How to Get Into UNC Medical School (2025) — Acceptance Rate, Requirements & Ranking

The University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill is one of the top-ranked public medical schools in the country. With a strong focus on primary care, patient-centered education, and research that benefits underserved communities, UNC prepares medical students to lead in clinical practice, public health, and biomedical research. UNC fosters a positive educational environment, emphasizing values and attitudes essential for collaborative learning and strong doctor-patient relationships. Additionally, UNC's primary care education is nationally ranked, offering students research opportunities and a curriculum aimed at addressing health disparities.

This guide covers everything you need to apply to the UNC School of Medicine in 2025 — from GPA and MCAT requirements to program structure, application steps, and selection criteria.

How Hard Is It to Get Into UNC Medical School?

The University of North Carolina School of Medicine is one of the most selective public medical schools in the country, known for the UNC School of Medicine's programs and statistics that highlight the strengths and opportunities available to prospective medical students. Each year, around 7,000 applicants submit primary applications through AMCAS, and approximately 600 are invited to interview. Of those, about 190 students matriculate into the incoming class.

UNC strongly prioritizes applicants from North Carolina, which aligns with its public mission to train physicians who will serve the state’s urban and rural communities. While out-of-state applicants are considered, they make up a small percentage of the final class and must meet higher academic criteria.

UNC School of Medicine Admissions Statistics

Source: UNC School of Medicine Office of Admissions

UNC uses a holistic review process when evaluating applications. The admissions committee considers academic metrics (GPA, MCAT), direct clinical experience, research, community service, and communication skills, along with alignment with the school’s mission of patient-centered care and health equity. Clinical skills are also considered crucial during the admissions process, ensuring that students are prepared for real-world medical scenarios.

The school does not require CASPer, PREview, or other situational judgment tests. The AMCAS application deadline is October 1, and accepted applicants must indicate their final decision by April 30.

UNC School of Medicine Rankings

UNC consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public medical schools, particularly for its strength in primary care, family medicine, and public health-focused training. Rankings reflect the school’s commitment to service-based education and preparing students to serve in both rural and urban settings across North Carolina.

U.S. News & World Report (2024)

Source: U.S. News & World Report Best Medical Schools Rankings (2024)

UNC’s reputation is built on a mission-driven approach to education that emphasizes real-world experience, early clinical exposure, and service to communities in need. Students are assigned to one of four clinical campuses (Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Asheville, Wilmington) during their third year (Application Phase), giving them hands-on learning across a range of health systems and patient populations. If you're applying to medical school with interests in family medicine, internal medicine, public health, or working in underserved communities, UNC is one of the most respected and mission-aligned schools you can apply to.

Programs Offered by UNC School of Medicine

The University of North Carolina School of Medicine offers a range of degree programs designed to prepare students for careers in clinical practice, biomedical research, healthcare leadership, and public health. Students can pursue a traditional MD, advanced research degrees, or dual-degree programs that integrate medical training with other disciplines. Additionally, a graduate science program is available as a pathway for candidates who have been out of their undergraduate studies for five years or more, demonstrating their competency in the sciences and providing an alternative to fulfilling specific coursework requirements.

MD Program

UNC’s four-year Doctor of Medicine program is built around the Translational Education at Carolina (TEC) curriculum. TEC emphasizes early clinical exposure, integration of science and patient care, and flexibility based on individual career goals. The curriculum is organized into three phases:

1. Foundation Phase (Years 1–2)

This phase focuses on building strong clinical and scientific fundamentals.

• Patient-Centered Care
• Social and Health Systems coursework
• Core medical sciences (e.g., cardiovascular, neurologic, endocrine systems)
• Summer research or electives after Year 1
• Behavioral science coursework (e.g., psychology, sociology) is recommended for a well-rounded educational background
• Ends with USMLE Step 1 preparation and a transition course to clinical training

2. Application Phase (Year 3)

Students complete 12 months of required clinical rotations across six core specialties:

• Internal Medicine
• Family Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Surgery
• Psychiatry
• Obstetrics and Gynecology

Students are assigned to one of four UNC clinical campuses: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Asheville, or Wilmington. Each location offers a distinct but comparable training experience with consistent learning objectives and evaluation standards.

3. Individualization Phase (Year 4)

The final phase allows students to tailor their training to fit their professional goals. Requirements include:

• Acting Internships
• Critical Care rotation
• Advanced Clinical Selective
• Transition to Residency course
• Electives and scholarly research options

Dual Degree Programs

UNC offers several dual-degree programs for students interested in public health, research, or healthcare leadership:

• MD/MPH: Offered in partnership with the Gillings School of Global Public Health, this degree prepares students to address public health challenges alongside clinical practice.
• MD/MBA: Provides training in healthcare management and business through UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
• MD/PhD: An 8-year physician-scientist program that integrates medical training with research across a wide range of biomedical science disciplines.

Other Programs

• Medical Science Graduate Degrees (PhD, MS): Advanced training in biosciences for future researchers and academic faculty
• Health Sciences: Degree and certification programs in fields such as physical therapy, speech and hearing sciences, and physician assistant studies
• Visiting Student Program: Opportunities for U.S. and international students to complete clinical electives at UNC School of Medicine

To learn more, visit: UNC School of Medicine Education Programs

UNC School of Medicine Class Profile (Recent Year)

UNC School of Medicine Admissions Requirements

The University of North Carolina School of Medicine seeks applicants who show strong academic ability, a commitment to service, and readiness for the clinical and professional demands of medical training. Applicants must meet specific academic and coursework requirements to be considered for admission.

Minimum Academic Requirements

• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution prior to matriculation.
• MCAT scores are valid for three AMCAS cycles. For the 2026 admissions cycle, scores must be from January 2023 or later.
• UNC does not require CASPer or the AAMC Professional Readiness Exam.

Required Coursework

All prerequisite courses must be completed with letter grades from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution. CLEP and AP/IB credits are not accepted. A minimum of 30 credit hours of natural science coursework is required at the time of application.

Online or hybrid courses will only be considered if:

• The institution does not offer an in-person alternative, and
• The course was taken under specific institutional or pandemic-related limitations.

Natural Sciences (Required)

• Mathematics: One course in Statistics or Biostatistics
• Chemistry:
  • Biochemistry (required)
  • Two chemistry courses with labs
• Biological Sciences:
  • Three total courses, including:
    • Two advanced biology courses
    • One lab-based advanced biology course

Acceptable advanced biology courses include:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Physiology
• Genetics

Recommended Coursework

While not required, applicants are encouraged to complete coursework in the humanities and behavioral sciences to support well-rounded preparation for medical practice.

Humanities (Recommended)

Three courses in any of the following areas:

• English
• History
• Philosophy
• Ethics
• Ethnic and Gender Studies
• Social Justice
• Religion
• Foreign Language Study

Social and Behavioral Sciences (Recommended)

Three courses in fields such as:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Political Science
• Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities
• Anthropology
• Economics

What UNC School of Medicine Looks for in a Candidate

The Admissions Committee at UNC School of Medicine uses a holistic review process. Academic metrics are important, but strong candidates also demonstrate service, integrity, leadership, and readiness for a career in patient-centered care.

Qualities and Experiences Valued by the Committee:

• Strong performance in science coursework
• Clinical experience in a direct patient care setting
• Long-term commitment to service and community involvement
• Interest in practicing in underserved or North Carolina-based communities
• Research experience (especially biomedical or population health research)
• Leadership roles in academic or extracurricular settings
• High-quality letters of recommendation
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Maturity, motivation, and resilience

For more detailed information, visit the official UNC School of Medicine Admissions Requirements.

UNC School of Medicine Application Process

1. Primary AMCAS Application

• Submit your application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
• Deadline: October 1, 2025
• Ensure you indicate your planned MCAT test date if not already taken.
• UNC does not participate in the AMCAS Early Decision Program (EDP).
• Updates to the AMCAS application will not be accepted after submission unless explicitly requested by the Admissions Office.

Expert Tip: Strong applicants typically demonstrate academic achievement, clinical exposure, service, and research experience.

2. Secondary (Supplemental) Application

• Once your AMCAS application is verified, UNC will automatically send a supplemental application via email—regardless of GPA or MCAT score.
• Supplemental Application Fee: $68 (non-refundable)
• Your application will not be considered complete until the supplemental is submitted.
• The deadline for the supplemental will be listed in the email invitation.

Supplemental Essay Topics may include:

• Community service and engagement
• Fostering a positive learning environment
• Experiences with patient-centered care
• Responding to bias, adversity, or challenges
• Why UNC School of Medicine is the right fit for you

3. Letters of Recommendation

• 3 letters are required, and up to 5 accepted
• Letters must be:
  • Written on official letterhead
  • Signed
  • Submitted via the AMCAS Letter Service
• Preferred letter types:
  • Faculty who taught you in classroom settings
  • Academic or professional mentors
  • Research supervisors or healthcare professionals
• Pre-Health Committee letters are accepted and can count as the 3 required letters (if individual letters are included).
• Letters should speak to your:
  • Academic ability
  • Character and professionalism
  • Readiness for medical school

Deadlines:

• Required letters must be received by August 31, 2025, for your file to be considered complete.
• Optional letters may be submitted until October 1, 2025.

4. Interview Invitation

• Selected applicants will be invited via email to schedule an interview.
• Interviews will take place between September and February.
• The interview format includes:
  • Traditional interviews
  • Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)

Important: If you’re unable to attend your scheduled virtual interview due to illness or an emergency, contact the Admissions Office immediately at 919-962-8331.

5. Final Decision Notification

• Admissions decisions are rolling and made throughout the interview season until the class is filled.
• Final decision emails (accepted, waitlisted, or not accepted) will be sent by early April 2026.
• If traveling during the admissions season, provide alternate contact information to avoid missing important communication.

Residency Consideration

• North Carolina residents are given preference in the admissions process.
• For questions about NC residency status, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@med.unc.edu or 919-962-8331.

Additional Notes:

• No post-submission updates to your application (e.g., new activities, jobs, letters of intent) are accepted unless specifically requested.
• Communication is primarily through email. Use a reliable, non-school-affiliated email and check your spam/junk folders regularly.
• UNC SOM follows all AAMC Application and Acceptance Protocols.

UNC School of Medicine Application Deadlines (2024–2025 Cycle)

Applying to UNC School of Medicine is a competitive, multi-step process. To ensure full consideration, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit materials early in the cycle, well before final deadlines. Keep in mind that AMCAS takes 4–6 weeks to verify your application before it reaches the admissions office.

Visit the UNC Medical School Application Deadlines

UNC School of Medicine Tuition and Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is a standardized estimate of the total cost for one academic year at UNC School of Medicine. It includes tuition, fees, living expenses, and other essential education-related costs. Your financial aid eligibility is based on this figure, not on individual lifestyle choices or prior debts.

Note: The COA is calculated for the months you are enrolled. For most first-year students, this is approximately 10.5 months.

Key Financial Aid Facts

• Tuition is charged per credit hour up to 9 credits.
• Health insurance is required; students are automatically enrolled but may opt out with proof of alternative coverage.
• Disability insurance is required and currently covered by the School of Medicine.
• The COA does not include consumer debts, moving costs, or family member expenses.
• Financial aid is not available during periods of non-enrollment (e.g., summer break).

Types of Financial Aid

UNC medical students typically fund their education through a combination of:

• UNC School of Medicine Scholarships
• Federal Loans (Unsubsidized Stafford, Grad PLUS)
• Service-based Scholarships (e.g., Armed Forces, National Health Service Corps)
• Private or specialty scholarships
• Loan forgiveness or repayment programs
• Summer, relocation, or residency loans

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To apply for most forms of aid, complete:

1. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
2. The UNC School of Medicine Scholarship Application (provided upon acceptance)
3. Any supplemental forms through Connect Carolina

Other scholarships or loan programs may require separate applications.

For More Information Visit the UNC School of Medicine Tuition and Financial Aid

5 Expert Tips on How to Improve Your Chances of Admission

1. Prioritize Longitudinal, Patient-Facing Clinical Experience in Underserved North Carolina Communities

UNC SOM heavily emphasizes its mission to serve the state’s diverse and often underserved populations. Simply shadowing a physician for a few weeks won’t be enough. What UNC wants to see is sustained, hands-on clinical experience that aligns with its core values—particularly in settings that reflect the demographics and healthcare needs of North Carolina residents. If you're an in-state applicant, seek out volunteer or employment opportunities in rural clinics, free health programs, or community health centers that serve Medicaid or uninsured populations. Out-of-state applicants should demonstrate equivalent commitment through work in similarly underserved areas. Make this experience a cornerstone of your application narrative—not as a checkbox, but as evidence that you understand, value, and are ready to contribute to UNC’s public service mission.

2. Tailor Your Secondary Application Around UNC’s Core Themes: Service, Humility, and Resilience

Most applicants recycle general answers across secondaries, but UNC’s supplemental questions are designed to screen for fit. To stand out, write with surgical precision around three ideas UNC deeply values: a genuine commitment to community service, the ability to collaborate in a diverse and respectful environment, and the resilience to handle academic and personal adversity. Use your secondary responses to highlight stories where you actively improved a community, de-escalated a challenging interpersonal dynamic, or navigated a setback without blame-shifting. Avoid abstract reflections or overused metaphors. Instead, ground your responses in vivid, concrete examples that connect your lived experience to UNC’s mission of training empathetic, mission-driven physicians.

3. For Out-of-State Applicants: Bridge the “Mission Gap” by Demonstrating Deep Roots or Long-Term Intentions in NC

With in-state preference baked into UNC’s admissions process, out-of-state applicants must go beyond strong stats to justify their fit. This is where many otherwise qualified candidates fall short. If you’re applying from out of state, you need to show a credible connection to North Carolina—or a compelling long-term reason why you want to train and practice there. That could include prior work, research, or community engagement in NC; family ties or partner relocation; or career goals that align with UNC’s strengths in primary care, family medicine, or rural health. Address this directly in your secondary—don’t assume it’s implied. Without a clear, values-aligned rationale for choosing UNC, your app risks being deprioritized in the interview process.

4. Treat Your Interview Like a Values-Based Assessment, Not a Resume Review

Once you land an interview at UNC, you’ve already cleared the academic and experiential bar. The focus now shifts to whether you embody the interpersonal and ethical qualities UNC prioritizes. Their interviews blend traditional formats with Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), and both styles aim to evaluate communication skills, empathy, ethical reasoning, and emotional intelligence under pressure. Don’t just rehearse canned answers. Instead, prepare by reflecting deeply on your motivations for medicine, your blind spots, and how you’ve responded to ethical gray zones in the past. Practice explaining complex ideas clearly and compassionately, especially to non-scientific audiences. Remember, UNC wants doctors who listen as much as they lead—your ability to demonstrate humility, curiosity, and cultural competence will carry more weight than your resume.

5. If Your GPA or MCAT Is Borderline, Use Strategic Coursework or Post-Bacc Programs to Repair Your Academic Narrative

UNC is very transparent about its minimum and competitive GPA and MCAT thresholds—3.2 GPA/500 MCAT minimum for in-state, and 3.59 GPA/514 MCAT minimum for out-of-state. If you fall short, your best bet isn’t to “explain it away” but to actively rebuild your academic credibility. The admissions committee values recent, rigorous science coursework far more than old grades or excuses. Consider enrolling in a formal post-bacc or master’s program with a clear natural science focus, and complete at least 30 credit hours with high performance. Make sure your courses are in-person, letter-graded, and from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution. UNC won’t accept CLEP, narrative grading, or outdated science coursework older than 5 years. If your new academic work shows upward trends, you’re not just meeting the bar—you’re showing UNC you can handle the rigors of their curriculum.

The Bottom Line

Getting into UNC School of Medicine is a rigorous and mission-driven journey that demands more than just strong academic stats—it requires authentic alignment with the school’s values of service, humility, and commitment to improving healthcare in North Carolina. Whether you’re an in-state applicant leveraging local clinical experiences or an out-of-state hopeful bridging the mission gap, your application must tell a cohesive, purpose-driven story that highlights not only your readiness for medical school but also your dedication to underserved communities. With highly selective admissions, a transparent but competitive GPA and MCAT threshold, and a curriculum rooted in patient-centered care, UNC looks for future physicians who are academically prepared, emotionally intelligent, and socially conscious. To succeed, applicants should approach the process strategically, communicate with intention, and demonstrate a clear understanding of what it truly means to be a Tar Heel doctor.

For personalized help with your application, work with a medical school admissions coach.

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• MCAT Test: What You Need to Know and How to Prepare
• Medical School Application Timeline: The Ultimate Guide (2025)

FAQs

Is UNC a good med school?

• Yes, UNC is consistently ranked among the top public medical schools in the U.S., especially for its excellence in primary care. In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UNC School of Medicine ranked #3 in Primary Care, #3 in Family Medicine, and #24 in Research. The school is also nationally recognized for training physicians who go on to serve in rural and underserved areas. Its innovative TEC (Translational Education at Carolina) curriculum, strong clinical network, and emphasis on community engagement make it one of the most respected medical schools in the country.

What is the average MCAT score for UNR medical school?

• This question refers to the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) School of Medicine, not UNC. For the most accurate and updated data, it's best to visit the UNR Med admissions page. As of recent cycles, UNR’s average MCAT score for accepted students has typically been in the 508–510 range, though this can vary slightly from year to year.

What MCAT score is required for UNC medical school?

• UNC School of Medicine has different benchmarks for in-state and out-of-state applicants. For in-state applicants, a total MCAT score of 500 (with a minimum science GPA of 3.2 and a cumulative GPA of 3.2) is considered competitive. For out-of-state applicants, the expectations are higher—UNC generally considers a minimum MCAT score of 514, with a science GPA of 3.49 and a cumulative GPA of 3.59. The current average MCAT score for matriculated students is 512, so applicants are encouraged to aim above the minimum to stay competitive.