The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine was founded in 1907 as the University of South Dakota College of Medicine and Surgery, making it one of the oldest medical schools in the region. It was originally located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but relocated to Vermillion in 1919. The school changed its name to USD Sanford School of Medicine in 2005 to honor businessman T. Denny Sanford who donated more than $70 million to the school. Since its establishment, the school has expanded its scope and now offers a variety of programs for students at all levels, from undergraduate studies to postgraduate degrees. One of its most popular programs is the Medical Scholars Program, which allows students to gain hands-on experience in a variety of medical fields during their undergraduate studies. The school also has a strong focus on research and is home to several research centers dedicated to advancing healthcare knowledge and practice. In addition, USD Sanford School of Medicine has established partnerships with many local hospitals and clinics that allow students to gain real-world experience while attending classes at the school. This kind of experiential learning helps graduates be well-prepared for their future careers as medical professionals.
University of South Dakota, abbreviated as USD, is one of the top-ranked U.S. medical schools located in Sioux Falls, SD. Keep reading to see admissions application information including average GRE scores, admissions selection factors and dual degree programs of University of South Dakota.
1400 W. 22nd Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 677-6886
Admissions E-mail: usdsmsa@usd.edu
Web site: http://www.usd.edu/med/md
Electronic application: N/A
Fall 2008 Admissions Information
AMCAS application accepted? Yes
Earliest application date: 06/01
Application deadline: 11/15
Oldest MCAT considered: 2005
Application fee: $35
Director of admissions: Dr. Paul C. Bunger
Does this school ask for a secondary application as part of the admissions process? Yes
This school requires undergraduate work in these subjects in order to apply: biology, organic chemistry, inorganic (general) chemistry, physics, mathematics
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 21
-Latest date: March 21
Applicant’s response to acceptance offer for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Maximum time in weeks: 2 weeks
-Does the school consider requests for deferred entrance? Yes
-Deposit to hold place in class: $100
-Deposit due: At time of acceptance offer
-Deposit refundable prior to: June 1
-Starting month for the class of 2007-2008: August
Early Decision Plan application period for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Does the school have an Early Decision Plan (EDP)? No
-EDP application period begins: N/A
-EDP application period ends: N/A
-EDP applicants notified by: N/A
Fall 2005 Admissions Statistics
The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of around 8%. This means that out of the thousands of applicants each year, only a few are accepted. The average GPA for accepted students is 3.7, and the median MCAT score is 509. Additionally, the average amount of volunteer hours for accepted students is over 200 hours. The school prides itself on its diverse student body, with over half of the student body being made up of minority students. The school also encourages applicants to have research experience or other extracurricular activities that show leadership skills and dedication to medicine and healthcare. Furthermore, they look for evidence that demonstrates a commitment to service in medically underserved areas or rural communities.
Does the school have a combined college/M.D. program? No
Number of years to complete combined college/M.D. program: N/A
Web site for combined college/M.D. program: N/A
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)
All accepted applicants are either residents of SD or have very strong ties to the state. All SD resident applicants are granted an interview. Factors considered are academic strength, interest in Family Medicine, interest in practice in SD, motivation, interpersonal skills, a record of service to others and/or leadership experiences, and a demonstrated beginning understanding of the career.
