PREPARING TO APPLY TO MEDICAL SCHOOL
Declare a major as soon as possible. Make sure you're on track to complete your major requirements.
Certain courses are required as prerequisites for application to medical school. Make sure that, whatever your major, you include these courses in your curriculum. Alaska WWAMI prerequisites and admissions standards
Contact your college or university's pre-med advisor for current information on the application process. UAA Pre-Health Professions Advising
Get to know your professors. You will be asking them for letters of recommendation.
The pre-medical advisory committee at your university will usually hold your letters and will write a composite letter of recommendation. If you are a UAA student, fill out the personal information form and turn it in to Dr. Quentin Reuer (Engineering Building Room 307).
Excel at something. Medical schools look for well-rounded individuals who will relate well to patients. Being the best at something will identify you to the admissions committee as a unique individual.
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 on-line at the MCAT website.
NOTE: Applicants should take the MCAT at least 13 months prior to starting medical school. I.E. An applicant wishing to begin medical school in Fall 2008 would need to have taken the MCAT prior to August 15, 2007. Applicants to the E2009 Alaska WWAMI class must submit scores from the 2006, 2007, or 2008 Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and must have taken the MCAT prior to Sept. 30, 2008.
Take advantage of the many helpful publications available on the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and MCAT websites. Helpful Publications for Premedical Students
Complete the primary medical school application through AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service). AMCAS is a service of the AAMC in which nearly all US medical schools participate. Applicants submit their primary medical school application to AMCAS, along with transcripts and MCAT scores. AMCAS forwards the primary application to those schools which the applicant selects.
Complete your AMCAS application early and update it regularly. Do not wait until the last minute!
More information about AMCAS and the primary application process
Some medical schools, including the University of Washington School of Medicine/WWAMI Program, require completion of a secondary application. Check the admissions policies of the schools to which you are applying to learn whether or not a secondary application will be required. UWSoM Application Procedure
Applicants to WWAMI--Alaska's Medical School must submit the Alaska WWAMI Eligibility Form and supplementary documentation to prove their eligibility for the Alaska WWAMI Program.
Do your research. Find out all you can about US medical schools: facilities, philosophies, locations, and training specialties. This will help you to select those schools to which you want to apply. It will also help you as you prepare your application, personal statement, and get ready for your interview. List of American Medical Schools
Applying to medical school is a rigorous, competitive process. Get the best help and advice you can find. Take advantage of the numerous resources at your local university, bookstores, and on the Internet.
Visit our Web Resources page, which contains links to many sites which can help you research what it takes to be admitted to medical school.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you are considering military, Indian Health Service, National Health Service, or other federal assistance which requires a service obligation as part of support provided, please contact the WWAMI Financial Aid Office at UWSoM [(206) 685-2520] for advice. Policies and regulations have changed.