Assigned to ED FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1727
medical schools; admissions; in-state students
Purpose
Requires a public university medical school (medical school) to give priority consideration
in the first round of admissions interviews to applicants from Arizona who meet prescribed
admissions qualifications and requirements and to offer an interview on the next available date to
such applicants from Arizona. Outlines admissions information that a medical school must include
in promotional materials and on the medical school's website and reporting requirements for
medical schools to demonstrate compliance with the prescribed requirements.
Background
The University of Arizona (U of A) School of Medicine must give priority consideration
to applicants who demonstrate a willingness to practice in medically underserved areas of Arizona.
Additionally, the U of A School of Medicine must prepare a plan to encourage students to enter
the primary care disciplines and reserve at least 60 percent of the residency positions available for
medical school graduates entering primary care disciplines programs, of which at least 12 percent
must be reserved for medical school graduates entering the family medicine program (A.R.S.
§§ 15-1751 and 15-1753).
To be considered for admission into the U of A's School of Medicine, applicants must meet
specified requirements, including: 1) taking the Medical College Admissions Test and achieving
a minimum composite score of 500 within four years of matriculation into medical school;
2) having a cumulative science and overall GPA of 3.0 or better in undergraduate, post-
baccalaureate or graduate studies; 3) having earned a bachelor's degree or completed 60 credit
hours in an educational institution located in the United States or Canada that is approved by a
regional accrediting body; 4) completion of outlined required courses; and 5) obtaining a
fingerprint clearance card issued by the Department of Public Safety (U of A).
To be eligible to classify as an in-state student at an Arizona community college or public
university for tuition purposes, a person must be domiciled in Arizona for one year, subject to
outlined exceptions. A person who is not domiciled in Arizona for at least one year is entitled to
in-state student classification under certain conditions, including if the person: 1) has participated
in AmeriCorps in Arizona for at least one year; 2) is a member and resident of a recognized Indian
tribe whose reservation land lies in Arizona and extends to another state; 3) is a veteran or
honorably discharged or retired member of the U.S. Armed Forces and meets specified
requirements; or 4) is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or the spouse or dependent of a member
of the U.S. Armed Forces and meets specified requirements (A.R.S. § 15-1802).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions FACT SHEET
S.B. 1727
Page 2
1. Requires, if a public university has a medical school, the medical school to:
a) post admissions information on the medical school's website and include the admissions
information in any promotional materials distributed to prospective students;
b) offer an interview on the next available interview date to each applicant from Arizona who
submits a timely application, meets or exceeds the qualifications and requirements for
admission to the medical school and pays all application fees;
c) if applicable, give priority consideration in the first round of admissions interviews to any
applicant from Arizona who meets the medical school's prescribed admissions
qualifications and requirements; and
d) by October 1, annually report specified information to the Arizona Board of Regents
(ABOR) relating to the prior school year.
2. Requires the admissions information posted on the medical school's website and distributed to
prospective students to include:
a) minimum qualifications and requirements for admission to the medical school;
b) the amount of all application fees;
c) deadlines dates and procedures for prospective students to apply for medical school
admission; and
d) if applicable, the dates on which the medical school will interview applicants for
admissions to the medical school.
3. Requires a medical school's annual report to ABOR on the prior school year to include:
a) the number of applicants from Arizona who submitted a timely application;
b) the number of applicants from Arizona who were interviewed for submitting an applicant,
meeting or exceeding admissions qualifications or requirements and paying all application
fees;
c) the number of applicants from Arizona who were admitted to the medical school;
d) a description of procedures that the medical school implemented and actions that the
medical school undertook to comply with prescribed requirements; and
e) any other information requested by ABOR.
4. Deems that an applicant is from Arizona if the applicant is classified as an in-state student or
graduated from a high school in Arizona.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 10, 2025
MH/SDR/ci