Virginia

MD and DO Medical Schools in Virginia

Virginia has 10 accredited MD and DO programs — each with a distinct mission, student profile, and admissions philosophy. Here is what you need to know about every one of them, including the AMCAS vs AMCAS distinction that catches most applicants off guard.

AMCAS vs. AMCAS: The Most Important Thing Virginia Pre-Meds Need to Know

Virginia MD programs all use AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service). Virginia DO programs use AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service). These are two completely separate applications with different essays, different deadlines, and different strategies. If you are applying to both MD and DO programs, you must complete both applications independently.

AMCAS opens May 1 each year. The most competitive applicants submit by June 1 — the earlier you submit, the better your chances. AMCAS uses a different essay format than AMCAS, with separate prompts for each school. You will need to write school-specific essays in addition to your personal statement.

Virginia residency is a hard requirement for most AMCAS schools. Over 90% of seats at public Virginia medical schools go to Virginia residents. If you are not a Virginia resident, your chances at public Virginia schools are extremely limited — but VCU and the DO programs are more open to out-of-state applicants.

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

The AMCAS vs. AMCAS distinction is the single most important thing Virginia pre-meds need to understand. I have worked with students who spent months perfecting their AMCAS application and then realized in April that they needed an entirely separate application for Virginia public schools. Start both applications simultaneously. The essays are different, the deadlines are different, and the strategy is different.

All Virginia MD and DO Programs

University of Virginia School of Medicine

MDAMCAS

Avg MCAT

~518

Avg GPA

~3.8

Acceptance Rate

~4%

Tuition

Review current tuition

Mission Focus: Strong research training and primary care across Virginia

UVA is a research-intensive public school in Charlottesville. Virginia residents should clearly connect service, scholarship, and patient-facing work to the school’s statewide mission.

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

MDAMCAS

Avg MCAT

~514

Avg GPA

~3.7

Acceptance Rate

~5% in-state

Tuition

Review current tuition

Mission Focus: Urban medicine and a diverse Richmond patient population

VCU’s MCV campus offers a major academic medical center environment. Sustained service and readiness to learn from diverse communities are important fit signals.

Eastern Virginia Medical School

MDAMCAS

Avg MCAT

~512

Avg GPA

~3.6

Acceptance Rate

~5%

Tuition

Review current tuition

Mission Focus: Community-focused care in Hampton Roads

EVMS provides a community-centered medical education environment in Norfolk. Applicants should demonstrate long-term service, clinical reflection, and awareness of regional health needs.

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

MDAMCAS

Avg MCAT

~515

Avg GPA

~3.7

Acceptance Rate

Small class

Tuition

Review current tuition

Mission Focus: Team-based learning, research, and clinical innovation

Virginia Tech Carilion enrolls a small class of about 42 students in Roanoke. Its collaborative model rewards applicants who can show teamwork, inquiry, and meaningful clinical insight.

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia

DOAACOMAS

Avg MCAT

~505

Avg GPA

~3.5

Acceptance Rate

Competitive

Tuition

Review current tuition

Mission Focus: Rural and underserved communities with an osteopathic focus

VCOM–Virginia emphasizes primary care, rural health, and service. Shadowing a DO and articulating an authentic connection to osteopathic medicine can strengthen fit.

The Virginia In-State Advantage — and Its Limits

Virginia residents applying to UVA School of Medicine and VCU School of Medicine have a meaningful in-state advantage. Both programs prioritize Virginia residents as part of their workforce development mission. If you are a Virginia resident with a competitive application, you should absolutely prioritize these schools.

But in-state status is not a free pass. UT Southwestern's average MCAT of 520 and GPA of 3.9 are among the highest in the country. Being a Virginia resident gets you in the pool — it does not guarantee admission. Your application still needs to be exceptional.

For out-of-state applicants, VCU College of Medicine is the most accessible Virginia program — it uses AMCAS and does not have the same in-state preference. VCU is highly competitive nationally, but it evaluates all applicants on the same criteria regardless of state residency.

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

I tell Virginia pre-meds the same thing every cycle: apply to both AMCAS and AMCAS schools. Use your Virginia residency advantage for the public schools, but don't limit yourself to Virginia. The strongest applications I've seen from Virginia students apply to 15–20 schools total — 8–10 Virginia schools through AMCAS and 8–10 national schools through AMCAS. That is the right strategy.

Need Help Building Your Virginia School List?

Navigating AMCAS and AMCAS simultaneously — and knowing how to position yourself for each Virginia program — is one of the highest-leverage decisions in your application cycle. Dr. Tomei can help.

Schedule Free Consultation