Please read this page in its entirety. While there is a lot of information here, many of your most common questions will be answered!
How do I know if I am a competitive applicant?
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is December 1. The Admissions Committee will begin reviewing applications as they are completed and received, so it is beneficial to apply early.
How can I find out if my application and supporting documents have been received?
Applicants may log into your application and click on the "Check Status" tab to see if supporting documents (letters of recommendation, ELP scores and application fees) have been received/processed. The PMI Administraion will post your documents to your application page as soon as possible. We request that you check the status of your application online PRIOR TO contacting the PMI Admin team for assistance. **Remember, your application fee must be paid in order for our Admissions Committee to review your application.**
Where should supporting documents be sent?
All results/scores for English proficiency exams (PDF documents) should be emailed directly to our PMI Admistration email (pmiadm@pitt.edu). During the application process, we do not require that hard copies of the score sheets be sent. The same goes for transcripts. During the application process, we do not require that you send any official transcripts. This is done to save applicants time and money.
When will I know if I've been accepted?
The Admissions Committee arranges to interview all applicants whom they are considering for admission. Interviews of overseas applicants may be conducted by teleconference. Most interviews take place between January through March. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis between February 1 and April 1.
What is my application fee?
The application fee is $50, which is due before we can begin processing your application. The fee can be in the form of a check or money order made payable to "The University of Pittsburgh," or can be paid by credit card online.
I keep receiving a browser error when trying to log in. What can I do?
Are you using credentials that were supplied to you as part of a previous MD application? If so, that is the problem. You will need to click 'Register' under the login field and start a new application for the Graduate Program side of the portal.
Is it possible for me to obtain a waiver of the application fee?
We are happy to offer a fee waiver to applicants who have participated in the following programs in science or have attended any regional or national meeting for the following:
- MARC program
- MBRS program
- McNair program
- Meyerhoff program
- RISE program
- ABRCMS
- SACNAS
Please note that fee waivers cannot be completed unless you have already started an application in the system! Once you have started the appliation, please contact pmiadm@pitt.edu to obtain a fee waiver.
Can I get a refund on my application?
The application fee is non-refundable.
What if my letter writer has problems accessing the application portal?
If any of your recommenders are experiencing problems receiving the system email and/or uploading their letters, please have them fill out this form and return it to us via email to pmiadm@pitt.edu. This form is part of the recommendation process. They only need to complete the highlighted areas.
In addition, we will require that they also send along their written letter. We will then upload it directly to your application for them.
Which standardized tests does PMI require?
PMI requires the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo for students for whom English is not the native language. We will waive the requirement for students who have received a degree in the U.S. or other approved English-instructed institution.
What if I took the TOEFL more than 2 years ago?
ETS will not issue TOEFL scores that are older than 2 years (24 months). Applicants who have expired scores must retake the test(s).
Should I contact the faculty members that I wish to work with before I submit my application?
No. Please do not contact any of our faculty members during the admissions process. Our Admissions Committee will determine if you will receive an invitation to interview with our program and will make recommendations on whom you should meet with.
Is it necessary that I secure my own funding and mentor before I apply?
No. You do not have to secure funding, so please do not contact our faculty during the application process. All full-time graduate students receive a stipend, full tuition remission, and individual health insurance (with options to purchase dental, vision and additional family coverage). The stipend is competitive ($40,000 for the 2023-2024 academic year) and, given Pittsburgh's affordable cost of living, allows students to live comfortably. A $2,000 educational enrichment account also is provided to each first-year student.