Admission Requirements | Elson S Floyd College of Medicine (2023)

Admission requirements

All information presented on the MD Program admissions web pages is for the 2023 entry year.

For our next MD class, which will enroll in the year 2023, we will enroll 80 Washington students at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. They will share a passion for giving back to their communities. They will approach challenges with common sense and a spirit of benevolence. They will intuitively strive to collaborate.

These students will tirelessly seek answers to the questions surrounding Washington's most challenging healthcare environments. When faced with limited resources, they will innovate. They will lead teams of professionals with experience across the spectrum of healthcare. Together they will bring medical care and compassion to communities across the state.

Here's what it takes to join the MD class of 2027.
We encourage you to view our mini webinars outlining our process.

Attend webinars

The faculty evaluates student applications for admission through a holistic review process. This process considers a series of characteristics associated with outstanding doctors.

School aptitude is very important. However, academic metrics, such as grades and test scores, cannot fully capture a student's character or personal journey, nor their alignment with our mission. Personal stories and aspirations reveal what academic metrics cannot. They explain a person's desire to pursue a medical career, their care for others, and tell us how they align with our mission: our commitment to rural and underserved areas and the people of Washington.

The university is seeking individuals who want to leave a legacy of improving the health of Washington communities across the state. In particular, we are looking for people who want to help us fulfill our vision of solving problems in challenging health care environments within the state.

In a holistic process, an individual's academic metrics are considered in the broader context of their life experiences.

• What opportunities have you been looking for? How did they help you broaden your view of the world? What did you learn about yourself?
• What adversities did you overcome?
• What leadership roles have you taken on to challenge yourself? You learned?
• What values ​​and principles guide your decisions and choices in life?
• What have you learned from others you have served?

Before making a decision, the Admissions Committee reviews the full picture of a candidate's qualifications as they align with themission, vision and objectives of the university. They do this without access to the candidate's MCAT and GPA.

DEFINITION OF HOLISTIC REVIEW AT ENTRANCE TO MEDICINE SCHOOL

“The holistic review is a flexible and individualized way of assessing a candidate's capabilities whereby balanced consideration is given to academic experiences, attributes and metrics and, when considered together, how the individual can add value as a medical student and future doctor.—Association of American Medical Colleges

EXPERIENCES AND ATTRIBUTES SEARCHED FOR IN CANDIDATES

Regardless of your academic field of study, if you are passionate about pursuing a career in medicine, serving Washington communities, especially those that are rural and/or underserved, and you know theeligibility requirementsTo receive a secondary application, the university encourages you to apply. We look for the following characteristics in candidates:

LIFE EXPERIENCES

• Experience with communities and rural and/or needy populations:Expertise to understand the unique challenges and opportunities in rural settings and/or underserved communities and populations
• Clinical Exposure:Quality of experience (including shading, writing, help with caring for your family, EMS technician) AND amount of exposure
• Service: Engages in non-health related activities that serve others as well as self
• Experience beyond the classroom:Cultural experiences, arts, work, new language, hobbies, passion outside of academia, entrepreneurship

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Leadership:Demonstrated leadership that inspired others; ability to mobilize people towards an objective; potential to stand out as a leader through actions and activities; including multiple voices
• Communication/interpersonal skills: Social skills, active listening, emotional intelligence, professionalism; ability to manage conflict in a positive and productive way; verbal and non-verbal skills
• intellectual excellence: Uses creative and critical thinking to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, and/or approaches to problems; capacity for academic success; capacity for improvement
• Ethical responsibility with oneself and with others:Good ethical judgment; integrity; empathy; altruism; recognize and address biases in oneself
• Teamwork/Collaboration:Demonstrates effective ability to work with others; intergroup collaborations with diverse individuals; puts team goals ahead of individual goals
• Resilience/Adaptability:Persevere in the face of internal or external challenges; recovers from setbacks; tolerance to stressful and changing situations; adaptable

Want to learn more about how our admissions team uses the holistic review?

to checkit's a podcastintroducing dr. Leila Harrison, Principal Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs

You can also view your presentation through the AAMC on ourcomprehensive review process.

In order for a candidate to be considered for candidacy, the candidate must achieve an acceptable combination of cumulative grade point average (GPA) and medical college admission test (MCAT) (percentile rank). These threshold combinations are based on national data that tells us that graduating medical students across the country have successfully progressed through medical school. Besides,look forHe goes on to tell us that GPA and MCAT together are better predictors of performance in medical school than alone.

MINIMUM GPA AND MCAT COMBINATIONS

Applicants must meet one of the following combinations to be considered for a secondary application (there are no exceptions to these requirements). There are only three options, as detailed below, with no combinations in between. We use the percentile rank given to us by AMCAS at the time of application.

• If the cumulative undergraduate GPA is3.8 – 4.0, so 27th percentileor higher on the MCAT
• If the cumulative undergraduate GPA is3.4 – 3.79, so 43rd percentileor higher on the MCAT
• If the cumulative undergraduate GPA is2.6 – 3.39, so 61st percentileor higher on the MCAT

Whether the candidate has completed a graduate degree or completed a bachelor's degree in medical/clinical or basic sciences (note: Graduate degrees in public health, social sciences, or other non-medical/clinical or basic sciences will not be considered), the graduate's cumulative GPA will be considered individually if the above combinations are not met.This will be considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account title, area of ​​focus, and number of hours/courses completed.Graduate GPA in these selected areas will be combined with the MCAT Composite Score as follows:

• If the graduate's cumulative GPA is3.7 – 4.0, so 27th percentileor higher on the MCAT
• If the graduate's cumulative GPA is3.5 – 3.69, so 43rd percentileor higher on the MCAT
• If the graduate's cumulative GPA is3.2 – 3.49, so 61st percentileor higher on the MCAT

Once one of these threshold combinations is met along with the other requirements to receive a subapplication, the MCAT and GPA will be hidden when returning the subapplication for the remainder of the process.

MCAT

The MCAT is required for acceptance.

The MCAT tests problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles—prerequisites for studying medicine. There is a fee to register for the exam, however some may qualify for the exam.Fee Assistance Program (FAP).

• The last candidate can take the MCAT: last September test date of the year in which the application is submitted.
• Earliest MCAT considered: 4 years before the candidate's intended enrollment date. For students entering Fall 2023, the earliest acceptable MCAT is any time in 2018.
• If a candidate takes the MCAT multiple times: The highest eligible composite percentile score will be considered.

MCAT CONSIDERATIONS FOR COVID-19

For EY 2023, we will accept MCAT scores from the 2018 calendar year.

We still require the MCAT to be considered for a high school. This is because we only use the MCAT to meet one of the three merge thresholds and then completely hide it throughout the process once the child is returned. We do not fill our interview slots until all completed applications (AMCAS, secondary, letters) have been considered for an interview.

GPA

Once an application meets one of the GPA/MCAT combination threshold requirements and the application is analyzed using these blind metrics, the Admissions Committee can review score trends as well as the applicant's performance on prerequisites. or other science courses.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of the required courses, as well as the rigorous postgraduate coursework, suggests that the candidate has some of the skills necessary to excel in medical school. But meeting the course requirements is just a starting point. Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine seeks well-rounded and intellectually curious students exploring a wide range of disciplines.

GRADUATION IN BACHELOR'S DEGREE

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada by July 15 of the year in which they will begin medical school. Your degree can be in the discipline of your choice, provided you have completed the prerequisite courses.

If an applicant does not have a bachelor's degree because they were enrolled in a doctoral level program (terminal degree) at an accredited U.S. institution that did not require a bachelor's degree for admission, they may apply if they obtained or have obtained the doctorate before January 15. July of the year you will start medical school.

PRE-MEDICAL COURSES

Applicants will be required to complete the following minimum course requirements with a grade of C (any level of C) or higher by July 15 of the year in which they expect to enroll in our medical school. While it is not necessary to complete the prerequisites when applying, acceptance is conditioned on successful completion of the requirements.

Here are some additional details about the courses in general:

• The course does not expire
• All courses taken at an accredited US or Canadian institution are accepted.
• Accepted Online Courses
• Courses including prerequisite courses completed at accredited community colleges are accepted

REQUIRED COLLEGE PREREQUISITES

Science courses must be specified for science courses.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP), CLEP, AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) CREDITS

AP, CLEP, and IB credits that were acceptable to the applicant's undergraduate institution may be used to satisfy course prerequisites. These credits must be documented on the official transcript.

COURSES THAT DO NOT COUNT FOR THE REQUIREMENT

• Courses approved/failed or accredited/not accredited
  Prerequisite courses must be labeled with a series of numbers or letters indicating comparative performance level.
• Remedial/development courses or “English as a second language”

Science courses must be specified for science courses. Genetics, anatomy/comparative anatomy, and human/mammalian physiology may meet the biology requirements as long as they have a laboratory. These are specified below as they would be useful in the medical curriculum; however, other biology courses may fulfill the prerequisite.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE COURSE DUE TO COVID-19

While we generally require that the above prerequisites be met with a grade, students who experienced changes to their curriculum due to COVID-19 such that a prerequisite (including lab) in which they were enrolled or planned to enroll changed from a qualifying requirement. course to a Pass/Fail course, will be accepted for prerequisite courses in the following timeframes:

• Calendar years 2020 and 2021 (term, quarter, semester)
• Spring 2022 (term, quarter, semester)

If a prerequisite course has changed from a face-to-face course to an online course, we already accept online courses (if taken at an accredited institution) to meet our prerequisites.

RECOMMENDED COLLEGE COURSE

Please note that while our prerequisite courses listed above are the only ones we require for enrollment, in order to successfully complete the medical school curriculum, taking additional science courses and others listed below arehighlyrecommended to be better prepared for our curriculum.

To be considered for a secondary application and be eligible for admission, the following must be met (there are no exceptions to these requirements):

• US Citizen or US Permanent Resident
• See 3 of 4 "from Washington" links (defined below) or a definition of Washington "student resident"
• Meet one of the three combined GPA/MCAT thresholds found in the Academic Requirements section
• All required AMCAS letters of recommendation (3 individual letters or Health Professions Advisory Committee packet) received. We prefer to receive only the number of cards that we specify. Card details:
  • Your letter writers submit all evaluation letters through the AMCAS Evaluation/Recommendation Letter Service
  • If your premedical advisory office provides a committee letter that collects feedback from multiple sources, that committee letter will meet the required evaluation letters. If you do not have access to a premedical advice office, three individual letters will satisfy the letter requirement.
    • Select writers who know you well and can talk about your experiences and attributes, particularly in relation to those we've identified.
    • If recently in school, try to include at least one faculty member who knew you during the course of your studies. If you've been out of school for a few years, consider a job supervisor.
    • The College will not consider letters from family and/or friends.
    • Letters must be dated for the current application year.
    • Letters must be written on letterhead and signed.

State residency requirements

The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is seeking candidates who are students who are Washington residents or have strong ties to Washington. Upon receipt of the AMCAS application, we will consider the state of residence indicated on the application, as well as the ties to Washington described below. An applicant who indicates that he or she is an AMCAS resident of Washington, but does not have 3 or more ties to Washington, will be asked by the School of Medicine to provide official documentation to establish that the applicant meets the definition of "student resident".

Applicants who do not meet the definition of a Washington resident student or who do not have 3 or more ties to Washington arenot eligiblefor admission.

Washington ties
Regardless of the state of residence identified in the AMCAS, if you show that you are "from Washington" by meeting at least 3 of these 4 ties to Washington, you meet this requirement:

1. born in washington
2. Children's address in Washington, as listed in the AMCAS
3. Graduated from a Washington high school
4. Parent/guardian currently lives in Washington

Resident Student
If you do not meet the above requirements, you must meet a definition of a resident student. The School of Medicine uses the definition of “resident student” inRCW 28B.15.012(2)to determine state residence. Please note that, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, we have set a different date than that reflected in the RCW. Residency must be completed by January 1 of the application year. You will be asked to provide documentation supporting one of the definitions below.

1. Applicants who are financially independent and have maintained a bona fide domicile in Washington State primarily for non-educational purposes for at least one year through January 1 of the application year.
2. Applicants who are financially dependent on at least one parent or legal guardian who has maintained a legal domicile in Washington State for at least one year as of January 1 of the application year.
3. Applicants who are on active duty stationed in Washington State or are members of the Washington National Guard.
4. Applicants who (i) are members of a federally recognized tribe whose traditional and customary tribal boundaries include portions of Washington State, or whose tribe has been assigned reserved land within Washington State, and (ii) have maintained a legal address in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington, or a combination of these states, for the year immediately preceding January 1 of the enrollment year. This includes tribes with which WSU has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which can be found atTribal Liaison Website Office.

There are other, less common ways to establish yourself as a "resident student." please reviewRCW 28B.15.012(2)for additional considerations, especially if you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran or active duty member.

For more information, visit ourFrequent questionsSection “Eligibility for Admissions”.

Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine does not differentiate in the admissions process between applicants who meet the definition of "resident student" and those who only meet Washington ties.

All of our admitted students pay the same tuition and fees.Learn more about financial aid and the estimated cost of participation.

international students

In order for your application to be considered, you must be a US citizen or possess a valid US permanent resident card (green card) and have the Washington connection described above. If you are the holder of a permanent resident card, you must provide the appropriate documentation proving said condition.

criminal record

In accordance with the Washington State Fair Chance Law, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine does not automatically or unreasonably deny admission to an applicant based on criminal history.Download our Admission Criminal Record Policy.

transfer students

The university is not accepting transfer students at this time. The transfer student admissions policy can be foundhere.

RESOURCES TO PREPARE YOU FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

• Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Application Planning Worksheet
  complete ourApplication Planning Worksheetto ensure you are on track to complete all of our admission requirements and gain exposure to the life experiences and attributes we seek at Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
• Institutional suitability sheet
  fill in the blanksthis worksheetto determine how your personal desires align with the medical school offering.
• Tool to develop a complete medical application
  complete the worksheetto identify information to include in your medical school application.
• Pre-professional counselors at your college or university
  Request guidance and course selection resources to help you prepare to apply to medical school. Your best contact is the advisor at your graduate institution. You can also find a consultant throughNational Association of Health Professions Consultants. You can also contact theElson S. Floyd College of Medicine Office of Admissions and Student Affairsfor advising
• Prerequisite Course Lists
  Identifycourses required for admissionfor schools that interest you. For the Medical School MD program, be sure to complete the required courses by July 15 of the year you would start medical school.
• Indicators Used to Evaluate Applicants to Medical School
  For example, the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine seeksattributes in candidates. Know the details.
• updated summary
  You will need a chronicle of your professional and service experience, as well as your education, to complete the AMCAS form. Keep this updated throughout your trip!
• Association of American Medical Colleges website
  Provides information for pre-medical students.about the MCAT, applying to medical schools, help with fees and more.
• Extracurricular Activities and Community Involvement
  Pursue your interests with passion! Take an active role in serving your community.

Policies and Resources

The selection process for medical students continuesWashington State Law (RCW 49.60.400), which prohibits discrimination or preferential treatment of any individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.

Further:

• Technical Standards Policy
• Admissions Deferral Policy
• Transfer Student Admission Policy
• Medical student selection policy
• Admissions Conflict of Interest Policy
• Admissions Criminal History Policy
• Candidate application and acceptance protocols
• AMCAS Choose Your Medical School Tool