Admissions Requirements and Selection Factors Policy Statement
Premedical course admissions requirements for the MD program must be completed before matriculation, and preferably before the time of application. Undergraduate or post-baccalaureate required courses must be completed at a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting body.
Requirements, Procedures and Guidelines
The minimum premedical course requirements include the following:
| Course | Semesters or | Quarters |
| Social Sciences or humanities: | 4 | 6 |
| Chemistry and biology: | 6 | 9 |
| Physics, or | 2 | 3 |
| Physics plus Calculus or Linear Algebra | 1 each | 2 each |
The content of chemistry and biology courses must include:
- General Chemistry
- General Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Genetics
- Cell Biology/Cell Physiology
The following courses are recommended, but not required:
- Ethics
- Anatomy or Comparative Anatomy
- Human or Mammalian Physiology
- Embryology
Other requirements and selection factors:
All applicants must demonstrate substantial academic ability in their major field as well as in the required science courses. Applicants should be proficient in the use of the English language and basic mathematics. Applicants are expected to be able to meet the essential requirements of the MD program with or without accommodations. It is also expected that applicants have demonstrated appropriate behavior and conduct in their educational and community environments.
Whereas no specific major is advised, a broad background in the humanities and liberal arts is encouraged.
Applicants are expected to have a basic understanding of personal computing and information technology prior to entry.
Applicants must complete and submit the Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT) in a timely manner related to their application to medical school. The MCAT must have been taken no more than three years prior to the date of matriculation.
Completion of a degree from a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional accreditation body is required before matriculation.
All accepted applicants must complete the criminal background check required by the University of Washington School of Medicine in the timeframe specified within the admissions process.
Residents of the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, or Idaho are eligible to apply.
Applicants from outside this five-state region who come from disadvantaged backgrounds or who have demonstrated a commitment to serving underserved populations will be considered. Foreign applicants, in addition to the above requirements, must also have a permanent resident visa.
Individuals with a demonstrated interest in research may apply for the MD/PhD program (Medical Science Training Program, or MSTP) regardless of residency.
Applicants with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status who reside in a WWAMI state and who are legally authorized and recognized by their respective state’s residency office as a state resident for WWAMI educational purposes will be considered.
As part of the application process for the Entering Class of 2012 and subsequent classes, applicants are informed about the University of Washington School of Medicine Honor Code and asked to sign a statement demonstrating their understanding of this policy and their agreement to abide by it. Applicants who are unwilling to sign the code will not be considered for admission.
As part of the application process for the Entering Class of 2016 and subsequent classes, applicants are made aware of the policy that all students are expected to complete clerkships both inside and outside of the Puget Sound area and are asked to sign a statement demonstrating their understanding of this policy. Students will be advised concerning their clinical training which will include different locations throughout the WWAMI region. All students will complete eight weeks in Seattle at one of the following hospitals: UWMC, Harborview, Seattle Children’s, or Puget Sound VA.
As part of the application process, applicants interested in working in rural or underserved areas may apply to the Targeted Rural and Underserved Track (TRUST). Applicants who are accepted to TRUST, but who then decide prior to matriculation not to participate in TRUST will have their offer of acceptance to the University of Washington School of Medicine rescinded for that application year. Should the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Matriculation Deferral Policy apply, the deferred applicant may enter the program in the following year as stipulated in the deferral policy. Applicants who have applied to TRUST but who are accepted into the regular class while holding a position on the TRUST alternate list will not be obligated to participate in TRUST should a position in the TRUST cohort become available. Applicants who applied to TRUST but are not accepted will be considered for admission into the regular medical school class for the same entering year. Applicants are made aware of this policy at the time of application to TRUST and asked to sign a statement demonstrating their understanding of this policy.
As part of the application process, applicants interested in working in urban underserved communities in the WWAMI region and have lived or worked in an urban underserved community for at least 12 months may apply to the Community-focused Urban Scholars Program (CUSP). Applicants must also have at least one of the following:
- received a Pell Grant or WA State Opportunity Scholarship during undergraduate career
- English as a second language
- annual family income less than $60,000 during childhood
- first-generation college student
- self-identify as disadvantaged or underrepresented (including LGBTQ+, disabilities)
- received state or federal benefits (TANF, food stamps, Medicaid) during childhood
Applicants who are accepted to CUSP, but who then decide prior to matriculation not to participate in CUSP will have their offer of acceptance to the University of Washington School of Medicine rescinded for that application year. Should the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Deferral Policy apply, the deferred applicant may enter the program in the following year as stipulated in the deferral policy. Applicants who have applied to CUSP but who are accepted into the regular class while holding a position on the CUSP alternate list will not be obligated to participate in CUSP should a position in the CUSP cohort become available. Applicants who applied to CUSP but are not accepted will be considered for admission into the regular medical school class for the same entering year. Applicants are made aware of this policy at the time of application to CUSP and asked to sign a statement demonstrating their understanding of this policy.
Disqualifying factors:
Applications from persons who have failed to meet minimum standards at this or another medical (MD or DO) or dental school will not be considered. Applications from individuals who have been rejected by the University of Washington School of Medicine on three prior occasions will not be considered.
Effective: Current
Last updated: August 11, 2020
Policy Contact: UW School of Medicine, Admissions Office, askuwsom@uw.edu; Education Quality Improvement Office, eqi@uw.edu