Medical Scholars Program: University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

The University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine (UMKC - SOM) offers a Medical Scholars program to college students interested in earning a medical degree. This program offers early admission into the School of Medicine's M.D. Program for students currently in their sophomore or junior year of college and who attend Rockhurst University. The UMKC School of Medicine is particularly interested in local and regional students who intend to practice medicine here in the Midwest.  Missouri residency is preferred.

Requirements of the program

Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a 3.5 GPA in their science courses. In addition, students cannot have earned less than a B- in any college science course. Applicants must take the MCAT before matriculation and earn a score of 26 or higher.

UMKC School of Medicine requires the following coursework to be completed prior to matriculation to the School of Medicine

  • General chemistry w/lab (2 semesters)
  • General biology w/lab (1 semester)
  • Organic chemistry (1 semester)
  • Biochemistry (1 semester)
  • Genetics (1 semester)
  • Cell biology (1 semester),
  • Mathematics, college algebra or higher (1 semester)
  • English (2 semesters)
  • Humanities/social sciences (2 semesters). 
  • While not required, BL 1300 General Biology II, CH 2730 Organic Chemistry II, and PH 2800/2900 Physics I & II with labs are strongly recommended.

As with all medical school applicants, shadowing, volunteering and leadership are required. Please refer to the Rockhurst University Traditional Pre-Medical timeline for recommendations.

UMKC - SOM Scholars Program Timeline:

Fall of sophomore year:  If you are interested in applying for the program, identify yourself to Annie Lee, Ph.D., annie.lee@rockhurst.edu or Laura Salem, Ph.D., laura.salem@rockhurst.edu.

Late fall of sophomore year:  Apply for an interview Rockhurst Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental advisory group (must have a science GPA and overall GPA of 3.5 at Rockhurst to qualify).

January or February of sophomore year (after first semester sophomore grades are submitted): Interview with the Rockhurst Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental advisory group to receive a committee letter to UMKC School of Medicine.

Spring of sophomore year: Apply to UMKC School of Medicine. Application available May 1. Deadline for application is August 1.

Fall of junior year: Interview at UMKC School of Medicine

Spring of junior year: Take the MCAT (must receive a score of 26 or better for admission).

Senior year: Complete all coursework for your major.

Students may also apply for this program in their junior year, thus shifting this timeline back one year.

For questions about this program, please email Annie Lee, Ph.D., at annie.lee@rockhurst.edu.