Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine does not require applicants to have taken any specific prerequisite courses. Successful applicants will have a strong background in the life sciences and social sciences as reflected in their MCAT score.

All applicants must have a bachelor's or Pharm.D. degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. A higher degree cannot be substituted for this requirement.

We look at an applicant's highest MCAT score/percentile. Our current MCAT threshold for further consideration is a score of 508. Applicants who meet our MCAT threshold will be considered to receive our secondary application.

The M.D. degree is a broad undifferentiated degree attesting to the mastery of general knowledge in all fields required for entry into graduate medical education programs (residencies). Graduates must possess the essential knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care safely and effectively.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine has specified the following nonacademic criteria (technical standards), which all students must meet to participate in the medical education program and the practice of medicine.

Participation and observation

The applicant or medical student must be able to: attend and meaningfully participate in all classroom, small group and laboratory exercises, as well as all clinical experiences throughout the curriculum; interview, assess and comprehend the condition of all patients assigned to him or her for examination, diagnosis and treatment; and access information electronically and utilize technology for learning, such as online modules, web-based learning, simulation and electronic medical records.

Communication

The applicant or medical student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, assess nonverbal communication, and transmit information to patients, fellow students, faculty, staff and all members of the health care team.

Motor

The applicant or medical student must have sufficient motor function to complete a comprehensive physical examination of patients, including, the ability to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers; possessing all skills necessary to carry out diagnostic procedures; and being able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to all patients. The applicant or medical student must be able to order tests and treatments, and document clinical encounters using an electronic medical record.

Intellectual, integrative, and quantitative abilities

The applicant or medical student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize. Problem-solving, the critical skill demanded of physicians, requires all of these intellectual abilities. The applicant or medical student must also be able to comprehend 3-D relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures and have the capacity to perform these problem-solving skills in a timely fashion.

Behavioral attributes

The applicant or medical student must be able to exercise good judgment; promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients; and demonstrate mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and others.

The applicant or medical student must also be able to tolerate taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients.

Each applicant or medical student must possess and demonstrate behaviors of professionalism, including compassion, integrity, inclusion, respect and concern for others, commitment, and motivation.

In order to protect our students, patients, and staff from possible exposures to infectious diseases that are of concern in a health care environment, students are required to provide proof of vaccination status. Mayo Clinic immunization guidelines are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for healthcare workers and are in alignment with the AAMC standardized immunization requirements.

Accepted and waitlisted learners will receive the required attestation forms as admissions offers begin at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. Students must submit completed attestation forms signed by an NP/PA/MD/DO as well as copies of all immunization records and any applicable lab reports indicating immunity. Full immunity from vaccination takes time, so even if you ultimately choose a different medical school, it is recommended you start your immunization review as soon as possible.

If you have questions about these requirements, please email mccmadmissions@mayo.edu.

Vaccination attestation

Mandatory vaccines with no declination possible

The below vaccines are mandatory with no declination possible. You must have these or your ability to receive these must be determined to be medically contraindicated by your provider.

• Varicella: Learners are required to have proof of two vaccines or proof of immunity by serology.
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Learners are required to have proof of two vaccines or proof of immunity by serology.

Vaccines with declination possible

The below vaccines are non-mandatory and have declination possible. To be allowed to decline a vaccination for Mayo Clinic purposes, your provider must sign that they counseled you on the risks and benefits of the immunization.

• Meningitis vaccine: Learners are encouraged to have the age appropriate vaccination for meningitis.
• Hepatitis B vaccine: Learners must submit proof of immunity by quantitative serology (defined as >10mIU/mL). Please be aware there are two types of lab tests of immunity. Qualitative immunity shows result as either positive or negative. Quantitative immunity shows results as a measure of the amount of antibody present. It is required that students submit a lab report with a quantitative value.
  • Alternatively, one of the following must apply:
    • Learners may be in the process of completing their initial vaccination series.
    • Learners may be in the process of completing a second vaccine series following a negative serology.
    • Learners may decline (please be aware that this may limit your ability to participate in certain clinical rotations).
  • For more information on Hepatitis B requirements, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Hep B FAQs.
• COVID-19: Learners should provide documentation of vaccination or must formally decline if they choose not to be vaccinated.
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Td, Tdap): Learners are required to have a record of a tetanus vaccine including a pertussis component given within the past 10 years.

TB attestation

Documentation of tuberculosis status is required of all students. The preferred method of testing is by Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA). This lab must be drawn within three months prior to program start. Alternatively, the student may opt to submit a two-step TB skin test.

If a two-step skin test is submitted, the first test must be done not more than 12 months prior to the program start and a second test within three months prior to the program start date, a minimum of one week apart.

For students with a history of a prior positive TB skin test (>10mm), a blood test is required. If a blood test is positive, documentation of a chest X-ray and any treatment received is required.  The student’s healthcare provider must attest that baseline screening has been provided and that the student is free from active TB infection. Copies of lab and X-ray results must be included with the attestation form.

Minnesota background study

A Minnesota background study is required by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) in order to work with patients directly. This can be completed prior to arrival on campus or within first seven days on campus.

Drug screen

Appointment at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is contingent upon successful completion of a drug screen.