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Frequently Asked
Questions
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Does GWU have a rolling admissions policy? The Committee of Admissions does have a rolling admissions policy. You should submit all materials as soon as possible.
When are the deadlines for applying?
-The deadline for the online AMCAS application is December 1st.
-The GW Secondary Application and all supporting materials (including letters of recommendation to AMCAS) are due by January 1st.
What are the average GPA and MCAT scores of entering students? Is there a minimum that I need to be above? For the 2008 entering class, the average scores are given below. Please keep in mind that the scores of the students selected for admission included a broad range of scores that includes scores reflective of national averages.
- average GPA: 3.64
- average MCAT scores were:
- Verbal- 9.59
- Physical Science- 9.73
- Biological Science- 10.16
- Writing- P
What factors does the Admissions Committee consider?
There are many aspects of an application that we focus on. We evaluate GPA, MCATs, graduate coursework (if over 12 credits), letters of recommendation, essays, medically-related experiences (volunteering in a doctor's office, clinic, hospital, etc), research, extracurricular activities, work experience, community service and leadership experiences.
Do you accept out-of-state or out-of-area applicants?
GW is a private institution. As such, there are no state residency criteria or location preference for applicants.
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What are the citizenship requirements for entry into GW Medical School? |
GW accepts only US citizens, US permanent residents (with a valid US Permanent Residency card) and Canadian citizens to its regular 4-year MD program. If you are an international student, please click herefor more information.
Are there additional requirements for Canadian citizens? We do accept Canadian citizens to the program and the requirements are the same for everyone. Canadian citizens will receive a Financial Certificate at time of interview. The George Washington University cannot admit you or send you a student visa document (I-20 or DS-2019) until you have submitted documentation showing sufficient funds to pay for your educational expenses.
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What are the course requirements for admission to GW Medical School? |
| Biology | 8 semester hours (6 lecture, 2 lab) |
| General Chemistry | 8 semester hours (6 lecture, 2 lab) |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 semester hours (6 lecture, 2 lab) |
| Physics | 8 semester hours (6 lecture, 2 lab) |
| English | 6 semester hours |
Do I have to complete the required coursework before applying to GW? No. All of our requirements must be completed prior to matriculation, not application. However, most successful applicants have completed most of the required courses prior to application.
I followed my university’s prescribed pre-medical sequence. If you have followed and completed, in its entirety, the recommended pre-medical sequence at your school, we will accept your completed sequence as fulfilling our requirements. We understand that your coursework may not fit easily into the chart provided on the secondary. Do your best to fill in the chart as thoroughly as possible. Please remember that we will have access to your AMCAS primary application if we have any questions. We may request a letter of explanation from your pre-medical advisor; please DO NOT submit this letter unless specifically requested of you.
I took some of the required courses at an advanced level. Will these still count toward the requirements? Yes, upper-level courses may be used to satisfy our basic requirements. Please note biochemistry can not be used to fulfill the requirements unless specifically prescribed as a part of your prescribed premedical sequence.
Do you accept Biochemistry towards fulfilling the Organic Chemistry Requirement? No, unless it was a part of your university’s prescribed premedical sequence and you completed the sequence in its entirety.
What courses count toward the English premedical requirement? In addition to all courses offered by the English Department, the committee will also accept courses offered in Religion, Philosophy, Literature and Advanced Foreign Language. We also accept AP credits for this requirement.
What kinds of biology courses are suggested for the biology requirement? To meet our biology requirement, candidates should take courses that focus on cellular and molecular biology as well as the structure and function of living organisms. Please note that botany and biochemistry cannot be used towards fulfilling the requirement.
Will my Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credit count toward the pre-medical requirements? Yes, as long as these credits are listed on your official transcript and designated as the appropriate credit.
Do you accept Community College credits? Yes. The Committee on Admissions does accept coursework taken at a community college; however, it is preferable to have all of the pre-medical coursework taken at a four year college or university.
>Do you accept online coursework? No, we do not accept online coursework.
I went to school on a quarter system. You will need to convert your coursework into semester hours. Please see the AMCAS conversion chart (http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/advisors/2009conversionguide.pdf) for help on this. There should be enough space in the chart on page two for you to list all of the required coursework. Please refrain from attaching separate pages to complete the required pre-medical coursework grid.
Do you only accept applicants who majored in the sciences as an undergrad? No, each year our class includes students who majored along with traditional sciences, in foreign languages, economics, music, psychology, interna¬tional relations and management.
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Do you require the MCAT? Is there a time limit in which it needs to be completed? |
Yes. We do require valid MCAT scores that have been taken within 3 years prior to matriculation. We will not consider MCATS taken before April 2007 or after September 2009 for the current application cycle.
What should I do if I am scheduled to take the MCAT this summer? If you already have valid MCAT scores upon application, there will be a review of your completed application. It is possible that an interview be offered at this time. Otherwise, the committee will hold your application for your most recent MCAT scores. Please remember that you should submit your application as soon as possible due to our rolling admissions process. It is best to submit all other materials to our office, except letters of recommendation, so that your application is in order and ready as soon as we receive your summer MCAT scores.
How do you view MCAT scores if an applicant took the test more than once?The Committee on Admissions accepts the highest score in each section. Please keep in mind that for the 2010 cycle, the committee will only consider MCAT scores from April 2007-September 2009.
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How do I submit letters of recommendation? GW participates in the AMCAS letter service. All letters of recommendation are submitted to AMCAS, which then electronically forwards the letters to the participating medical schools. For full information, please see the AMCAS application site at www.amcas.org. All letters of recommendation MUST be sent directly to AMCAS and therefore arrive via the AMCAS letters system to our office. Please, DO NOT send your letters of recommendation directly to our office.
What type of letters of recommendation are required? How many? To complete their file, applicants are required to submit either: - A Pre-Health or Pre-Medical Committee (required if available to you) OR
- Three letters from individuals (and no more than 5), at least one of which must be from science faculty familiar with your academic work.
What about adding additional letters after my file is completed? Once we have received all letters listed on AMCAS letters, your file will be considered complete. If you submit additional letters after your file is complete, they will be included in the review of your file ONLY if your file has not been reviewed.
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How do I pay the $125 application fee? Click here to launch the online payment gateway. We only accept online credit card payments. Please do not send a check with your secondary application. After you make the payment, you will receive your Fee Payment Authorization code. This number must be written in the box on the right side of the front page of the secondary application marked ‘Fee Payment Authorization Code’.
Do you offer a secondary application fee waiver? Yes, we will waive our secondary application fee if you have received an AMCAS fee waiver. Attach a copy of any documentation you received from AMCAS regarding your fee waiver to your completed secondary application. Please write AMCAS FEE WAIVER in the box on the right side of the first page of the secondary application asking for your ‘Fee Payment Authorization Code’.
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I have submitted an AMCAS application, but have not yet received the secondary application. What should I do? We do send secondary applications to applicants who designate GW Medical School on their AMCAS application. Please note that it does take time to transmit your completed AMCAS application to our office. If you have not received a secondary and it has been four weeks or more since you submitted your AMCAS application, please email us at medadmit@gwu.edu to inquire about your status.
How will I know when my secondary application has been received? You will receive an email indicating the receipt and processing of your secondary application. We appreciate your patience in this process.
How will I know when my application file has been completed with my letters of recommendation? You will receive a second email indicating when your letters have been matched with your file. At this time your file will enter the review process. Please note that your application will not be completed until your AMCAS application has been verified.
How can I check my status once my file has been completed? You may visit https://jack.gwumc.gwu.edu/AdmissionWeb/ to check the status of your application throughout the application cycle. Please note that you will need to select the appropriate link if you are a first time user, or if you have forgotten your username/password.
How long after my file is complete will I be notified of a decision? Interviews are offered on a rolling basis. Most files are reviewed within two to six weeks of when they are completed. Please keep in mind that many files are put on hold each year and re-reviewed later in the application season.
How will I find out if I received an offer to interview with GW? Interviews are by invitation only and are generally conducted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Invitations are sent via email to the email address you provided on your AMCAS application.
Will the Admissions Office provide counseling to me if I am an unsuccessful applicant? Unfortunately, we do not have the staff available to provide this counseling. We urge you to utilize your pre-medical advisor as they can speak to your situation more personally. Please note that regardless of your situation we cannot assure you that you are a competitive applicant or advise you on the likelihood that you will be accepted to our program.
What is your policy on deferring admission after I’ve been accepted? Accepted students who would like to apply for deferral must write to the Assistant Dean for Admissions stating their reason for requesting deferral and their proposed plans for using the time requested. Deferrals are granted on a case by case basis and the applicant will be notified of the final decision in a timely manner.
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Does GW have an Early Decision program? Yes. It is an accelerated application process recommended to outstanding applicants. Decisions are made by October 1st. For more information, please visit http://www.gwumc.edu/edu/admis/html/academics/amcasearly.html
How do I apply for a dual degree program? MD/MPH or MD/PhD? You must apply to the MPH or PhD program separately from the MD application process. Upon acceptance to both programs, you will be able to pursue a dual degree. For more information on the admissions process for the MPH or PhD programs, please contact the program directly.
School of Public Health: http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/
Graduate Programs: http://www.gwu.edu/~gradinfo/Grad_fields.cfm
I would like more information on the 7 year BA/MD program at GW. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions at gwadm@gwu.edu or visit Undergraduate Admissions: gwired.gwu.edu/adm.
I would like more information on the 8 year BS/MD program with St. Bonaventure University. Click here to visit St. Bonaventure University’s website.
I completed my Bachelor’s Degree but I have not taken my pre-medical coursework yet. I am searching for a post-baccalaureate premedical program with a link to the MD program at GW.Each medical school has different requirements, and thus requires you to be familiar with them. You can complete your post-baccalaureate pre-med coursework either in a formal post-bac program (see below for our linkage programs) or you can complete your pre-med coursework as a non-degree student at any accredited US or Canadian college or university. Though The George Washington University does not have a formal post-baccalaureate program (you can certainly take courses as a non-degree student at GW), GW Medical School does have several linkage programs with formal post-bac programs that can help you fulfill medical school entrance course requirements. The following list indicates GW’s linkage programs and their corresponding web site. If you have any questions pertaining to their programs, please refer to their web site for contact information.
I am NOT a US citizen, US Permanent Resident or Canadian citizen. How can I go to GWU to get an MD? You may apply to GW’s International Medicine Program. This is a five year program that prepares non-US citizens for medical practice in their home countries. Applicants MUST be sponsored by their government or a medical institution in their home country. Please note that international students may not apply to the regular four year MD program or for transfer admission. For more information on this program, please visit http://www.gwumc.edu/imp/.
Do you accept transfer applicants from other medical schools? Students eligible to apply to our second or third-year classes are those from U.S. or Canadian schools of medicine, and those enrolled in Osteopathic Medicine Programs. For more information on the transfer process, please visit http://www.gwumc.edu/edu/admis/html/admissions/transfer.html.
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Where is the best place to find information about average cost and financial aid? For the most up-to-date information, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid by calling 202-994-2960 or by clicking here. (http://www.gwumc.edu/smhs/Fin-Aid/)
Where can I find more information on GW’s track program or about joining student groups? Please visit the Office of Student Opportunities website for information regarding the Track Program which allows GW medical students to pursue paths of leadership within the field through eight tracks of study including: community/urban health, emergency management, global health, health policy, integrative medicine, medical education leadership, medical humanities, and research.
You also can visit our student life page to explore the everyday life of a GW medical student.
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Can I come visit George Washington Medical School for a tour? Tours are given starting at the MD Admissions Office (2300 I Street, NW; Washington, DC 20037; Ross Hall 716) on Mondays at 11am. An admissions staff member will answer your questions about GW and the admissions process, as well as take you on a guided tour of the medical school facilities. Please be sure to bring a photo ID to enter Ross Hall. Also, should you be invited for an interview, a more detailed campus tour will be provided at that time.
Live too far away to visit us for a tour? We urge students to take a look at the short video on our website which provides an overview of The George Washington University School of Medicine and shows our facilities and location.
What is the mailing address and contact information for the Admissions Office? The mailing address for GW Medical Admissions is:
Office of Admissions – MD Program
School of Medicine and Health Science
The George Washington University
2300 Eye Street NW, Ross Hall Suite 716
Washington DC, 20037
The phone number, fax number and email address are:
Phone: (202) 994-3506
Fax: (202) 994-1753
Email: medadmit@gwu.edu
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