Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn (MD) Medical School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1765, is the first medical school established in North America. Located in West Philadelphia adjacent to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Penn Medicine is a leading centre for biomedical research, gene therapy, and translational medicine. The curriculum emphasises scholarly pursuit and leadership in academic medicine.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn (MD).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Strong academic record, research experience, and clinical exposure expected. No specific major required. AMCAS application; secondary required for all.
MCAT median
522 (range 517–526)
GPA median
3.97 overall / 3.95 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
3.0%
Class size
150
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Research, academic excellence, intellectual leadership, and long-term commitment to academic medicine.
Notes
MCAT/GPA approximate from Penn Perelman class profile data.
Specialities offered
Gene Therapy, Translational Medicine, Oncology, Immunology, Cardiovascular Medicine
Interview Format
How Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn (MD) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional one-on-one interview (typically 2 faculty/student interviews on interview day)
Interview window
September–January
Decision date
March 30
What makes Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn (MD) different
Penn is the oldest medical school in the United States. The school pioneered CAR-T cell therapy and has strong ties to the Penn Institute for Immunology and the Abramson Cancer Center. Penn's MD-PhD MSTP is among the largest and most funded in the country.
Tutor insight
Penn's traditional interview is conversational and relationship-focused — interviewers are often interested in your story, your reasons for medicine, and your research narrative. Prepare a clear, compelling personal statement and be ready to discuss your research in accessible, meaningful terms. Penn values candidates who can articulate why they want to be academic physician-scientists; a vague interest in "helping people" without specific intellectual depth will not stand out. The Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship is a distinct feature — express genuine enthusiasm for this model if it aligns with your learning preferences.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
595 medicine questions inside
Interview questions matched to Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn (MD)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Easy·PanelQ1
Service Orientation: Pre-Medical Teaching and Mentorship
For two years you have run a weekly MCAT tutoring programme for first-generation college students at your university's pre-health resource centre. Several of your students have since been accepted to medical school. How has teaching shaped your understanding of medicine, and what does sustained mentorship of underrepresented students contribute to the healthcare workforce?
Likely follow-up · What did you learn about how you learn — or how you think — by having to explain complex science content to others?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Medium·PanelQ2
MCAT Reflection: Resilience Through Multiple Attempts
You took the MCAT three times over two years before achieving a competitive score. During that period you worked part-time, supported a family member with a chronic illness, and questioned whether medicine was the right path. How did you sustain your commitment, what did you learn about yourself through the process, and how do you think this period of sustained difficulty will shape you as a physician?
Likely follow-up · At what point, if any, did you consider giving up, and what pulled you back?
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Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn (MD) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Strong academic record, research experience, and clinical exposure expected. No specific major required. AMCAS application; secondary required for all.
Traditional one-on-one interview (typically 2 faculty/student interviews on interview day)
Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn (MD) typically interviews in September–January.
Decisions are released March 30.
Penn is the oldest medical school in the United States. The school pioneered CAR-T cell therapy and has strong ties to the Penn Institute for Immunology and the Abramson Cancer Center. Penn's MD-PhD MSTP is among the largest and most funded in the country.
