How to Apply

Page Content

Mayo Clinic cardiovascular invasive specialist students attending a lecture

Class size and location

The Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Program admits six students every year on a competitive basis. Therefore, clinical training groups are small with one-on-one instruction provided. Class sizes at Rochester Community and Technical College vary by semester.

Classes begin in late August and coincide with the start of the fall semester at Rochester Community and Technical College. Students who are accepted into the program must also enroll in Rochester Community and Technical College.

Admission requirements and policies

Prerequisites

The following admission requirements will be required starting 2024-25 application cycle.

To be eligible for the Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Program, you must have verification of at least a cumulative 2.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants have two options to enter the program:

Earn an Associate of Applied Science Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist degree in partnership with Rochester Community and Technical College located in Rochester, Minnesota. Applicants complete 22 credits at RCTC credits at Mayo Clinic to complete their. A.A.S degree
Enter the program with an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution with completed required prerequisite coursework.

Prerequisite coursework

In addition, applicants must have completed courses with a grade of a C or better.

Subject	Minimum requirements
English	One semester of college-level English composition
Mathematics	One semester of college algebra; a higher-level math course also satisfies this requirements
Anatomy and physiology	Two semesters of college-level anatomy and physiology with a lab component. This can be fulfilled by completing Anatomy & Physiology I and II OR Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses.
Physics	One semester of college-level physics with lab component
Speech or interpersonal communications	One semester of college-level speech or interpersonal communications
Chemistry	One semester of college-level chemistry with a lab component
Ethics	One semester of college-level ethics or medical ethics

Technical standards

In addition to meeting general standards, cardiovascular invasive specialists must be able to:

Lift more than 20 pounds routinely
Work with their arms above their head routinely
Push and pull, bend and stoop, and kneel or squat routinely
Work standing on their feet 80 percent of the time
Work compassionately with patients
Help patients on and off the procedure room tables from wheelchairs or carts
Effectively write and speak to patients and staff
Hear and see clearly and differentiate colors
Work effectively in a team setting

Transfer student policy

Transfer students must submit a Minnesota College Admission Form, an official transcript of high school credits, and official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Generally, courses from other colleges in which you have earned at least a grade of C are accepted if those courses fit the program curriculum.

Rochester Community and Technical College makes the final decision regarding which general education courses may be transferred to the Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Program.

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.

U.S. citizens
U.S. nationals
Lawful permanent residents
Asylees and refugees

Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.

The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.

Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.

Application process

Application reviews are based on previous education, work experience, essay, letters of recommendation, and an interview.

Application timeline

Application window	Program start date	Apply
Dec. 1-March 1	August	Online application

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
- Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
- Select - Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist
Complete each section of the application and submit
After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
- Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
- Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

Complete the essay questions and upload them to the Supplemental Items section.
Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded in the Supplemental Items area for application purposes. If accepted to the program, official transcripts must be emailed from the institution to the program.
Two recommendations are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a recommendation form.
- Recommendations from a teacher, counselor, professor, employer, or supervisor. Choose a person familiar with your qualifications and your potential for success in the cardiovascular field. Friends or family are not accepted.

Interview process

Applicants considered for acceptance are invited to Mayo Clinic for a personal interview with the program director and selected faculty. An interview can be arranged only when your application file is complete.