University of Iowa Carver

Iowa City, IowaMD Official website

MCAT514AverageSources and context for MCAT
GPA3.81AverageSources and context for GPA
Class size1532025-2026Source for Class size
In-state tuition$39,313One year, tuition and feesSource for In-state tuition

Mission

The Admissions Committee for the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine admits students who have a genuine interest in the study and practice of medicine; show a desire and commitment to serve the public in matters of health; and who have the personal, professional and intellectual skills and characteristics required to become and competent and caring physician. Personal qualities considered by the Admissions Committee include high moral character, independent thinking, the ability to communicate and interact with others in a sensitive and caring way, the ability to maintain professionalism in stressful situations, and dedication to the idea of service. Understanding the importance of the educational benefits resulting from a diverse student population and the interest by the medical profession in serving the healthcare needs of a changing American population, the Admissions Committee values each applicant’s unique strengths, experiences and background. To execute our mission, the committee utilizes a holistic review of all candidates. Our committee values each candidates' different experiences and personal stories and takes into consideration: first generation college students, rural backgrounds and experiences, socioeconomic status, and any other impactful experiences students describe in their application that will make them a compassionate and excellent physician. Please read our sections about Campus Life to learn more about how Carver's mission informs our culture of collaboration and other initiatives.
As the school states it

Admissions office

Medical Student AdmissionsIowa City, IA 52242 USA
(319) 335-8052
[email protected]

Tuition and cost

Tuition and fees
In state$39,313
Out of state$60,712
One year, as reported. A missing figure means the school did not report it, never that it costs nothing.
Cost of attendance
In state$71,215
Out of state$92,614
Tuition plus the living costs the school budgets for. This is what a loan is sized against.
What you leave with
Average graduating debt
$179,719
Students receiving aid
88%
Health insurance
In state
$0
Out of state
$0
After graduation
Monthly loan payment
$2,014
Earnings, 1 year out
$65,889
Earnings, 5 years out
$178,334

Loan payment is on federal graduate loans only. Earnings are medians for everyone who finished this program, and a year out most of them are in residency.

Who can apply

Out-of-state ApplicantsYesYes, Carver accepts nonresident applications
Canadian ApplicantsNoNo
International ApplicantsNoNo
DACA Status ApplicantsNoNo
Transfer applicantsNoNot accepted
Community college prerequisitesYesAccepted
AP creditYesAccepted
Online courseworkYesAccepted
Pass/fail courseworkYesAccepted

Coursework taken at community colleges is acceptable for introductory/prerequisite coursework. Our admissions committee generally prefers upper level science courses taken at a university level.

Applying

How competitive is admission here?

29.6applications per seat2025-2026
4,527applications received2025-2026
6.5%from in state2025-2026
  1. MCAT scores this school will read
    Oldest accepted
    January 2023
    Latest accepted
    September 30, 2026
  2. AAMC PREview
    Policy
    We are not using PREview scores in the admissions process
  3. Secondary application
    Required
    Yes
    Fee
    $60
    Sent to
    Overall and BCPM GPA 3.0. If not 3.0, 20 hours science post bacc or graduate work at 3.5 or higher. MCAT score must be 500 or higher to receive a secondary (all subcategories at least 123).
    Fee waiver
    Available
  4. Secondary deadline
    Due
    December 15, 2026 Secondary application submission deadline (Oct 15 is strongly encouraged)
  5. Letters of recommendation
    Committee letter
    Accepted
    Letter packet
    Accepted
    Individual letters
    Accepted
  6. Interview
    Invitations
    Mid August
  7. Deposit on an offer
    Required
    No

Prerequisite coursework

  • Biochemistry1 course that includes a comprehensive review of molecular structures and biochemistry of carbohydrates, nucleic acids and proteins, central metabolic pathways, enzyme functions, and metabolism of carbon based molecules.Not stated
  • Biology2 semesters of introductory courses with labs, and 1 advanced course. Recommended advanced courses include molecular and cell biology, human physiology, genetics, microbiology.LabNot stated
  • Chemistry3 semesters of introductory courses, to include General and Organic with labs.LabNot stated
  • Composition & Rhetoric2 courses (composition and literature). If you satisfy the English requirement for your undergraduate degree program, you also satisfy our English requirement.Not stated
  • Mathematics1 advanced mathematics course or statistics course.Not stated
  • Physics2 semesters of introductory courses with labsLabNot stated
  • PsychologySocial and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities: 4 courses. Applicants are encouraged to complete coursework that addresses social determinants of health. Recommended courses include behavioral psychology, sociology, ethics, philosophy, foreign language, and other non- science writing-intensive coursesNot stated

Interview

Held: virtual
Video interview

Video interviews are not offered. Virtual interviews are offered

Regional interviews

Regional interviews are not available

How the school describes it

Candidates are interviewed individually by two faculty members for 25 minutes. The interview day includes a case-based learning session facilitated by M4 students. Both virtual and in person interview formats are available.

Invitations

Mid August

A typical interview day

Carver conducts "closed file" interviews - interviewers are faculty volunteers and want to get to know candidates "off of paper" completely! Do not let this scare you - candidates often tell us how nervous they were before the interview and feel very positive about it afterwards. We make great efforts to keep nerves low so candidates can perform at their very best on interview day. A previous interviewee wrote this about their Carver interview experience: "I think the interview process was amazing! This was my first in -person interview experience, and it was a lot less stressful than I imagined." We offer both in person and virtual interviews. Admissions committee members will not know the format candidates choose. For more information, see https://md.medicine.uiowa. edu/admissions/application -process/interview-faq

If you are waitlisted

Waitlist positions
50 Residents; 100 Nonresidents
Waitlist offers
48

Applicants are notified of alternate list position number and updated on secondary.

Sources

Figures here were last reviewed on 2026-08-04.

PreMD publishes no ranking of medical schools and republishes nobody else's. Reported averages and medians describe entering classes; they do not predict an applicant's result.

PreMD is an independent planning tool for applicants. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by this school, and this is not the school's official website. Marks are shown for identification.