New Mexico Medical Schools—2026-2027 Guide to Acceptance

Are you considering applying to medical school in New Mexico? If you’re passionate about working with rural communities and the underserved while being surrounded by a diverse and rugged landscape from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, “The Land of Enchantment” could be the state for you.

That said, you should know that New Mexico shows a very strong preference for in-state applicants.

If it’s your dream to move to New Mexico and you plan to set up your life and career there, only a handful of out-of-state students are accepted each year. You’ll need to go above and beyond to show your passion for New Mexico and its underserved, rural communities.

So, what is it like to attend medical school in NM, and how do you get accepted?

We break down everything you need to know about going to medical school in New Mexico, including how many MD and DO schools are located there, what it’s like to live there, how to apply, and tips for gaining acceptance to medical school in New Mexico.

Applying to medical school in other states? Explore our comprehensive State Guide series, which provides an in-depth look at the application process in various states across the country.

How Many Medical Schools Are in New Mexico?

There are only two medical schools in New Mexico: The University of New Mexico School of Medicine (MD) and the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).

List of Medical Schools in New Mexico

Allopathic Medical Schools in New Mexico (MD)

1. The University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM SOM)

Osteopathic Medical Schools in New Mexico (DO)

1. Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM)

New Mexico Medical School Locations

The UNM School of Medicine is located in Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, with a population of 561,008. The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) is located in Las Cruces, on the campus of New Mexico State University (NMSU) on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Las Cruces has a population of 113,888. The cities are about 3 to 4 hours apart, depending on the route you take.

Albuquerque is home to the state’s only international airport, the Albuquerque International Sunport.

How Much Is Medical School in New Mexico?

So, how much does medical school cost in New Mexico?

New Mexico Tuition Costs (2023 Data From MSAR)

View the most recent AAMC tuition data.

• Additional fees not included.

You must also factor in the cost of medical school applications, which quickly add up across primary fees, secondary fees, exam fees, study resources, and interview travel costs. Expenses add up quickly, but How Much Do Med School Applications Cost? The Full Price Analyzed.

Plus, there are many other factors to consider, including housing, transportation, food, entertainment, and events. Fortunately, New Mexico’s cost of living is low, falling beneath the national average.

What It’s Like to Go to Medical School in New Mexico

New Mexico is renowned for its vibrant art scene, museums, and stunning, rugged landscape, offering numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, including biking, climbing, hiking, and skiing. The state is home to numerous beautiful, nationally recognized sites, including Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands National Park, and the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

New Mexico is one of the least densely populated states, so there’s plenty of wide open spaces and nature to go around. It’s also the home of the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, which sees over 500 hot air balloons take off at once from the 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park. It’s the largest annual international event held in the United States!

If you’re a foodie, New Mexico also has a diverse and rich cultural food history inspired by Mexican cuisine. Count on beef and chicken enchiladas, tamales, burritos, huevos rancheros, and chiles rellenos, which are deep-fried green chiles stuffed with cheese.

New Mexico is one of four states that border Mexico, with about 25% of the population speaking Spanish. If you plan to attend medical school there, learning Spanish will be a huge asset.

New Mexico also offers an unparalleled warm and welcoming environment. The people are famously laid back and kind, and the pace of life is relatively slow.

The state has an immense need for physicians and offers plenty of opportunities for exposure to the various socioeconomic factors that influence health.

Next, let’s discuss what the UNM School of Medicine is known for and how to gain acceptance. If you’re only interested in osteopathic medicine, skip ahead to the application for Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM).

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine

The UNM School of Medicine (UNM SOM) was founded in 1961. The institution’s focus is on family medicine and rural health training, and its graduates account for nearly 40% of New Mexico’s practicing physicians.

UNM SOM’s mission statement is as follows:

“We advance the health of all New Mexicans by:

• EDUCATING and increasing the diversity of health professionals, leaders and scientists
• PROVIDING outstanding and compassionate medical care
• ADVOCATING for the health of all New Mexicans and
• PURSUING new knowledge and excellence of practice.”

UNM SOM’s curriculum is aimed at adapting adult learning theory to medical education. Rather than solely teaching facts, the school seeks to teach students the skills they need to be lifelong learners.

The curriculum integrates the basic sciences and clinical medicine, exposes students to patients and communities early, focuses on developing students’ clinical reasoning skills with a case-based approach, and emphasizes developing a healthy professional identity as well as personal and professional wellness. The curriculum involves biological, behavioral, and population perspectives, and diverse learning modalities, including problem-based learning.

The first 21 months are focused on core basic science education, organized largely into organ blocks, the next 12 months are focused on the core clerkships, and the final 12 months involve clinical and non-clinical electives, ICU rotation, a required sub-internship, and an ambulatory and community-based clinical experience.

UNM SOM has a low student-to-faculty ratio, with over 700 faculty dedicated to medical education, many of whom have completed a year-long leadership course. There are diverse clinical research opportunities available, as well as many rural health opportunities.

Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:

• Median GPA: 3.79
• Median MCAT: 505

University of New Mexico In-State vs. Out-of-State Applicants

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine accepts both in-state and out-of-state applicants. In 2023, the school had 193 in-state applicants and 1520 out-of-state applicants.

As you can see from the numbers, of over 1500 out-of-state applicants, only 12 were accepted, so the university shows a strong preference for in-state applicants.

How to Apply to the University of New Mexico School of Medicine

To apply to the UNM SOM, the only allopathic medical school in New Mexico, you will use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), the AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service. It’s the primary application method for first-year entering classes for the vast majority of US medical schools.

For New Mexico’s only osteopathic school, the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM), you’ll need to apply through AACOMAS. More on that below.

Here’s what you need to know about the University of New Mexico School of Medicine application process.

1 | Primary Application Requirements

There are several different components that come together to form your primary application, including your transcripts and a strong MCAT score.

You’ll also need months to craft a compelling, narrative-driven personal statement, secure at least four strong letters of recommendation, and write descriptions for up to 15 experiences, activities, awards, or hobbies in the Work and Activities section.

Admissions committees are specifically looking for longitudinal commitment to these activities, so be sure to actively pursue extracurriculars beginning in your first year. Experiment to see where your passions lie, but begin to narrow down your commitments in your sophomore year. Focus on quality, not quantity.

At this point, the UNM SOM does not require the Casper test or the AAMC PREview exam.

Here is a step-by-step guide to the application process.

2 | Secondary Applications & Interviews

After you submit your primary application, you will likely receive a secondary application from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine two to four weeks later. Unlike the primary application, you can submit your secondary application directly to the school based on the specific instructions provided by the program.

The secondary application fee for UNM SOM is $100.

These are the secondary questions from the 2022-2023 application cycle:

1. At the UNM School of Medicine we are committed to building a dynamic, productive and positive learning environment in addition to promoting cross cultural and cross racial understanding among students of diverse talents, experiences, opinions and backgrounds. Describe the effect that your experiences with engaging diversity have had on your own growth and development. Provide an example and describe how it will impact your career in the medical profession. (2000 characters)

2. There are multiple paths that lead to medical school and many obstacles along the way. Please describe the unique path that has led you to medicine as well as any obstacles or adversity that you had to overcome in achieving this goal. How will this experience affect your career as a physician? (2000 characters)

3. While providing healthcare as a physician is often a rewarding career, it is also a profession that entails addressing constant challenges. Imagine you are a physician at a local institution and you notice on 18 occasions in the past week, patients were not administered the correct dose of a medication. When looking into it further, you learned that 17/18 cases occurred right after a physician handoff (defined as the process of transferring role and responsibility for providing care from one physician to another). Given this scenario, what are the initial steps you and your institution might take to improve the situation? (2000 characters)

4. While providing healthcare as a physician is often a rewarding career, it is also a profession that entails addressing constant challenges. What do you see as the most significant issues the medical profession will face in the next 20 years, and what are some potential solutions for these problems? (2000 characters)

5. Teamwork is integral to training and the career of a physician. This kind of work setting entails addressing constant challenges in task execution, communication etc. What is an issue you have encountered working on a team and how did you address and resolve this issue? (2000 characters)

6. Please describe how COVID-19 has affected your preparation for applying to medical school. Describe any academic, personal, financial, or professional barriers/disruptions that COVID-19 may have triggered. (2000 characters)

7. Have you previously submitted an AMCAS application to the University of New Mexico School of Medicine? (Y/N) Please share some of the ways you have improved your application since you last applied. For example, improved MCAT Score, took additional upper level biology courses, increased clinical or volunteer experiences, etc. (200 word limit)

If the admissions committee is interested in you after reading your secondary application, you could receive an invitation to interview at any point between the end of August and the spring of the following year.

Interviews are the final step in the application process. You must be prepared and ready for your interviews well in advance, as they could come through at any time.

Don’t wait until you receive an invite to begin preparing. Learn about possible interview questions, prepare your answers, and get as much practice as possible before your interview is scheduled. When you are sent an invitation, you will be asked to schedule an interview, so keep your schedule during this time.

You will have two Interviews at UNM SOM with two different admissions committee members. Interviews can last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the interviewer.

The most extraordinary applicant on paper can get rejected without strong interview skills. We offer a course on How to Ace the Medical School Interview that provides comprehensive training to prepare you for your interviews.

3 | Application Timeline

The AMCAS application opens during the first week of May for the following academic year’s medical school class. For example, to start medical school in the fall of 2027, you’ll need to begin the application process in the spring of 2026. Submissions don’t open until the end of May or early June, so you have about a month to prepare the application.

That said, the technical deadlines provided by AMCAS should mostly be ignored. Every week or month you delay your application hinders your chance of acceptance and means acceptances are being distributed elsewhere.

Applying almost as soon as submissions open is critical to your success due to rolling admissions. Rolling admissions mean medical schools assess applications as they are submitted on a continuous (rolling) basis. The fastest applicants secure the first secondaries and interview spots, which fill up fast.

Secondaries should be prioritized right away and submitted within 2 weeks of receiving them.

You could be invited to interview at UNM SOM at any point between August and the spring of the following year. Delaying any aspect of your application could result in someone equally as qualified receiving an acceptance instead of you, simply due to timing.

Keep on top of each of your medical school application deadlines with our comprehensive Medical School Application Timeline and Monthly Schedule. (Updated every application cycle.)

Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) was founded in 2013 by George Mychaskiw, DO, and John L. Hummer. Dan Burrell provided the initial seed funding, so the school was named in honor of his parents.

BCOM’s mission statement is as follows:

“The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine educates a diverse osteopathic physician workforce committed to improving the quality and access to healthcare in underserved communities.

¡Para la gente y el futuro! For the people and the future!”

BCOM is focused on creating culturally competent physicians who serve the Southwest, particularly its Native American and Hispanic populations, and underrepresented communities.

The college’s curriculum is application-based and integrates the American Osteopathic Association’s Core Competencies with Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Programmatic Level Educational Objectives.

The first two years, the preclinical years, are focused on team-based learning, case discussions, laboratory and skills instruction, as well as extensive standardized patient programs and exposure to early clinical skills. Students are instructed through simulated clinical experiences, small group sessions, and evaluated through written exams and skill-based osteopathic manipulative medicine competency assessments.

The final two years are the clinical phase. Year 3 is focused on the core clerkships, and Year 4 involves a selective clinical sub-internship, emergency medicine, Intensive Care Unit, and a longitudinal osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) course. Students have opportunities to rotate throughout New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and Florida, as well as complete away rotations as they are available to students.

The campus offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a standardized patient facility, a hybrid gross-virtual anatomy laboratory, and high-fidelity standardized mannequins. The college’s medical students are encouraged to participate in coordinating and participating in regional community outreach, education, and service projects.

The school has a strong match rate, various research opportunities, as well as opportunities in global health, tribal health, and community health.

BCOM was awarded the 2023 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine.

Mean Academic Scores of Matriculants:

• Mean GPA: 3.48
• Mean MCAT: 500

How to Apply to Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

If you are applying to New Mexico’s only DO school, the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM), you will need to use AACOMAS (The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service). It’s the centralized online application service for colleges of osteopathic medicine in the US.

The AACOMAS application process is very similar to that of AMCAS. While BCOM’s technical deadline for submitting an AACOMAS application is April of the following year, they also utilize rolling admissions, so applying early is essential.

BCOM Primary Application

Much like the AMCAS application, your AACOMAS primary application is made up of your transcripts, MCAT score, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and an Experiences and Achievements section.

There are a couple of key differences between the AMCAS and AACOMAS applications. For example, the personal statement for any osteopathic medical school must address why you want to be a doctor of osteopathic medicine specifically, you can only submit a maximum of six evaluations (as opposed to ten for AMCAS), and at least one of your evaluations must be written by a DO to demonstrate that your passion for and experience with osteopathic medicine is authentic.

BCOM Secondary Application and Interviews

After you submit your primary application, you can expect to receive a secondary application two to four weeks later.

According to their website, applicants are required to submit their secondary materials and supporting documents by April 16. However, due to rolling admissions, it is in your best interest to submit all of your materials as soon as possible to be a competitive applicant.

These are the secondary prompts for BCOM from a previous year.

1. If you could strengthen one area of your application, what would it be? What have you done, or what do you plan to do, to address it and improve going forward? (300 words)

2. In the space provided, please explain the reasoning behind your selection above (question ab why you picked your preferred location.

3. Describe an experience you’ve had or an activity you’ve participated in that aligns with the mission of BCOM. (300 words)

Again, while BCOM’s technical deadline for submitting the supplemental application is mid-April, it’s possible that all interview invitations will be sent earlier. Send your supplemental application and fee within 7 to 14 days of receiving it to give yourself the best chance of securing an invitation to interview.

Interviews at BCOM are conducted virtually. Interviews for osteopathic schools are much the same as allopathic schools, but you should anticipate that the questions will be geared more toward why you’re passionate about becoming an osteopathic physician specifically.

Expect to be asked about your ties to New Mexico and why you want to serve the unique communities there.

Utilize our comprehensive AACOMAS Application Guide for DO Schools.

Tips for Acceptance at New Mexico Medical Schools

1 | Craft a Narrative Across Your Application

While your application is composed of several different pieces, they must all work together to express a cohesive narrative; in the case of New Mexico, that narrative should at least in part share why you are passionate about working with rural communities, serving the underserved, and staying in New Mexico.

If you’re applying from out of state, understand you have an uphill battle in front of you. Out of the 1520 students who applied last application cycle, only 6 matriculated. If you hope to be one of these lucky few one day, you’ll need to express specific interest in New Mexico and why you believe it’s a good fit for you.

What ties do you have to the community, and why do you want to make it your home for medical school and likely the years to follow? New Mexico places a strong emphasis on primary care and training physicians who will remain and work locally within the state.

Each piece of your application must flow together to tell a story, as a story is much more compelling and memorable than dry facts.

This Is How to Develop a Cohesive Narrative for Medical School Applications.

2 | Gain Experience with Underserved Communities

Both UNM SOM and BCOM put a heavy focus on serving underserved communities. Each institution serves a diverse patient population with an emphasis on tribal health, rural health, and border health.

Tribal health is focused on transforming Native healthcare by bringing clinical expertise, advanced practice management, and culturally sensitive care to every appointment.

Border health focuses on populations who are moving across borders between and within countries as well as the communities they are in before, during, and after travel—in the case of UNM SOM and BCOM, it’s the Mexico-US border.

Rural health focuses on rural populations, who generally have less access to medical care than urban populations. According to the US Census Bureau, rural areas are “all territory outside of defined urbanized areas that can have population densities that range from 1-999 persons per square mile.” In New Mexico, 30 of the 33 counties are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, and approximately 60% of the population resides in rural communities.

Given that over half the population of New Mexico lives in rural communities, it’s no surprise that the state’s two medical schools put such a strong emphasis on serving those New Mexican communities.

To get the attention of admissions committees, it’s important that you make it clear you share their passion for serving the underserved and can demonstrate it with past experiences. Even better is genuinely indicating that you plan to practice in New Mexico after completing your training.

Regardless of whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state applicant, it’s imperative that you emphasize your passion for working with rural populations and the underserved in your personal statement with authentic anecdotes from your past and your dreams for the future. Demonstrate your passion through your extracurricular activities, such as volunteering at hospitals in rural areas.

By committing to these activities long-term and always going the extra mile, it’s likely that the volunteer supervisor or whoever you report to will be happy to write you a strong letter of recommendation that confirms and highlights your desire to help the underserved.

3 | Spanish Language Is an Asset

If you don’t speak Spanish and you have your heart set on studying and practicing in New Mexico, being able to speak fluent Spanish is, without a doubt, an asset.

Considering that over 25% of the state’s population speaks Spanish, knowing how to speak Spanish is definitely to your advantage. New Mexico strongly favors in-state applicants, but if you’re out-of-state, knowing how to speak Spanish will help you stand out above other out-of-state applicants who only speak English.

Get Duolingo and practice every day. To accelerate your learning, consider taking a Spanish language class at school or enrolling in an intensive summer course.

Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in New Mexico Right for You?

Both medical schools in New Mexico place a heavy emphasis on primary care and serving rural and underserved communities. If you share this passion and plan on practicing in New Mexico long-term, New Mexico could be an ideal spot to train to become a doctor.

Beyond the medical schools, it matters whether or not you enjoy the New Mexican community and environment you’ll call home.

Pros of Medical School in New Mexico

• Low student-to-faculty ratio
• Low cost of living
• Diverse patient population
• Opportunity for rural health, tribal health, and border health
• Opportunity to serve underserved communities
• Many outdoor activities
• Many beautiful landscapes across the state
• Laid back, friendly people
• Great food that is exclusive to New Mexico

Cons of Medical School in New Mexico

• Schools heavily prioritize in-state applicants
• Occasionally, limited access to certain subspecialties and clinical environments
• Schools prioritize training primary care physicians
• Mostly rural cities
• Spanish-speaking population may mean learning another language if you don’t already speak Spanish

New Mexico boasts a stunning landscape, a rich cultural heritage, a unique culinary scene, a vibrant arts scene, numerous museums, and a wealth of opportunities for outdoor activities. If you want to work with rural populations while being immersed in natural beauty, the Land of Enchantment may be the state for you.

This Is How to Decide Which Medical Schools to Apply to (12 Important Factors).

What Medical Schools Are Looking For

Adcoms are seeking well-rounded students dedicated to serving the underserved who will enrich the student body at their school. They aren’t looking for candidates who are simply checking off boxes.

Med School Insiders can help you craft a stand-out application that will get you noticed by New Mexico medical schools, as well as any schools at the top of your list. We offer a range of services tailored to your specific needs, including one-on-one guidance, application editing, and mock interviews.

Whether you need a comprehensive application strategy, detailed essay feedback, or interview preparation, our services are tailored to meet your individual circumstances and goals. Don’t leave your medical school dreams to chance—contact us today to find out how you can transform your application from good to truly memorable.

Thank you to Emma Fenske, DO, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine graduate, for being our Insider contributor for this guide.