This article will explore how to get accepted to Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S).
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Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Acceptance Rate: 1.80%
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons’ acceptance rate is 1.80%. In the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, VP&S received 7,677 verified applications and 138 matriculants, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database.
Here is a look at how VP&S’ acceptance rate has fluctuated over the past four admissions cycles.
Application Year
Acceptance Rate
Number of Applicants
Number of Matriculated Students
2025-2026
1.80%
7,677
138
2024-2025
1.89%
7,291
138
2023-2024
1.92%
7,203
138
2022-2023
1.97%
7,008
138
0.00%
Acceptance Rate for Columbia University Vagelos
College of Physicians and Surgeons (2025–2026)
0
Applications Received
0
Matriculated Students
0:1
Applicant-to-Seat Ratio
Out of 100 applicants, roughly 2 matriculate:
Matriculated
Not Admitted
Acceptance rate by cycle
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons consistently receives
7,000–7,600+ applications each year for roughly
138 seats. Over the past four admissions cycles,
the acceptance rate has ranged between 1.80% and 1.97%,
making VP&S one of the most selective medical schools in the country.
Admissions are holistic and consider MCAT scores, GPA, research,
clinical experience, leadership, service, and mission fit.
From 2022-2023 to 2023-2024, the acceptance rate dipped by about 2.5% as a slightly larger applicant pool still filled the same 138 seats. The following year, it dropped again by roughly 1.6%.
The most recent admissions cycle saw the acceptance rate fall by about 4.8% as applicant volume jumped by over 400 people while class size remained the same.
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons consistently maintains an exceptionally low acceptance rate, averaging 1.90% across four admissions cycles.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons?
It’s very difficult to get into Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. In the 2025-2026 application cycle, VP&S accepted only 1.80% of applicants.
We created the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Admissions Difficulty Scale by comparing acceptance rates and overall selectivity across all accredited U.S. medical schools.
What Is Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons' Acceptance Rate for In-State Applicants?
The acceptance rate for in-state applicants at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons is 1.40%. The Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) database reports that 1,140 in-state applicants applied during the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, and 16 applicants matriculated.
While in-state applicants represent only 14.85% of the total applicant pool, their acceptance rate is slightly lower than that of out-of-state applicants. Columbia VP&S does not confer a meaningful geographic advantage to in-state applicants.
What Is Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons' Acceptance Rate for Out-of-State Applicants?
The acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons is 2.00%. The MSAR reports that 6,090 out-of-state applicants applied during the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, and 122 applicants matriculated.
Out-of-state applicants have a higher acceptance rate than in-state applicants (2.00% vs. 1.40%), meaning out-of-state candidates are accepted at a notably higher rate. However, this likely reflects the sheer volume and competitiveness of the national applicant pool rather than any geographic preference. Columbia VP&S evaluates candidates on merit, not zip code.
If you are applying from out of state, you should have exceptional academic credentials, compelling community service, and a well-crafted application to be competitive.
What Is Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons' Acceptance Rate for International Applicants?
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons received 447 verified international applications in the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, but no international applicants were interviewed or matriculated. International applicants represented 5.82% of the total applicant pool.
How Many People Apply to Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Every Year?
The average number of applicants to Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons over the past five admissions cycles is approximately 7,371.
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Admissions Statistics
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Median MCAT Score: 522
The median MCAT score of Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons accepted applicants is 522. The median MCAT score among matriculants is also 522. There is no official minimum score requirement.
The table below shows MCAT score percentiles for Columbia VP&S accepted applicants and matriculants in 2025-2026.
Percentile
MCAT Scores of Accepted Applicants
MCAT Scores of Matriculants
10th Percentile
517
516
25th Percentile
519
518
Median
522
522
75th Percentile
524
524
90th Percentile
526
526
522
Median MCAT Score of Accepted Applicants
517
10th %ile
519
25th %ile
522
Median
524
75th %ile
526
90th %ile
See how your MCAT score compares
522
At the median of accepted applicants
490500510522528
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MCAT scores are one factor in a holistic review process that also considers GPA, extracurriculars, research, clinical experience, and personal statements.
The table below highlights Columbia VP&S's MCAT section scores for 2025-2026 accepted applicants.
MCAT Section
Median Score
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
131
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
130
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
131
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
131
According to the AAMC, the national average MCAT score of medical school applicants is 506.3. Columbia VP&S's accepted student average MCAT score is 521.6, which is 15.3 points higher than the national average.
Based on these averages, Columbia VP&S applicants should aim for an MCAT score at least 15 points above the national average to be considered competitive for admission.
Scoring at the national average MCAT score of 506.3 places applicants in the top 32% of test-takers nationwide. However, matching Columbia VP&S's average MCAT score of 521.6 means landing in the top 2%.
What MCAT Score Makes You Competitive at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons?
Applicants with an MCAT score of 524 or higher are considered competitive at Columbia VP&S, as this aligns with the top 25% of accepted applicants in the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.
What this means for competitiveness:
⚈ A 522 MCAT score (median) can still be competitive when paired with a strong GPA, compelling essays, and excellent letters of recommendation.
⚈ A 524 MCAT score falls within the top 25% of accepted applicants and clearly stands out.
⚈ Applicants with a 526 MCAT score are well-positioned for admission, as their score ranks in the top 10% of accepted applicants from the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Median GPA: 3.97
In the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, Columbia VP&S accepted applicants had a median GPA of 3.97. The median GPA among matriculants is also 3.97. There is no official minimum GPA for admission.
The table below shows the GPA percentile range for Columbia VP&S's 2025-2026 accepted applicants and matriculants.
Percentile
Total GPA of Accepted Applicants
Total GPA of Matriculants
10th Percentile
3.82
3.79
25th Percentile
3.91
3.89
Median
3.97
3.97
75th Percentile
4.00
3.99
90th Percentile
4.00
4.00
3.97
Median GPA of Accepted Applicants
3.82
10th %ile
3.91
25th %ile
3.97
Median
4.00
75th %ile
4.00
90th %ile
See how your GPA compares
3.97
At the median of accepted applicants
2.002.503.003.504.00
i
GPA is one factor in a holistic review process that also considers MCAT scores, extracurriculars, research, clinical experience, and personal statements.
According to the AAMC, the national average overall GPA for medical school applicants is 3.67. Columbia VP&S's accepted student average of 3.94 is 0.27 points above this benchmark, indicating that applicants should aim for a GPA well above the national average to remain competitive.
What GPA Makes You Competitive at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons?
If you submit a perfect GPA of 4.00, you position yourself as a competitive candidate at Columbia VP&S, since it aligns with the top 25% of accepted applicants in the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.
What this means for competitiveness:
⚈ A 3.97 GPA (median) can still be competitive when paired with a strong MCAT score, compelling essays, and excellent letters of recommendation.
⚈ Applicants with a 4.00 GPA are well-positioned for admission, as they rank in the top 10%-25% of accepted applicants from the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Median Science GPA: 3.97
In the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, Columbia VP&S accepted applicants had a median science GPA of 3.97. The median science GPA among matriculants is 3.96. There is no minimum science GPA required for submission.
The table below shows the full range of science GPA percentiles for Columbia VP&S accepted applicants and matriculants.
Percentile
Science GPA of Accepted Applicants
Science GPA of Matriculants
10th Percentile
3.75
3.69
25th Percentile
3.89
3.85
Median
3.97
3.96
75th Percentile
4.00
4.00
90th Percentile
4.00
4.00
What Science GPA Makes You Competitive at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons?
You should aim for a science GPA of 4.00 to be competitive, as both the 75th and 90th percentiles for accepted applicants are 4.00. A 4.00 science GPA indicates you are among the top 25% of the admitted pool.
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Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Admissions Requirements
If you’re missing one or two prerequisites, you can still apply, but all must be completed before final enrollment.
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Course Requirements
The table below outlines the prerequisite coursework required for admission to Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Course
Requirement
Lab Required
AP Credit Accepted
English
1 year
No
No
Biology
1 year
Yes (at least 1 semester)
Yes — 1 year of advanced study required in its place
Physics
1 year
Yes (1 semester)
Yes — no additional coursework required
Chemistry
2 years (including Organic Chemistry)
Yes
Yes — no additional upper-level Chemistry required beyond Organic Chemistry
Biochemistry
1 semester
Recommended, not required
N/A
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Interview Format
Columbia VP&S conducts virtual one-on-one interviews. Interviews are typically open-file, meaning your interviewer, a VP&S faculty member, will have access to your application prior to your interivew.
Invitations are sent from mid-August through January. Interview day details are provided via the secondary application portal after the invitation.
What Is Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons’ Interview Rate?
Columbia VP&S is highly selective at the interview stage, with an interview rate of approximately 9.42%. Of the 7,677 applicants in the 2025-2026 cycle, only 723 were invited to interview, and of those, just 138 (19.09%) matriculated.
In other words, roughly 1 in 5 interviewed applicants received an offer of admission.
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Secondary Application Essays
Columbia VP&S requires all applicants to submit a secondary application. Invitations for the secondary application are sent starting in July through October to everyone who lists VP&S on their primary. You will access it via a link after you submit your primary application, with a non-refundable $110 fee (waivable for AAMC FAP recipients).
Here are the secondary application prompts for the 2025-2026 application cycle.
Prompt #1: Your Paid Jobs During College
“Did you work for compensation during college (either during the school year or summers)? If so, what did you do? How many hours a week did you work?” (300 words)
How to Answer This Prompt
Columbia VP&S admissions officers want to understand how working while in school shaped your character, time management, and perspective. If you worked, be specific in your writing. Name the job, the hours, and the semesters.
More importantly, reflect on what the job taught you. Did balancing 20 hours a week of work with a full course load increase your discipline? Did a customer-facing job expose you to socioeconomic realities that informed your interest in medicine? If you didn't work, you can skip this one, but if you did, avoid simply listing job duties. Connect the experience to who you are as an applicant.
Prompt #2: What You’ve Done After Graduating College
“If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim.” (300 words)
How to Answer This Prompt
If you've taken time between college and applying, Columbia VP&S admissions officers want a clear, chronological account of how you spent that time. Explain the intention behind your choices, whether you were conducting research, working clinically, teaching, or navigating a gap year.
Admissions committees are particularly attentive to whether applicants used this time purposefully, so frame your interim as a deliberate step toward medicine rather than a passive period.
If something unexpected happened (such as a career pivot, a personal challenge, or a change in direction), address it briefly and honestly rather than glossing over it.
Prompt #3: Your Leadership Experience
“Please describe your most meaningful leadership positions.” (300 words)
How to Answer This Prompt
Columbia VP&S is not just looking for leadership titles with this question. The admissions committee wants evidence of your real impact. Rather than listing every club officer role you held, focus on one or two positions where you drove a concrete outcome, such as a program you launched, a team you restructured, or a community you built.
Be specific about your role versus the group's role, and quantify impact where possible (e.g., grew club membership by 40%, secured $10,000 in funding, expanded services to 200 additional patients). Leadership in a clinical or research context is particularly compelling for a medical school prompt, but non-traditional leadership (mentoring peers, organizing community initiatives, leading within a workplace) is equally valid if you connect it to tangible results.
Prompt #4: How You’ll Contribute to Columbia VP&S
“Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values diversity in all its forms. How will your experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician?” (300 words)
How to Answer This Prompt
This is one of Columbia VP&S's most important prompts, and it's easy to answer it too broadly. Columbia VP&S sits in Washington Heights, one of New York City's most culturally rich and underserved neighborhoods, and serves a predominantly Dominican and Latino patient population.
The strongest answers to this prompt will connect the applicant's background or experiences directly to this clinical and community context. Avoid abstract statements about valuing diversity. Instead, identify a specific dimension of your identity or experience (cultural background, socioeconomic history, language, or non-traditional path) and explain concretely how it will shape your interactions with patients, colleagues, and the community.
If you speak Spanish or have worked with underserved populations, this is the place to say so explicitly.
Prompt #5: Additional Information
“Is there anything else you would like us to know?” (400 words)
How to Answer This Prompt
Don't leave this prompt blank, and don't use it to simply repeat what's already in your application. Columbia VP&S is giving you an open canvas with this prompt, and the strongest responses use it strategically to address something that genuinely doesn't fit elsewhere.
Strong uses include an explanation for an academic hardship, a meaningful experience that didn't make it into your primary, a research project still in progress, or a thread that connects different parts of your application in a way that isn't obvious from the individual pieces.
For example, if your clinical volunteering, research focus, and personal background all point toward a specific population or health issue you want to serve, this is the place to draw that line explicitly.
Think of this prompt as your chance to leave the admissions committee with a lasting impression. If there's something you've been wanting to say but hadn't found the right place for it, this is it. Just make sure it adds new information rather than restating what admissions officers have already read.
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How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Increase your chances of admission to Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons by following these tips.
1. Show That You Meet Columbia VP&S' Technical Standards in Your AMCAS and Secondary Application
Columbia VP&S requires strict technical standards that every applicant must verify during the application process. These standards cover:
Describe self-reflection cycles in your secondary essay prompts
All Columbia VP&S students must demonstrate these technical standards by graduation, but showing that you already meet some or most of these in your application is a great way to stand out from the crowd. In your essay, talk about your communication skills, motor skills, or professional traits that Columbia VP&S values.
2. Demonstrate Community Health Service Experience, Especially With Underserved Populations in Your AMCAS Work and Activities Section
Columbia VP&S admissions officers are drawn to applicants who have meaningful experience serving underserved or marginalized communities — not just shadowing in a clinical setting, but actively contributing to community health initiatives.
If you have volunteered at free clinics, worked with uninsured or underinsured populations, or engaged in public health outreach, highlight these experiences in your AMCAS Work and Activities section and reference them in your personal statement.
Inspira Advantage recently spoke with Nate Overholtzer in the webinar on clinical experience for medical school. Nate studied at the USC Keck School of Medicine and is an admissions counselor at Inspira Advantage.
"One of the biggest pros is showing commitment to giving back to the community. This is something that's really heavily looked upon in the medical school applications process,” he says. “[Admissions officers] want to see that you have a commitment to care for communities and are dedicated to improving the health of these communities.”
Nate explains that while community service experience is a common application component, its real value lies in showing a dedication to improving health outcomes for specific vulnerable populations. That’s particularly vital for schools like Columbia VP&S, given its deep commitment to serving the Latin diaspora in Washington Heights.
3. Provide Evidence of Quantifiable Leadership Outcomes in Columbia VP&S' Secondary Essay Prompts
VP&S explicitly seeks to train "physician leaders" who will define the standards of medicine in the U.S. and beyond. Your application should reflect not just participation, but initiative. VP&S looks for moments where you drove a concrete outcome rather than simply held a title.
If you founded a health initiative, led a research team, or organized a community program, describe these experiences in detail in the secondary essay prompt asking about your most meaningful leadership positions. Quantify your impact where possible.
True leadership is demonstrated by identifying a gap in a system and proactively implementing a solution, which is more impressive to admissions committees than passive participation.
4. Prove That Your Research Background and Career Goals Align With Columbia VP&S' Core Values of Humanism, Collaboration, and Inquiry
VP&S's guiding values are humanism, collaboration, inquiry, transformation, growth, and wellness. Your application should reflect these values authentically and specifically.
Rather than stating broadly that you value humanism, use your personal statement or secondary essays to describe a specific patient interaction that reshaped how you think about compassionate care.
In Inspira Advantage’s How Are Medical School Admissions Decided? Secrets Revealed webinar, Dr. Nakia Sarad, an expert admissions advisor and senior General Surgery Resident at New York-Presbyterian/Queens - Weill Cornell, provided expert advice on demonstrating specific alignment.
Dr. Sarad explains that fit is a dual evaluation process. For elite schools like VP&S, applicants must verify that their extensive research background matches the institution’s core values to ensure they aren't just applying based on prestige but based on compatible goals.
5. Address Health Equity and Structural Competency Through Specific Lived Experiences in Your Personal Statement and Diversity Essay
One of VP&S's distinguishing curricular features is its focus on structural competency, meaning understanding how social, economic, and political systems drive health disparities. Applicants who can speak to these issues from lived experience or academic work will resonate strongly with the admissions committee.
If you have taken coursework in public health, sociology, or health policy, or have worked in settings that exposed you to systemic health inequities, talk about these experiences in your personal statement and secondary essays.
In Inspira Advantage’s Med School Application Mistakes You MUST Avoid webinar, Dr. Costner McKenzie, a former admissions officer at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an expert advisor at Inspira Advantage, provided valuable advice for the diversity essay.
Dr. McKenzie highlights that the diversity essay isn’t just about racial or ethnic diversity. There are many ways your life can impact others, which is what the diversity essay aims to address.
If you want extra support, work with one of our expert coaches for med school admission. Our counselors can help you increase your chances of acceptance to Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
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MD Programs Offered
Here are the 10 MD programs offered at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
MD Program
Length of Program
Key Program Information
MD Program
4 years
Develop into a compassionate and well-rounded physician through Columbia VP&S’s integrated curriculum.
Columbia-Bassett Program
4 years
A selective program combining Columbia VP&S’s basic science education with longitudinal clinical training at Bassett Medical Center.
MD-PhD Dual Degree Program
Typically 7–8 years
Designed for students pursuing careers in academic medicine or biomedical research.
3-Year PhD-to-MD Program
3 years
Accelerated pathway for individuals who already hold a PhD in a biomedical field.
MD-OMFS Program
Varies (integrated program)
Joint MD and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery program for dental graduates pursuing advanced surgical training and medical education.
MD-MS in Biomedical Sciences Program
5 years (approx.)
Combined program building expertise in medical practice and research methods.
MD-MPH Program
5 years (approx.)
Joint program between Columbia VP&S and the Mailman School of Public Health.
MD-MBA Program
5 years (approx.)
Joint degree with Columbia Business School, preparing students for healthcare management and innovation roles.
MD-MS in Biomedical Engineering Program
5 years (approx.)
Offered by Columbia Engineering, combining medical education with bioengineering innovation for careers bridging medicine and technology.
MD-MA in Biomedical Informatics
5 years (approx.)
Joint degree between Columbia VP&S and GSAS, focusing on data science, clinical informatics, and computational research in medicine.
Tuition and Scholarships
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year is $76,336, with no difference between in-state and out-of-state students.
When factoring in additional costs such as health insurance, fees, educational expenses, and living expenses, the estimated cost of attendance rises to $117,116 for the first year.
How Much Does Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Cost for 4 Years?
Attending Columbia VP&S for four years carries a total estimated cost of $476,580, based on 2026-2027 figures.
Year
Estimated Cost
Year 1 (10 months)
$117,116
Year 2 (10 months)
$117,747
Year 3 (12 months)
$124,391
Year 4 (10.5 months)
$117,326
4-Year Total
$476,580
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Scholarships
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons offers a groundbreaking financial aid program centered on need-based scholarships, making it one of the most generous in U.S. medical education.
VP&S launched this initiative in 2017-18, funded by a $300+ million commitment from Dr. P. Roy and Diana Vagelos (including $150 million for the endowment), plus alumni gifts. It meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with scholarships (no loans) for all qualifying MD students, covering ~20% with full-tuition awards
To qualify, you need to submit a complete financial aid application (FAFSA/CSS Profile equivalents via VP&S Office of Student Financial Aid). Columbia VP&S offers automatic consideration upon matriculation, so no separate app is needed once the offer of admission is accepted.
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Application Timeline
Here is the complete Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians 2026-2027 application timeline.
Application Stage
Date
Key Details
Primary Application Available
May
The primary application becomes available via AMCAS
Secondary Application Invitations
July - October
Invitations sent to all applicants who selected Columbia VP&S
Interview Invitations
Mid-August - January
Invitations sent by the admissions committee
AMCAS Primary Deadline
Oct. 15
Columbia VP&S deadline for primary application submission
Secondary Application Deadline
Oct. 22
Columbia VP&S deadline for completing the secondary application
Admission Offers
Early March
Offers of admission are sent, and the waitlist opens
Waitlist Review
May - August
The admissions committee reviews waitlist applicants
Orientation Begins
Early August
Classes start, and the waitlist closes
FAQs
Does Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons accept transfer students?
No, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons does not accept transfer applications from other medical schools. All spots are reserved for the entering class, and students must complete the full four-year curriculum starting from year one. Exceptions are rare and typically only for advanced standing in dual-degree tracks.
Does Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Require the Casper Test for Admission?
No, Columbia VP&S does not require the Casper test or any situational judgment exams like PREview for the 2026-2027 cycle. Admissions focus on MCAT, GPA, essays, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated fit with their humanism and leadership values.
Can International Students Apply to Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Do They Qualify for Financial Aid?
Yes, international applicants can apply to Columbia VP&S, but 0 international students were invited to interview in the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. While the school ahs admitted international applicants in the past, they face the lowest admission odds.
Financial aid is extremely limited for international applicants. Scholarships prioritize U.S. citizens/permanent residents via the Vagelos program. International students must show proof of funds for all four years.
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