The University of Washington participates in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). After receiving applications from AMCAS, the School of Medicine asks qualified individuals to submit a $35 application fee and supplemental application materials. The deadline for submitting a completed application to AMCAS is November 1, 2008. Late applications will not be considered. The UW School of Medicine does not have an Early Decision Program.
Based on past experience more than 90 percent of acceptances are applicants from Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana or Idaho (WWAMI). Applicants from outside this region who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or who have demonstrated a commitment to serving under-served populations will be considered.
Important academic objectives are furthered by classes composed of students having talents and skills derived from diverse backgrounds believed to be relevant to a rich and effective study of medicine. An applicant will be regarded as potentially contributing to student diversity if his or her background or experience would not ordinarily be well represented in the student body. Factors that indicate this diversity include, but are not limited to, the following: persevering against substantial obstacles such as prejudice or discrimination, economic disadvantage, family or personal adversity or other social hardships; having lived in a foreign country or spoken a language other than English at home; career goals (with particular attention paid to the applicant’s commitment to public service); employment history; educational background (including graduate study); evidence of and potential for leadership (perhaps demonstrated by extracurricular, school, civic, or community service achievement); special talents (such as a career as a performance artist); geographic diversity; or unique life experiences. This list is not exhaustive, and no single factor is dispositive. Furthermore, no factor will confer admission on an academically unqualified applicant. Applicants are invited to describe these and other aspects of their backgrounds that would benefit the diversity of the medical school community.
Foreign applicants, in addition to the above requirements, must be permanent residents of the United States. Individuals with a demonstrated interest in research may apply for the MD/PhD Program (MSTP) regardless of residency. Applications will not be considered from persons who have failed to meet minimum standards in another medical or dental school.
The following will be required: a supplemental application form will be sent to qualified applicants after the School of Medicine has received and reviewed the AMCAS application. The completed application materials listed below must be in the admissions office by January 15, 2008. Materials received after this date will not be considered. Every attempt will be made to notify applicants of final determinations by the second week of April. Montana residents interested in applying to the TRUST program must have all application materials in the admissions office by December 1, 2008.
Most written communications with applicants will be via e-mail. Therefore, it is important that applicants be aware that if their e-mail provider is filtering multiple e-mails ("SPAM/JUNK MAIL") they may not receive some of our bulk messages. The first communication applicants will receive from the Admissions Office will be upon receipt of the AMCAS application and contain email acknowledgement and further instructions.
- An autobiographical statement in which the candidate describes the origin and development of his or her motivation to be a physician with specific emphasis on prior health care experiences, steps taken to explore a career in medicine, and eventual professional goals. Any other issues of importance to the candidate should also be included. The applicant may request that the Personal Comments section of the AMCAS application be used to fulfill this requirement.
- Why the UW School of Medicine? A concise statement (not exceeding 200 words) as to the reasons for wanting to attend the University of Washington School of Medicine.
- Letters of Recommendation A premedical committee evaluation or three letters from instructors (either sciences or humanities) from whom the candidate has taken courses. These letters should critically evaluate the candidate's academic ability, strengths and weaknesses, motivation for medicine, maturity, difficulty of course work and special attributes and assets. Letters of reference from current employers may be advantageous; however, too many additional letters are discouraged. All letters of recommendation should be confidential and not be seen by the applicant.
- A $35 application fee. This will automatically be waived for those who have qualified for AMCAS fee waivers. Others seeking a waiver of this fee should submit their requests directly to the School of Medicine, Office of Admissions.
- Acknowledgment of having read, understood and being able to meet - with or without reasonable accommodation - the Essential Requirements of Medical Education at the University of Washington School of Medicine: Admission, Retention and Graduation Standards to be sent with the supplemental application form.
- Conviction/Criminal History Information. Washington state law requires that all individuals who have access to children under 16 years of age, developmentally disabled people, and other vulnerable persons, disclose background information concerning crimes and offenses against these populations. A nationwide criminal background search is mandatory for all accepted applicants. The accepted student must initiate the search within two weeks of receiving the acceptance notification e-mail.
- State Residency Certification. Candidates from Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho will be required to submit residency certifications from their respective state certifying officers. Proof of legal residence for Washington residents may also be required. Determination of state of legal residence is not made by the School of Medicine; specific instructions regarding this requirement are furnished with the supplemental application materials.
The University of Washington School of Medicine is nationally recognized for its excellent regional training program (WWAMI). In addition to providing unique clinical learning opportunities, the WWAMI program also allows a small group learning experience in the first year, which many students prefer. Students from Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho complete their first year curriculum in small learning groups in their respective home states. The state of Washington provides three sites for medical students to complete their first year curriculum:
Small group learning experiences are available at Pullman and Spokane. All Washington residents applying for admission to the UWSOM must rank one or more of these three sites in order of preference. Every effort will be made to match Washington resident students who are accepted into the University of Washington School of medicine with one of their preferred sites. Listing more than one site increases the chances that you will spend your first year at a site you prefer.
Candidates for admission are considered comparatively on the basis of academic performance, motivation, maturity, personal integrity and demonstrated humanitarian qualities. Knowledge of the needs of individuals and society and an awareness of health care delivery systems are expected; direct exposure is desired. Extenuating circumstances in an applicant's background are evaluated as they relate to these selection factors.
Miscellaneous
- Applicants can apply 3 times.
- Transfers into the MD Year 3 are rarely granted. The UWSOM has not accepted a transfer for more than a decade.
- A one-year matriculation deferral of accepted candidates is only granted under exceptional circumstances.
- Access to e-mail is necessary during the application process. Please provide AMCAS and all schools with your e-mail address.
- For information on obtaining a University of Washington catalogue,
call the University Book Store at (206) 634-3400 or access the web site at http://www.washington.edu/students/crscat/.
- Your Health and Safety A Student Guide to Campus Safety and Substance Awareness, published by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, provides important information on campus safety and policies on controlled substances. A copy may be requested by writing to the UW Office of Admissions, Box 355840, Seattle, WA 98195.
- The University of Washington ensures equal opportunity in education regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, disabled veteran, or Vietnam era veteran status in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.