Medicine

Overview - Types of Medical Practice

There are three different types of medical practice to consider:

• Allopathic – MD
• Osteopathic – DO
• Naturopathic – ND

Students apply a full year in advance of starting medical school, which typically begins in the fall. Applying in 2023 is for those aiming to begin programs in Fall 2024. If you plan to start medical school in Fall 2025, you will apply in May 2024.

Primary Applications

Submit the primary application depending on the type of medical school you wish to attend.

• AMCAS (Allopathic schools) - The processing fee for the AAMCAS is $170 and includes one medical school designation.  Additional schools are $43 each. 
• AACOMAS (Osteopathic schools) - The fee for applying to one school is $197 and each additional school is $48. 

Use this grade conversion chart to see how AMCAS will calculate your UW grades. Remember that they will consider both your BCPM (science) GPA and your AO (all other) GPA in addition to your overall GPA, and all attempts of repeated courses are counted.

Letters of Recommendation/Evaluation

Most admission committees require letters of recommendations. The UW School of Medicine requires a minimum of 3 letters from individuals who can speak about characteristics such as your academic ability, interpersonal skills, clinical or research experiences, etc.  Letters must be submitted through the AMCAS Letters of Evaluation/Recommendation service.  Students are also advised to check with each of their chosen schools to determine specific information that should be included.  For more information, see Letters of Recommendation.

Secondary Applications

If a school is interested in you after reviewing your primary application, they will invite you to submit a secondary applications that are specific to that school. Secondary applications usually include more essays and an application fee for the school. You should plan to submit the secondary application as soon as possible to secure an interview.

Interview

Most medical schools will conduct interviews starting in the fall and going through the spring. Students are advised to prepare for their interviews by scheduling a mock interview with the Natural Science & Pre Health Professional Pathways Advisor. Students should also become familiar with the type of questions that may be asked during their interview.  For more information, see the Interviewing Resources list below.

Resources

Applying

• AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) For allopathic schools.
• AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service)  For osteopathic schools.
• Application timelines for medical schools
• Guidelines for your letters of evaluation (to give your recommenders)
• Medical school out of state acceptance rates - by state
• Medical school out of state acceptance rates - by percentage
• Information about postbaccalaureate programs 

Interviewing

• Preparing for Your Interview
• Samples of interview questions: UW Medical School Interview Questions, Ten Commonly Asked Questions
• Five Steps to Preparing for Your Medical School Interview (The Student Doctor Network)
• The Types of Medical School Interviews
• The Multiple Mini Interview

Washington Medical Schools

• University of Washington - Admissions forums, information sessions and videos for students
  • Video: Advice from Admissions - Sharing your story with the admissions committee
• Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences - Osteopathic school in Yakima
• Washington State University

Paying for Medical Schools

• Fee Assistant Program (FAP) - Financial assistance when applying to medical school.
• Cost of Applying to Medical School
• AAMC - FIRST (Financial Information, Resources, Services and Tools)
• Education Loan Finance - Medical School Loan Refinancing

More resources

• Aspiring Docs - AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)

• Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students
• AACOM (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine)
• ChooseDO.org Explorer- Database of Osteopathic medical schools
• MSAR (Medical School Admissions Requirements) Database of medical schools, prerequisite information, acceptance numbers, etc. 
• AAMC Store - Resources including MCAT prep, medical school information, managing your finances while in medical school, etc. 
• The Student Doctor Network
• Selecting a Medical School - Important questions to ask
• URiM - Underrepresented in Medicine & Students for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion - The mission of the University of Washington Spokane Foundation Site’s URiM & SEDI group is to recruit and retain medical students from underrepresented backgrounds and foster an inclusive community for students and faculty. The group offers coffee chats and information sessions on applying to medical school and more.
• GPA Calculator
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  • The AMCAS Grade Conversion Guide is for personal reference. Do not enter the estimates on your AMCAS application; you must enter course information as it appears on your official transcript.