Admission to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Perfusion Education Program is highly competitive. 

Each application is reviewed holistically by the Admissions Committee, with consideration given to:

  • Academic achievement and overall GPA
  • Healthcare, research, and other relevant professional experiences
  • Strength and relevance of references
  • Quality of letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement and demonstrated motivation for the profession
  • Interview performance

The committee seeks applicants who demonstrate academic ability, professionalism, strong communication skills, and a commitment to patient care.

The program typically enrolls 4–5 students each year. Successful applicants have historically presented strong academic records, with undergraduate GPAs generally ranging from 3.2 to 4.0. While academic performance is an important factor, admission decisions are based on the overall strength of the application rather than any single criterion.

Prerequisites

  • Bachelor's degree (must be completed by matriculation into program)
  • Anatomy:
    • 4 credit hours total
      • 3 credit hours of class
      • 1 credit hour of lab
  • Biology (human-based):
    • Coursework must be human-based as animal, plant, or general biology courses will not satisfy this requirement
    • 8 credit hours total
      • 7 credit hours of class
      • 1 credit hour of lab
  • Chemistry:
    • 8 credit hours total
      • 6 credit hours of class
      • 2 credit hours of lab
  • Mathematics:
    • 4 credit hours
      • # of credit hour requirement waived with completion of College Calculus course
  • Physics:
    • 4 credit hours total
      • 3 credit hours of class
      • 1 credit hour of lab
  • Physiology:
    • 4 credit hours total
      • 3 credit hours of class
      • 1 credit hour of lab
  • Statistics:
    • 3 credit hours total

Application Timeline

date change

Application Dates:

Note change in dates for 2026 application cycle 

November 1st - applications will begin being accepted 

December 1st - applications must be postmarked by this date to ensure eligibility

Interview Dates

February - Interviews are held

Acceptance Offers

 February/March - Admission offers

Applying to the program

Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for answers to commonly asked questions pertaining to applying. 

All required materials must be submitted together in a single application packet by mail. Incomplete packets will not be considered for review.

Application Materials

  • All information is currently being updated.
  • Note that the application cycle dates have changed:
    • Application cycle opens November 1st
    • Application cycle closes December 1st

Application Checklist

All information is currently being updated.

Mail Application Materials to

University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program
200 Hawkins Drive, GH C43-Z
Iowa City, IA 52242-1062 

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