The Jacobs School Interview Assurance Program
Launching for the incoming first-year Fall 2026 class
The Jacobs School Interview Assurance Program is a highly selective opportunity for high-achieving undergraduate students in Jacobs School majors. Through sustained academic excellence and meaningful engagement in clinical, community, and research experiences, students can earn a guaranteed interview with the Jacobs School MD Program.
This pathway is designed to recognize students who demonstrate long-term commitment, consistency, and readiness for the medical profession. Participants begin at UB as first-time, first-year students in a Jacobs School major, maintain exceptional academic performance, and complete key premedical milestones throughout their undergraduate journey.
Only 8% receive an interview
Each year, only about 8% of applicants are invited to interview for the Jacobs School MD program. This program gives you a clear path to earning that opportunity.
- A selective undergraduate pathway for future physicians
- Available to students who begin and remain in a Jacobs School major
- Rewards consistent performance over four years
- Provides a guaranteed interview with the Jacobs School MD program upon meeting all criteria
- Offers a structured roadmap with clear milestones and guidance
Why it matters
The path to medical school is highly competitive, and even strong applicants are not guaranteed an interview. In fact, only about 8% of students who apply to the Jacobs School MD program receive an interview. The Interview Assurance Program provides clarity, structure, and a defined goal from the start of your undergraduate experience.
Instead of navigating each step without a clear benchmark, you'll know exactly what you're working toward:
- Clear academic benchmarks
- Meaningful experiential expectations
- A timeline that helps you plan ahead
Earning an interview is a significant milestone in the medical school admissions process. This program ensures that your sustained effort and commitment are recognized in a meaningful way.
Who this is for
This pathway is designed for students who:
- Are committed to becoming a physician
- Are prepared to maintain consistently high academic performance
- Want a clear, structured path toward medical school
- Are motivated to engage deeply in clinical, service, and research experiences
- Start strong
Enroll at UB as a first-time, first-year student in a Jacobs School undergraduate major - Stay on track
Maintain a high GPA and build meaningful experiences in clinical care, community engagement, and research - Follow a structured path
Receive guidance, milestones, and regular communication from the Prehealth Office and Jacobs School Undergraduate Education Office to help you stay aligned - Prepare for application
Complete required premedical milestones, including the MCAT - Confirm your eligibility
Submit the Assurance Interview Form before your senior year - Earn your interview
Apply to medical school and receive a guaranteed interview at the Jacobs School
Academic Excellence
Students must meet all of the following:
Enrollment & Continuity
- Begin at UB in Fall 2026 or later as a first-time, first-year student in a Jacobs School undergraduate major
- Declare a Jacobs School major by the end of your first week and remain through all undergraduate semesters
Academic & Test Performance
- Minimum 3.75 cumulative UB GPA
- Minimum 3.75 science GPA (as defined by AMCAS)
- No grades below a B- in UB coursework
- Minimum MCAT score of 510
Coursework Policies
- No course repeats after beginning college (at UB or elsewhere)
- No resigns in science coursework
- Science GPA coursework must be completed at UB (unless taken prior to college)
- Science coursework must be completed during the academic year (not summer/winter or study abroad)
Experiential Engagement
Students must complete at least two of the following three areas, demonstrating depth, consistency, and reflection:
- Clinical Experience
Engage in patient care environments to develop a clear understanding of the physician’s role. - Community Engagement
Demonstrate service, empathy, and commitment to supporting others, especially underserved populations. - Research
Participate in faculty-mentored academic or scientific research.
Rather than focusing on hours alone, students are encouraged to pursue meaningful, sustained experiences that contribute to personal and professional growth.
Process and Policies
Students do not apply to this program upon entering UB. Instead, eligible students are identified and guided throughout their undergraduate experience.
- First-year students in Jacobs School majors are automatically considered eligible
- Students receive regular reminders and guidance to help track progress
- Before senior year, qualifying students complete an Assurance Interview Form to confirm eligibility
To receive the guaranteed interview, students must:
- Meet all academic and experiential criteria
- Complete Prehealth modules and meet with Prehealth advisor
- Submit the Interview Assurance Program application by the end of junior year
- Apply to the Jacobs School MD program through AMCAS by November 15
- Submit all required and supplemental materials by December 1
Important Notes
- This program guarantees an interview, not admission
- Students must proceed directly from undergraduate study to medical school (no gap year)
- Participation does not restrict applications to other medical schools
Eligibility
No. Repeating any science course (as defined by AMCAS) after beginning college makes you ineligible for this program. If you need to repeat a course, you may still apply to medical school through the standard admissions process.
Eligibility is limited to students who begin as first-time, first-year students in a Jacobs School major and remain throughout their undergraduate career.
Students on F1 or S1 visas are not eligible for this program.
No. This program guarantees an interview, not admission. Admissions decisions are based on a holistic review, including your application and interview.
No. This program is for students who go right from their undergraduate degree to medical school.
No. This program is for students who started as first-year students in a Jacobs School major.
No. This program is only for students who started in Fall 2026 or later.
Experiences
UB’s Prehealth Office regularly posts clinical, research and volunteer opportunities. We also encourage you to seek out opportunities on your own.
There is no set number. Focus on quality, consistency and impact rather than accumulating hours.
Clinical experience
- Demonstrates direct exposure to patient care and answers the question: Do you understand what being a physician is like?
- Key feature: You interact with patients or patient care environments, and not just the health care system
- Things to consider: Was the patient interaction direct or indirect? Was it in a clinical setting with health care team exposure? What did you observe, learn, or reflect on about medicine? Did it support your ethical, emotional, or professional growth?
Community engagement
- Demonstrates service, altruism, and commitment to others and answers the question: Do you care about people and your community, especially the underserved?
- Key feature: Service does not primarily involve medical care and is often outside health care settings
- Things to consider: Did it provide service and impact? What was the population served? Did it show leadership, initiative, and commitment? What about empathy, advocacy, and responsibility?
Research
- Faculty-mentored academic or scientific research
Clinical experience involves exposure to patient care. Community engagement focuses on service and supporting others outside of clinical settings. Some examples:
- Hospital gift shop: non-clinical
- Transporting patients: clinical, if able to have in-depth conversations with patients. Otherwise, non-clinical
- Shadowing: clinical
- EMT: clinical
Application Process
You do not apply when you enter UB. Eligible students are guided throughout their undergraduate years and complete a formal assurance process before their senior year.
Yes. This program provides an additional opportunity. It does not limit your options.
You may still apply to medical school through the traditional admissions process.
At UB, you won’t just prepare for medical school. You’ll work toward a clear goal from day one.
Commit early. Excel. Be recognized.