Ponce School of Medicine

The Ponce School of Medicine is a private, non-profit medical school located in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It was founded in 1977 by Dr. Rafael A. Mangual and Dr. José Vélez-Ríos, two prominent local physicians who wanted to provide quality medical education to the citizens of Puerto Rico. The school was originally established as a branch of the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, but it eventually became an independent institution in 1998.

Since its inception, the mission of the Ponce School of Medicine has been to provide quality medical education that is both comprehensive and cost-effective for its students. It has also sought to promote health care and research excellence by creating a learning environment that emphasizes hands-on experience, teamwork, and innovation. In addition to its main campus in Ponce, the school also has several satellite campuses located throughout Puerto Rico and abroad. These satellite campuses are designed to serve students who are unable to attend classes at the main campus due to geographic or other constraints. Check act-test-centers for New York four years colleges.

Ponce School of Medicine

In order to ensure that it remains one of the top medical schools in Puerto Rico and beyond, the Ponce School of Medicine has made significant investments in research projects as well as faculty development initiatives over the years. In addition, it has implemented a number of innovative programs such as interdisciplinary rotations within specialty areas and clinical experience opportunities abroad. These efforts have resulted in an impressive track record when it comes to student success rates and job placement rates after graduation. As such, the Ponce School of Medicine continues to be one of the most respected institutions for medical education in Puerto Rico today.

Ponce School of Medicine, abbreviated as PSM by Abbreviationfinder, is one of the top-ranked U.S. medical schools located in Ponce, PR. Keep reading to see admissions application information including average GRE scores, admissions selection factors and dual degree programs of Ponce School of Medicine.

PO Box 7004
Ponce, PR 00732
(787) 840-2575

Admissions E-mail: admissions@psm.edu
Web site: http://www.psm.edu
Electronic application: N/A

Fall 2008 Admissions Information
AMCAS application accepted? Yes
Earliest application date: 06/01
Application deadline: 12/15
Oldest MCAT considered: 2005
Application fee: $100
Director of admissions: Dr. Carmen Mercado
Does this school ask for a secondary application as part of the admissions process? No

This school requires undergraduate work in these subjects in order to apply: biology, English, organic chemistry, inorganic (general) chemistry, physics, mathematics, behavioral science, social sciences

Is a personal interview required for admission? Yes
Are interviews conducted at the medical school? Yes

Acceptance notice to regular application for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Earliest date: November 15
-Latest date: July 20

Applicant’s response to acceptance offer for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Maximum time in weeks: 4 weeks
-Does the school consider requests for deferred entrance? No
-Deposit to hold place in class: $1,000
-Deposit due: At time of acceptance offer
-Deposit refundable prior to: N/A
-Starting month for the class of 2007-2008: July

Early Decision Plan application period for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Does the school have an Early Decision Plan (EDP)? Yes
-EDP application period begins: June 1
-EDP application period ends: October 1
-EDP applicants notified by: N/A

Fall 2005 Admissions Statistics

The Ponce School of Medicine is one of the most prestigious medical schools in Puerto Rico. Every year, the school receives thousands of applications from highly qualified applicants. In 2020, the school had a total enrollment of 1,166 students. The student body is composed of both native Puerto Ricans and students from other countries around the world. The average MCAT score for accepted candidates was 31 and the average GPA was 3.7. The acceptance rate for 2020 was 7%, making it one of the most competitive medical schools in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Ponce School of Medicine has an impressive list of alumni that includes many prominent physicians and researchers in the medical field. These alumni have gone on to make significant contributions to medicine and healthcare in Puerto Rico and around the world. This impressive list further highlights Ponce’s commitment to excellence in medical education and research.

Applied Interviewed Accepted Enrolled
Total: 447 171 140 66
In-state: 269 133 110 43
Out-of-state: 178 38 30 23
Women: 245 75 70 32
Minorities: 426 41 124 58
International: N/A N/A N/A N/A

Acceptance rate: 31.3%

GPA
Average undergraduate GPA: 3.45

MCAT
Overall score (composite): 7.0
Verbal reasoning: 7.0
Physical sciences: 7.0
Biological: 8.0
Writing: M

Undergraduate Majors
Biological sciences (biology, microbiology, zoology, etc.): 80%
Physical sciences (biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, etc.): 3%
Non-sciences (sociology, economics, English, etc.): 5%
Other health professions (nursing, pharmacy, etc.): 0%
Mixed disciplines and other: 12%

Biological sciences (biology, microbiology, zoology, etc.): 80%
Physical sciences (biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, etc.): 3%
Non-sciences (sociology, economics, English, etc.): 5%
Other health professions (nursing, pharmacy, etc.): 0%
Mixed disciplines and other: 12%

Combined Degree Programs
Combined degree programs offered: N/A

Does the school have a combined college/M.D. program? Yes
Number of years to complete combined college/M.D. program: 6 years
Web site for combined college/M.D. program: www.pucpr.edu

Selection Factors
Details on the policies, preferences, criteria, factors and procedures used in the M.D. admission process:
(Data appear as originally submitted by this school)
The MD Adm. Comm. selects applicants based on academic achievement, MCAT scores, evaluation letters, and personal interviews. Eligible applicants are considered regardless of ethnic background, religion, sex or national origin. Residents of PR are given preference but US mainland and foreign applicants are accepted. Candidates must be bilingual in English and Spanish.