Getting into the Rutgers-Newark 7-year medical program is highly competitive. The first three years are spent at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Caldwell University, Stockton University, Rutgers-Newark, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Montclair State University or Stevens Institute of Technology and the last four years are spent at Rutgers-Newark. Fifty-two students were admitted into this 7-year program this year, across the seven schools.
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| NJIT |
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| TCNJ |
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| Montclair State |
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| Stevens Institute of Technology |
The program requirements are:
- Top 10% of high school graduating class
- Minimum SAT score of 1400 or ACT score of 32, with neither being superscored
- U. S. citizen or permanent resident by the start of the medical program portion
- Must have a high school GPA > 3.5, although the high school GPA is usually > 4.0
- Need a B or higher in all pre-med college classes
- Must take the MCAT while in college and score at the national average or higher
- Need to maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 each college semester.
Here are suggested activities during high school for students interested in this program:
- Shadow physicians
- Volunteer in a hospital
- Go on a medical mission trip
- Learn about different medical specialties
- Participate in research (e.g., in a summer science program)
- Be an EMT volunteer
- Be a lifeguard
- Start a non-profit.
To get accepted, there are two interviews: one is a general admissions interview and the second is a medical school interview. It is a good idea for students to practice their interpersonal and interview skills.
Recently, Stevens had 150 applicants to the program. Of the 150 applicants, ten were interviewed and two were accepted. The Stevens application is due in mid-November and the Caldwell application is due by December 1.
Students are notified if they have been accepted by the medical school by early April, not April 1. The medical school communicates with the student using the Common App email address, so the student should check that email address daily to ensure they don’t miss any time-critical communications.
Thanks to Julie Washington of Caldwell University and Brian Switay of Stevens Institute of Technology for sharing this information at the 2017 NJACAC conference.
