The Marine Corps just opened the FY27 application window for the Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2). This is a two-year, active-duty program run by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda that prepares enlisted Marines for medical school admission. USUHS covers tuition, textbooks, MCAT prep, and the initial med school application fees. If you get in, you stay on active duty with your current pay and benefits while you complete the program.
Bottom line: Active-duty enlisted Marines with a bachelor's degree and at least 3 years of service have until 30 September 2026 to apply through TFRS.
Who it affects
Active-duty enlisted Marines only. Reservists (SMCR, IMA, IRR) are not eligible. To apply, you must meet all of the following:
- Currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps
- E-4 or above at time of application
- At least 3 and no more than 10 years of military service as of 30 September 2026
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution (must be completed no later than 30 September 2026; no waivers)
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.20 on a 4.00 scale
- SAT score of at least 1200 (600+ in each section) or ACT score of 26 or higher, taken in 2020 or later
- Secret clearance or favorable adjudication of a Tier 3 investigation (no exceptions)
- Eligible for commissioned officer appointment (U.S. citizen, no court-martial convictions, no Article 15 history, no limited duty profiles)
- Under 34 years old on 1 July 2027 (waivers considered)
You are not eligible if you are E-1 through E-3, in initial entry training, on a limited duty profile, have a court-martial conviction or Article 15 history, or hold a foreign-only or unaccredited degree.
What you need to do
If you meet the criteria, here is how to apply:
- Review the full application requirements at
https://medschool.usuhs.edu/academics/emdp2. - Build your application package per the USUHS EMDP2 Application Guidelines.
- Get your commanding officer endorsement (the CO must verify local records check, administrative suitability, and other required items).
- Submit your package electronically through TFRS using the "SDA with Reenlistment/Miscellaneous Duty" RELM request, routed through your normal RELM chain.
- Wait for MMEA recommendations before submitting anything directly to USUHS. You are not eligible to apply to USUHS until MMEA has weighed in.
A few things to plan for financially: If selected, you will need approximately $3,000 out of pocket for civilian medical school application expenses and around $2,500 upfront for the officer uniform if you commission (you will be reimbursed up to the initial clothing allowance upon commissioning).
For ACT scores, send them directly to the EMDP2 office using ACT code 1825.
Key dates
- 30 September 2026: Hard deadline for all application packages. No exceptions, no late additions.
- January 2027: USUHS selection board convenes.
- 4 to 6 weeks after the board: Selectees notified via MARADMIN.
- 1 July 2027: EMDP2 matriculation date (used for the age cutoff calculation).
The official version
This is MARADMIN 375/26.
Referenced documents: BUMEDINST 1500.31 (SECNAV/BUMED policy on EMDP2); USUHS EMDP2 Application Guidelines (see the USUHS website above); MCO 1300.8 CH-2, Marine Corps Personnel Assignment Policy.
POCs at MMEA-25: Maj P.N. Delacruz at patrick.delacruz@usmc.mil / 703-432-9472, and GySgt B.S. Wilkins at brandon.wilkins@usmc.mil / 703-432-9473. USUHS POC: MSgt G. Howard at ashlyn.howard@usuhs.edu / 301-295-3722.
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.