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General FAQs

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Academics

  1. The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) otherwise known as “the match” - refers to the annual process whereby fourth-year medical students are matched to residency programs across the country. Year after year, NYMC students do exceptionally well in the match with most students matching in one of their top three choices. Our Match results reflect a breadth of placements, both in specialty area and geography and are an objective indicator of the caliber of our program and the competence of our graduates. While NYMC may be located in New York, our school’s reputation among residency program directors spans the country and enables our students to be competitive candidates at any residency program of their choice.
  2. Our students do exceedingly well on the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) board exams. The USMLE Step 1 exam is taken after completion of the second year and passing is a requirement for advancement to the third year. For the last several years, the pass rate for New York Medical College students has been between 99 and 100%. Our students typically achieve scores above the national average for all medical students. This success is attributed to the strong academic and clinical foundation our students receive in the first and second years. In addition, NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) “mini-board” exams are integrated into first and second year course assessments which provide our students on-going simulated exposure to board exam content and test conditions.
  3. With approximately 214 students in each class, New York Medical College is considered a large medical school. However, it does not feel like a large school. In fact, one of the hallmarks of our program is the strong sense of community that exits among our students. There are many factors which contribute to this community-like atmosphere. The College is situated on a beautiful self-contained campus. Most first- and second-year students live in apartment-style campus housing for their first two years which allows them to easily meet, interact with, and support each other. There are a myriad of formal and informal group learning opportunities which also fosters a sense of connection and community among our students. As well, there is a robust student activities program including over 75 clubs and organizations which fosters a strong sense of engagement and collaboration within the student community.
  4. Clinical exposure and direct patient contact begin within the first month of medical school. As part of the first-year Foundations of Clinical Medicine course, students are paired one-on-one with a primary care physician for the entire year where they interact with patients to refine their communication and history taking skills. Regular patient contact and physician mentoring continues in the second year of Foundations of Clinical Medicine where the educational focus shifts to the development of diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills in either office or hospital settings. These clinical experiences are paired with clinical correlation seminars throughout the first- and second-year basic science curriculum. In addition, clinical training is fully integrated into the first- and second-year curriculum through a variety of clinical skills and simulation modules using standardized patients at the state-of-art NYMC Clinical Skills and Simulation Center.

  5. The College has developed a demographically and clinically diverse network of affiliated hospitals where students do their clinical clerkships. This network includes academic medical centers, urban university hospitals, specialty, suburban and rural hospitals, and ambulatory care facilities located in Westchester Country, the lower Hudson Valley, Northern New Jersey, Southern Connecticut, and New York City.
  6. Advisement and mentorship are key components of the medical education program. The school offers a wide-range of programs led by both faculty and students to ensure students have all the information, guidance and support to successfully navigate their medical education and pursue their chosen professional path. This begins even before you matriculate to NYMC. The Student-2-Student Network is a student-led outreach program that offers accepted candidates several ways to learn more about NYMC—from a peer perspective—as they contemplate matriculating to NYMC. Once a student at NYMC, the Virtual House System provides longitudinal advisement over the course of the four years of medical school by designated house deans – all of whom are faculty and practicing physicians. Each virtual house is comprised of approximately 80 students, including students from each academic year which allows for peer mentorship between students at different stages of their medical education. Career planning is also integrated into each year of medical school through a myriad of campus resources to ensure students are aware of every opportunity to prepare for and pursue their career path. The Office of University Academic Support Programs is committed to foster a better learning environment for all students. Among the programs offered are: peer tutoring, workshops to address study techniques, a study partner match service, one-on-one academic support advice and assistance in making study plans, and standardized test preparation lectures and workshops.
  7. Medical students in general are known to strive for success which sometimes translates into a competitive learning environment. While NYMC students are highly focused and committed to their studies, the atmosphere on campus is not overtly competitive. Devoted faculty, committed administrators, supportive clinical mentors and the inherent character of the student body all contribute to the collegial and collaborative atmosphere unique to NYMC. NYMC students are known for supporting and helping each other and working well as a team.
  8. Yes, in addition to the School of Medicine there are two other schools on campus that grant advanced degrees. Students can earn an MD/MPH degree by combining medical school with the MPH program offered by the School of Health Sciences and Practice. With careful planning this can be completed in four years. Through the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences students can earn a PhD along with their MD degree. It generally takes six to seven years to complete the MD/PhD degree.
    Application to either program is submitted after acceptance into the medical school program.
  9. A multitude of clinical, bench, and translational research opportunities are available. Many students engage in research during the summer after the first year which the College coordinates and for many, pays a research stipend. Time-permitting, students can conduct research during the academic year. Students can also take a leave of absence from medical school to do a year of dedicated research or students have the option to pursue a combined MD-PhD through the NYMC Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences.
  10. Students are required to have their own laptops. Wireless is available in all campus housing and academic areas. Ethernet ports are available in all campus housing as well and there are computers with printers available 24 hours per day. An increasing amount of the curriculum is linked to the school website and to the Internet.

Student Life

  1. The College is situated on a gracious self-contained campus in Valhalla, New York - a small town in Westchester County located approximately 40 minutes north of New York City. Students have the unique opportunity to be engaged in educational and student life programs which not only take place within our dynamic campus community but also in the geographically, racially, and socioeconomically diverse communities of Westchester County and the Lower Hudson Valley. Valhalla specifically, is a suburban area surrounded by quaint towns and villages that boast great local restaurants and outdoor activities. Valhalla also offers easy access to the local cities of White Plains and New Rochelle home to great shopping, pubs, and music clubs. In addition, NYMC students take full advantage of our close proximity to most exciting city in the world – New York City - which is accessible by car, train or bus 24/7.
  2. Most students live on campus for the first two years, although off-campus housing is readily available. On-campus housing options include: (1) Suite-style furnished units for single students comprised of three or four individual bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and kitchen; (2) A garden-style complex comprised of one, two and three bedroom unfurnished units available to single and married students as well as those with families. Additional information and photos of housing options is available on the Residential Life section of the NYMC website.
  3. New York Medical College offers a wide range of social, cultural, athletic and service-oriented organizations. The College views these activities as essential to the well being of our students, and as a significant enhancement to the diversity and vitality of the campus community. While students have great latitude in creating activities, student participation in existing clubs and organizations is very high. The Student Senate is an active and important component of the academic and social community. In addition, students serve on virtually all College committees including Admissions, Student-Faculty Relations, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, Curriculum and Financial Aid, to name a few.
  4. Dogs are not allowed to live on campus. The Housing Office can address particular questions about pets because some types are permitted (i.e., fish). If it’s essential that your four-legged companion be with you, suitable housing can be found nearby.
  5. There is a small state-of-the-art fitness center on campus. In addition to fitness equipment, classes in yoga, Pilates, and mindful meditation are offered. There are also several gyms in the area. Prices vary, but they all give discounts to New York Medical College students. There is also a robust student-run club sports program for soccer, flag-football, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball and even croquet.

Admissions

  1. Our student population reflects the College’s core belief that a diverse student body provides a valuable educational experience which prepares our medical students for the real world of medical practice within a multicultural society. Our students come from all over the United States building a mosaic of racial, ethnic, cultural, economic, and educational diversity within the NYMC community. In recent years about one-quarter of the class has entered medical school directly from college, while the majority has spent one, two or more years between undergraduate and medical school. Women comprise approximately half of the class.
  2. There is no “perfect” medical school applicant. Applicants to NYMC are viewed as individuals and their applications are given a holistic review with experiences, attributes and metrics given equal consideration. That being said, a candidate must demonstrate academic competence to succeed in medical school as evidenced by strong GPA and MCAT scores; a commitment to medicine as evidenced by related extracurricular, community service, research and work experiences and a compelling personal statement explaining why the applicant has chosen to pursue a medical career and the steps he/she has taken to confirm this decision; and stellar personal attributes assessed through a variety of ways including CASPer and MMI results.
  3. The typical first year class enters medical school with an average overall GPA of 3.6 and median MCAT score at the 90th percentile.
  4. Many applicants take the MCAT more than once. This is not considered a liability. We attach greatest importance to the most recent scores, although we will review the most recent last two sets of scores. For applicants applying for entrance in 2025, MCAT scores must reflect an exam taken between January 2022 and September 2024. In fairness to all applicants, we cannot make an exception to this requirement.
  5. Completed applications are given a holistic review and applicants under serious consideration are invited for a virtual interview. Interviews are generally conducted from late September through March. Applicants may be invited to interview at any time during this period as applications are reviewed throughout the application cycle. The invitation to interview is sent to the applicant via e-mail. Applicants are offered alternate interview dates to enable them to schedule a date that accommodates their individual plans. The interview day program begins at 10:50am, and ends at approximately 4pm. The day is structured to meet the dean, director, student ambassadors and much more. NYMC uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. During the MMI, applicants move through a circuit of short, carefully-timed scenario-based interview stations. The scenarios are neither knowledge-based nor necessarily clinically-oriented. Applicants are each given 2 minutes to read a scenario outside the interview room. They then enter the room, introduce themselves to the interviewer, and begin an open-ended 6 minute discussion about the scenario. After the elapsed time, the applicant moves to the next room and repeats the process with a new interviewer and scenario. The NYMC MMI interview circuit consists of 8 stations; 6 scenario-based stations, 1 application-based station, and 1 rest station.
  6. No. Currently all interviews are conducted virtually.
  7. NYMC does not have a ranked wait list. The Committee on Admissions utilizes the process of holistic review to put together an entering class that is not only academically qualified but also reflects a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If a spot in the class becomes available, all applicants on the waitlist are considered. NOTE: It is important for all applicants to keep their NYMC files updated with any additional information during the application cycle.
  8. There is no simple formula for gaining admission to medical school. The Committee on Admissions utilizes a holistic review process. In addition to GPA and MCAT scores, the breath and quality of extracurricular, community, research, and work experiences, obstacles overcome, letters of evaluation, a candidate’s personal statement and pre-screening CASPer results (Computer-Assisted Sampling of Personal Characteristics) are all considered. If applicable, impressions about an applicant gained through the MMI interview process are also given serious consideration.
  9. Applicants who reapply receive a full review and many are accepted each year. Most successful re-applicants have taken concrete steps and time to strengthen their application such as (1) improving their MCAT score; (2) completing and doing well (minimum GPA 3.6) in a Medical Science Master’s Program; or (3) gaining meaningful clinical exposure or research experience. Many successful re-applicants comment the extra time they spent on strengthening their application was invaluable as they were better prepared to begin medical school. Applicants who re-apply must go through the full application process again.
  10. Yes, all applicants to the first-year class at New York Medical College must start with an AMCAS application for the current year. However, many undergraduate schools will keep letters of evaluation on file and resubmit them on request.
  11. Accepted applicants may request a one-year matriculation deferral. NOTE: Students accepted off the wait-list are ineligible for deferral consideration. Deferral requests must be submitted in writing before June 1st of the year of entry and include a detailed explanation about how the student intends to use his/her time. Additional supporting documentation may be requested. All deferral requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Deferred students cannot apply to other medical schools during their deferral year.
  12. Approximately 90% of our students use some degree of financial aid to help fund their medical education. The process of applying for financial aid begins in March when all accepted applicants receive financial aid information from the Office of Student Financial Planning which coordinates the financial aid process.
  13. NYMC Student Tuition Scholarships are available to incoming first-year students and is facilitated by the Admissions Scholarship Committee. These awards are renewable annually for each of the three succeeding years of medical school if academic performance is satisfactory.
  14. NYMC no longer accepts transfer students into the third-year class due to lack of available spots in our clerkship program.
  15. Application for the combined M.D./M.P.H. or M.D./Ph.D. degree programs is submitted only after acceptance into the medical school program.
  16. Matriculation to the School of Medicine at New York Medical College is conditional upon student consent to and satisfactory completion of an AAMC-sponsored Criminal Background Check conducted by Certiphi Screening, Inc., and upon NYMC’s institutional review of such completed criminal background report. NYMC has sole discretion to rescind an offer of admission in the event any inaccurate, misleading or incomplete information is discovered in the student’s application or that post-dates their application as a result of this criminal background check. Notification of any subsequent criminal charges and/or convictions that occur after the date of processing of the initial criminal background check is also required. Within 10 days of any subsequent criminal charges and/or convictions, notification must be sent in writing to the NYMC Office of Admissions if the offense occurs before the date of matriculation and to the NYMC Office of Student Affairs if the offense occurs after the date of matriculation.