Connections Program students spend four years completing their undergraduate degree, followed by four years at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Students who choose to be a part of a major with required co-op will finish their undergraduate degree in five years, followed by four years at the College of Medicine.

Yes. Although most Connections students score well above the minimum, Connections students must take the MCAT and score a minimum composite score of 507. Students must also earn a minimum AMCAS-calculated cumulative GPA of 3.50 and BCPM 3.50.

No. Most Connections students come to college with a significant number of AP, post secondary, and/or IB credits; however, students are not permitted to enter the College of Medicine until four years after starting their undergraduate degree. Instead, students are encouraged to utilize this advantage by participating in special opportunities (e.g., multiple majors, study abroad, internships, co-ops, research, dual degrees).

No. The Connections Program does not require that students matriculate to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. However, the majority of Connections students do matriculate to our College of Medicine (~90%).

The application typically opens in fall each year and will be accessible on the Connections Dual Admissions Program homepage. Applications must be completed in-full prior to the application deadline posted on the Program's website. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Connections Dual Admission application is separate from the University of Cincinnati application for undergraduate admission. In order to interview for our program, you must have submitted your Common Application by the Connections application deadline, and, subsequently, be accepted to the University of Cincinnati undergraduate college. Please visit the UC Undergraduate Admissions website for application details.

Yes. The essays are included with the online application. No separate essays should be submitted for application to this program. Additional essays/personal statements and other collateral materials not requested by the online application will not be considered.

Selecting individuals to write your recommendations is a personal decision. Your letters should be written by people who can comment on your strengths in science and your interest in and commitment to medicine. Letters should be written on letterhead and must be uploaded by the Letter Writer in the application portal, MedOneStop. Check MedOneStop often (before the deadline) to confirm that your letter writers submitted their letters. We do not provide extensions.

No. Beginning with the 2025 application cycle, Connections BS/MD applicants are not required to upload a transcript to the Connections application. Instead, applicants will complete a brief academic history within their application, outlining their math and science coursework. Additionally, letter writers may reference the applicant’s academic performance in their recommendations. For students who are offered admission, a full review of the official high school transcript will be conducted as part of the final verification process.

The Connections Program uses students’ self-reported ACT and SAT scores provided through the online application. We do not have a program specific code, and therefore cannot accept (and do not require) an official copy of the test scores report. Please note that the application process for Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Cincinnati is independent from Connections Program and you should follow the process for submitting ACT and/or SAT codes to them.

Yes. You may also pay by electronic check. The application fee is submitted electronically with your online application.

All changes to the status of a Connections application will be communicated via the application status page. Therefore, students should regularly log-in to their applications (using their unique username and password combinations) and review the application status page for any updates regarding the status of their applications.

• We STRONGLY recommend that students DO NOT wait until the deadline to submit your application.
  
  • Applicants must first submit their Connections application in order for school officials/letter writers to receive the notification email instructing them to upload documents. Give your letter writers as much time as possible to submit before the deadline.
• Applications are not complete until both letters of recommendation are submitted.

No. We do not meet with applicants to discuss their applications. Instead, we suggest that you have a teacher or school advisor review your essays and written responses. It is important to construct essays that are focused and respond to the question, but that also reflect your personality and interests. Honest and reflective essays that refer to specific experiences are often more effective than those that rely on common observations (“I want to be a doctor because I want to help people”).

Applications are reviewed after the application deadline. The application review committee will invite up to 32 students to interview. Only students who have also completed the University of Cincinnati undergraduate application will be invited to interview. Students are notified of their invitation to interview via the application portal, MedOneStop, in February of their application year. Therefore, it is recommended that students regularly log-in to the portal during that time - the Connections Office will also advise the applicant to check their portal for status updates (so, no need to email to request an update).

All applicants’ statuses will be updated in MedOneStop, as admissions decisions are made. Interview invitations will be posted in the Application Portal, and final admission decisions will be available in April of each year. We do not discuss applicants’ interview or admission status over the phone; applicants must first check the application portal, MedOneStop. 

Yes. Interviews are normally held at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and cannot be rescheduled.

Applicants normally wear business casual or business attire.

On average, the Connections Program accepts 3 to 15 applicants per year.

No. The Connections Program welcomes applicants from any state within the United States (i.e., applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents). The proportion of out-of-state students varies from year to year, but overall roughly 20-50% of our students are out-of-state residents.

No. Connections applicants are encouraged to apply to university-wide scholarships, as most of our students are awarded scholarships at the undergraduate level. Connections applicants may also qualify for various merit-based scholarships and aid at the University level. Please visit the UC Office of Student Financial Aid website for more information.

Yes, in rare cases. If concerns arise at any time regarding students’ academic performance, personal conduct, or professional development (including underage alcohol violations), they will be reviewed by the Admission Committee, and will be subject to action up to and including dismissal from the program.

Yes. We understand that making a decision about a career while still in high school is daunting. Students may withdraw at any time during their undergraduate career by submitting a signed letter to the Director of the Connections Dual Admissions Program.