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Incoming Medical Student Information

Welcome to the College of Medicine of the Medical University of South Carolina! It is our intent during your time here at MUSC to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and humility required to serve others. You will grow in many ways, but in none more important than the understanding that your learning will never end as you enter the profession of medicine. In preparation for this journey, please take a few minutes to review the items below and check back often for updates.

Matriculation Timeline

February 18, 2026

“Plan to Enroll” becomes available in the AAMC Choose Your Medical School (CYMS) tool for accepted applicants to select in their AMCAS application.

Accepted applicants can select “Plan to Enroll” while holding on to multiple acceptances, remain on Waitlists, and continue to interview at other schools.

March 20-21, 2026

MUSC COM hosts Second Look Weekend (SLW).

Accepted students are invited to campus to discover what makes MUSC a great place to study, train, and live - without the pressures of Interview Day. Participants will connect with faculty, staff, and students for a better sense of life at MUSC. The event will be held in person at the main Charleston campus.

Registration required. Invitations are sent via email.

Beginning April 30, 2026

Accepted applicants will have two options to select: “Plan to Enroll” or “Commit to Enroll.”

“Commit to Enroll” becomes available in the Choose Your Medical School (CYMS) tool for accepted applicants to select in their AMCAS application.

Accepted applicants must narrow their choice to one medical school (but may remain on wait lists at other schools).

“Plan to Enroll” Deadline for accepted applicants.

May 15, 2026

Deadline to receive a full refund of the deposit. Submit a formal withdrawal request no later than May 15th to COM-Admissions@musc.edu.

Withdrawal requests received after this date will forfeit the full deposit.

June 1, 2026

Final, Official Transcripts Due.

Accepted students enrolled in undergraduate and/or graduate coursework throughout the 2025-26 academic year must submit a final, official transcript to comply with the conditional offer of acceptance.

Official transcripts must be sent electronically to the MUSC COM Office of Admissions via COM-Admissions@musc.edu. Unofficial transcripts are not accepted.

 

June 24, 2026

Final "Commit to Enroll" Deadline for MUSC College of Medicine MD Program

All Matriculation Requirements Due (see below for requirements)

July 1 - July 31, 2026

Student Health Insurance enrollment or waiver period becomes available for entering medical students.

MUSC requires all students to maintain health insurance as a condition of enrollment by July 31, 2026. If you do not waive or enroll in the student health plan, you will automatically be enrolled after the posted deadline.

 

July 17, 2026

Getting Integrated and Fully Transitioned into Medical School (GIFT)

GIFT is a pre-matriculation program for accepted students to support the transition to the academic and social challenges of medical school. The event is optional and will introduce incoming students to key members of the College and to MUSC's support programming and resources.

For those unable to attend in person, a virtual option will be provided.

The event will take place on campus from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

August 10 - 14, 2026

New Student Orientation

 

August 15, 2026

White Coat Ceremony hosted at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

The event is not ticketed.

 

August 17, 2026

First Day of Class

Matriculation Requirements

In addition to fulfilling COM Admissions requirements, incoming students must comply with AAMC Choose Your Medical School (CYMS) timeline as outlined above.

The MUSC College of Medicine’s CYMS “Commit to Enroll” deadline is June 24, 2026.

Selecting “Commit to Enroll” indicates that the applicant has made a final selection and has withdrawn all other applications, including alternate list offers, by communicating directly with schools. Accepted students are required to use the Choose Your Medical School tool to select the "Commit to Enroll" option and withdraw from all other programs.

MUSC College of Medicine reserves the right to rescind offers of admission from students who do meet the deadline.

Please complete the Matriculating Student Questionnaire (MSQ) survey, which is administered annually by the AAMC to all first-year medical students.

If you were accepted to an MD program in the U.S. in 2025-26 and have not yet received your MSQ link, email msq@aamc.org.

All admitted applicants undergo a background check administered through the MUSC University Human Resources Department. Any findings related to accepted applicants are reported to the Student Affairs Office in the College of Medicine.

The invitation to complete the background check will be sent in late Spring via email.

As part of the medical school’s commitment to professional development, professional identity formation, and humanism in medicine, all students participate in a required book discussion during Orientation.

Please visit the COM Humanities in Medicine Book Selection (MUSC NetID required) to select your preferred reading. Students are expected to read their selected book prior to Orientation.

Request disability-related accommodations through the Office of Federal & State Compliance by filling out the Student Accommodations Request Form and submitting supplemental documentation. It is recommended that you request accommodations as early as possible. To read more about the procedure for requesting accommodations, please visit the Steps to Request Accommodations.

Incoming students must complete the COM Student Affairs: New Student Information Form by late July.

The Careers in Medicine program also requires the completion of personality inventories prior to Orientation. Students will receive more information via email on how to complete.

All incoming students must complete the mandatory annual policy modules located in the MUSC OurDay system (MUSC NetID required).

The mandatory courses are made up of several modules, containing important policies related to the MUSC University, College of Medicine and the FLEX curriculum. Students must complete all training modules before the first day of classes.

Accepted students enrolled in undergraduate and/or graduate coursework throughout the 2025-26 academic year must submit a final, official transcript to comply with the conditional offer of acceptance.

Official transcripts must be sent electronically to the MUSC COM Office of Admissions via COM-Admissions@musc.edu. Unofficial transcripts are not accepted.

MUSC requires all students to maintain health insurance as a condition of enrollment. Please visit the MUSC Student Health: Incoming Student Information website for more information.

All full-time MUSC students are required to carry health insurance. Students have the option of continuing coverage under their parents or spouse's policy, purchasing a private policy, or enrolling in the student insurance plan. MUSC Student Health Services provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about the MUSC Student Health Insurance Plan.

To enroll or “opt-out”, all students must access the student health insurance system through AHP to designate a selection by July 31. If you do not waive or enroll in the student health plan, you will automatically be enrolled after the posted deadline.

For any questions, please contact MUSC Student Health Insurance at Studenthealthins@musc.edu.

Visit MUSC Student Health: Incoming Student Information for insight into student health and vaccine requirements.

All incoming students are required to comply with MUSC Student Health Services (PDF) immunization requirements. The 2026-2027 Student Health Packet will be distributed via email to all incoming students by MUSC Student Health Services in June.

All MUSC students are required to submit documentation of immunity/immunization to vaccine-preventable conditions prior to beginning semester coursework on campus.

Student medical health and immunization records can be uploaded to LifeNet once you receive a NetID. For immunization questions, please contact Student Health at shsimmunizations@musc.edu or call (843) 792-3664.

Financial Planning

Please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for additional information regarding FAFSA, loans, etc.

MUSC COM students have a dedicated financial aid counselor, Katie Chase Owens, to assist with navigating FAFSA, loan packaging, etc. Please email owenkati@musc.edu for additional assistance.

Although federal aid is the primary source used by most medical students to pay for medical school, the MUSC offers a variety of scholarships to assist with the financial burden of medical school. Though some scholarships are merit-based, the majority of COM scholarships are need-based. The primary goal of our scholarship program is to maximize all available funds to assist students in lowering their overall educational indebtedness. Please visit the COM Scholarship & Aid Opportunities for more information.

The following aid resources are available to assist with the financial burden of medical school:

Institutional Scholarships

Loan Repayment

External and Contractual Scholarships

Accepted students receive a scholarship email in early Spring with information and directions on how to apply. If you did not receive a scholarship, you will be eligible to re-apply for scholarship consideration for each of your four years of the M.D. program.

MUSC COM offers advising and counseling for students considering military or contractual opportunities. Please contact Dr. Chris Bunt, MUSC COM Military Medical Advisor, at buntc@musc.edu.

If you are a veteran, service member or dependent interested in using your military benefits, please visit MUSC Veterans Affairs to learn how to apply for VA benefits, a list of military scholarships, VA benefit FAQ’s, etc.

Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP):

To assist with your financial planning, please visit the COM Cost of Attendance for insight into the College’s expected costs.

Please visit the MUSC 2025-26 Tuition & Fees for a complete list of College and institutional expenses.

The MUSC Office of Student Financial Literacy assists students with understanding how to manage finances. For incoming medical students, the following financial literacy resources are available:

Financial Foundations for Student Success (Available Now!)

  • This 1-2 hour Brightspace course is designed specifically for incoming students and provides a strong foundation in financial planning.
  • Registration in Brightspace is required (MUSC NetID required). Please see the attached invitation for details.

Incoming Student Webinars (Monthly)

  • Held virtually on the last Monday of each month, these live sessions offer a deeper dive into borrowing, budgeting, and financial planning for your program.
  • Register to attend an upcoming Incoming Student Webinar (MUSC NetID required). Upcoming webinar dates are listed in the registration link.

Additional Financial Literacy Webinars

AAMC Paying for Medical School

AAMC Financial Aid Resources: FIRST (Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools)

Student Resources and More Info

For a look into the 2026-27 academic year, please visit the FLEX Class of 2030 Academic Calendar.

Questions related to the academic calendar can be directed to the Group on Student Affairs at COM-Orientation@musc.edu.

Each student will be assigned an academic coach upon entering medical school. Academic coaches serve as guides throughout the preclerkship curriculum and can assist with goal setting and study strategies, and meet with students following each block exam in the first year.

Students will meet their coach within the first several weeks of medical school. For more information, please visit the Academic Coaching website.

Course registration for medical students is handled by the COM Education Team and the Office of Enrollment Management. Students will be registered once all matriculation requirements are met. Registrations are typically available in late July.

Once registered, your schedule will be available in the MUSC Student Portal: Anthology. Information will be sent via email.

All incoming medical students are required to purchase a portable tablet or laptop computer. Campus buildings are wireless-enabled, with access your campus email, student-related information, course materials, and other important web-based resources at any time using your laptop. Please visit the COM Student Technology website for a list of minimum requirements and recommendations.

Please visit the MUSC COM Library for student resources, reserve student study spaces, access library guides, printing services, library happenings, and more.

The MUSC College of Medicine M.D. degree program is accredited. Accreditation means that an M.D. degree program meets or exceeds nationally accepted standards of quality as determined by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

Licensure refers to the individual's attainment of a license to practice medicine from a designated state medical board or medical regulatory board. Receiving an M.D. or D.O. degree from an accredited program is necessary but not sufficient for licensure; successful completion of a series of licensing exams is also required, in addition to other state-specific criteria. Each applicant/student is responsible for researching information about licensure.

Requirements for licensure in South Carolina can be found at the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation: SC Medical Board of Medical Examiners.

A listing of state boards and their requirements can be accessed at the Federation of State Medical Boards.

Visit MUSC Off-Campus Housing to view off-campus housing and apartments near MUSC. You may also find sites such as Zillow, Apartments.com, HotPads.com, etc., helpful in your search for housing.

MUSC does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, safety, or availability of properties external to the MUSC Off-Campus Housing portal.

Students will receive information about how to submit a photo for their ID badge in the summer. All incoming students will receive their ID badge during Orientation.

Upon matriculation, students will be assigned a NetID. Please make sure you have received the information for your NetID and MUSC email by June 30, 2026. Please contact netid-mgr@musc.edu if you have any questions.

Please visit the MUSC State and Federal Compliance: Services for Students with Disabilities for resources and services provided to students.

To request disability-related accommodations, please complete the Student Accommodations Request Form and submit supplemental documentation. It is recommended that you request accommodations as early as possible. To read more about the procedure for requesting accommodations, please visit the Steps to Request Accommodations.

The MUSC Office of Student Engagement (OSE) enriches campus life by providing transformative programs, meaningful experiences, and strategic partnerships that equip students with the confidence and skills to lead in health care. The OSE group offers the following student programming:

MUSC offers a variety of transportation methods to navigate campus. Please visit the MUSC Transportation website for more information on the following:

  • Biking: MUSC and the City of Charleston are very walkable and bikeable. Students living downtown often bike to campus using bike racks conveniently located across campus.
  • MUSC Shuttles and CARTA buses: Students are CARTA Buses are free to use for all MUSC students/employees. Simply show your MUSC badge upon boarding. The Charleston Area Regional Transport Authority (CARTA) offers an express (park and ride) bus service, fixed-route services, and a downtown shuttle. Info and schedules on the CARTA website.

Student Affairs and Campus Info

MUSC COM uses the e-learning platform Brightspace to distribute syllabi and course materials, submit assignments, view grades, track deadlines, communicate with professors, and access resources, etc. Brightspace, similar to platforms such as Blackboard, supports every aspect of your learning journey.

Incoming students will receive information on how to access Brightspace via email by early summer. MUSC NetID and email address will be required for login.

Students will receive their COM Team mentor assignment, also known as the COM Team Leader Program, during orientation.

The Group on Student Affairs (GSA) exists to provide support and guidance to students throughout their medical school experience. Please visit the COM Group on Student Affairs to learn more about the support programming, student organizations, meet the Student Affairs Team, and additional resources.

This dedicated Student Resources hub enhances your academic journey, supports your well-being, and empowers your personal and professional growth.

Please visit the MUSC University Student Resources webpage to learn more about the following programming:

MUSC Parking Management offers both on-campus and off-campus reserved parking for students for a flat fee each semester. All incoming students will be provided with a temporary parking pass for orientation.

Incoming students are able to request on-campus parking once ID badges are distributed at orientation.

The Department of Public Safety at the Medical University of South Carolina is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for patients, students, visitors, faculty, and staff.

Incoming students should register their Personal Contact Information with Public Safety to receive text, voice, or email alerts to their personal device.

Please visit the MUSC Public Safety website for more information. Students may call (843) 792-MUSC during any emergency for updates.

The Student Wellness Program for the MUSC College of Medicine exists to cultivate a culture of wellness and increase student’s productivity by empowering individuals to be self-managers of their health. Please visit the COM Student Wellness Program website to learn how MUSC supports your wellness both in and outside of the classroom.

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