FAQ
ADMISSIONS
IS THERE A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR APPLICANTS WHO ALREADY HAVE A PHD?
Currently there is no special program for students holding a PhD.
DO YOU HAVE SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANTS, NURSES, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND SO ON?
Unfortunately, most licensing boards in the United States do not allow advanced standing to be granted to allied health professions such as chiropractic medicine, podiatry, and acupuncture. Students from these areas are welcome to apply for the pre-clinical sciences program.
DO YOU ACCEPT TRANSFER STUDENTS FROM OTHER MEDICAL SCHOOLS?
Yes. However, each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. In general, a student must be transferring from an accredited medical school. If you’re applying for a transfer to Washington University of Health and Science, please include a copy of your current medical school’s curriculum to assist us in determining eligibility for transfer.
DO YOU REQUIRE THE MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST (MCAT)?
We do not require the MCAT. When we evaluate your application to Washington University of Health and Science, we consider a number of factors; including your undergraduate GPA, your volunteer and/or work experience, your letters of recommendation, your personal essay, your interview and your motivations for studying medicine.
WHAT ARE THE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MD PROGRAM?
- Applicants from the United States require a bachelor’s degree or at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate education.
- Applicants from Canada require a bachelor’s degree or at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate education.
CAN I RESERVE MY PLACE IN A PARTICULAR SEMESTER?
Yes. Provided you apply early and are accepted, you may reserve a place in a semester of your choice with a deposit of $1000. This amount is credited towards your tuition when you are enrolled.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A DECISION?
You should have a decision within 7-10 days from receipt of your application.
WHICH DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION?
You require the following documents:
- A completed application form
- Official transcripts documenting all coursework covered to date
- Two letters of recommendation
- A one-page CV
- A personal essay explaining your reasons for wanting to be a physician
HOW MANY TIMES EACH YEAR ARE STUDENTS ADMITTED INTO WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH AND SCIENCE?
Washington University of Health and Science accepts students into our MD Program three times a year, in January, May and September.
APPLYING FOR RESIDENCY
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF APPLICATION FOR RESIDENCY?
The Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS) handles residency applications. The National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) processes the majority of residency placements in the U.S. NRMP is a computerized matching program which matches medical students to available residency slots based on each student’s credentials and the requirements of residency programs. Medical students may be granted several residency interviews. Final selection is made by the individual residency program directors. There is a wealth of information on the internet concerning residency, the NRPM and ERAS. The following sites may help you learn more about the residency application procedure. www.aamc.org/students/eras www.nrmp.org
WHEN DO I START APPLYING FOR RESIDENCY?
You should start planning for your residency in the third year of medical school. By then you will have narrowed down the areas of medicine in which you would like to apply for residency.
QUALITY OF MEDICAL TRAINING
THERE IS A BELIEF THAT THE QUALITY OF MEDICAL TRAINING IN FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOLS IS NOT UP TO THE STANDARD OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. IS THIS TRUE?
Foreign medical graduates are monitored by the ECFMG in the U.S. and the MCC in Canada. The examinations conducted by the USMLE and the MCCQE, respectively, are a very effective regulatory mechanism of the quality of medical training. No student will be allowed to practice in these countries unless these examinations are cleared. The entire curriculum at Washington University of Health and Science are especially designed to prepare students to pass these licensing examinations. Any student who passes these tests meets the standards of the U.S. and Canada and is therefore eligible to compete for residency slots and internships in these countries. Washington University of Health and Science has a residency match rate of over 90%, which means that over 90% of our graduates are currently working in U.S. and Canadian hospitals. Today almost 1 in 4 doctors in the U.S. are a graduate of a foreign medical school. There has been no significant increase in the intake of U.S. medical schools in decades, while the number of qualified candidates increases every year. As a result, some students with the potential to become excellent physicians miss out on a medical education. As a top Caribbean Medical School Washington University of Health and Science offers a top-quality MD Program and an affordable alternative to American and Canadian medical schools.
THE CLINICAL ROTATION PROGRAM
DO YOU ACCEPT TRANSFER STUDENTS DIRECTLY INTO THE CLINICAL ROTATION PROGRAM?
Only students from an accredited medical school may be accepted for transfer. An opinion on whether a direct transfer into the clinical program is possible only after reviewing official transcripts from your current medical institution
WHERE CAN I COMPLETE MY CLINICAL ROTATIONS?
Students can be placed in several states across the U.S. for their clinical rotations. Please contact our offices for up-to-date information regarding which states currently have available rotations.
DO I HAVE TO SET UP MY OWN ROTATIONS?
No. Washington University of Health and Science is responsible for setting up all of your rotations. However, if you would like to do a rotation in a particular hospital where you know a physician who might be interested in working with you, you may inform your scheduling coordinator and they will work with you to arrange your request.
HOW LONG IS THE CLINICAL ROTATION PROGRAM?
The program runs for six semesters (76 weeks). This includes 48 weeks of core clinical rotations and 28 weeks of elective clinical rotations.
THE MD PROGRAM
WILL THE PRE-CLINICAL SCIENCE PROGRAM PREPARE ME FOR USMLE?
The Pre-Clinical Science courses have been designed with the USMLE in mind, particularly the USMLE Step 1. Most students take the USMLE Step 1 within the first four months of completing the Pre-Clinical Sciences program. The USMLE Step 2 is a clinically oriented exam and is usually taken towards the middle or end of the Clinical Sciences program.
HOW LONG IS EACH SEMESTER?
Each semester runs for 14 weeks (four months) with 10-14 days of vacation between semesters.
WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE MD PROGRAM?
The Washington University of Health and Science MD Program lasts eleven semesters. This includes five semesters of Pre-Clinical Sciences and six semesters of Clinical Sciences, comprising clinical rotations completed in approved affiliated hospitals and facilities.
USMLE STEP 1 & STEP 2
WHEN DO STUDENTS TAKE THE USMLE STEPS 1 AND 2?
The USMLE Step 1 is taken by students within four months of completing the Pre-clinical Sciences program. Step 2 is taken towards the end of the clinical rotation program.
ARE THE STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE USMLE EXAMINATION?
Yes. The ECFMG, which is the regulatory body for all foreign medical graduates, has granted students at Washington University of Health and Science eligibility to take the USMLE Steps 1, 2CK and Step 2CS.