The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM) is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top medical schools for research and innovation, with campuses in Rochester, Minnesota; Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida. Its curriculum blends world-class patient care, groundbreaking biomedical research, and global health opportunities with a strong emphasis on mentorship and student wellness. Students experience a wide spectrum of cases—both rare and common—while benefiting from MCASOM’s impressive patient-to-student ratio, which the school claims is the highest in the world. With small class sizes, a flexible curriculum, and abundant opportunities for selectives, research, and service learning, MCASOM prepares future physicians to thrive as leaders in medicine. More than 80% of graduates publish in peer-reviewed journals, and many continue their training in the school’s highly regarded residency programs.

MCASOM seeks applicants who demonstrate a deep commitment to patient-centered care, scientific inquiry, and leadership in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. Ideal candidates combine academic excellence with curiosity, resilience, and compassion, showing the ability to adapt and thrive across diverse clinical settings. Applicants are expected to value collaboration, mentorship, and wellness while pursuing their individual passions – whether in patient care, research, or service. MCASOM looks for students eager to contribute to its mission of putting the needs of patients first, advancing medicine through innovation, and redefining healthcare on a local, national, and global scale.

MCASOM Secondary Essay Tips

Essay #1

At Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, we seek students whose values align with our mission to put the needs of the patient first. Please share why you are drawn to our school and the top track you selected. What unique strengths do you bring to our community to advance our commitment to excellence, compassion, and innovation? (500 words)

This prompt is an opportunity to demonstrate both your enthusiasm for attending MCASOM and how you will contribute as a medical student. Reflect on the program’s mission and values. How do they align with your personal values and goals for a future career in medicine? Conduct research on the school’s curriculum, programs, and opportunities. Provide specific reasons why MCASOM will provide you with unique opportunities to pursue your goals. What offerings do you hope to take advantage of? You should also include several sentences about your interest in the top-choice track you indicated on your application. How does this track align with your interests? How does it create a learning environment in which you will thrive? Show that you have done your research on the program and have a genuine interest in it. 

In your response, you should also include a thorough description of your unique strengths and how they will contribute to the school’s mission and advance its commitment to excellence, compassion, and innovation. Reflect on the interests, skills, and qualities that will make you a better physician and medical student. How will you bring these aspects to medical school and contribute to the learning environment? Be as specific as possible! 

Essay #2

At Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, we value the vast lived experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our students as they contribute to a vibrant learning environment and enhance how we care for our diverse patient population. Reflect on how your personal, cultural, or professional experiences have shaped your identity, and how they may help you contribute to a collaborative learning environment and advocate for your future patients. (500 words)

Reflect on how your unique personal, cultural, and professional experiences have shaped your identity and worldview. How have these elements influenced the way you interact with others in both personal and professional environments? How have they influenced the way you navigate diverse teams or relationships with those who are different from you? Has it allowed you to show empathy for others, mediate a conflict, or make a meaningful change? Discuss how these characteristics will make you a better student, classmate, and future physician. How will you enrich a collaborative learning environment and advocate for your future patients?

MCASOM Application Timeline

Timeline	Action
Early May	AMCAS application opens
June 1 to October 1	Application window
August to November	Applicants invited to interview
September to December	Campus interviews take place
October 15	Deadline to post MCAT scores to AMCAS application
	Deadline to submit transcripts
	Deadline to submit secondary application, letters of recommendation, and fee
February	Applicants initially offered acceptance
	Applicants offered alternate list positions
April to June	Applicants accepted from the alternate list
June 15	Deadline to submit official transcript from undergraduate or PharmD conferring school
Mid July	Orientation

Source: MCASOM website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with MCASOM directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

MCASOM Class Profile

Here is a look at MCASOM’s 2025 admissions and acceptance statistics (data taken from the MCASOM website):

MD Program

Applications: 5,396

Applicants interviewed: 712

Acceptances issued: 175

Arizona four-year track: 42 students

Minnesota four-year track: 40 students

Arizona/Florida track: 7 students

Minnesota/Florida track: 9 students

MD/PhD Program

Applications received: 525

Applicants interviewed: 70

Acceptances issued: 29

Arizona track: 2 students

Minnesota track: 9 students

MD and MD/PhD Programs

Top undergraduate degree majors:

• Biology
• Neuroscience
• Human biology
• Biochemistry
• Biomedical engineering
• Microbiology
• Chemistry

Non-science degrees:

• Applied mathematics
• Business
• Computer science
• Economics
• Global health
• Nutrition
• Public health

Students identifying as:

• Women: 55
• Men: 53
• Decline: 1
• American Indian or Alaska Native: 2%
• Asian: 35%
• Black or African American: 9%
• Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin: 8%
• Middle Eastern or North African: 4%
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 1%
• White: 25%
• Multiple race/ethnicity: 6%
• Unknown race/ethnicity: 10%

Underrepresented in medicine: 24%

Median GPA: 3.95

Students with gap years (graduated prior to July 2024): 76

States represented: 33

First-generation college graduates: 13

Median MCAT score: 521

Age range of first-year class: 20-35

Related Resources

• Maximize Your Experiences in Your ERAS Application
• Do’s and Don’ts of Medical School Recommendation Letters
• Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for med school applicants