Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine offers an MD program with a three-year core curriculum and an individualized fourth year. Applicants apply through AMCAS and complete a secondary application. HMSOM reviews applicants holistically, requires the MCAT and AAMC PREview, and invites selected applicants with complete applications to interview.
- Program
- Allopathic Medicine
- Credential
- MD
- Location
- Nutley, New Jersey, United States
- Next deadline
- December 1, 2026 (Regular AMCAS primary application)
- Interview
- One-on-one interviews
- Seats
- 162 new entrants
- Length
- 3+1
Casper Requirement for Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Allopathic Medicine
Confirm with Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Allopathic Medicine whether Casper is required for your application year.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- AAMC Number or AMCAS ID
- Other Acuity assessments
- Duet
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Allopathic Medicine Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- AMCAS
- Applications open
- May 2026
- Application fee
- $100 secondary application fee; waived for eligible AMCAS Fee Assistance Program participants.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Early Decision AMCAS application | August 1, 2026passed |
| Early Decision secondary application | August 15, 2026passed |
| Regular AMCAS primary application | December 1, 2026upcoming |
| Regular secondary application | December 8, 2026upcoming |
Verified AMCAS applicants receive an invitation to complete HMSOM's required online secondary application.
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Allopathic Medicine Admissions Statistics
Period: Fall 2024 entering class; 2024 applicants
- Seats / class size: 162 new entrants
- Applicants: 3,609 complete applicants; 4,936 applications
- Interviewed: 756
- Admitted: 459 acceptance letters issued
- Average GPA: 3.77 mean undergraduate GPA
- Average test score: 513 mean MCAT
Published admissions results and entering-class figures describe an earlier class, not the current application cycle.
Eligibility Requirements for Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Allopathic Medicine
- Degree / credits
Earn a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university by matriculation. A foreign degree requires a WES evaluation of completed prerequisite courses.
- Residency
As a private institution, HMSOM reviews all AMCAS applicants holistically without in-state bias.
- Citizenship
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a Green Card.
Complete all prerequisite courses within 10 years of the application cycle.
Other requirements
- Technical standards: All students must read, acknowledge and meet the technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Accepted-student conditions: Submit an official transcript showing degree conferral and authorize a satisfactory criminal background check before matriculation.
Selection Factors Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Humanities, social and behavioral sciences | 3 semesters across at least 2 disciplines |
| General biology | 2 semesters plus 2 semesters of biology lab Courses with lab components may satisfy the lab requirement. |
| General inorganic chemistry | 2 semesters plus 2 semesters of chemistry lab Courses with lab components may satisfy the lab requirement. |
| Laboratory science options | 2 semesters of courses with lab Choose from organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, anatomy/physiology, zoology or botany. |
| English composition | 1 semester |
| Literature | 1 semester |
| Mathematics or science-related course | 1 semester |
GPA
HMSOM does not publish minimum GPA requirements. The holistic process considers trends, course rigor, and context. Matriculated students typically present strong academic records; review transcript trends and upward trajectories when preparing secondaries.
Admissions tests
- MCAT (required): For July 2027 entry, take the MCAT by September 30, 2026. Scores from 2023 onward are eligible; HMSOM considers the highest eligible score if you have tested more than once.
- AAMC PREview (required): Applicants must submit an AAMC PREview score.
Supplementary application
Complete the required secondary application, including brief responses to three questions about your motivation for healthcare and your short- and long-term goals. Provide three recommendation letters: one from a healthcare professional, one from an academic professor, and one from an eligible additional recommender. Letters must be on institutional letterhead, signed, and dated within two years of application.
How applicants are ranked
HMSOM screens academic requirements and reviews applicants holistically, considering experiences, attributes and academic metrics. The Admissions Committee reviews complete applications to select interviewees. Admission offers are made on a rolling basis.
Interview Format at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM)
Format: One-on-one interviews
Interviews are currently conducted virtually. The Admissions Committee reviews complete applications and sends selected applicants scheduling instructions.
- Who is invited
- Applicants selected by the Admissions Committee after review of a complete application
- When
- Invitations begin September 2026; the regular interview season begins in mid-September.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Allopathic Medicine
- Program length
- 3+1
- Structure
Three years of foundational medical education, then Phase 3 for individualized pathways including electives, research, or residency preparation.
- Campuses
- Nutley
Students build programs from options emphasizing Determinants of Health—social, environmental, and biological factors influencing patient outcomes. The core curriculum integrates planetary health through the Human Dimension thread, fostering discussions on climate impacts and sustainable care. Clinical rotations occur across Hackensack Meridian's extensive network, the largest in New Jersey, supporting strong residency matches, particularly in New York City programs. This longitudinal approach uses competency-based assessments to track progress.
Campus and facilities
The Nutley campus features modern simulation centers and collaborative learning spaces tailored for active education. Affiliations with Hackensack Meridian Health provide rotations at top-ranked facilities, enhancing research exposure—HMSOM ranks highly in New Jersey for research output. Proximity to New York City offers urban clinical opportunities while maintaining a safer suburban setting. Positioned within New Jersey's largest hospital network, offering access to extensive clinical resources.
Tuition and Funding at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM)
- 2026-2027 annual tuition, M1-M4: $74,620
- 2026-2027 annual student fees, M1-M4: $3,660
These published charges are not a tuition quote for the incoming class. Health insurance is an additional charge unless waived with qualifying coverage.
What Applicants Are Saying
Current students describe a supportive environment with an active online community, including a dedicated subreddit for prospective, current, and alumni discussions. Matriculated students highlight the 3+1 flexibility, robust hospital access, and NYC residency pipelines as key strengths. Students value the subreddit community, largest NJ hospital network, research ranking, and NYC residency matches. The Nutley campus supports collaborative learning. Many recommend the program for its regional advantages and research emphasis.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Allopathic Medicine Application
- Review HMSOM's prerequisite courses and degree requirements before applying.
- Plan your AMCAS application and secondary around the published deadlines.
- Check HMSOM's current Casper and Duet requirements directly before booking either assessment.
- Prepare for the required MCAT and AAMC PREview assessments.
- Practice discussing your experiences, motivation for healthcare and goals in a one-on-one interview.
- Engage early via student panels or virtual events to gauge fit.
- Connect with current students for perspectives on essays and fit.
More About Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Allopathic Medicine
- Hospital network
New Jersey's largest hospital network
- Research
HMSOM ranks highly in New Jersey for research output
Frequently Asked Questions About Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) Allopathic Medicine
Does HMSOM require Casper for admissions?
Confirm Casper and Duet requirements directly with HMSOM before booking an assessment.
What is the MCAT policy at HMSOM Allopathic Medicine?
HMSOM requires the MCAT. Check the admissions test details for the current score eligibility window and test deadline. If you have multiple eligible scores, HMSOM considers the highest.
Does HMSOM have a minimum GPA for Allopathic Medicine applicants?
No minimum GPA is published. The holistic process considers trends, course rigor, and context. Strengthen with strong letters and experiences.
What is the interview format at HMSOM?
Selected applicants with complete applications are invited to a one-on-one interview. Interviews are currently conducted virtually.
What is HMSOM's curriculum structure?
The 3+1 model includes three years of core education followed by Phase 3 customization. It emphasizes Determinants of Health and planetary health integration.
Is HMSOM Allopathic Medicine friendly to out-of-state applicants?
As a private institution, HMSOM reviews all AMCAS applicants holistically without in-state bias. New Jersey ties and network access appeal broadly.
What are key strengths of HMSOM student life?
Students value the subreddit community, largest NJ hospital network, research ranking, and NYC residency matches. The Nutley campus supports collaborative learning.
How competitive is HMSOM Allopathic Medicine admissions?
HMSOM reviews complete applications holistically before inviting applicants to interview. Published results for an earlier class report 3,609 complete applicants, 756 interviewed applicants, 459 acceptance letters and 162 new entrants. Applicants must also submit an AAMC PREview score.
Sources
- hmsom.edu: orientation checklist
- medicalaid.org: how to get into hackensack meridian school of medicine hmsom the definitive guide 2023
- confetto.ai: preparing for the hackensack meridian school of medicine interview
- hmsom.edu: 2024 data book
- residencyprogramslist.com: hackensack meridian school of medicine at seton hall university
- medschoolinsiders.com: new jersey medical schools
- shemmassianconsulting.com: average gpa and mcat score for every medical school
- hmsom.edu: student handbook for hmsom
- hackensackmeridianhealth.org: hackensack meridian school of medicine fully accredited
- phreportcard.org: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine 2025 MED
- shemmassianconsulting.com: mmi interview
- oaa.rice.edu: MMI Allopathic Medicine (Updated Summer 2019)
Last updated: September 26, 2026