International MD Program

Introduction

The International 5-year MD Program was developed by the Office of International Medicine Programs in response to the great demand for US-educated physicians abroad. Differences in educational standards, language, and culture may present further obstacles to international students who apply to competitive American programs. Our program is designed to facilitate international students who wish to practice medicine in their home countries, and to further the GWUMC mission to improve the health and well-being of communities beyond our locale by promoting the exchange of knowledge across cultures.

Strategic Goals

The goals of this program are to provide international students with a strong medical education and a basic overview of the American medical system as it is carried out at The George Washington University Medical Center (GWUMC), and to prepare them for medical careers in their home country. This program also builds productive relationships between GWUMC and governments and institutions abroad through our role in their education.

Program Description

The International 5-year MD Program is designed for international students who have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours, including the required pre-medical coursework, at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation and would like to enter an American medical school. Students in this program take the standard first-year, M.D.academic coursework over the first two years for a smooth transition, and will be subject to the same academic standards and procedures for academic dismissal as students in the Decelerated M.D. Program described in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences Bulletin (“the Bulletin”). The faculty requires a better than minimally passing performance as evidence of the likelihood of the student’s success. International students must maintain full time status in the program.

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Curriculum

In the International 5-year MD program, the first year (I) coursework is divided into I-A and I-B and is spread over two years where the curriculum focuses on normal structure and functions of the human body; the second year (II) curriculum focuses on abnormal human biology; the third (III) and fourth (IV) years’ curriculum is a two-year continuum of clinical clerkships.

United States Medical Licensure Examination Step I and Step II:
All students are required to take and pass the first portion (Step I) of the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) before proceeding to year III and take and pass the second portion (Step II, CS & CK) before they graduate and start their residency training programs.

Evaluation

The faculty evaluates students’ academic performance on the Honors/Pass/ Conditional/Fail grading system. Ongoing assessments are conducted during each semester. To continue beyond the first year (I), five-year students must achieve grades not lower than one standard deviation below the mean for all medical students in each course of more than two credits. This is usually higher than the minimum level of performance required for a grade of “Pass”.

Students are required to attend a monthly seminar and a monthly meeting. These meetings are designed to introduce the student to the other members of the program and to the medical school, and to discuss with the student any academic difficulties he/she may be facing. Meeting attendance is a part of the overall performance evaluation of the student.

All candidates for the Doctor of Medicine degree, including those admitted to the International MD Program, are subject to the Regulations for M.D. Candidates (“the Regulations”) that are set forth in the Bulletin. To the extent that there are any inconsistencies or ambiguities between this Outline and the Regulations, the Regulations shall govern.

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Application Procedures

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be non-US, non-Canadian citizens, and non US Permanent resident visa holders;
F-1 visa status must be maintained throughout the period of matriculation in the program; if the visa status of a student changes at any time during his or her matriculation in the program, he or she will no longer be eligible for the program and will be dismissed;
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours, including the required pre-medical coursework, at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation.(all required science course work must be done in a U.S. or Canadian college or university);
Applicants must master written and spoken English; and formally prepare for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). .
Applicants to this program must be sponsored financially by their Government Embassy or by a home country health institution and have employment contracts.

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Admission Process

The Office of International Medicine Programs will send the necessary information to interested students and institutions. The information will include a description of the program, eligibility requirements, and estimated budget, in addition to formal admission information.
All applicants must submit AMCAS and GW Secondary applications, official transcripts, a minimum of three letters of recommendation, a sponsorship/employment letter from a home country medical or academic institution and a financial guarantee from their sponsor. (Deadline for AMCAS Application is December 1 and GW Secondary Application is January 1 respectively - Applicants are advised to take the MCAT no later than April of the year preceding their enrollment).
Application materials, with the exception of AMCAS Application, must be submitted to the Office of International Medicine Programs no later than January 1 for admission to the program in the same academic year starting in the same year. The applications will be reviewed by the Office of International Medicine Programs for completeness. The Office of International Medicine Programs will submit complete applications to the Office of Admissions. Any incomplete application will be brought to the attention of applicant and sponsor whether it is in the US or abroad.
Completed applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and a decision to offer interview will be made.
Upon the approval of the position, the Office of International Medicine Programs will develop a Letter of Agreement (LOA) that will dictate the terms of the acceptance and send it to the Sponsor for signature along with the financial form and applicant’s Acceptance Contract.
The applicant must sign the Notice of Acceptance, provided by the Office of Admissions and submit it along with the LOA and return them within three weeks after receipt of the offer. The student must also sign a release form authorizing GWUMC to share progress information with the sponsor and a representation form stating that the student intends to return to his or her home country following completion of the program. All letters of acceptance are contingent upon an executed Letter of Agreement (LOA) between the sponsor and GWUMC, and an executed Contract between the student and GWUMC.
Finally, IMP will require information from the sponsor including: financial guarantee, sponsorship letter; designated academic advisor (if any); point of contact; designated financial officer at the sponsor; and valid billing address. All required documents must be completed and received by the IMP at GWUMC no later than May before the year of matriculation for processing the applicant’s U.S. student visa.

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Cost Estimates and Payment Procedures

Costs, Fees, and Tuition

The sponsor will be responsible for payment of: (1) Educational costs; and (2) Tuition Supplement. Educational costs shall be the annual tuition and fees assessed by GWUMC for all M.D. candidates.

Tuition Supplement

The sponsor will also be responsible for payment of a Tuition Supplement which is an additional annual fee equal to sixty percent (60%) of the tuition (exclusive of other fees and charges) applicable to this International MD Program. The Tuition Supplement will be used to cover payment for frequent meetings, and private tutoring when needed; United States Medical Licensure Examination Step I (USMLE) registration fees and preparation courses; annual written progress reports to the sponsor; and student support services (i.e., housing, medical needs, visa, personal matters, etc.)

Payment Procedures

The sponsor will provide a financial guarantee upon the student’s acceptance and the name and address of the designated financial officer.
A pre-payment deposit of $3,000 is required by June of the year before matriculation in order to guarantee the applicant’s attendance..
At the beginning of each semester, GWUMC will send bills for the Educational Costs and Tuition Supplement to the sponsor, who will pay GWUMC within three weeks of receiving the bills.

GWUMC will not be responsible for payment of the cost of travel to and from the student’s home country; living expenses (including but not limited to, housing, food, and transportation); health insurance; books; educational supplies, equipment and instruments; and/or other monies associated with the student’s matriculation in the program. Educational Costs and the Tuition Supplement paid by the sponsor will not be used by GWUMC to cover any of the foregoing expenses. These expenses shall be solely the responsibility of the sponsor and/or student.

University/Medical Center Student Financial Aid

International students participating in the International MD program are not eligible for University student or Federal financial aid.

For More Information Contact:

Office of International Medicine Programs
The George Washington University Medical Center
2300 I Street, NW, Suite 708, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 994-2796, Fax: (202) 994-0074,
Email: impjss@gwumc.edu
Website: www.gwumc.edu/imp

Or visit the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at: www.gwumc.edu/smhs/

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International Medicine Programs, 2300 I Street, NW, Ross Hall Suite 708, Washington, DC 20037

The George Washington University does not unlawfully discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. This policy covers all programs, services, policies and procedures of the University, including admission to education programs and employment. The University is subject to the District of Columbia Human Rights Law.