Entrance Requirements
Technical Standards for Admission and Promotion
The curricular goals of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine are broadly, to develop physicians from diverse segments of society whose personal attributes are manifest in their high moral, ethical, and compassionate care of patients; who are responsible to social and societal needs, and who have been thoroughly educated in the art and science of medicine so that they continuously demonstrate competence in the practice of medicine. It is well recognized that in order to achieve the essence of these goals, students must demonstrate competence in those intellectual, physical, and social tasks that together represent the fundamentals of medical practice. Thus, student performance must reflect qualities of good judgment, excellent memory, emotional maturity and stability, empathy, physical and mental stamina, and the ability to learn in a variety of educational settings.
In order to meet these goals, the faculty of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine have developed, in accordance with The Americans with Disability Act of 1990, PL 101-336, the following essential function requirements for medical students. All students, for matriculation and promotion should:
- Possess the posture and neuromuscular control, and eye-hand coordination needed to efficiently, safely, and independently carry out all necessary procedures involved in the learning of the basic and clinical sciences, as well as those required in the hospital and clinical environment. These include, but are not limited to, anatomical dissection, basic science laboratory exercises, basic and advanced cardiac life support activities, physical examinations, surgical, clinical laboratory, and other technical procedures as required for diagnosis and treatment;
- Possess the auditory and visual perception ability, as well as the mental capacity, to rapidly assimilate large volumes of technically detailed and complex information presented in formal lectures, small group discussions, and individual clinical settings. Students should possess the intellectual abilities to acquire, assimilate, integrate and apply information obtained from written, oral, and visual sources;
- Possess the use of the senses of vision, hearing, touch, and smell to allow for effective observation and communication in the classroom, scientific laboratory, and clinical setting;
- Possess the emotional and physical health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients.
