COLLEGE GRADUATES / NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS
The following undergraduate courses are required prerequisites for admission to most U.S. medical schools:
- Biology -- 2 semesters or 3 quarters
This requirement can be satisfied by taking any combination of general biology, genetics, microbiology, physiology, zoology, or anatomy. - Chemistry -- 2 semesters or 3 quarters
This requirement can be satisfied by taking any combination of inorganic, organic, or biochemistry. - Physics -- 2 semesters or 3 quarters
- Additional biology, chemistry, or physics -- 2 semesters or 3 quarters
This requirement can be met by taking other courses in any of the above broad categories. Molecular Biology can only count toward additional course credits. - **Calculus -- required by some medical schools. **Not required for admission to Alaska WWAMI.
Alaska WWAMI Prerequisites and Performance Standards
Prepare for and take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Almost all US medical schools require submission of MCAT examination scores upon application. The UAA PreMed Club periodically offers MCAT practice tests. Practice tests are also available online through the MCAT website.
NOTE: Applicants should take the MCAT at least 13 months prior to starting medical school. Students wishing to apply for the E2009 Alaska WWAMI class must submit scores from the 2006, 2007, or 2008 MCAT and must have taken the MCAT prior to September 30, 2008.
Applications to Alaska WWAMI are made through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Applicants complete the AMCAS application and indicate the school(s) to which they wish to apply. AMCAS forwards this primary application to the selected medical school(s). Some medical schools, including Alaska WWAMI / UW School of Medicine, require applicants who pass the initial selection process to submit a secondary application; some schools do not. UWSoM Application Procedure
Refer to the website of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) for valuable information about applying to U.S. medical schools. The AAMC / MCAT website also offers many helpful publications for pre-medical students.
For more information about applying to Alaska WWAMI, see the Preparing to Apply to Medical School webpage. You may also refer to the website of the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSoM) for more information about applying to Alaska WWAMI Program.
The medical school interview is a crucial part of the application process. Find out how you can prepare for your interview here.
Helpful Links
- Considering a Medical Career (resource from the AAMC website)
- Medical School Interview Question Samples
- Medical School Interview Feedback
More Questions?
Attend the Alaska PreMed Summit, held each spring on the UAA campus. Sponsored by the UAA WWAMI Biomedical Program, the PreMed Summit is designed to offer information about the academic pathway of becoming a doctor, medical school admissions requirements, the medical school application process, and more. A favorite feature of past PreMed Summits has been the panel discussion which provides first-hand knowledge of the experiences of pre-medical undergraduate students, medical students, doctors in residency training, and practicing physicians.