Page Content

Application Process

A Mayo Clinic medical lab scientist examining a specimen

Class size and location options

Each year, we admit 24 students (including one or two Florida-appointed students*) to the Medical Laboratory Science program. This ensures that you receive tailored instruction and a comprehensive educational experience. The program is 10.5 months. It begins the first week of July and concludes the fourth Thursday in May. Florida-appointed students will be required to relocate to Rochester, Minnesota, for approximately 6-7 months for the didactic lecture series before returning to Jacksonville, Florida, to complete their clinical rotations.

*Florida appointment preference will be given to Florida residents and/or students attending a Florida state university.

3+1 program

Students in affiliated medical or clinical laboratory science programs are eligible to apply for the 3+1 Medical Laboratory Science Program at Mayo Clinic through their college program director.

Affiliated institutions

Students enrolled in one of our affiliated institutions below may apply for enrollment in the 3+1 track of our Medical Laboratory Science program.

4+1 program

Students with baccalaureate degrees may apply directly for the 4+1 Medical Laboratory Science program at Mayo Clinic. In addition to meeting the prerequisite coursework, applicants applying to the Medical Laboratory Science program must have a four-year degree in chemistry or the biological sciences.

Before you apply

Prerequisites and technical standards

Prerequisites

To be eligible for the Medical Laboratory Science program, you must:

  • Possess both a science and overall GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Have a strong track record in science

Science courses that are required and recommended for admittance to the Medical Laboratory Science program at Mayo Clinic are as follows: 

SubjectPrerequisites
Biological sciences (16 semester hours)

Required:

  • Microbiology (with lab preferred)
  • Anatomy or physiology (both preferred)

Strongly recommended:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular biology
  • Immunology
Chemistry (16 semester hours)

Required:

  • Organic chemistry (with lab)

Strongly recommended:

  • Biochemistry
Mathematics and statistics

Strongly recommended:

  • Statistics

Technical standards

These are essential functions that represent the non-academic requirements of the Medical Laboratory Science program that all students must master to successfully participate in the program and become employable. View the technical performance standards.

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 timeline

Application deadlines Program start date Apply
Sept. 1 - Dec. 1, 2024 July 2025 Online application
Sept. 1 - Dec. 1, 2025 July 2026 Online application

Applications are accepted beginning Sept. 1 with a Dec. 1 deadline for the program start date in July. Acceptance to the program is on a hybrid rolling admission and early applications are encouraged.

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 – Medical Laboratory Science Program
  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

  • CV/resume.
  • Complete the essay questions and upload them to the Supplemental Items section.
  • 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 rating form and upload a letter.
    • References should be individuals who are/were an authority figure in your current/previous schooling or place of employment (supervisor, coach, teacher, professor, counselor, employer).
  • Unofficial transcripts from all educational institutions, including all college and university credits and grades from your most recent quarter or semester, may be uploaded in the Supplemental Items area for application purposes.
    • If admitted, official copies of all college transcripts will be required prior to the start of the program and must be emailed directly from the institution to dang.son@mayo.edu, or mailed directly to:

      Medical Laboratory Science Program
      Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
      Attn: Son Dang
      Stabile Building, Third Floor, 3-64
      200 First St. SW
      Rochester, MN 55905

Deadlines

Applications are accepted beginning Sept. 1. The application deadline is Dec. 1, but is subject to change depending on how quickly the program slots are filled. The program uses a hybrid rolling admissions process.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the admissions cycle in order to be considered.

Interview process

Each application is carefully reviewed by a selection committee. Individuals considered competitive for acceptance are invited to interview.

Candidates are evaluated based on academic performance, written and verbal communication, panel interview, individual interviews with faculty, two letters of recommendation, life experiences, and career awareness (knowledge of the profession).

The interview process includes a behavioral style panel interview followed by individual faculty interviews. It includes a tour of the program facilities and typically lasts about three hours. Payment of the $250 slot-retention fee is required upon acceptance into the program.