MD · Piscataway, NJ · public · applies through AMCAS
Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Known as Rutgers RWJMS
Prerequisite coursework
Verify with the school| Course | Status | Hours | Lab | Pass/fail | AP credit | Online | Community college | Notes from the school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry CHEM | Required | 3 | No | No | No | Yes | No | One semester of biochemistry is required. This can be from your university's biology department. |
| Biology BIOL | Required | 8 | Yes | Case-by-case If the academic program at your college requires all first-semester coursework to be taken as pass/fail, we will accept the courses taken in that semester. | Yes | Yes | Yes | A general biology course with lab is required though the name differ by university. Students can use AP credit. |
| Chemistry CHEM | Required | 12 | Yes | Case-by-case If the academic program at your college requires all first-semester coursework to be taken as pass/fail, we will accept the courses taken in that semester. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two general chemistry courses plus labs (inorganic chemistry or other names) are required. This can be substituted with AP credit or taken at a community college or online. Additionally, we require an Organic chemistry I plus lab course. We require that organic chemistry be taken in person at your four-year college. AP will not count towards the organic chemistry requirement. Please contact the admissions options for consideration of other approaches. |
| Composition & Rhetoric ENGL | Required | 6 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | We require a year of writing intensive coursework. This can be an English department course or any other department such as philosophy or other. |
| Mathematics MATH | Required | 3 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | We do allow a biostatistics or any level mathematics course to count towards this requirement. |
| Physics PHYS | Required | 4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | We require Physics 1 with lab or the academic equivalent. |
Community-college pathways
We accept community college coursework; however, we recommend that upper-level science coursework, such as biochemistry, be completed at a four-year university/college. We do accept candidates who have completed an associate's degree and transferred to complete their bachelor's degree.
Source: MSAR Report for Applicants and Advisors: Premed Course Requirements 2027 (AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13). Verify with the school.
Admission policies, in the school's words
The supportive learning environment at RWJMS starts with the dedicated and approachable staff in the Office of Admissions. We encourage applicants to explore the RWJMS admissions website, where they can find answers to many frequently asked questions. Additionally, applicants have the opportunity to register for a virtual admissions open house. An application is considered complete when the Office of Admissions has received the AMCAS application, MCAT scores, a pre-professional advisory committee letter or three individual letters of recommendation, the completed secondary application (including the CASPer™ result or AAMC PREview exam result), and the application fee or fee waiver. Applicants are required to have completed a minimum of three years of college (90 semester hours of coursework, excluding military and physical education) and to provide MCAT scores from a test taken within three years prior to the application and no later than September of the application year. We strongly encourage early submission and completion of the application. Applicants may register and take the CASPer or AAMC PREview exam at any point before or after submitting their AMCAS application. RWJMS is committed to building a well-rounded class. We believe that students with a variety of interests and experiences enrich the educational environment for all learners. With an increasing focus on active learning and self-directed education, the opportunity to explore critical issues such as health and disease, the physician-patient relationship, and the impact of culture on patient care is significantly influenced by the student body. Given the high number of qualified applicants, those selected for interviews are chosen based on their potential to contribute something unique to RWJMS. While applicants will not have identical profiles, they will each demonstrate the potential to bring valuable perspectives to both the RWJMS community and the medical profession. The admissions committee utilizes a mission-focused review. Selection for interviews is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant's experiences, achievements, personal qualities, and potential to enhance the learning environment and further our mission. All components of the application, including academic records, personal and professional experiences, letters of recommendation, personal statement and secondary responses, and CASPer™ or AAMC PREview assessments, are considered in the review process. Final admission decisions are made by the admissions committee after the interview results are reviewed. Response to COVID-19 - Information for the 2027 Admissions Cycle Pass/Fail Coursework: RWJMS will accept pass/fail grades for prerequisite and science coursework taken during the spring, summer, and fall 2020 semesters, as well as the spring of 2021. Ideally, applicants will have science course grades for the majority of their courses, but we will always evaluate the application as a whole. Online Coursework and Labs: Due to the transition to online courses during the pandemic, RWJMS will accept online courses from applicants who were enrolled during this time. However, we prefer applicants to have primarily in-person coursework, including some in-person labs or hands-on research experience.
Source: MSAR Report for Applicants and Advisors: Admission Policies and Information 2027 (AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13). Verify with the school.
Who can apply
- Out-of-state applicants
- Yes RWJMS aims to increase the number of out of state students who matriculate, however NJ residents will always be the majority of matriculating students.
- Canadian applicants
- No
- International applicants
- No
- DACA applicants
- No
- Residency preference (school's page)
- Preference for admission is given to residents of the State of New Jersey; out-of-state applicants with outstanding credentials are encouraged to apply.
Source: (AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13). Verify with the school.
Interview
- Format
- RWJMS will use an MMI format for applicants in 2027. Those applying to MD/PHD, BA/MD, and approved early assurance will additionally participate in 1-on-1 interviews. In the 2028 cycle, all applicants will complete both interview formats.
- Invitations sent
- Interview invitations are sent monthly from August through March.
- Typical interview day
- The Interview Day consists of: 1. Comprehensive introduction to the MMI format and specifics about the admissions process from the admissions officers; Applicants get a first-hand experience of the supportive nature of education staff. 2. Prior to the interview day, our Student Ambassadors offer an information session that includes topics on the curriculum, school culture, organizations, enrichment opportunities, and student life, followed by a Q&A. The student ambassadors share their insights with the applicants. 3. A 45-minutes Q&A with an education dean giving an up close and personal view of the accessibility and responsiveness of faculty, their perspectives about the learning environment of the school, advice on how to succeed in medical school and how faculty support students in achieving their professional goals 4. A seven-station MMI conducted by both faculty and students, lasting approximately one hour and ten minutes.
- Regional interviews
- RWJMS has not established a regional interview option.
- Video interviews
- RWJMS is determining whether in-person interview options will be used. For applicants who are abroad or might have hardship, virtual will always be available.
- School's admissions page says
- Seven-station live video-conference multiple mini interview (MMI)
Tags are derived from the text above by keyword; read the text before relying on a tag.
Source: MSAR Report for Applicants and Advisors: Interview Procedures 2027 (AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13). Verify with the school.
Situational-judgment tests and MCAT dates
- Casper
- Required source · secondary lists: MSI required, IMA required
- AAMC PREview
- Required "We are requiring applicants to submit situational judgment test (SJT) scores; PREview scores fulfill SJT" source
- Latest MCAT considered
- September 12, 2026
- Oldest MCAT considered
- May 2023
Casper status comes from the school's own admissions page where it states one, otherwise from published requirement lists; PREview from the school's page or the AAMC PREview policies report. Both change between cycles. Verify with the school.
Secondary application
- Required
- Yes
- Fee
- $80
- Fee waiver available
- Yes
- Deadline
- Jan 15, 2027 Though our deadline to submit the secondary application is January 15, 2027, we strongly encourage applicants to submit early (prior to October 2026).
- Who receives it
- Secondary applications are sent to all applicants upon receipt of your verified primary AMCAS application.
Source: (AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13). Verify with the school.
Letters of evaluation
- Committee letter
- Accepted
- Letter packet
- Accepted
- Individual letters
- Accepted
Source: (AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13). Verify with the school.
Waitlist and deposit
- Typical waitlist positions
- We typically have a high priority and waitlist group. In most cycles we do offer spots to applicants on the alternate list.
- Offers made from the waitlist
- 30
- Procedure
- We accept updates and letters of interest from high priority applicants. Offers from the alternate list will not be made prior to May 1st and can continue through July..
- Deposit required
- No
Cost of attendance and debt
| In state | Out of state | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $49,516 | $77,992 |
| Health insurance | $2,942 | $2,942 |
| Total cost of attendance, year 1 | $101,100 | $129,576 |
71% of students receive aid. Average indebtedness of indebted graduates: $215,294.
Official AAMC counts, 2025-2026
- Applications
- 5,112 (29.7% in-state)
- Matriculants
- 165 (72.1% in-state, 27.9% out-of-state; 63% women)
- Applications per seat
- 31
Source: AAMC FACTS Table A-1: Applications and Matriculants by School, State of Legal Residence, and Gender, 2025-2026 (AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13).
Transfer applications
No
Mission statement
School Mission: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is dedicated to transforming health care for New Jersey and the nation through innovation and excellence in education, discovery, patient and family-centered care and addressing the health of our diverse community. School Vision: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School will become the academic engine driving a new healthcare paradigm in New Jersey; the state's first and largest academic high-value health care system. School Core Values: Respect, dignity, and humanism for the diverse community we serve and the diverse community we are; Wellness and resilience; Joining learners hand-in-hand with care delivery; Making patients first with safe, compassionate, high-quality care; Science to advance human health. Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is dedicated to excellence in medical education and to developing ethical and culturally competent physicians. Students are encouraged toward a lifelong commitment to learning and professional growth. Education Mission: The medical education program aspires to be a nationally recognized program. It is a patient-centered program that prepares medical learners to become resilient and adaptable physicians who provide high value, ethical and appropriate healthcare in an ever changing system; communicate respectfully and effectively in a patient and family centered fashion; collaborate with other health care professionals to devise treatment plans and strategies for adherence and self-care, tailored to the needs and preferences of the patient; integrate the scientific underpinnings of clinical medicine and best evidence into daily practice; and who distinguish themselves as medical professionals in discovery, service and leadership. A key aspect of our mission is having graduates who can provide care “tailored to the needs and preferences of the patient,” and therefore, we recruit and admit students whose experiences and backgrounds can enrich the learning environment and who share a wide range of perspectives. The health equity competency ensures our students understand and can serve the community in which they practice. Our students engage in a wide range of enrichment activities and distinguish themselves in areas such as research, medical education, leadership, climate health, entrepreneurship, global health, humanities, and service to the community, to name a few. They are prepared to practice in a variety of healthcare environments, from the academic medical center to local community hospitals, office practices, federally qualified health centers, and the home. They fulfill the school’s missions by pursuing a wide range of specialties, including primary care. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) are moving forward with plans to integrate into a unified Future Rutgers School of Medicine, anticipated to launch in the 2027–2028 academic year, pending accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The earliest possible accreditation date is June 2027. This integration will bring together the strengths of both institutions to create one medical school with two co-equal campuses in Newark and New Brunswick. The future school is designed to become a national leader in academic medicine and health equity—advancing medical education, scientific discovery, patient care, and community service to improve health outcomes for all. To learn more about the Future Rutgers School of Medicine, please visit: https://rutgershealth.org/future-school-of-medicine
Notes
Applicants must submit ONE of two tests, either Casper (Acuity 'Medicine' test) or the AAMC PREview exam (both marked required here; only one is needed). No GPA/MCAT minimums stated; MCAT within three years and no later than October of the application year. No entering-class profile on the school site (it refers applicants to the AAMC MSAR). Fee waived for FAP recipients.
Sources for this page
- MSAR Report for Applicants and Advisors: Premed Course Requirements 2027 · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- MSAR Report for Applicants and Advisors: Admission Policies and Information 2027 · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- MSAR Report for Applicants and Advisors: Interview Procedures 2027 · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- School website (class profile and admissions pages)
- LCME Directory - Accredited Programs
- AAMC FACTS Table A-1: Applications and Matriculants by School, State of Legal Residence, and Gender, 2025-2026 · AAMC, retrieved 2026-10-13
- https://rwjms.rutgers.edu/education/admissions/apply · school website, retrieved 2026-10-13
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