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. According to the school’s website, more than 80% of graduates publish in peer-reviewed journals, and many continue their training in Mayo Clinic’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.

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 would like to study medicine at our school, including specifically why at the top campus track you selected. (500 words maximum)

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. 

Essay #2

Reflect on how your professional and lived experiences have shaped your identity. Tell us how these experiences will help you contribute to a collaborative learning environment, support your patients and colleagues, and advance Mayo Clinic’s commitment to excellence. (500 words maximum)

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?

Essay #3

Mayo Clinic’s Bold. Forward. strategy integrates digital innovation with a deeply humanistic approach to transform healthcare. What role do you see yourself playing in shaping this future? Describe the skills, experiences, or aspirations in artificial intelligence and innovation that prepare you to contribute meaningfully to this transformation. (500 words maximum)

As technology is being embraced in the healthcare space and increasingly utilized by patients, Mayo Clinic is interested to read about your background in working with various technologies, as well as your vision of integrating them into future patient care and treatment plans. Examples include virtual health assistants and chatbots, AI-based medical scribing, wearable health monitors, and health-related apps on watches and smart phones. The goal in writing a strong essay would be to cite an example of your experience using a piece of technology – either in research, clinical, or volunteer work –and highlight how it enhanced the outcome but didn’t replace the importance of human interaction.  

MCASOM Application Timeline

Timeline	Action
Early May	AMCAS application opens
June 1 to October 1	AMCAS application window
August to November	Applicants invited to interview
September to December	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 secondary fee
February	Applicants initially offered acceptance
	Applicants offered alternate list positions
	Rejections communicated
April to June	Applicants accepted from the alternate list
June 15	Deadline to submit official transcript from undergraduate or PharmD conferring school
July 12, 2027	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