Hi premeds! This page serves as a high-yield resource for the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Virginia’s best medical school! The information from this page is a GOLDEN resource. We’ve compiled it from UVA’s admissions statistics, the UVA website, and most importantly, from UVA med students themselves! We’ll give you intel on admissions statistics, an insider perspective about the curriculum, and student life. Using this information, you can learn how to get into University of Virginia Medical School through weaving in these unique aspects into your UVA secondary application essays and interviews.
Whether you’re comparing medical schools that you’ve been accepted to, preparing for an interview, or wanting to learn more about how to get into University of Virginia School of Medicine, keep reading!
Each year, the Cracking Med School Admissions team gets people accepted to UVA. We can help you get accepted! Contact us today.
Why Choose University of Virginia School of Medicine?
The most common reasons we’ve heard from students:
- UVA SOM students have the option to complete their clinical year at the UVA Inova Medical Campus in Falls Church, near Fairfax/the DC metro area. This campus provides medical students with the opportunity to complete clinical training in a high-volume, urban environment.
- UVA is known for excellence in both clinical care and research which creates a perfect environment for students who are interested in integrating research as part of their medical school experience and future clinical practice!
- Students love living in Charlottesville and enjoy the location of the medical school directly adjacent to the beautiful, historic undergraduate campus. Additionally, UVA med students enjoy hiking, biking, and exploring vineyards in the surrounding area during their free time!
Applications
The UVA SOM Secondary Application consists of several mid-length essays. The UVA School of Medicine secondary essay prompts are mostly different from other medical schools because they ask about your specific motivations to attend UVA. UVA is focused on training excellent clinicians and researchers who are focused on advancing medicine and wants to recruit students who have similar priorities. It is important to read this blog post to gain more insight about University of Virginia SOM’s unique curriculum and opportunities.
For the University of Virginia School of Medicine Secondary Application, we want to highlight the importance of doing your research about the factors which affect the health of the UVA patient population, and the diverse opportunities offered to UVA’s students. Doing your research will make you stand out among other applicants! Given its short length and generalizable questions, we recommend completing this secondary as early as possible.

University of Virginia School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts:
- Please briefly describe how the pandemic impacted your ability to pursue experiences like clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service. (No word limit)
- Please list any and all future activities in clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service that you plan to pursue in the upcoming year. (No word limit)
- Why are you interested in attending the University of Virginia School of Medicine? What factors will be most important to you in choosing a medical school? (350 words max)
- What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (350 words max)
- Tell us about a challenge or obstacle you experienced. How did you manage it? (350 words max)
How to get into University of Virginia Medical School – we have an ENTIRE page dedicated to the UVA Medical School secondary essay tips. Study them. Apply them. And that’s how you’ll stand out!
Contact Dr. Rachel Rizal and Dr. Rishi Mediratta if you have any questions about the UVA, life in Charlottesville (Dr. Rachel Rizal lived there before!), how to get into University of Virginia Medical School, or how to submit awesome UVA secondaries.
Need Help With Your UVA Medical School Secondary Essays?
Get the Cracking Med School Admissions team’s expertise through our secondary essay editing packages. If you have questions, email us at info@crackingmedadmissions.com or contact us.
UVA Medical School
Interview Format
To ace your traditional interview, you need to know how to answer common medical school interview questions. It’s important to practice, practice, practice.
Cracking Med Resources for Interviews:
- How to answer “Tell me about yourself” Medical School Interview Question
- How to answer “Why this Medical School?”
- 43 Questions To Ask Your Medical School Interviewers
- Download our Cracking Med School Admissions interview guide below
Contact us if you want to schedule a mock interview with our Cracking Med School Admissions team! Take a look at our interview packages.
download your interview guide
If you are prepared, the interview gives you the perfect opportunity to standout and shine by sharing with people what you are passionate about.

University of Virginia School of Medicine
Acceptance Rate
University of Virginia School of Medicine Admissions Statistics:
- University of Virginia School of Medicine Average GPA: 3.92
- University of Virginia School of Medicine Average MCAT: 519
How Did University of Virginia School of Medicine Students Do On Their USMLE Step Exams?
- University of Virginia School of Medicine USMLE Step 1 Percentage Passing Rate: 100%
- University of Virginia School of Medicine USMLE Step 2 Score: 256
Source: US News
Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders
We Personally Advise Every Student We Work With

Rachel Rizal, M.D.
Changing the trajectory of people's lives
Undergraduate
Princeton University
Medical School
Stanford School of Medicine
Residency
Harvard, Emergency Medicine
Awards & Scholarships
Fulbright Scholar
USA Today Academic First Team
Tylenol Scholarship

Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.
Advising students to attend their dream schools
Undergraduate
Johns Hopkins University
Medical School
Stanford School of Medicine
Residency
Stanford, Pediatrics
Awards & Scholarships
Marshall Scholar
Tylenol Scholarship
Global Health Scholar
Each year, the Cracking Med School Admissions team
helps students get accepted to top medical schools.
We can help you get accepted!
Contact us today.
The Insider's View on UVA Medical School's
Pre-clinical years
How to get into University of Virginia Medical School – understand the curriculum and find aspects about the curriculum that align with your learning style and narrative. Then, include these elements into your application!
Curriculum Overview:
As a University of Virginia School of Medicine med student, your first 18 months are spent as a pre-clinical student. UVA employs a hybrid approach through which traditional lectures are minimized and students are expected to review content in advance for “flipped classroom” style small-group sessions. Students also love the high-tech Learning Studio Design employed at UVA to facilitate this team-based learning! During the pre-clerkship phase, students are graded on an entirely Pass/Fail basis with no internal rankings. Alongside learning in the classroom, students are also encouraged to get involved in research and community engagement as aligned with their interests!
Sample of pre-clinical courses at UVA SOM:
- Foundations of Medicine
- Microbes and the Immune System
- Social Issues in Medicine
- Anatomy (cadaver dissection)
Unique highlights about pre-clinical phase:
- Students love working in small groups throughout the pre-clinical phase at UVA! Prep work encourages individual learning outside of the classroom.
- UVA students report a strong emphasis on community and public health throughout the pre-clinical curriculum which endows students with a strong understanding of the SDOH affecting the health of Virginians and their future patients.
- The Learning Studio Design of the main learning space within the medical school facilitates effective team-based learning. Additionally, students enjoy utilizing facilities on the undergraduate campus including gyms, libraries, and other study spaces!
Unique dual degree programs offered at University of Virginia School of Medicine:
- MD/MBA
- MD/MPH
- MD/MS in Clinical Research
- MD/JD
- MD/MS in Data Science
What students are saying about UVA Medical School
The Insider's View on UVA Medical School's
clinical years
Clinical Curriculum:
During the 3rd and 4th years of medical school, students select whether they want to be located at the Charlottesville or Inova campus. All clerkship rotations are graded Honors, High Pass, Pass, or Fail (which is different from the pre-clinical phase). Throughout their clinical year, UVA students complete an Intersession Course designed to review basic science and practice clinical skills.
The third year curriculum consists of:
- Internal Medicine
- Primary Care and Outpatient Medicine
- Surgery, Anesthesiology, and OBGYN
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
- Intersession
During the fourth year, students are required to take USMLE Step 1 and 2. Additionally, students have 40 weeks for electives in addition to required courses including:
- Bedside to Community
- Advanced Clinical Elective
- Critical Care Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Internship Readiness
Main clinical rotation sites:
- Charlottesville:
- UVA Medical Center
- UVA Children’s Hospital
- Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center
- UVA Outpatient Clinics
- UVA Transitional Care Hospital
- Rural and Community Clinics
- Inova Campus:
- Inova Fairfax Hospital
- Inova Children’s Hospital
- Inova Heart and Vascular Institute
- Inova Schar Cancer Institute
- Inova Women’s Hospital
Unique highlights about clinical years:
- Option to complete clinical rotation at the UVA Inova Medical Campus for students interested in caring for more urban patient populations.
- UVA’s hospitals serve as referral sites for many, surrounding rural areas. This allows students to see more unique and acute clinical cases with patients from different backgrounds!
- 40 weeks of elective time during the fourth year allow students to personalize their learning experience and focus on their intended specialty of interest.
What students are saying about clinical rotations at UVA Medical School
Housing & Social
Social Life:
- The social life of medical students at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine is enriched by its location in Charlottesville, a picturesque college town known for its vibrant cultural scene, outdoor activities, and strong sense of community. Students enjoy a balanced lifestyle with opportunities to explore the city’s wineries, restaurants, and live music venues, as well as the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains for hiking and outdoor adventures.
- The school fosters a collaborative and supportive environment, with numerous student organizations, interest groups, and wellness initiatives that encourage social connection and relaxation. Events such as the White Coat Ball, charity runs, and informal gatherings help students bond and create lasting friendships. This combination of academic rigor and a thriving social atmosphere makes UVA an appealing choice for students seeking both excellence in medical education and a fulfilling personal life.
Housing:
- UVA medical students typically live in a variety of housing options around Charlottesville, with many choosing to reside close to the medical school for convenience. Popular neighborhoods include The Corner, which is vibrant and near campus, Downtown Charlottesville for access to restaurants and entertainment, and Belmont, known for its charm and local eateries. Some students opt for apartment complexes like The Pavilion at North Grounds or The Woodlands, which offer amenities like pools and fitness centers. Others prefer quieter residential neighborhoods such as Fry’s Spring or Rugby Road for a more suburban feel. The range of housing options allows students to find accommodations that suit their preferences and budget while staying connected to campus and Charlottesville’s vibrant community.
How to get into University of Virginia Medical School – convey that you know what life is like in Charlottesville, Virginia!
financing
Financial Considerations:
- University of Virginia School of Medicine in-state Tuition: ~$47,196
- University of Virginia School of Medicine out-of-state Tuition: ~$58,670
- Room and board: ~$24,360
- Average indebtedness of graduates: ~$156,691
Source: US News
Cracking Med School Admissions Resources
Here are useful Cracking Med School Admissions resources:
- How To Write A Personal Statement For Medical School
- Download Cracking Med School Admission’s FREE AMCAS Activities Workbook
- Premed Timeline: Planning For Medical School Applications
Read our other popular school blogs here: