Geisinger Commonwealth

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton, PA · Private · MD

Average MCAT: 514.03
Average GPA: 3.87
Class size: 126
Tuition: $71,766 (per year, nonresident)
Out-of-state applicants: Welcome

Deadlines

AMCAS deadline: Dec. 15, 2026
Early Decision Program: Aug. 1, 2026
Secondary deadline: Jan. 15, 2027

Essays

Essay 1 (applying to Abigail Geisinger Scholars) (1,500 characters)

Do you plan to apply for the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program? (Y/N). If yes, which specialty are you interested in? Please share with the Admissions Committee what primary care means to you, and why you believe you are a good fit for the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program.

Essay 1 (not applying to the Scholars Program) (1,500 characters)

Given Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s unique mission and values, please tell us why you believe you are a good fit for our institution.

Essay 2 (1,500 characters)

List the five most important attributes you believe a physician should possess. Please choose one that you believe you embody and describe a personal experience that demonstrates this trait.

Essay 3 (1,500 characters)

GCSOM prioritizes the delivery of evidence-based medicine through compassionate and culturally humble care for all patients, particularly for the communities of Northeast and Central Pennsylvania. How will you contribute to these priorities?

Essay 4 (reapplicants) (1,500 characters)

If you have previously applied to medical school, please describe your significant experiences between this year’s application and your previous application. If you are not a previous applicant, please type, “N/A” in the response area.

Editor's notes

Decide on the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program before you open the secondary, because your first essay changes with the answer. It's free tuition and a stipend for a real commitment: primary care at Geisinger after residency. Thirty-five of 126 students in the Class of 2030 took it, so it's a mainstream path here, not a niche one.
Take PREview. It's not required, and the FAQ says a missing score is disregarded, but the school strongly encourages it and uses scores in review. The test runs only June to September, so it has to be on your summer calendar.
The deadlines are late (AMCAS Dec. 15, secondary Jan. 15), but offers start in October. The interview page says it's in your interest to finish the application as early as possible. Believe it.
The mission is regional. Sixty-four percent of the Class of 2030 are Pennsylvania residents and 35 come from the school's own counties. If you're from elsewhere, Essay 3 is where you show you understand Northeast and Central Pennsylvania and would train there on purpose.