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US Medicine · 2027 Entry

Columbia University VP&S (MD) Medical School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location New York, NY, United StatesEstablished 1767Interviews October–FebruaryDecisions March 30
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Full guide

How to get into Columbia University VP&S (MD) medicine

Step-by-step: entry requirements, MCAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.

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Interview guide

Prepare for the Columbia University VP&S (MD) interview

Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

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Overview

About Columbia University VP&S (MD)

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S), founded in 1767, is one of the oldest medical schools in the United States. Located in the Washington Heights neighborhood of upper Manhattan, VP&S is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia and is a leading center for biomedical research, clinical innovation, and global health. The school has a strong tradition of producing physician-scientists and academic leaders.

What makes it different

VP&S has an elite MD-PhD MSTP program with full funding. The school's location in upper Manhattan provides access to a uniquely diverse patient population including a large immigrant and underserved community — a key feature of training. Global health opportunities are extensive through Columbia's global partnerships.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. Columbia's curriculum dispenses with the traditional first/second/third/fourth-year designations, organised instead into three phases — Fundamentals, the Major Clinical Year, and Differentiation & Integration (electives, a scholarly project, and USMLE milestones).

Research strengths

Columbia University VP&S (MD) has notable research strength in Neuroscience, Precision medicine, Global and community health, Cancer biology, Stem cell research.

Interview

Columbia University VP&S (MD) interviews via Traditional interviews (typically two one-on-one sessions with faculty and/or a student).

Intake

Approximately 140 students per year.

At a glance

Founded in 1767, based in New York, NY. Programmes offered: Biomedical Research, Global Health, Neuroscience, Oncology, Primary Care.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to Columbia University VP&S (MD)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Strong research background and clinical experience expected. Secondary application required. Columbia values intellectual curiosity, leadership, and commitment to improving health equity.
MCAT median
521 (range 516–526)
GPA median
3.90 overall / 3.88 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
3.3%
Class size
140
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Not required
AAMC PREview
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Research experience, commitment to underserved communities, global health interest, and intellectual leadership.
Notes
MCAT/GPA approximate from Columbia VP&S admissions data.
Specialities offered
Biomedical Research, Global Health, Neuroscience, Oncology, Primary Care
Interview

How Columbia University VP&S (MD) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional interviews (typically two one-on-one sessions with faculty and/or a student)
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
March 30
Tutor insight
The Columbia hybrid interview format requires preparation for both rapid structured MMI scenarios and a longer traditional conversational interview. In your MMI stations expect ethical dilemmas and global/population health scenarios reflecting Columbia's emphasis on health equity. Your traditional interview will probe your intellectual motivations and research background in depth. Given VP&S's location, demonstrating a genuine interest in serving diverse and underserved communities will resonate strongly.
Practice

Practise for your Columbia University VP&S (MD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank621 medicine questions inside

Interview questions matched to Columbia University VP&S (MD)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Columbia University VP&S (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

MediumPanelQ1

AAMC Core Competency: Resilience and Adaptive Expertise

During your gap year you were deeply involved in a longitudinal research project that was abruptly terminated when the principal investigator lost funding. Months of your work were never published and the project was archived. How did you respond to that setback, and what did it teach you about resilience, uncertainty, and the nature of scientific progress?

Likely follow-up · How do you anticipate managing the uncertainty and setbacks inherent in clinical medicine, where not all patients recover and not all diagnoses are clear?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
MediumMMI · PanelQ2

Medicaid expansion and the coverage gap

The Affordable Care Act offered states federal funding to expand Medicaid to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, but ten states have declined. This leaves a 'coverage gap' of adults who earn too much for Medicaid yet too little for marketplace subsidies. As a future physician practicing in a non-expansion state, how would you respond to a patient who falls into this gap?

Likely follow-up · What arguments do states give for declining Medicaid expansion, and how would you evaluate them?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Open Prometheus for Columbia University VP&S (MD)Browse 1,106 free questions →
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MCAT Strategy

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Interview preparation

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Personal statement help

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FAQ

Columbia University VP&S (MD) — frequently asked questions

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