prior application to medical or other health professional schools. Use your personal statement as an opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Consider and write your personal statement carefully. Some questions you may want to consider while writing this essay are:
- Why have you selected the field of medicine or another health profession?
- What motivates you to learn more about medicine or another health profession?
- What do you want medical or other health professional schools to know about you that hasn't been disclosed in other sections of the application?
- In addition, you may wish to include information such as:
- Unique hardships, challenges, or obstacles that may have influenced your educational pursuits.
- Commentary on significant fluctuations in your academic record that are not explained elsewhere in your application.
- DPMS essay (required, 5,300-character limit):
Describe ways in which you consider yourself an appropriate applicant to the program including how you have been personally impacted by healthcare disparities, socioeconomic or educational barriers.
- Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
- Application fee: $65 payable through Drexel Online Application Portal.
- The deadline for receipt of these additional materials is April 11, 2025.
- Once you submit your application, please complete the online math-science GPA calculation form.
ALL MATERIALS (INCLUDING MCAT SCORES) MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE BY APRIL 11, 2025.
Mailing Application Materials
Please send your application materials to:
Drexel University
Application Processing
P.O. Box 34789
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Letters of Evaluation/Recommendation
Requirements:
Three letters of recommendation/evaluation are required: two letters from hard science (biology, chemistry, physics) professors who have taught you and one non-science letter (this letter should be written by someone in a supervisory position such as PI, supervisor from a volunteer commitment, a non-science professor, etc.)
Format:
These letters of evaluation usually speak about the students academics, but a good letter also typically includes the writer's thoughts about the student as a whole. Does the student interact well with other students? Do they ask good questions? Did they seek out help when necessary, or if they knew the material especially well, did they offer to help other students?
Options for the submission of letters:
You have three different options for submitting your letters of recommendation. You can have a committee letter or letter packet sent by your undergraduate university, you can have a letter packet sent from your Interfolio account, or you will enter the email address of each of your letter writers within the application.
- Committee letter or letter packet sent from your undergraduate university: This letter will either be a pre-health committee letter or a collection of letters of recommendation/evaluation that your undergraduate university will collect and send as a packet. Please check off “Committee Letter” in your application for either of these. This packet can be sent electronically to enroll@drexel.edu.
- Interfolio: Interfolio accounts are set up by the applicant, not the letter writer. Interfolio is a letter collection service that many applicants use to compile and send their Letters of recommendation/evaluation. An Interfolio account is NOT required; we offer it as an option for those applicants who have an account. If you are sending your letters from an Interfolio account, please check off “Interfolio” in your application. You will not be required to enter each of your letter writers' names in your application when you choose this option.
- Enter your individual letter writer’s email addresses in your application: You will enter each of your letter writers' individual email addresses in your application. Once your application is submitted Drexel will send an email to each of the letter writers with instructions on how to upload their letter directly into your application.
You may submit more than the three required letters of recommendation/evaluation either electronically to enroll@drexel.edu or mail to:
Drexel University
Application Processing
P.O. Box 34789
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Back to Top
Application Review Process
Completed applications are screened by the admissions committee of the College of Medicine.
Applications are reviewed in their entirety. GPA, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, essays, personal characteristics, evidence of service and extracurricular activities are all taken into consideration through our holistic review process.
Applicants who are invited for an interview are notified by email from the College of Medicine Office of Admissions. We anticipate that interviews will be conducted virtually, however this is subject to change.
CASPer test - Only DPMS applicants who are invited for an interview should provide Drexel College of Medicine with a CASPer test score. Applicants who have previously taken the test during this application cycle may have their scores sent to the College of Medicine by CASPer. Please contact CASPer directly to have the scores sent. Applicants who need to take a CASPer exam should go to www.takeCASPer.com to sign up for the Medicine test (CSP-10111 - U.S. Medicine) (please note that Drexel only takes the Medicine test).
Following the interview, applications are reviewed and considered by the Admissions Committee of the College of Medicine. Decisions are sent from the College of Medicine Office of Admissions. Accepted applicants also receive information from the Drexel Pathway to Medical School Program.
Because the Drexel Pathway to Medical School is an early assurance program, students are prohibited from applying to other allopathic or osteopathic medical schools once matriculated into the DPMS program unless they choose to relinquish their spot at Drexel.
Back to Top
DPMS Admissions Timeline
February
- Initial screening of completed applications
- Applicants who have been evaluated by the College of Medicine and are no longer being considered for the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program may be referred to other pre-medical and pre-health programs
March
- Application screening continues
- Interview invitations are extended
- Applicants who have been evaluated by the College of Medicine and are no longer being considered for the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program may be referred to other pre-medical and pre-health programs
April
- Application screening continues
- Interview invitations are extended
- Interview scheduling mid-April through end of May
- Applicants who have been evaluated by the College of Medicine and are no longer being considered for the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program may be referred to other pre-medical and pre-health programs
- Application deadline is April 11, 2025
May
- Screening continues until all applicants have been reviewed
- Interview invitations are extended
- Interviews through end of May (subject to change)
- First round of offers early May
- Note: Offers are usually extended from early May through mid-June
- Applicants who have been evaluated by the College of Medicine and are no longer being considered for the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program may be referred to other pre-medical and pre-health programs
Back to Top
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
Tuition
For current costs associated with the program, go to Drexel Central. Click on "Tuition and Fee Rates," then "2024–2025 Tuition and Fees Rates." Choose "College of Medicine" and then "Full-Time" to find the current tuition and fees for the program.
Application Fees & Deadline
- Application fee: $65 (check or money order payable to Drexel University or pay application fee online)
- Application deadline: April 11, 2025 (all application materials MUST be received by this date to be considered for the upcoming academic year)
Students accepted into the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program are given conditional acceptance to enter Drexel University College of Medicine following successful completion of this one-year Master’s program.
Financial Aid
The DPMS program is eligible for federal financial aid. The applicant is responsible for securing additional resources if needed in the form of scholarships or grants from private organizations. Applicants are discouraged from seeking part-time employment while enrolled in the program. . For information regarding financing your education, please visit Drexel Central.
Financial Planning Services
Financing a graduate school education can be a daunting task, but at Drexel University College of Medicine it doesn't have to be. Our students have access to a certified financial planner who specializes in financial planning services for graduate and medical students.
Drexel University College of Medicine's financial planner is on staff full time to assist all students and their families with counseling and financial planning during and after their medical and graduate school years. This service is designed to address the student's entire financial picture beyond financial aid.
Apply online to the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program
Back to Top