Buffalo (Jacobs)

Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY · Public · MD

Median MCAT: 510 (506–515)
Median GPA: 3.79
Class size: 180 (6,894 applicants)
Tuition: $71,190 (per year, nonresident)
Out-of-state applicants: Welcome

Deadlines

AMCAS deadline: Nov. 15, 2026
Early Decision Program: Aug. 1, 2026
Secondary deadline: Dec. 1, 2026

Essays

Western New York and Jacobs fit (300 words)

The Jacobs School of Medicine recognizes the many options you have in choosing medical schools in which to apply. Using personal experiences or connections, in 300 words or less, explain how Western New York and/or the Jacobs School align with your values, making it a place you feel would be a good fit for you to not only complete your medical education but continue your career.

Marginalization (300 words)

In 300 words or less, please describe a time when you observed someone being marginalized whether through a subtle remark, a dismissive comment or their perspective being overlooked. How did you respond in the moment and what informed your decision-making? How has this experience influenced your commitment to an inclusive learning environment in medical school?

Clinical encounter (300 words)

In 300 words or less, please describe a clinical encounter that challenged your assumptions.

Parents' occupation (1,000 characters)

If your parents DO NOT work in a health care field, please list their occupation.

Military (5,000 characters)

If you or your parents are active military, please describe below:

Jacobs programs (5,000 characters)

If you have participated in any educational program sponsored by our medical school, please list programs and dates.

Editor's notes

Your interviewers won't see your GPA or MCAT. They write a narrative report on who you are, and that report goes to the committee alongside your numbers. So the interview is where your experiences carry the most weight. Prepare stories, not stats.
Jacobs is a state school that says it prefers New York residents, especially Western New Yorkers, when qualifications are equal. Eighty-nine percent of the Class of 2030 is from New York. If you're from out of state, the fit essay has to do real work: give a concrete reason you'd train and stay in Buffalo.
The AMCAS deadline is Nov. 15 and the supplemental is due Dec. 1, but decisions start in December and roll after that. With about 600 interviews for 180 seats, an early, complete file is the practical move.
PREview is optional this cycle and the school says scores won't be used to judge applications. Don't spend prep time on it at the expense of your essays.