2010–2011

W
eill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) is a privately
endowed, highly selective medical college located in
New York City. Founded in 1898 as Cornell University
Medical College, the medical school campus embraces one of the most
advanced centers in the world for the biomedical sciences, including
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, the Hospital for Special Surgery and Rockefeller University.
In addition, WCMC’s extensive group of clinical affiliates spans the
New York metropolitan region and beyond, serving a tremendous
variety of communities, and forming what may well be the most diverse
patient population of any medical college in the world.
Learning thus occurs in every area of biomedical research,
including basic, clinical and applied research, as well as every possible
type of clinical care.

ON THE COVER: An artist’s rendering of Weill Cornell’s new Medical Research Building,
currently under construction and slated to open in 2013.

VIDEO: GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

MORE INFO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P-MuLoFuSY

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Highlights of Weill Cornell Medical College
Cornell University, one of the world’s foremost centers of learning and research,
has dedicated its medical college in the heart of New York City to the highest
principles of liberal education, encompassing spirited inquiry, collaborative learning,
and individual initiative. The unique features of Weill Cornell Medical College
include:

n A progressive science curriculum based on problem-based learning,

emphasizing active learning, self-directed inquiry, and small groups
rather than lectures. The chief outcome of problem-based learning is
that students master the same amount of material as in conventional
curricula—or more—while truly enjoying the learning process.

n Science and research opportunities that are unusually broad by virtue

of the co-presence, on a single campus, of five renowned institutions
dedicated to the health care sciences: Weill Cornell Medical College,
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, Hospital for Special Surgery and The Rockefeller University.

n A clinical program characterized by early patient exposure; core

rotations at a state-of-the-art academic teaching hospital; and clinical
rotations at a great variety of public hospitals, community hospitals
and research hospitals throughout New York City and the region.

n A patient population that may be the most diverse of any medical

center in the world.

n A special emphasis on internationalism: Students have performed

clinical care and/or research in over 80 countries on six continents—
usually with full funding from the Medical College.

n New York City: NYC is the world’s center for culture, arts, literature,
science, the exchange of ideas, and the life of the mind. Housing on
the medical center campus is offered to all students for the duration
of their studies.

n The Weill Cornell student body, who represent a broad range of

interests, personal backgrounds, life experiences and accomplishments.

MORE INFO
VIDEO: WELCOME TO WEILL CORNELL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ric5QW4QUEc

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The Weill Cornell Medical College campus at sunset, with the East River in the distance

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The Curriculum
The required period of study at WCMC extends over four academic years.
Exposure to patients and to clinical medicine begins in the first semester and
continues until graduation. The curriculum was completely revised in 1996
and has proven highly successful.
The first and second years of study consist of six basic science courses as well
as the course Medicine, Patients and Society. The core basic science courses are
sequential, integrated, interdisciplinary block courses that employ problem-based
learning (PBL) in small groups with the faculty. PBL emphasizes active learning
and requires the student first to identify issues needed to solve a medical problem,
then to seek out the information needed to solve the problem, and then to recon-
vene in small groups with the faculty to apply the information learned. Lectures are
few and emphasize the conceptual framework of a field. Anatomic dissection in a
state-of-the-art facility and experimental laboratories complete the learning experience.
The course Medicine, Patients and Society approaches the doctor-patient
relationship from both conceptual and practical perspectives. Students spend the
morning in seminar, and the afternoon in physicians’ offices. Areas treated include
medical interviewing, physical diagnosis, human behavior in illness, medical ethics,
public health, biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, and others. Students learn these
vital topics in a patient-centered context.
The third year is dedicated to clinical learning that emphasizes the core clerk-
ships, including Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Psychiatry,
Neurology and Primary Care. In these courses, students are assigned to clinical in-
patient and out-patient services at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and throughout
the network of clinical affiliates. Students are integral members of the health care
team and actively care for patients, under the supervision of the faculty.
The fourth year centers on completion of clinical requirements, a Public
Health Systems clerkship, and electives. While electives can be taken at any time
in the third or fourth years, most students focus on three major types of electives in
the fourth year: clinical electives, often in subspecialty areas; research; and interna-
tional electives. Two additional courses, the Public Health Clerkship and Medicine,
Patients and Society 3 (focusing on end-of-life and ethics), are the only clinical
courses of their type in the country. In the month before graduation, courses in
advanced basic science allow students to study leading-edge biomedical science in
depth.

VIEW ELECTIVES CATALOG

MORE INFO
http://weill.cornell.edu/education/curriculum/fourth/electives/electives

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Problem-Based Learning
PBL is a teaching method in which students learn by actively seeking out information to
solve problems. In contrast to lectures, in which information is delivered by the teacher
to the student, PBL emphasizes active learning.

What is the rationale for PBL?

PBL is based on education research that shows that adults learn best when they are
actively solving problems and actively seeking out information, rather than receiving
it passively.

How is PBL structured?

At Weill Cornell Medical College, groups of 10 students and one to two faculty mem-
bers meet three times each week, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for
90 minutes each session. At the Monday meeting, the group receives a new problem.
The problem is usually, but not always, a clinical case.
The group then begins to “brainstorm” about possible solutions to the issues at
hand. By the end of the session, students have identified information that needs to be
sought and have agreed who will work on what area.
Between the adjournment of the PBL seminar on Monday and the next meeting on
Wednesday, students actively seek out the information needed to solve the problem.
Working singly or in pairs, they refer to original research, texts (in book and electronic
formats), web sites of major scientific organizations, and other resources.
At the Wednesday meeting, students exchange what they have learned, often
making brief presentations and providing handouts. The class intranet site is used
widely to disseminate information. This meeting identifies new issues to be resolved,
and the group reconvenes on Friday to consolidate the learning.

What is the role of the teacher in PBL?

At WCMC, the teacher is a faculty member (and not, for example, a graduate student)
whose role is to coordinate and guide the discussion. The main purpose of the teacher
is not to impart information to students, but rather to assist in the exchange of ideas
and to guide the PBL process.

Does PBL work?

Most studies have concluded that PBL works at least as well as lecture-based
curricula. They have generally found that PBL students learn better in some areas and
worse in no areas. Moreover, students rate their satisfaction as significantly greater in
PBL formats.

Don’t most medical schools have PBL curricula now?

Most U.S. medical schools use some form of PBL. However, few (<10%) use mainly PBL.

Does WCMC use “pure” PBL?

No. WCMC uses a variety of teaching methods, including lecture, laboratory, PBL semi-
nars, journal clubs, office-based tutorials, simulated patients, robotics, clinical clerkships
and others. However, the heart of the basic science curriculum at WCMC is PBL.

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How long has WCMC instruction been based on PBL?
WCMC first employed PBL methods in the Pathophysiology course in the early 1990s.
Encouraged by the success of the experience, WCMC inaugurated its present PBL
curriculum in 1996. We continue to make adjustments annually based on student
and faculty feedback.

How does PBL differ from conventional medical school curricula?

PBL Conventional curricula

Small-group seminar Large lecture
Active learning Passive learning
Team learning Solo learning
Students seek out information Teacher imparts information
Discussion-based Listening-based
Problem-solving skills Memorization skills
Close contact with faculty Distant contact with faculty
Bidirectional Unidirectional

PBL fosters lifelong learning, open-ended inquiry, and student-directed

learning.

The Weill Cornell Community Clinic during a blood pressure screening day

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Learning Facilities
The Joan and Sanford I. Weill Education Center is a state-of-the-art educational
facility. Its 21 teaching rooms—each equipped with several large-screen iMac
computers and convertible into laboratories for microscopy—are ideal for small-group
learning. The Weill Auditorium features electrical outlets at every seat and high-speed
wireless network access, as well as advanced videoconferencing capabilities.
Computers are featured prominently in the WCMC curriculum, including
text, anatomic and microscopic images, video, sound, animations, simulations,
bibliographic searching, access to databases and more. Over 100 computers are
available throughout the Education Center and the Library.
The Weill Cornell Medical Library, composed of the Samuel J. Wood Library
and the C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center, is a modern information
resource. It contains extensive printed materials (books and journals) as well as
numerous electronic resources. Our small class size, numbering 101 students per
year, allows for especially personalized attention and instruction.
WEILL CORNELL LEARNING FACILITIES
MORE INFO
http://weill.cornell.edu/education/resources

Clinical Instruction
The principal teaching site for Weill Cornell Medical College is NewYork-
Presbyterian Hospital, one of the world’s leading medical centers. The Hospital is
consistently ranked in the top 10 of “Best Hospitals” in the country by U.S.News &
World Report magazine. The presence of some 2,500 faculty members, 50 residency
and clinical fellowship programs, and 500 residency positions, ensures a rich inter-
action between medical students, residents and faculty. In addition, the extensive
network of clinical affiliates allows students to experience all types of clinical settings,
both in- and out-patient.
During the clinical portion of their medical studies, students learn by actively
caring for patients, under the supervision of the faculty. Weill Cornell’s model for
clinical learning encourages the student to analyze clinical problems rigorously,
then discuss the interpretation with the faculty, then implement the clinical plan.
This encourages the student to develop independent clinical skills, while
safeguarding the highest level of patient care.
Weill Cornell’s extensive group of clinical affiliates includes New York Hospital-
Queens in Flushing; New York Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn;
New York Downtown Hospital in downtown Manhattan; Lincoln Medical and
Mental Health Center, a public hospital in the South Bronx; The Brooklyn Hospi-
tal Center in Fort Greene, Brooklyn; Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Bushwick,
Brooklyn; Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in Westchester County; the Westchester
Medical Group; Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca; and The Methodist Hospital
in Houston, Texas. These institutions serve a tremendous variety of communities,
which together may well form the most diverse patient population of any medical
college in the world.
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The Clinical Skills Center
The Weill Cornell Clinical Skills Center is dedicated to helping students learn
the crucial skills of practicing medicine. Special areas of focus include medical
interviewing, physical examination, patient-doctor communication and clinical
procedures. The Center’s advanced facilities include:

Standardized Patient Evaluation

Standardized patients are professional New York City actors trained to portray
clinical vignettes. Students interview and examine standardized patients in exam
rooms that are exact replicas of those in doctors’ offices.

Simulators
These are computerized manikins that reproduce clinical scenarios—especially
medical emergencies—with great realism. For example, instructors may program
the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack into the manikin’s computer, and the
student evaluates and treats the “patient,” which responds appropriately to the
student’s therapeutic decisions.

Task Trainers
These are smaller-scale manikins that allow students to practice such skills as
blood drawing, pelvic examination, and so on.

The Center’s advanced audio-visual technology allows instructors and students to

view any session in real time or to access digitally streamed recordings at any time
from a secure server. Critiquing a scenario can hone a variety of skills that students
need to be good doctors.

Standardized patient evaluation helps young doctors better understand the relationship between
patient and physician.

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Medical Student Research Day

MORE INFO VIDEO: MEDICAL STUDENT RESEARCH DAY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7IOyqrGb8Q

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Research at Weill Cornell Medical College
Weill Cornell Medical College and its scientific affiliates form one of the world’s
leading centers for biomedical research. Research is ongoing at every level of basic,
applied, clinical and translational research. While research experience is not required
for admission or for graduation, the vast majority of students have engaged in research
before and during their WCMC education. Campus’s research centers are:

Weill Cornell Medical College: The college’s present research laboratories have been com-
pletely renovated in recent years, increasing laboratory space by more than 25%. In addition,
construction has begun on a new 440,000 square foot medical research building directly
across the street from the Medical College. This will more than double the school’s existing
research space and serve as a hub for medical research in the New York City area.

MORE INFO http://weill.cornell.edu

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Established in 1884, Memorial Sloan-Kettering

Cancer Center is the world’s oldest and largest private institution devoted to prevention,
patient care, research and education in cancer. It is often regarded as the top center in the
country—indeed the world—for cancer care.

MORE INFO http://mskcc.org

The Hospital for Special Surgery: Founded in 1863, HSS was the first institution in the
United States dedicated to the treatment of orthopedic conditions. Specializing in orthope-
dics, rheumatology and sports medicine, HSS is one of the world’s premier centers for care in
these areas.

MORE INFO http://hss.edu

The Rockefeller University: Founded in 1901, The Rockefeller University is one of the
world’s premier biomedical research institutions. This graduate research university centers on
70 laboratories working in a broad range of fields, including molecular and cell biology,
genetics, immunology, neuroscience, structural biology, biophysics and biochemistry. The
faculty includes six Nobel laureates and 35 members of the National Academy of Science.

MORE INFO http://rockefeller.edu

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital: In addition to serving as Weill Cornell’s main site for

clinical teaching, the Medical Center is home to a wealth of clinical research in virtually all
areas of medical science. Among its many programs are numerous “Centers of Excellence”
in gene therapy, reproductive medicine, burns, vascular medicine, women’s health, comple-
mentary medicine, minimal-access surgery, and many other areas.

MORE INFO http://nyp.org

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Community Service
Since its inception in 1989, the Weill Cornell Community Service Program
(WCCSP) has been a resource for many of the medical students to become active
and stay involved in servicing their community. The hard work and commitment
of our medical students does not end at graduation. Many of the newly appointed
MDs continue to donate their time and services to the greater community of New
York City and beyond. It is very common for alumni to continue contributing to our
service programs in many ways. This type of involvement is a longstanding tradition
at Weill Cornell Medical College.
The WCCSP initiatives continue to expand and new projects emerge as
students tap into their creativity to find new and innovative ways to teach and serve
New York City. They work in partnership with their peers at New York Presbyterian
Hospital, and local city agencies to address many of the pressing medical and
social concerns of today’s world, among which are: teen pregnancy, homelessness,
substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, illiteracy, mentorship for our youth, healthcare for
uninsured adults, and the pervasive lack of basic health information.
Students learn and grow from their volunteer experiences. When exposed to
the needs of their community, they are more likely to become compassionate and
aware physicians who are sensitized to the special needs of the underserved. They
increase their ability to communicate with others, witness the real-life effects of
disease, integrate application with their theoretical studies, and gain a greater appre-
ciation of how cross-cultural differences impact their delivery of service. They gain
much by generously giving of themselves.
Over 80% of WCMC students participate in volunteer community service.
Their efforts range from medical services in soup kitchens and homeless shelters
to teaching elementary and high school students about disease prevention. Most
notable among their activities is the Weill Cornell Community Clinic, a student-led
organization that provides high-quality, comprehensive, primary health care free
of charge to uninsured New Yorkers. In this remarkable program, clinical teams
consisting of two students conduct full patient evaluations and, under the supervision
of the faculty, determine and implement appropriate patient care. The clinic offers
a broad array of services, including diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic
conditions, provision of free medications, preventive medicine, social work and
subspecialty referrals.
The MD with Honors in Service is a special degree that recognizes students
who have performed exceptional community service at WCMC. This honor is
designated on the diploma at graduation.

MORE INFO WEILL CORNELL COMMUNITY CLINIC

http://wccc.med.cornell.edu

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Student Success
Students at Weill Cornell Medical College are successful by all measures. Our
experience is that students learn extremely well. In the National Residency Matching
Program, students achieve the most highly sought post-graduate training positions in
the country. Weill Cornell alumni are pre-eminent in the profession: as scientists, as
physicians and as academic leaders.

MORE INFO VIDEO: WEILL CORNELL MATCH DAY 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cf77hTA6GQ

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Principles of the Admissions Process
Weill Cornell seeks applicants who uphold the highest academic and personal
standards. WCMC is among the most selective medical schools in the nation. Each
year the Committee on Admissions selects 101 students from over 5,000 applicants.
The Committee seeks students who it feels are best prepared for future leadership
roles in medicine. In addition to thorough preparation in the basic sciences, appli-
cants should have a broad liberal arts education with demonstrated accomplishment
in the humanities and social sciences.
We attempt to identify the best-qualified applicants from diverse academic and
personal backgrounds. In keeping with the principles of Weill Cornell Medical
College and Cornell University, we seek students with outstanding academic
accomplishments who have also demonstrated exceptional personal initiative.
Such initiative may take the form of leadership, creativity, research, community
service, motivation, or other life experiences.

Requirements
WCMC requires two semesters, or their equivalent, in biology, chemistry and physics.
These will typically be comprehensive introductory courses with laboratory. In biology,
coursework will typically include molecular biology, cell biology and genetics.
We recommend two semesters of organic chemistry, but we accept one semester
of organic chemistry, with lab, and one semester of other advanced biology or
chemistry coursework. Examples include biochemistry, physical chemistry, analytic
chemistry and molecular genetics.
WCMC requires two semesters of writing-intensive courses, one in the humanities
or social sciences (e.g., history, philosophy, anthropology), and one focusing on English-
language literature.
In some instances, actual laboratory work experience may substitute for laboratory
courses.
Integrated science courses that include biology, chemistry, physics and math-
ematical aspects of life sciences may be substituted for coursework in the three basic
science areas on a credit-hour-by-hour basis. These courses should be rigorous, and
competency in basic science content must be corroborated by achievement in other
areas such as advanced science courses, research, and/or MCAT scores.
WCMC strongly encourages applicants to undertake study in a broad range
of disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences, beyond the minimal
requirements for admission. Of particular value in the modern practice of medicine
are statistics, ethics, psychology, anthropology, sociology and management skills.
WCMC strongly encourages applicants to undertake study at an advanced,
in-depth level in at least one discipline, beyond the minimal requirements for
admission and the course requirements for their major.

MORE INFO ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

http://weill.cornell.edu/education/admissions

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How to Apply
All applicants must apply through the American Medical College Application Service
(AMCAS). AMCAS applications can be obtained only online (see below).
The deadline to submit this application is October 15.
When WCMC receives your verified application from AMCAS, we will send
you an e-mail with instructions on how to access our Supplemental Application
Form (SAF) online. The application fee is $75. This fee can be waived for applicants
who have been granted a fee waiver from AMCAS, and for others under special
circumstances.
We require letters of recommendation: either a composite letter of recommen-
dation from the applicant’s university pre-health careers advising office (preferred),
or two letters from others such as teachers and supervisors in work, service or
research. Applicants should request letters from persons who know them well and
can discuss their capabilities, accomplishments and character. A teacher, whether
at the undergraduate or graduate level, should be one who has worked with the
applicant personally. If the applicant has had a substantial research, work, clinical or
service experience, WCMC requests a letter from the supervisor in that experience.
WCMC requires scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Information on the MCAT may be obtained online (see below). Scores should not
be older than three years at time of application. Your application is not complete
until we have received your MCAT scores, so that the latest date that you can take
the MCAT and still be considered for admission is September of the year in which
you are applying.
All additional materials (SAF, MCAT scores and letters of recommendation)
must be received by WCMC by November 15.
The Tri-Institutional MD–PhD program has a separate application process and
different deadlines; see page 22.

MORE INFO AMCAS APPLICATION MCAT INFORMATION

http://aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm http://aamc.org/mcat

Selection Criteria
Premedical curriculum
The Committee on Admissions considers equally students with backgrounds in the
basic sciences, social sciences and liberal arts. Each application is considered on an
individual basis. We encourage applicants to pursue premedical curricula which
allow them to sample a broad range of academic disciplines and to explore one or
more areas in depth.
Letters of recommendation
WCMC requires letters of recommendation as described above. These play an
important role in the Committee’s assessment of your application and are submitted
through AMCAS.

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The Global Experience
WCMC has long been a leader in international medical education and supports
overseas electives in virtually every part of the world. These programs, funded by
Weill Cornell, often combine research with patient care and have brought stu-
dents to over 80 countries to date, especially in the developing nations of Asia,
Africa, the Caribbean and Central and South America. In Haiti, for example, stu-
dents join the work of Dr. Jean Pape at GHESKIO (Groupe Haitien d’Etudes du
Sarcome de Kaposi et des Infections Opportunistes, The Haitian Group for
the Study of Kaposi’s Sarcoma and Opportunistic Infections), founded in
1981 as a major outreach program for patients with HIV/AIDS. In the aftermath
of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the GHESKIO Center (although badly damaged)
managed to treat hundreds of patients and save countless lives.
The Weill Bugando University College of Health Sciences, located in Mwanza,
Tanzania, is a new medical college organized as a collaboration between WCMC
and St. Augustine’s University of Tanzania. WCMC students regularly enroll in
clinical electives there, where the clinical programs emphasize infectious disease,
HIV/AIDS and tropical medicine.

MORE INFO GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVES
http://weill.cornell.edu/globalhealth/index.html

Former President Bill Clinton meets with GHESKIO director Jean Pape, MD, Professor of
Medicine, shortly after the devastating earthquake in Port-Au-Prince. Because of their
long-standing service to Haiti, as well as their heroic work after the earthquake, Dr. Pape
and the GHESKIO Center received the 2010 Gates Foundation Award for Global Health.

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16– –
MCAT scores
The Committee regards the MCAT as a standardized tool which allows for one form
of comparison among applicants. MCAT scores are considered as part of the application
but do not outweigh other components of the application. There are no cut-offs for
MCAT scores. However, the average MCAT scores for the class entering in 2009
were 10.6 in the Verbal Section, 11.7 in the Physical Sciences Section, and 12.1 in
the Biological Sciences Section.
Extracurricular activities
The Committee is extremely interested in meaningful participation in extracurricular
activities, whether on- or off-campus. Such participation should demonstrate com-
mitment and involvement, as evidenced by extension over time, leadership roles and
accomplishments.
Investigation of the field of medicine
We encourage applicants to explore medicine in some form before entering medical
school. This exploration may take the form of research, volunteer activities in
medicine, preceptor experiences in medical practices or laboratories, summer
employment, etc. Again, we are interested in meaningful rather than perfunctory
participation.
Research
The Committee values applicants’ research experiences, whether in basic science,
social science or liberal arts. Research in biomedical sciences is encouraged.
Service
The Committee regards clinical medicine as a service profession and encourages
applicants to explore service opportunities, whether in medicine or in such fields as
education, social service or others.
Character
The practice of medicine requires the highest level of personal integrity. WCMC
seeks applicants whose characters are developing in a way conducive to the best
practice of medicine. This will include emotional maturity, personal depth, commit-
ment to others’ well-being, and ethical and moral integrity.

Interviews
Each year the Committee interviews some 700 applicants. As we receive over
5,000 applications, only a small portion of applicants will be selected for interview.
We select applicants for interview according to the extent to which we feel they
fulfill our selection criteria.
If you are offered an interview, we will notify you by e-mail or telephone and
give you a choice of dates. Please confirm the preferred date as soon as possible by
telephone or e-mail. If you are unable to come on any of the dates offered, we will
do our best to arrange for alternative dates and/or times.
If you live at a distance from New York City, we will try to schedule your interview
at a time convenient to you—for example, when you plan a visit New York.

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When necessary and feasible, a current student may serve as an overnight host.
On the day of the interview, please plan to stay for all scheduled activities, which
occupy most of the day. The day’s activities will include:
n An informational meeting with the Associate or Assistant Dean for Admissions
n A tour of the medical school
n Meetings and lunch with medical students
n Two interviews with members of the Committee on Admissions.
(The interviews, scheduled for 30 minutes each, are designed to provide
you with an opportunity to discuss your decision to pursue a career in
medicine, your preparation for medical school, and your life interests
and experiences.)

Acceptance to the Medical College

The Committee meets on a regular basis and discusses the applicants who have been
interviewed. Decisions regarding acceptance are made by consensus of the Committee.
While a small number of students are accepted in December, most of the class is
selected in early March.
If you are accepted to WCMC, we will notify you promptly after the decision by
e-mail and via the U.S. Postal Service. If you would like to accept our offer of admis-
sion, you must notify us within two weeks. We ask you to submit a tuition deposit for
$100 by May 15 to indicate your intention to attend WCMC.
If you do not wish to accept our offer of acceptance, please notify us promptly.
This allows us to offer acceptance to other applicants on a timely basis.
May 15 is the date by which applicants can hold only one acceptance at a U.S.
medical school. After this date, the tuition deposit is not refundable.
To matriculate, each accepted student must meet WCMC’s Technical Standards,
demonstrating all attributes deemed by the Medical College to be essential for a safe
and effective physician.

Wait List
Each year in early March, a number of students are offered places on the wait list.
If you are chosen for the wait list, we will notify you by e-mail. Please let us know
promptly whether you would like to accept the position on the wait list, or instead to
withdraw your application.
The wait list is not ranked. As positions become available in the entering class,
we offer acceptance to students on the wait list on an individual basis. Since many
students who eventually matriculate are accepted via the wait list, this should not be
construed as an unfavorable decision by the Committee.

Deferment
Deferring enrollment for one year is possible. Requests for deferment are con-
sidered on a case-by-case basis. If you wish to be considered for deferment, please
write to us explaining why you would like to be so considered, and what your plans

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are for the interval year. The Committee accepts proposals for deferment only when
the planned activity will contribute significantly to the applicant’s career in medicine.
The deadline for requesting deferment is June 1.

Early Decision
This program allows highly qualified applicants to apply initially only to WCMC.
The AMCAS deadline for the Early Decision (ED) Program is August 1. If you apply
to WCMC under the ED program, you must adhere to the tenets of the program. If
you are accepted to WCMC by ED, you will be notified by October 1. If you are ac-
cepted, it is expected that you will enroll at WCMC. Under ED program guidelines,
you may not apply to another medical school in the United States (AMCAS or non-
AMCAS) unless we do not offer you acceptance by October 1 or we release you from
the ED commitment.

Advanced Standing
When vacancies occur in the third-year classes, students may be admitted with
advanced standing. To be considered for admission with advanced standing (transfer),
you must be currently enrolled in good standing at a medical school accredited by the
LCME. Your qualifications must be comparable to those of WCMC students, and
you must have compelling personal circumstances that favor transfer. Positions are
extremely limited. Admission with advanced standing follows the guidelines of the
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
If you wish to apply to WCMC with advanced standing, please contact the
Admissions Office. You will need to submit a formal application, official transcripts of
all prior academic work, two letters of recommendation from medical school
faculty members, and a letter of good academic standing from the Dean of Academic
and/or Student Affairs.

The Medical College’s main entrance at 1300 York Avenue in Manhattan

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Weill Cornell often plays host to national and international leaders who visit the Medical College
to discuss global health concerns with students and faculty. Past speakers have included His
Excellency Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, who spoke in 2010 as part of Weill
Cornell’s Global Health Curriculum.

Jakaya Kikwete

MORE INFO VIDEO: PRESIDENT JAKAYA KIKWETE AT WEILL CORNELL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Y9A0HWQzo

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Student Life
Weill Cornell Medical College is located in the heart of Manhattan, one of the
world’s foremost capitals of science, culture, arts, business, and the life of the mind.
Situated on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and overlooking the East River,
WCMC enjoys one of the loveliest residential neighborhoods in the city.
Students live on campus in single dormitory-type rooms, studios, or one- and
two-bedroom apartments. Numerous food stores, restaurants, stores, theaters and
other amenities are within a few minutes’ walk. Also within walking distance are
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Carnegie Hall, The Museum of
Modern Art, The Frick Collection, The Asia Society, The Hispanic Society,
numerous art galleries, and the great strolls along Madison and Fifth Avenues.
Students partake liberally of the wonderful opportunities of New York, from Yankee
Stadium to Lincoln Center to SoHo and Greenwich Village. Olin Hall houses a
student gymnasium, and runners enjoy the esplanade along the East River.
Student organizations are many and varied, representing the broad interests of
the student body. In addition to the student government, WCMC has student chapters
of many medical organizations. These and other student organization sponsor
social events, lectures and community outreach projects. Other groups have formed
around music, literature, art, film and athletic interests.

MORE INFO NEW YORK CITY INFORMATION
http://nyc.gov

Diversity in Medicine
Cornell University has been deeply committed to diversity from its very founding,
and the Medical College upholds this principle. Our educational mission is dedicated
to the inclusion of students from diverse ethnic, racial, economic and educational
backgrounds. Special summer research programs are available for college undergraduates
who have a major interest in the medical problems of the underserved.
MORE INFO
TRAVELERS SUMMER PROGRAM
http://weill.cornell.edu/education/programs/tra_sum_res.html

Financial Aid
The applicant’s financial status, or an application for financial aid, is not a factor in
the decision to accept an applicant to WCMC.
All financial aid is based on need, as determined by WCMC. While most medical
students borrow money to help finance their education, WCMC’s robust financial
aid program means that our graduates leave the institution with a debt load that is, on
average, lower than graduates of other private and even of public medical schools.
All loans from WCMC are subsidized, and tuition grants from Cornell are
generous. All recipients meet at least annually with WCMC financial aid counselors
to review their aid packages and to plan for financial management after graduation.

MORE INFO FINANCIAL AID

http://weill.cornell.edu/education/admissions/app_fin_aid.html

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International Students
WCMC welcomes applications from international students. However, financial aid
can be offered only to those applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Persons who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents must either
pay for four years of tuition and expenses in advance, or deposit this sum in an
escrow account.

MD-PhD Program
The MD-PhD Program allows outstanding applicants to obtain both the MD and
the PhD degrees in preparation for careers as physician scientists. Weill Cornell
Medical College, The Rockefeller University and the Sloan-Kettering Institute
comprise a tri-institutional group of world-renowned biomedical research institutions
on contiguous campuses. Students in the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program command
two complementary skills: advanced understanding of biomedical science and
research, and outstanding grounding in human biology and clinical medicine. Students
experience the excitement of modern biomedical research through a rigorous, yet
flexible, specially tailored course of study and unrestricted access to experienced
mentors in leading research laboratories.
The faculties at Weill Cornell, Rockefeller and Sloan-Kettering are among the
most distinguished medical and biomedical scientists in the world. The size of the
graduate faculty ensures that there is broad expertise in all of the major biomedical
research disciplines. The quality and size of the Program faculty and the limited
number of students in the Program ensure that the students will receive outstanding
research training as well as substantial contact with their advisers and other faculty
members.

The Program consists of three parts:

n Two years of medical school education, including two year-long graduate
level courses (Frontiers in Biomedical Science I & II). Students also complete
three research rotations (in three different laboratories, in at least two different
research institutions).
n At least three years of graduate education and original research to satisfy the
requirements for the PhD degree. Students take two semester-long graduate
courses and complete other formal requirements (defend a thesis proposal or
present a research proposal and eventually write and defend their thesis).
n A final clinical year when students follow the third-year medical school
curriculum plus additional clinical training depending on their interests.

All students accepted into the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program receive
full-tuition scholarships and stipends to cover living expenses for the entire period
of study.

MORE INFO
MD-PhD PROGRAM
http://weill.cornell.edu/mdphd

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MD with Honors in Research Program
The MD with Honors in Research Program encourages and recognizes achievement
in biomedical research by granting students a special degree at graduation. The student
must successfully complete a laboratory or clinical research project, at WCMC or
one of its affiliated medical centers, supervised by a member of the faculty. Time
commitment to the project may vary from summer work and electives to a year of
full-time research.

MD with Honors in Service Program

Students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation and commitment
to service have the opportunity to receive recognition of their excellence with the
designation of “Doctor of Medicine with Honors in Service” at the time of graduation.
To receive this recognition, the student must perform significant service to the community
or the Medical College, and submit an original scholarly paper related to the work,
under the sponsorship of a faculty member. Those applicants determined by a Service
Committee to have fulfilled these criteria will be considered for receiving the Honors
in Service recognition at Commencement.

MD–MBA Program
This program allows students to complete both an MD and an MBA in five years.
The MBA portion of the program is completed at the Johnson Graduate School of
Management of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Students may apply to the
joint program during the first three years of study. Students interested in pursuing a
joint MD-MBA degree through this program must apply to both programs separately
and must meet the admission requirements of both programs. Admission to one
program does not guarantee admission to the other.

MORE INFO
MD-MBA PROGRAM
http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/academic/accelerated

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23 ––
Composition of the Class
WCMC seeks to develop a heterogeneous student body by selecting highly
qualified applicants from diverse academic, geographic, socioeconomic and
ethnic backgrounds. Many students majored in liberal arts during their under-
graduate studies, and many are older students who have had life experiences outside
their formal studies. While the composition of the class varies from year to year,
the profile for the class entering in 2009 is as follows:

Total average MCAT scores...............................34.4

Mean science GPA..............................................3.73
Men....................................................................... 55
Women................................................................. 46
Underrepresented in medicine........................... 25
Age range....................................................... 21–42 years (mean 23.6 years)
MD–PhD candidates............................................ 14
Colleges represented........................................... 61
Science majors...................................................... 73%
Non-science majors.............................................. 20%
Double Major, Science/Non-science...................... 8%
U.S. citizens or permanent residents.................. 99
International students........................................... 2

Applications received..................................... 5,580

Applicants interviewed..................................... 732
Matriculants....................................................... 101

Important Dates
August 1....................... AMCAS application due for Early Decision
October 15................... AMCAS application due for all other applicants
October 15................... Complete application to MD–PhD program due
November 15............... Complete application to WCMC due
Early March................. Class selected
Early April . ................. Accepted Students’ weekend (check web site)
May 15......................... Tuition deposit ($100) for accepted students due
May 15......................... Only one medical school acceptance may be held
August (3rd week)........ Matriculation and orientation; classes begin

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Important Contact Information
Office of Admissions
Weill Cornell Medical College
445 East 69th Street, Room 104
New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 746-1067
Fax: (212) 746-8052
www.weill.cornell.edu/education/admissions
e-mail: wcmc-admissions@med.cornell.edu

Office of Student Affairs and Equal Opportunity Programs

Weill Cornell Medical College
445 East 69th Street, Room 110
New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 746-1058; (212) 746-1062

Office of Financial Aid

Weill Cornell Medical College
445 East 69th Street, Room 110
New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 746-1065; (212) 746-1066
e-mail: low2001@med.cornell.edu

Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD–PhD Program

1300 York Avenue, Room C103
New York, NY 10065
Tel: (212) 746-6023; Fax: (212) 746-8678
www.weill.cornell.edu/mdphd
e-mail: mdphd@med.cornell.edu

Student Housing
Weill Cornell Medical College
Lasdon House
420 East 70th Street, #2S
New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 746-1001

Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences

1300 York Avenue, Room A131
New York, NY 10065
Tel: (212) 746-6565; Fax: (212) 746-8906
www.weill.cornell.edu/GSMS
e-mail: gsms@med.cornell.edu

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Travel to Weill Cornell Medical College
WCMC is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City.
The Admissions Office is located at 445 East 69th Street (Olin Hall) on the corner
of 69th Street and York Avenue. The Medical College can be easily reached by car,
taxi, bus or subway.

MORE INFO
CAMPUS MAPS/TRAVEL INFORMATION
http://weill.cornell.edu/contact/maps.html

Admissions Staff
Charles L. Bardes, MD
Associate Dean (Admissions)

Lori Nicolaysen
Assistant Dean (Admissions)

Woldine Guerrier
Administrative Assistant & Interview Coordinator

Staff : Joanne Cabrera

Samantha Gierbolini
Nydia Pagan-Arocho
Melissa Gomez

Online Resources
Learn more about Weill Cornell by joining one or more of our social
media communities:

MORE INFO FACEBOOK: Weill Cornell Medical College

TWITTER: @weillcornell
YOUTUBE: WCMCnews
This publication is also available as an online book at http://www.scribd.com
(search for “Weill Cornell”)

WCMC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, national or ethnic
origin, sexual orientation, age or handicap in the administration of its educational programs or
activities. Carlyle Miller, MD, is the Affirmative Action Officer and Handicap Program Coordinator
for WCMC. He can be reached at Olin Hall 110, at (212) 746-1058.

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Students in the Samuel J. Wood Library at 1300 York Avenue

MORE INFO

WEILL CORNELL LIBRARY FACEBOOK PAGE

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Weill-Cornell-Medical-College-Library/18152515765?ref=search

– 27 –
 1300 York Avenue
New York, NY 10065

www.weill.cornell.edu