Meliora letters spelled out in front of Rush Rhees Library

Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS)

About REMS

Medical school is one of the most challenging paths you can pursue. Typically, you would complete a four-year bachelor’s degree, study for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), wait anxiously to find out how you scored, apply to medical schools, wait to find out where you get accepted, and then complete at least four more years of schooling to earn your medical degree.

Get rid of all that stress in the middle. The Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS) program is an eight-year BA/BS + MD program for outstanding undergraduates who are committed to pursuing a medical career. Established in 1991, it’s the most competitive combined degree program at Rochester. As a REMS student, you’re admitted to the University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry once you successfully complete your bachelor’s degree and pre- med core courses.

You will also work closely with highly respected faculty members, attend special events, and gain hands-on experience in clinics and labs.

Four medical students looking at a computer screen

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

No medical school is better poised than Rochester to deliver a balanced, integrated, and flexible curriculum to meet the needs of students and society. The School of Medicine’s innovative approaches to medical education prepare you to integrate the healing power of the doctor-patient relationship with rapidly expanding developments in scientific knowledge, technology, clinical practice, and health care delivery systems.

The Double Helix Curriculum combines basic science and clinical work throughout all four years of medical school. Rochester is committed to medical education, medical science, and medical practice for the benefit of humanity.

Applying to REMS

  • Apply through the Common Application or the Coalition for College Application by November 15.
  • Indicate your interest in REMS on your application in order to be considered.

REMS Finalist Interviews

  • You will be notified of your finalist/non-finalist status in January.
  • If you’re a finalist, you must interview with the School of Medicine and Dentistry.
  • Interviews will take place in February.
  • You must be invited to interview via finalist notification in January.
  • Your final REMS decision will be sent by April.
  • If you are not offered a finalist interview, you may still have your application reviewed for general admission to the College without REMS.
  • If you are admitted to the College through Early Decision, you will receive your admit letter in mid-December, but your REMS application will follow the Regular Decision process described here.
  • Accepting our Early Decision offer cannot be contingent upon your admission to REMS.

Program Perks

  • A conditional guarantee of admission to the MD program as an entering undergraduate
  • Exemption from the MCAT
  • Mentoring by renowned faculty
  • Seminars and social events
  • Hands-on experience in clinics and labs

Is REMS For You?

You might be a good fit for REMS if you:

  • Are passionate about a career in medicine.
  • Take challenging classes (honors, AP, IB, college-level classes, etc.).
  • Take an exceptionally rigorous high school math and science curriculum, including calculus, biology, and chemistry.
  • Do well academically (strong REMS applicants typically have a 3.95 unweighted GPA and rank in the top 3 percent of their graduating class).
  • Believe that your standardized test results help reinforce the strength of your overall application to REMS, you should submit them.  Learn more about our Testing Policy.
  • Have medical experience (e.g., shadowing physicians, volunteering at a hospital, working for an ambulance corps/EMT program, participating in premedical summer programs, conducting research).
  • Are also involved in non-medical activities (e.g., leadership, service in your community, music, athletics).

Student Profiles

“The REMS Program is unique because its allowed me to make my undergraduate experience what I wanted it to be. Not having to take the MCAT has given me free time to explore activities and interests I might otherwise not have. For example, I joined the Bhangra Dance Team and became a part of the 2015 Class Council.

“The REMS family has been and continues to be an amazing network. My fellow REMS students were the first peers I’d consult when I was struggling with a class or needed advice on how to adjust to life in college. We’d also gather often, with two of my favorite activities being our annual REMS Picnic and Winter Banquet.

“As I joined REMS, I knew I wanted to go into medicine but wanted a diverse undergraduate experience, and that’s exactly what I got to do through the open Rochester Curriculum. As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to take courses in Psychology, Public Health, English, and even Business. The opportunities were endless.”

Alap Patel ’15, ‘19M (MD)

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: Public health and biology
Cluster: English