Process and Timeline

Mark a calendar with these important dates for prospective Columbia VP&S medical students to complete the application process. Applicants should begin to prepare for medical school a year in advance of their anticipated matriculation date.

May: Primary application becomes available via the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).

July - October: Secondary Application invitations are sent to all applicants who selected Columbia VP&S and all submitted applications are processed.

Mid-August - January: Interview invitations are sent.

September: The last month in which the MCAT may be taken for the 2025 application cycle. 

Oct. 15: Columbia's VP&S deadline for the AMCAS primary application.

Oct. 22: Columbia's VP&S deadline for the Secondary Application.

Oct. 29: Columbia's VP&S deadline for supporting documents, i.e., Secondary Application fee, MCAT score, and letters of recommendation.

Early March: Admission offers are sent and the waitlist opens.

Early April: Admitted student's day.

April 15: Drop date for admitted students to withdraw from all but three schools. 

April 30: Admitted students planning to enroll at Columbia VP&S must select the "Plan To Enroll" option on the  Choose Your Medical School tool. 

May 1st: The "Commit to Enroll" option becomes available on the  Choose Your Medical School tool. 

May-August: The Admissions Committee reviews waitlist applicants.

Late May: Students matriculating at VP&S must provide their background check report. The satisfactory outcome of a personal background check must be received by the VP&S Office of Admissions prior to June 1st.

June 15: Students matriculating at VP&S, must select the "Commit to Enroll" option on the Choose Your Medical School tool. 

Late June: Students matriculating at VP&S must provide the office of admissions with an official final transcript with the date and degree confirmed.

Early August: Orientation and classes begin for the matriculating class and the waitlist closes.