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How to Apply

Mayo Clinic cardiovascular invasive specialist students attending a lecture

Class size and location

The Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Program admits eight students every year on a competitive basis. Therefore, clinical training groups are small with one-on-one instruction provided. Classes begin in late August.

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:

  1. 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
  2. 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.

  1. U.S. citizens
  2. U.S. nationals
  3. Lawful permanent residents
  4. 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:

  1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
    • Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
    • Select - Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist
  2. Complete each section of the application and submit
  3. 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.

Acceptance

Acceptance letters are mailed by April 1. If you receive an acceptance letter, your reply is expected within one week.