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SCHOOLS OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
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For updated information, check our Admissions home page: medschool.wustl.edu/admissions.
Admission Requirements for the Study of Medicine
Policy for International Students
Application Procedure
Background Checks and Screening for Controlled Substances
Full-Tuition Scholarships
Third-Year Class Transfer Program
Admission Requirements for the Study of Medicine
Entrance requirements to the School of Medicine include:
1. Evidence of superior intellectual ability and scholastic achievement;
2. Completion of at least 90 semester hours of college courses in an approved college or university;
3. Completion of the Medical College Admission Test of the Association of American Medical Colleges; and
4. Evidence of character, a caring and compassionate attitude, scientific and humanitarian interests, effective communication skills, and motivation suitable for a career in medicine.
Chemistry, physics and mathematics provide the tools for modern biology, for medicine and for the biological basis of patient care. Thus, a firm grounding in these subjects is essential for the study of medical sciences. Entering students are expected to have had at least the equivalent of one-year courses at the undergraduate level in physics and biology; to have studied mathematics through calculus, including integral equations and differential equations; and to have a background in chemistry, including one year of general or inorganic chemistry and one year of organic chemistry. Course work in biochemistry is encouraged although not required. In addition one semester of biochemistry can be substituted for one semester of organic chemistry. Similarly, one semester of statistics can be substituted for one semester of calculus. In selected instances, one or more of these prerequisites may be waived by the Committee on Admissions, but applicants are strongly advised to pursue their interests in these and in other areas of science.
A major goal of undergraduate college work should be development of the intellectual talents of the individual. This often involves the pursuit of some area of knowledge in-depth, whether in the humanities, social sciences or natural sciences. At the same time, a diversity of background is encouraged in order to provide a necessary foundation for the development of cultural awareness, sensitivity and competence. Specific courses, other than the few in the natural sciences, are not prerequisites because a great variety of courses and life experiences may prepare students for the many roles they may play in their medical careers.
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Policy for International Students
The admission decision at Washington University School of Medicine is based on academic and personal merit and not on the ability of the student to pay the costs of education. However, individuals who are not citizens of the United States of America or who do not hold U.S. Permanent Resident Visa status are not eligible for financial aid due to regulations covering many programs used by the School to fund financial assistance. Therefore, in order for the School to complete the required documents which are necessary for issuance of a visa, the student must document, by a date and in a manner designated by the School, that the necessary amount of funds, as established by the School, is available to pay the costs of education (tuition and living expenses) for the anticipated period of enrollment, normally four years. Documentation of the required amount of financial resources may be by a letter of credit or by deposit of funds in an escrow account with a bank designated by the School.
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Application Procedure
General information for prospective medical students and how to apply can be found at http://medschool.wustl.edu/admissions.
Washington University School of Medicine participates in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) of the Association of American Medical Colleges. AMCAS provides a centralized system for applying to any participating medical school with only one application and one set of official transcripts of academic work.
The AMCAS Application for Admission, common to all participating medical schools, is available online at www.aamc.org/students/amcas/. Applicants are urged to file their applications as early as possible.
Applicants to the first-year class must submit their AMCAS application no later than December 1 of the year prior to that in which they want to matriculate. On receipt of the application from AMCAS, the Office of Admissions contacts the applicant regarding the additional steps to be taken to complete the application. These include completing a supplemental application via the Internet at http://wumsapply.wustl.edu, submission of letters of recommendation and payment of a nonrefundable Application Service Fee of $65. These materials must be received no later than December 31. Applicants can check the status of their application via the Internet at the http://wumsapply.wustl.edu web site. Once the application is complete, the Committee on Admissions evaluates it.
Selected applicants are invited for a personal interview, as well as a tour of the School of Medicine and the Washington University Medical Center. This visit provides extensive opportunities for the applicant to meet and talk with students and faculty members.
If an applicant is planning a trip to the St. Louis area, it is appropriate to contact us by e-mail (wumscoa@wustl.edu) to inquire if an interview has been authorized. The inquiry should be submitted at least three weeks in advance of the anticipated travel. The Office of Admissions is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.
Admission decisions are made by the Committee on Admissions on a rolling schedule beginning October 15. Applicants are notified as soon as a final decision has been made on their application, but by April 15, every applicant should be notified whether he or she is accepted, on the waiting list or not accepted.
Upon notification of acceptance for admission to the School, the applicant is required to file a Statement of Intent within two weeks. Three options are presented: 1) accept the offer of admission and submit the $100 acceptance deposit; 2) accept the offer of admission, submit the $100 deposit and request financial aid materials; or 3) decline the offer of admission. The $100 acceptance deposit reserves a place in the class and is applied to the tuition charge at the time of matriculation. If an accepted applicant withdraws from the class with written or e-mail notification to the Admissions Office prior to May 15, the deposit is refunded. The School of Medicine abides by the traffic rules regarding application timelines as established by AMCAS. Accepted applicants who are non-compliant with AMCAS traffic rules and medical school deadlines may have their acceptance into the class rescinded.
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Background Checks and Screening for Controlled Substances
Effective in 2005, students entering the School of Medicine who will have contact with patients are required to have criminal background checks and screening for controlled substances (THC-cannabis, cocaine, opiate, amphetamine, PCP-phencyclidine) in order to qualify for participation in clinical activities at Washington University School of Medicine-affiliated clinical facilities. Drug screening usually will be conducted during student orientation prior to the start of classes. Incoming, prematriculant students, or visiting students will be disqualified to study at the School of Medicine if they do not consent to background checks, if they have significant positive findings on the background checks, or if they have illicit substances detected on drug screening without a bona fide medical indication. Disqualified prematriculant students and disqualified visiting students will be precluded from matriculation and will not be registered as students in the School of Medicine.
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Full-Tuition Scholarships
Please see Financial Information/Financial Assistance section.
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Third-Year Class Transfer Program
Each year, Washington University School of Medicine accepts a limited number of transfer students into its third-year class depending on the availability of positions. Transfer applications are accepted from well-qualified second-year students who are enrolled in good standing and eligible to continue in their LCME-accredited U.S. medical schools. Applicants must also have a compelling personal reason for requesting transfer and must have the full approval of the dean of their current school. Accepted students are required to successfully complete the USMLE Step 1 examination.
Transfer application forms for admittance into the third-year class are available after October 1 for the following academic year. The deadline for submission of applications is March 31. Those applicants selected for interview will be invited to visit the Medical Center. Applicants will be notified of the decision of the Committee on Admissions by May 15 or when a position becomes available. Inquiries should be directed to:
Third-Year Class Transfer Program
Washington University School of Medicine
Campus Box 8077
660 S. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110-1093
Phone: (314) 362-6844
Fax: (314) 362-4658
wumscoa@wustl.edu
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Last Modification: 08/03/2009 | |