The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell offers an MD program in Hempstead, New York. Applicants apply through AMCAS and must complete the MCAT, Casper, and a secondary application. Admission uses individualized review and a virtual multiple mini interview.
- Program
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Credential
- MD
- Location
- Hempstead, New York, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- November 1, 2026 (Regular Decision: AMCAS application)
- Interview
- Multiple mini interview (MMI)
- Seats
- Enrollment limited to 100 per entering class
- Length
- Four-year
Casper Requirement for Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Allopathic Medicine
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Allopathic Medicine requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- U.S. Medicine Casper
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- AAMC Number or AMCAS ID
- Score distribution deadline
- December 1, 2026
- Other Acuity assessments
- Duet (not required)
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper scores are valid for one admissions cycle. Select an available sitting through Acuity Insights before the final regular-decision test date. Approved AAMC Fee Assistance Program recipients may qualify for a waiver of Casper test and distribution fees.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Allopathic Medicine Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- AMCAS
- Applications open
- May 5, 2026
- Application fee
- $125 secondary fee
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Early Decision: all application materials | August 1, 2026passed |
| Regular Decision: AMCAS application | November 1, 2026upcoming |
| Regular Decision: secondary application and required materials | December 1, 2026upcoming |
| Casper score distribution deadline | December 1, 2026upcoming |
Submit transcripts to AMCAS, not directly to Zucker. Eligible applicants receive a secondary invitation after Zucker receives their verified AMCAS application. Applications are reviewed once the secondary, MCAT score, Casper score, and required letters have been received.
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Allopathic Medicine Admissions Statistics
Period: Class entering 2026
- Seats / class size: Enrollment limited to 100 per entering class
- Average GPA: Median cumulative undergraduate GPA: 3.85
- Average test score: Median MCAT: 518
No minimum GPA is published.
Eligibility Requirements for Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Allopathic Medicine
- Degree / credits
Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation
- Citizenship
U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or DACA status
International students are not eligible.
Selection Factors Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Natural sciences | No required courses The following coursework is strongly recommended, not required. |
| Biology | Recommended: one year with lab |
| Chemistry | Recommended: through organic chemistry and biochemistry |
| Mathematics | Recommended: one year, preferably including statistics |
| Physics | Recommended: one year |
| English literature or equivalent | Recommended: include writing |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Zucker reviews undergraduate and graduate academic performance, including GPA and course rigor; its published class profile reports cumulative undergraduate GPA.
- Competitive
- The most recently published entering class had a median cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.85.
No minimum GPA is published.
Admissions tests
- MCAT (required): Scores must be no older than three years. The final accepted exam is the last September test date in the application cycle. Zucker considers the highest score from a single sitting; review waits for a declared retake score.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
Zucker considers community service, leadership, employment, research, and other accomplishments in its individualized review. It publishes no required volunteer or work-hour total.
Supplementary application
Complete the secondary application and submit a Premedical Committee Letter. If your school has no committee, or considerable time has passed since graduation, submit three individual letters: two from professors, including at least one science professor, and one from a non-academic professional.
How applicants are ranked
The Admission Committee conducts a comprehensive, individualized review of academic performance, MCAT scores, activities, motivation for medicine, personal background, character, and perseverance. Selected applicants complete an MMI; Zucker uses rolling admission. The school does not publish a numerical interview or offer-ranking formula.
Interview Format at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Format: Multiple mini interview (MMI)
Virtual MMI of approximately 90 minutes: seven scenario stations with two minutes to prepare and six minutes to discuss, plus one open station with two minutes to prepare and 14 minutes of conversation.
- Who is invited
- Selected applicants invited by email
- When
- Invitations are sent from July through February.
Practice under timed, realistic conditions with Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator.
Prepare for Casper and Your Interview
Access Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank with 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert-crafted responses, AI Interview Simulator with realistic practice conditions, and personalized mentorship from current medical students, all on one web-based platform.
Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Allopathic Medicine
- Program length
- Four-year
- Structure
Fully integrated basic science and clinical training, with self-directed learning and experiential components. Early and frequent clinical access at Northwell Health sites. MD/MPH joint degree option.
- Campuses
- Hofstra University campus
This structure prepares graduates for residency, as reflected in recent Match outcomes. Additional opportunities complement the core program, including curricular initiatives detailed in school resources.
Campus and facilities
The school is on Hofstra University's campus in Hempstead, New York. Its medical education draws on its partnership with Northwell Health.
Tuition and Funding at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
- 2026-2027 MD annual tuition: $61,800
- 2026-2027 MD annual fees: $2,075
Published amounts are subject to change. First-year total cost-of-attendance estimates vary with housing plans.
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell's Mission and Values
The program prioritizes a culture where learning exceeds teaching, positioning students as self-directed learners from day one. This approach integrates basic sciences with clinical practice early, leveraging Northwell Health's clinical resources.
The Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell has established a culture in which learning is valued over teaching, and students are self-directed learners.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe resilience as essential, noting the need to accept failures while thriving in an environment built on Northwell's graduate medical education and research infrastructure. Prospective applicants who excel in independent learning and early patient interaction find this mission aligns with their strengths. Students report convenient access to clinical experiences.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Allopathic Medicine Application
- Begin AMCAS submission early enough to allow time for secondaries.
- Book a Casper test date well before the score distribution deadline.
- Request letters from faculty familiar with your self-directed abilities.
- Tailor essays to highlight early clinical shadowing or research aligning with Northwell's mission.
- Practice at least 50 Casper scenarios to familiarize yourself with ethical and interpersonal themes; many applicants use Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank.
- If invited to interview, rehearse scenario discussions emphasizing resilience.
More About Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Allopathic Medicine
- Health system partner
Northwell Health, the largest health system in New York
Frequently Asked Questions About Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Allopathic Medicine
What is the average GPA for Zucker School of Medicine matriculants?
Zucker reports a 3.85 median cumulative undergraduate GPA for its most recently published entering class. This is a median, not an average or a minimum.
Does Zucker School of Medicine require Casper?
Yes. Casper is required for this admissions cycle; Duet is not required or reviewed.
What is the interview format at Zucker School of Medicine?
The virtual MMI has seven scenario stations, each with two minutes to prepare and six minutes to discuss, plus an open interview station.
How competitive is admission to Zucker School of Medicine MD program?
Enrollment is limited to 100 students per entering class. Zucker uses individualized review; its most recently published entering class had a median GPA of 3.85 and median MCAT of 518.
Is MCAT required for Zucker School of Medicine?
Yes. Zucker requires an MCAT score no older than three years and considers the highest score from a single sitting. The last accepted exam is the cycle's final September test date.
What are Zucker School of Medicine tuition details?
Published annual MD tuition is $61,800, plus $2,075 in fees; amounts are subject to change.
Can international students apply to Zucker School of Medicine?
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients and hold a qualifying U.S. or Canadian bachelor's degree. The school cannot sponsor international student visas.
What makes Zucker School of Medicine curriculum unique?
Its four-year program integrates science and clinical learning, with early patient interactions and an emphasis on self-directed learning.
Sources
- Zucker How to Apply
- Zucker Application Requirements
- Zucker MD FAQ
- Zucker Interview Day
- Zucker Selection Criteria
- Zucker Cost of Attendance
- AAMC 2027 AMCAS Application Workbook
- Acuity Insights Casper Fee Assistance
Last updated: September 26, 2026