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Hofstra Zucker

Hempstead, Long Island · MD Program

Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell: Admissions Guide

Avg MCAT

517

Avg GPA

3.78

Acceptance rate

~6%

Class size

~100

Tuition

~$65,000/yr

Location

Hempstead, Long Island

Overview

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell is one of the newest and most innovative medical schools in the country, founded in 2011. It is a partnership between Hofstra University and Northwell Health — New York's largest health system with 21 hospitals and 850+ outpatient facilities.

Students have unparalleled clinical access across the Northwell system, including Long Island Jewish Medical Center, North Shore University Hospital, and Cohen Children's Medical Center. The school emphasizes leadership, interprofessional education, and a systems-based curriculum.

What Hofstra Zucker looks for

  • MCAT 514+ (517 average)
  • GPA 3.75+
  • Clinical experience within the Northwell system (a significant advantage)
  • Leadership and interprofessional experience
  • Commitment to Long Island and the greater NYC community
  • Research experience (valued but not required)
  • A personal statement that demonstrates systems thinking and leadership potential

Application timeline

  1. 1

    By June 1: Submit AMCAS.

  2. 2

    July–August: Complete secondaries promptly; Hofstra Zucker is known for a thorough secondary.

  3. 3

    September–February: Interview season.

  4. 4

    Rolling: Admissions decisions are released on a rolling basis.

Secondary essays

Hofstra Zucker typically asks 3–4 prompts. Build every response around a precise connection to the school’s clinical, research, and leadership environment.

  • Why Hofstra/Northwell

    Reference the Northwell Health system, interprofessional education, or specific hospitals.

  • Leadership experience

    Show how you have helped a team make decisions, solve problems, or serve others.

  • Diversity or background

    Explain the perspective and lived experience you would bring to a collaborative class.

  • Optional

    Use only when it adds important context or clarifies an aspect of your candidacy.

The “Why Hofstra” essay should reference the Northwell clinical network, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, or the school’s emphasis on physician leadership.

Interview format

Hofstra Zucker uses traditional interviews with faculty and students. The school also uses a team-based learning exercise to evaluate collaborative skills.

Expect questions about leadership, interprofessional care, and your clinical experiences within the Northwell system. They want to see that you understand the complexity of large health systems.

Dr. Tomei's strategy tips

  1. 1Clinical experience within Northwell Health is a major advantage — if you've volunteered or shadowed at any Northwell hospital, highlight it prominently.
  2. 2Reference the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research — one of the largest non-university biomedical research institutions in the U.S.
  3. 3Hofstra values physician leaders — frame your leadership experiences in a medical context.
  4. 4The interprofessional curriculum is unique — show that you understand and value team-based care.
  5. 5MedTrackMentors has a direct connection to Hofstra Northwell faculty — our advisors can help you craft a “Why Hofstra” essay that resonates.

Get Hofstra-specific guidance

MedTrackMentors has a unique connection to Hofstra Northwell — Dr. Robert Gluck, our senior advisor, is an Associate Professor at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine. When you work with us, you're getting inside perspective on exactly what this program values.

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