How to Get Into RUSH Medical College: Requirements and Strategies

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Learn RUSH Medical College’s requirements, acceptance rate, and admissions strategies, plus RMC secondary essay examples

A smiling Rush Medical College student wearing a white coat and a stethoscope

learn what it takes to get into rush medical college

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Part 1: Introduction

RUSH Medical College (RMC) at RUSH University was founded in 1837 as one of the first medical campuses in the Midwest. With its location in a rich urban setting in Chicago’s Cook County and at the internationally acclaimed RUSH University Medical Center within the Illinois Medical District, RUSH Medical College’s medical students boast a strong education serving diverse patient populations. 

Since its foundation, RUSH Medical College has established itself as one of the leading medical institutions focused on service and aiding the community. The RUSH community service initiatives program, established in 1991, has helped students care for underserved populations and learn the nuances of providing targeted care and social services based on the needs of a complex community. 

Beyond just service, RMC takes pride in being at the forefront of research with over 150 NIH research grants and over 1600 projects to expand scientific and medical knowledge. 

RMC is an institution that has established excellence in multiple areas of interest. It nurtures students’ curiosity and development in various areas and thus cultivates a new generation of physicians who can address the demands of a constantly evolving healthcare landscape. With all its accolades and RMC’s over 12,700 applicants a year, it is no wonder you would be worried about your chances of achieving admission at this institution. 

In this guide, we will help provide you with pertinent information we have acquired over our numerous years of experience getting students into RMC. Within the rest of this guide, we will shed more light on the admissions process specific to RMC. We will delve into the nitty gritty details of programs, admissions data, and requirements to help you understand what it takes to impress the admissions committee. Finally, we will dive into RMC’s secondary application prompts.

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Part 2: RUSH Medical College MD program scholarships and tuition

It’s no secret that medical school is financially expensive, and RUSH does not deviate from this norm. For the 2023—2024 academic year, RMC’s tuition fees for first-year students come to $57,778. There’s also an enrollment fee of $28,941 for the year. With the cost of living and other expenses, the cost of attendance also becomes more significant. Given this, RMC provides financial aid in the form of loans and gives out both needs-based and merit-based scholarships that students are considered for automatically through the admissions process. Additionally, the RMC Office of Financial Aid will communicate directly to students about any grants and scholarships that require additional application.

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Part 3: How hard is it to get into RUSH Medical College?

Getting into medical school is hard no matter where you go, with acceptance rates hovering around 3%. Gaining acceptance is difficult even as a competitive candidate. To help clear up some of the picture, we have provided admissions statistics for the entering class of 2023 at RMC:

  • Primary Applications Received: 11,993

  • Completed applications: 8,508

  • Interviews offered: 389

    • Illinois residents: 56

    • Out-of-State residents: 333

  • Number of matriculants: 141

While these numbers can tell us some information, it doesn’t help us understand how difficult it may be to get into RMC. We have provided some more information regarding the academic profile of the entering class of 2023:

  • Average cumulative GPA: 3.62

  • Average MCAT: 509

It is important to note that these numbers are just averages; some students were accepted with a wide range of scores, and numbers are not the end-all-be-all. It also requires mentioning that RMC’s dedication to service is intertwined in its application process, and successful applicants boast many meaningful volunteer service hours. As such, to succeed in pursuing an admission letter from RMC, you should demonstrate commitment to community work, service, and caring for underserved communities in your application.

(Suggested reading: Average GPA and MCAT Score for Every Medical School) 

(Suggested reading: How to Choose the Right Extracurricular Activities for Medical School)

RMC admissions requirements

While RMC does not explicitly require any specific coursework, beginning with the 2025-2026 application cycle, the following coursework will be required: 

  • One year of biology (with a lab)

    • Including one semester of cell biology

  • One year of chemistry (with a lab)

  • One semester of biochemistry

  • One semester of organic chemistry

  • Two semesters of physics (This requirement can be filled with AP credit.)

  • One semester of algebra or a higher-level mathematics course (This requirement can be filled with AP credit.)

  • One year of English Composition

  • An exposure to humanities and social sciences is also recommended

While no specific coursework is required yet, we advise completing the abovementioned coursework. 

(Suggested reading: Medical School Requirements: The Definitive Guide)

Additionally, RMC has specific GPA and MCAT cutoffs for applicant consideration that are based on your GPA/MCAT combination:

  • If you are in the 2.99-3.19 GPA range, the minimum MCAT score you can earn is 510.

  • If you are in the 3.20-3.59 GPA range, the minimum MCAT score you can earn is 506.

  • If you are in the 3.60-3.79 GPA range, the minimum MCAT score you can earn is 502.

  • If you are in the 3.80+ GPA range, the minimum MCAT score you can earn is 500.

RUSH Medical College and the Casper test

Beyond the MCAT and GPA, RUSH Medical College uses online situational judgment tests administered by Acuity Insights to evaluate your interpersonal and communication skills and complement the other parts of your application. 

(Suggested reading: Casper, Snapshot, and Duet: Everything You Need to Know)

Successful applicant attributes

Beyond just complex numbers, RMC has provided a list of attributes that they look for in their applicants:

  • Academic excellence

  • Professionalism, integrity, and ethics

  • Communication and teamwork

  • Community service orientation

  • Clinical experience

  • Leadership

  • Resilience and adaptability

  • Reliability and dependability

Letters of recommendation

Along with all the other components of the RMC application, RMC places high importance on letters of recommendation to understand your qualities and attributes as described by someone else. RMC accepts one of the following options for letters of recommendation:

  • One pre-medical committee letter (if offered, this is preferred)

  • One letter packet

  • Three individual letters with the following classifications:

  1. Academic letter: to speak to your educational capabilities from either a science or non-science faculty

  2. Professional, non-academic letter: from someone who has worked with you and can speak to your soft skills (resilience, social skills, reliability, cultural competence, and service orientation). Examples: work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, physician shadowed, etc

  3. Personal letter: from someone who can assess your personal qualities and address your goals and aspirations for a medical career. It should not be from friends or family.

If you choose the individual letters option, you can provide no more than three letters. If you submit more than three, you’ll be asked which three you want to be considered for your application. 

(Suggested reading: Medical School Letters of Recommendation: The Definitive Guide)

RMC application timeline

This subsection gives a brief overview of the timeline for your application to RMC and the dates to keep handy in your back pocket. As of April 2024, the teimline has not been updated on RUSH’s website, but these were the dates for 2023-2024:

  • Earliest MCAT test date acceptable: January, three years before matriculation

  • Earliest Casper test date acceptable: May 2, 2024

  • Latest MCAT test date acceptable for early decision applicants: June 29, 2023

  • AMCAS application opens: May 2, 2023

  • First day AMCAS application can be submitted: May 30, 2023

  • First day secondary applications are sent: July 10, 2023

  • Latest Casper test date acceptable for early decision applicants: July 18, 2023

  • Deadline for all application materials for early decision: August 1, 2023

  • Interview season begins: September 2023

  • Latest MCAT test date acceptable: September 9, 2023

  • Early decision admissions decisions: October 1, 2023

  • Deadline to submit AMCAS application: October 2, 2023

  • Admissions decisions are made 2-3 weeks following the interview date: beginning October 16, 2023

  • Latest Casper test date acceptable: October 26, 2023

  • RUSH secondary application deadline with supplemental materials: November 15, 2023

  • Interview season conclusion: February 2024

(Suggested reading: The Ideal Medical School Application Timeline)

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Part 4: RUSH Medical College secondary application essays (examples included)

Once you have successfully submitted your primary application, RMC will send you their secondary application, in which you will answer their specific questions. The secondary application is the place to highlight your different skills, attributes, and competencies while also detailing how these do or can apply to RMC. Remember the list of attributes that RMC is seeking that we shared above. Successful applicants help showcase these attributes in this secondary application. 

In the rest of this section, we will review the specific secondary essay questions RMC asks and example responses. After these, we will also go into why these responses are effective.

Question 1: RUSH Medical College is located on Chicago’s near west side and serves a diverse patient population. We seek to train physicians who can connect with diverse patient populations with whom they may not share a similar background. Tell us about a life experience that has broadened your worldview or enhanced your ability to understand those unlike yourself and what you learned from this experience. (1,000 characters max)

This is the classic example of the “diversity” essay that many schools like to ask in their secondary applications. The best responses to these questions not only specifically answer the question but also add a little more to shed light on how their attributes or traits mentioned in the response can come back and specifically contribute to RMC as an institution and the student body as a whole.

(Suggested reading: Medical School Secondary Essays the Complete Guide)

Here is an example of an effective response to this question:

I began studying Spanish at the age of 7. My grandmother was from Mexico and hardly spoke English. I wanted to be able to talk to her, so I begged my parents to enroll me in Spanish classes. My mother was raised in the USA, so she decided to come along with me to classes in order to improve her Spanish skills as well. 

Our class was located next to an ESL class that many children my age were taking. They often came to class in old clothes and shoes with holes in them. Seeing their situation made me want to help and forced me to confront the privilege I had. I went to a private school, spoke English, and had ample opportunities. After talking with my mom, I set up a fundraiser to help raise money to give to these children in need. We were ultimately able to pay their class tuition so they could attend ESL classes for free. I hope to carry this passion for helping others into my practice as a physician.

What makes this an effective response?

  • This student directly answered the specific question (asking for an example of an experience that has enabled them to understand those who are different from the student). They shared an example of a time when they noticed people nearby who were very different, which caused the student to realize their privilege. 

  • In turn, the student related this experience to how they hope to practice medicine. By bringing this same awareness to their practice as a physician, they’ve shared an ability to take notice of those who aren’t as fortunate. 

  • Furthermore, this student showed a strong desire to help those who are less fortunate.

Question 2: As an anchor institution, RUSH is embedded in its strategies to improve the societal and structural determinants of health, which improve the economic vitality of Chicago’s west side neighborhoods and help residents achieve better health. Using your own experiences, describe how you have impacted and/or changed a person or community. (1,000 characters max)

Question 3: (Optional) If applicable, describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your application to and/or preparation for medical school. (1,000 characters max)

Question 4: (Optional) Use this space to provide additional information, which is non-COVID related, you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your application. (1,000 characters max)

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Part 5: How are RUSH Medical College applications evaluated?

Once you have successfully submitted your primary application, secondary application, and supplemental materials (e.g., letters of recommendation, situational judgment tests, etc.), your application will be reviewed as a whole by the admissions committee, where you will not only be assessed based off your academic numbers but also by your other attributes and skills that are more difficult to condense into a number. The decision as to whether you will or won’t be extended an interview is not so straightforward as the multiple components of the application lends itself to a more holistic process.

If you make it through the interview stage, your entire application will be reviewed again with your interview day performance. You will be stacked against the rest of your application cohort in the cycle thus far, and a decision will be made with a ranking on a list. At the end of the review process, you will either be offered admission or a position on the waitlist (which is constantly revised and reevaluated until the end of the cycle).

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Part 6: RUSH Medical College interview

RMC currently conducts its interviews virtually on Wednesdays from September through February. The interview is the time for RMC to gain information about you and ask more questions/clarify some of your application materials while also assessing your qualities. 

The following questions are some standard questions that RMC asks its applicants:

  • Why do you want to pursue a career in medicine?

  • How would you describe yourself?

  • Why do you want to come to RUSH?

  • Explain <activity on your application>

  • <ethical question>

  • What are your hobbies?

While these questions seem straightforward, it can be easy to stumble through a clunky response. Don’t be afraid to take a breath and think before answering immediately. Also, we recommend reading through all the components of your application again in preparation to be asked to provide any additional details. 

Final thoughts

With all the years spent dedicated to the premed track, it is no wonder you would feel nervous and out of your comfort zone regarding the application process. It is important to remember that one size does not fit all regarding admissions. 

Highlighting what makes you unique and being genuine not only in your application responses but also in your interview day can help set you apart. With the information provided in this guide, an acceptance from RMC will be that much closer.

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian headshot

About the Author

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.