If you’ve been considering transferring to a new medical school, you likely have a host of questions going through your mind. One being, is that even possible?
It is certainly possible to transfer between programs, but there are some specific details you should know before you commit. Consider the answers to these frequently asked questions about transferring medical schools as you make your decision.
5 Common questions about transferring between medical schools
Transferring to another Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is possible, but your ability to transfer between medical schools will depend on several different factors.
If you’re curious about what to expect, consider the following:
1. Do all medical schools accept transfer students?
While many medical schools will consider transfer applicants, according to guidelines instated by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), each medical school has the ability to determine whether it will accept transfer students. The institutions that do are required to publish criteria for the acceptance of transfer students on their websites, so if you’re curious about a particular school, their website is a great place to look for additional information.
2. Can I transfer between medical schools at any time?
Each institution will designate its own guidelines, but in general, you won’t be permitted to transfer to a new MD program whenever you want. Because of the nature of medical training, there may be points in your training that are ideal times to transfer.
The details may vary depending on the school, but at St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, transfer students have two distinct entry options:
- Entry into Basic Sciences (Year 1) – Students who have completed a small portion of their pre-clinical coursework at another medical school and who have not yet passed the USMLE Step 1 can be considered for transfer into SGU’s Basic Sciences Term 1.
- Entry into Clinical Training (Year 3) – Students who are in the process of completing or have completed their pre-clinical coursework at another medical school and are eligible to take or have passed the USMLE Step 1 can be considered for transfer into the beginning of SGU Year 3: Clinical Training.
3. Will transferring medical schools prolong my MD experience?
The core reason students transferring between medical schools have such limited entry options is to prevent this from happening. If you effectively transfer during one of these open transfer windows, you’ll be able to stay on track to complete your medical school curriculum within your expected timeframe. If you have specific questions about a program’s curriculum, however, it’s best to confer with an admissions counselor before committing.
4. Will transferring medical schools be viewed negatively?
While it’s generally expected that a student will complete their entire MD curriculum at one school, it’s understood that circumstances may arise that prompt someone to transfer to a different program. Perhaps your medical career goals have shifted since you first enrolled, or you may feel compelled to make a change for more personal reasons. Ultimately, your medical degree will not hold any less value if you transfer between schools.
5. What do I need to transfer to a new medical school?
The expectations set by the AAMC indicate that transfer student applications should include the applicant’s transcripts, a school letter of evaluation, and faculty recommendations. Beyond that, the specific criteria will vary from school to school.
A transfer student will always be expected to be in good academic standing. Your undergraduate GPA and MCAT score(s) will likely still be taken into consideration. Admissions teams will also be looking to ensure you have no record of failures, repeated courses, or academic- or behavior-related discipline at your current medical school.
Prepare for a successful transfer process
Where you choose to complete your medical school training can make a difference. If your current medical school isn’t working out for one reason or another, however, all hope is not lost. Now that you have answers to some of the most common questions about transferring medical schools, you’re better equipped to move forward in your own transfer journey.
Curious to learn more about the transfer process at the medical school that’s the largest provider of new doctors to the US healthcare system?1 Learn more by visiting SGU’s Transfer Student Page.
1As the medical school graduating the largest number of students annually, SGU places the largest number of graduates into residency programs each year, based on internal SGU graduate and residency placement data as of May 2022.
