Admission Requirements

American University of Antigua College of Medicine (AUACOM) uses a holistic approach to the selection of students for admission. Employing this approach, AUA endeavors to identify those students who it believes have the potential for success both in medical school and as physicians. We believe that any student who is a hard worker, who has a deep interest in science and medicine and who has demonstrated compassion and a commitment to service deserves an opportunity to study medicine even though they may not excel in achieving high scores on standardized admissions tests.

MCAT Information

MCAT scores are required for acceptance into the College of Medicine. You can submit your application without your score and we will process your application once it is submitted. Although the U.S. Department of Education requires that AUA collect MCAT scores from its applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, in accordance with our holistic approach to admissions, AUA does not consider an applicant’s MCAT score when determining to admit or deny admission to the applicant.

• MCAT scores of those students who are required to provide them must do so in order to process their application for admission.
• Please select “American University of Antigua” when registering for the MCAT so that your score will be sent directly to AUA.
• AUA will accept MCAT scores for up to seven (7) years after the test was taken.
• For additional information about MCAT, please click here.
• AUA does consider MCAT scores in determining eligibility for some scholarships. A student who submits an MCAT score will be considered for those scholarships whether or not the student was required to submit the score.

What You’ll Need to Apply

• Recommended Coursework

  Course	Credits – Course	Credits – Lab
  General Biology I	3	1
  General Biology II	3	1
  General Chemistry I	3	1
  General Chemistry II	3	1
  Organic Chemistry I	3	1
  Organic Chemistry II	3	1
  Physics I	3	1
  English I	3	–
  Optional: Mathematics (Calculus or Statistics)	3	–

  Please note that while the above listed courses are not mandated completion of those courses is highly recommended. AUACOM requires a minimum of 90 credit hours of college courses for admission unless the applicant successfully completes the fast track to medical school program at AUA College of Arts and Science (AUACAS) or the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) BSc Health Science Program. Those programs (min. 60 credits) are specifically tailored to prepare the applicant to navigate the preclinical science curriculum at AUACOM. It is strongly recommended that applicants have earned a BSc degree from an accredited undergraduate institution.

• Resume/CV

  All applicants will need to submit an up-to-date resume/CV that includes information about your education/earned degrees, professional experiences, licenses/certifications, awards, recognitions, and other details that would be relevant to AUA’s Admissions Committee.

• Transcripts
  • Applicants need to provide all official transcripts from each undergraduate, graduate, medical, and/or professional school attended.
  • When possible, students should provide official electronic transcripts (eTranscripts) utilizing their school’s online ordering system to provide AUA secure certified PDF official transcripts. Most universities and colleges use a third-party system called Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse for official electronic transcript ordering. Electronic methods of delivery are the fastest and most efficient means to send official transcripts. Please email your transcripts to [email protected]
  • If the electronic transcript option is not available, students can order official transcripts mailed directly to us. To avoid delays in delivery, please use the address exactly as it appears below:
    Manipal Education Americas, LLC
    American University of Antigua College of Medicine
    Department of Admissions
    40 Wall Street, 10th Floor
    New York, NY 10005

  Though unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to the application tracker for the purposes of review, official transcripts must be received before registration.

• Personal Statement

  Your personal statement needs to:

  • Be typed with 1.5-line spacing
  • Be no less than one page and no more than two pages in length
  • Explain the reasons for pursuing a career in medicine, what makes the applicant a potential asset to AUA, and any significant accomplishments or additional information that would be useful to the Admissions Committee in evaluating the application
  • Include your full name

  Note that plagiarism is an academic offense and will disqualify applicants from consideration.

• Letters of Recommendation

  At least one of your two letters of recommendation must be from a science professor who has taught you and knows your academic abilities. If you haven’t taken a science class in two or more years, we’ll accept a second professional letter in its place (from a non-science professor or employer, medical colleague, or other professional). A pre-health committee letter will typically satisfy the requirements of both letters.

  Students will be interviewed as part of the admissions process, either in person or remotely.

  Applications will be reviewed not more than one year prior to the applicant’s anticipated start date.

• International Applicants
  • Are you an applicant from Canada? View admissions requirements for Canada
  • Are you an applicant from India? View admissions requirements for India
  • Are you an applicant from the UK? View admissions requirements for UK

  International applicants must complete the application as described above.

  Applicants who have completed their undergraduate studies in countries having an educational system different from that of the United States will be evaluated on their merits and will be expected to have completed a pre-medical curriculum comparable to one offered in the U.S. All required documents, if originally in a foreign language, must be accompanied by a notarized English translation.

  All transcripts documenting postsecondary course work completed in institutions outside the United States must also be evaluated by an approved international credential evaluation service such as World Education Services,  Foundation for International Services, Spantran or other National Association of Credential Evaluations Services (NACES) members.

  Spantran is one of our recommended international transcript evaluation services. They have created a custom application for American University of Antigua that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application here: SpanTran Application – American University of Antigua

  AUA’s curriculum is taught in English, and all accepted students must be proficient in English. We may require a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test System (IELTS) test score and/or require an admissions faculty interview from any applicant if it appears  that English language proficiency could interfere with that student’s academic success at AUA. The TOEFL code assigned to American University of Antigua College of Medicine is B573.

  An international applicant who completes his/her required academic courses from an English-speaking academic institution will be exempt from this requirement.

• Other Application Requirements
  • Candidates who have taken MD courses at a medical, dental, podiatry or DO schools will be required to submit a “dean’s letter” in addition to transcripts from those institutions. See AUA’s Transfer Policy for more.
  • All students are required to submit a criminal background check (CBC) prior to starting at AUA. Applicants who have any violation appearing on a CBC are required to submit the CBC documentation before their application is reviewed by the Admissions Failure to submit a CBC in advance of a decision may result in a reversal of acceptance.
  • The AUA Admissions Committee may require a TOEFL or IELTS test scores and/or require an Admissions Faculty interview from any applicant if it appears that English language proficiency could interfere with that student’s academic success at AUA. An international applicant who completes his/her required academic courses from an English-speaking academic institution will be exempt from this requirement. Applicants should aim for a TOEFL score of 80 or better (Internet-based total, or its equivalent on the Computer-based or Paper- based versions) or an IELTS score of 6.5 (Overall Band Score) or better.
• Transfer Policy

  AUA does not transfer credits from any other medical school or program. Applicants who attended another medical school will be evaluated for eligibility into the first period of Preclinical Sciences only and must meet the same undergraduate criteria as a new student.

  Candidates who attended another medical school are required to obtain transcripts and a letter from the dean’s office of that school confirming the enrollment dates and stating whether or not the applicant has been the subject of any disciplinary action.

  AUA does not consider medical school readiness programs or certificate level programs unless those courses are part of an accredited undergraduate or graduate level degree- granting program. A dean’s letter and transcripts are not required for these programs. Applicants who participated in these programs and did not attend any other medical school classes should select “New Applicant” on the AUA application form.