ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Academic excellence indicated through coursework and MCAT scores is very important for the study of medicine. However, evidence of compassion, service, integrity, cooperation, motivation and strength of character are equally important. The Committee on Admission looks for these qualities in deeds as well as words. Experience in leadership, healthcare, research, community service and other enriching activities are scrutinized, as are letters of recommendation and personal comments.
  
  
• At the time of application, applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours at an accredited American or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation. Transfer coursework from foreign schools is not acceptable. Online coursework is not acceptable.
  
  
• Applicants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens or current U.S. Permanent Residents. (If neither status applies to you, please refer to the International Medicine Program)
  
  
• Applicants must have completed 6 credits of English as well as 6 credits of lecture and 2 credits of lab in each of the following sciences at an accredited American or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation: Biology (botany or biochemistry courses do not fulfill this requirement), General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics. Last year's entering class averaged an overall GPA of 3.64.
  
  
• Applicants must take The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) by September and release their scores to The George Washington University Admissions Office. (MCAT registration packets can be requested from: MCAT Program Office, P.O. Box 4056, Iowa City, IA, 52243.) NO MCAT SCORES PRIOR TO APRIL WILL BE ACCEPTED. Last year's entering class averaged a 9.7 in Physical Sciences, a 10.2 in Biological Sciences, a 9.6 in Verbal Reasoning, and a P on the written essay.
  
  

• The faculty of The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences consider it essential for all medical graduates to have the knowledge and skill to function in a variety of clinical situations and to provide a wide spectrum of patient care as required by the curriculum. Therefore, every medical student must master a common body of basic science knowledge and master the principles, knowledge, and procedures of the major required clinical specialty clerkships, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and primary (ambulatory) care medicine. This requires that every student have sufficient capacities and abilities in:

  • Communication
  • Observation
  • Motor/tactile function
  • Emotions/Intellect

  The MD degree is, thus, an undifferentiated degree requiring that each student independently demonstrate these capabilities. Surrogates cannot be used to accomplish the essential requirements. Students may not have undue dependence on technology or trained intermediaries.

  Communication includes the ability to speak, hear, read, and write sufficiently to achieve adequate exchange of information with other healthcare professionals and patients and their support network.

  Observation includes the ability to perceive, using senses and mental abilities, the presentation of information through lectures, small groups and one-to-one interactions, and written and audiovisual materials. Students must be able to directly observe a patient’s medical condition. Other examples of use of perceptual abilities include, but are not limited to: gross and microscopic studies of organisms, cadaver dissections, and various diagnostic studies (including, but not limited to: interpreting electrocardiograms, chest x rays, mental status examinations, and auscultatory findings.)

  Motor function includes the ability to perform physical examinations, basic laboratory, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures. These procedures include, but are not limited to: urinalysis, airway management, insertion of nasogastric tubes and urinary catheters, pelvic and rectal examinations, obstetrical maneuvers, suturing, venipuncture, and arterial blood draws.

  Emotional and higher level-intellectual abilities must be demonstrated. These include aptitude for rapid problem solving; rational thought; visual-spatial comprehension; understanding, synthesizing and recalling materials; interpreting results of patient interactions, examinations and procedures; and ability to formulate diagnostic and treatment plans. Students must have the ability for sound judgment and be able to function under physically taxing and stressful situations such as overnight call and lengthy working hours.

  Reasonable accommodations will be made for applicants with disabilities who can meet the requirements noted above. These accommodations must be accomplished without altering the essential requirements of our medical education.

  
  
• The application process is very competitive, as there are approximately 10,000 applicants for 177 seats. Because interviews and acceptances are offered as applications and letters of recommendation are received and processed, we strongly urge you to complete your file as early as possible. Please review the following information carefully so that you will not experience delays in the processing of your application.