COVID 19 Impact
The T.H. Chan School of Medicine Office of Admissions at UMass Chan Medical School understands and recognizes the impact COVID-19 has had on applicants. Below we have compiled key areas of impact from COVID-19 and any changes we have made.
Please be sure to review things carefully and check back often; we will updating this page throughout the application cycle as needed.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at admissions@umassmed.edu.
COVID and Coursework
How has COVID-19 impacted UMass Chan academic requirements?
At this time the UMass Chan Medical School T.H. Chan School of Medicine Admissions Office is accepting Pass/Fail grades for the Spring, Summer and Fall 2020 semesters, during the time frame when students educational experiences and academic evaluations are impacted by the COVID19 pandemic.
Grades are preferred, but Pass/Fail is acceptable when this is the only option students are offered by their institutions.
Likewise, online coursework is acceptable during time frames when distance learning is the only option for students.
All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to matriculation, if accepted.
As always, students’ academic preparedness for medical school is evaluated holistically and includes a number of factors such as: GPA, trajectory of GPA, rigor of coursework and MCAT performance.
COVID and LORs
Has COVID-19 impacted LOR requirements?
We expect that LOR and committee letters will be provided for applicants. We expect that applicants will provide committee letters when this is available to them. As before, we will accept individual letters when premed committee letters are not available from the applicant’s institution.
A composite premed committee letter is expected when a committee letter is available to you from your undergraduate institution. Applicants who do not submit a committee letter should explain in our secondary application why a committee letter was not provided. Additional letters (see below) can be submitted.
If a pre-med committee letter is not available at your institution, please submit letters from:
- Two biology, chemistry, biochemistry or physics professors. These individuals should know you well enough to comment on your personal attributes.
- Additional letters may be written by mentors, advisors and supervisors from academic, research, employment, volunteer and service opportunities.
COVID and MCAT
Has COVID-19 impacted the MCAT exam or requirements?
The AAMC has published information about the impact of COVID19 on the MCAT exam. Please visit the American College Application Service (AMCAS) site for updated information.
The MCAT is being offered through September 2020 and all scores from September exams will be released prior to our December 1st secondary application deadline. September MCAT exams are accepted.
MCAT scores do not need to be available in order for us to receive your primary application and/or to receive our secondary application. All applicants who select UMass Chan Medical School on their primary application will receive our secondary application. Applications are not considered complete and ready for review by the Admissions Committee until all MCAT scores have been received and are on file.
COVID and Interviews
How will interviews be conducted amid COVID-19?
For the 2020-2021 application cycle, all Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) interviews will be conducted virtually through the Zoom platform. Applicants may view a training video prior to the MMI. Instructions will be provided. Interviews will continue to be by invitation only. Interviewed applicants will also be invited to participate in a virtual school information session.
The T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School is also participating in the AMCAS VITA for the 2020-2021 application cycle.
Will UMass Chan be using the AMCAS VITA?
The T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School is participating in the AAMC Virtual Interview Tool for Admissions to further enhance our holistic review process during the 2021 application cycle.
All applicants who have completed all components of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine application will be invited to record the AAMC Virtual Interview (VITA). HireVue, the video interviewing platform for the VITA, will send an invitation to you. Emails will start going out on August 6, 2020 and will be sent weekly thereafter. We allow two weeks for you to complete the VITA from the date you received the HireVue email. Please note that the VITA does not replace our MMI interview but will be used as part of the holistic review process. Some applicants who complete VITA will be not be invited to participate in our virtual MMI. More information about the AAMC VITA, including preparation materials, frequently asked questions, and details for requests for accommodations, is available here.