Which Medical Schools Need CASPer in 2025? A Guide

As you plan your journey into medicine or other healthcare careers, you may encounter an increasingly common admissions requirement: the CASPer test. Many medical schools in the U.S. and internationally are using CASPer as part of a holistic admissions process. Understanding how CASPer fits into your application strategy—and how programs like Go Elective’s global health internships in Kenya and Tanzania can help—will give you a competitive edge.

In this guide, we will explore:

• What the CASPer exam is,
• Why medical schools value it,
• A list of medical schools currently requiring CASPer for 2025,
• And how clinical experience abroad with Go Elective can strengthen your readiness.
  
  

What is the CASPer Test?

The CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is an online situational judgment test (SJT) designed to assess key non-cognitive skills. These include:

• Empathy and compassion,
• Communication,
• Teamwork and leadership,
• Problem-solving,
• Ethics and professionalism.

Unlike the MCAT, which focuses on scientific knowledge, CASPer evaluates how you might navigate real-world ethical and interpersonal challenges in healthcare. Test-takers are presented with written or video-based scenarios, followed by timed, open-ended questions. Your answers help medical schools assess your emotional intelligence and readiness for patient-centered care.

Why Do Medical Schools Require CASPer?

Medical schools are increasingly looking for applicants who demonstrate both academic aptitude and the interpersonal skills vital to clinical practice. CASPer helps admissions committees identify students who will not only succeed in medical school but also excel in patient care.

By incorporating CASPer, many institutions aim to:

• Ensure fairness and reduce bias by focusing on personal attributes,
• Evaluate how applicants might respond to complex ethical situations,
• Complement GPA and MCAT scores with a holistic review of each candidate.

In short, CASPer helps measure the “human” side of medicine that grades alone can’t capture.

List of Medical Schools That Require CASPer (Updated)

While this list changes each year, here are 20 medical schools confirmed to require CASPer for the this year's application cycle:

1. Albany Medical College
2. Central Michigan University College of Medicine
3. California University of Science and Medicine
4. Drexel University College of Medicine
5. East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine
6. Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
7. George Washington University School of Medicine
8. Howard University College of Medicine
9. Indiana University School of Medicine
10. Morehouse School of Medicine
11. University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
12. New York Medical College
13. Oregon Health & Science University
14. Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
15. Stanford University School of Medicine
16. University of Virginia School of Medicine
17. Wake Forest University School of Medicine
18. Yale School of Medicine
19. University of Michigan Medical School
20. UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Pro Tip: Always check each school’s admissions page for updates. Requirements may shift between cycles.

How Can Global Health Internships with Go Elective Help You Prepare?

Completing a healthcare internship abroad can give you real-world experiences that prepare you for CASPer scenarios.

Our clinical placements:

• Put you face-to-face with ethical dilemmas in low-resource settings,
• Enhance your understanding of patient-centered care through cross-cultural exposure,
• Strengthen your communication and teamwork skills in fast-paced hospital environments,

Help you craft compelling stories for your CASPer responses and medical school interviews.

Learn more about Go Elective’s medical internships abroad here and discover how shadowing local physicians in East Africa can elevate your application.

How to Prepare for the CASPer Test

1. Get familiar with the CASPer format:

Expect 12 scenarios, each followed by three open-ended questions. You'll have five minutes per scenario to type your responses.

2. Practice ethical reasoning

Reflect on issues like patient autonomy, equity, cultural sensitivity, and interprofessional dynamics. Go Elective’s internships provide first hand exposure to many of these areas.

3. Strengthen your typing and time management:

The CASPer is timed, so practice clear, concise writing under pressure.

4. Take mock CASPer tests:

Use official practice tools and consider scenario-based learning from your clinical experiences.

Additional FAQs About CASPer and Medical School Admissions

How is CASPer scored?

Each scenario is rated by a unique rater using a rubric that focuses on how well you explain your reasoning and show awareness of diverse perspectives.

Can CASPer compensate for a lower MCAT or GPA?

While a strong CASPer score enhances your application, most schools view it as just one part of a holistic process. Academic metrics still play a crucial role.

Is CASPer required outside the U.S.?

Yes, some Canadian and international schools also require CASPer, especially in Australia and New Zealand.

Can Go Elective’s internships strengthen my CASPer prep?

Absolutely. Hands-on shadowing, particularly in resource-limited settings, provides authentic examples you can reference in CASPer scenarios about ethics, cultural competence, and healthcare delivery.

Final Thoughts: Strengthen Your Application with Global Healthcare Experience

As you target medical schools that require CASPer, complement your test prep with meaningful clinical experience. Go Elective offers immersive healthcare internships in Kenya and Tanzania designed for:

• Pre-med,
• Medical,
• Nursing,
• PA,
• Pre-health,
• Dental,
• And high school students interested in healthcare careers.

By engaging in shadowing, global health exposure, and mentorship through Go Elective, you’ll build the real-world insight medical schools value in the CASPer and beyond.

Ready to take your application to the next level? Explore Go Elective’s programs today and stand out in the next medical school admissions cycle.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 8, 2025