Applying to our program (2009-2010 Edition)
Introduction
Applying to the UW MSTP
Characteristics of Successful Applications
How Applications are Assessed
Introduction
Dates
MSTP Online Preliminary Application Open Date: July 1, 2009
AMCAS Submission Deadline: November 1, 2009
MSTP Application Deadline: January 4, 2010 (deadline for complete application files)
Three Interview Weekends: January 14-17, 2010; February 18-21, 2010; March 11-14, 2010
Group Revisit Weekend: April 8-11, 2010
UW MSTP Admissions
Starting the UW MSTP application process involves completing 2 steps: (1) submitting your AMCAS to the UW School of Medicine, then (2) submitting the online Preliminary UW MSTP application, which is available as a link in the Applying to the UW MSTP section. Applicants to the UW MSTP may reside anywhere, but must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents at the time the UW MSTP application is submitted. Additional application steps are listed in the Applying to the UW MSTP section
MD-only Program Admissions
After you submit your AMCAS to the UW you will automatically be considered for the MD-only program, whether you want to be or not. The MSTP admissions process and the MD-only admissions process are completely separate. If you are interested in ALSO being considered for the UW MD-only program, please submit the appropriate additional materials when/if the MD-only Admissions Office requests them of you. More information about what the MD-only program is looking for in an applicant may be found at the UW School of Medicine MD application procedure page. Contact the MD-Only admissions office (206-543-7212, askuwsom(at)u.washington.edu) if you have questions about their application procedures. However, if you do NOT wish to be considered for the MD-only program, simply decline to submit the School of Medicine supplementary application if it is offered to you.
Please complete the following steps in order to successfully apply to our program. Please note that you should not mail letters of recommendation or the application fee until they are requested. Early application assures a greater choice of available interview dates (should you make it to that point) but otherwise does not affect how your application is evaluated.
1. Take the MCAT. GRE scores are not required but may be reported.2. Designate the University of Washington on your AMCAS application.
3. Submit your AMCAS application. This automatically means that the UW MD-only program will consider you for admission. See the Before You Begin section above for more information.
4. Apply online to the UW MSTP: complete and submit the Preliminary MSTP Application. New Preliminary Applications may be submitted up until the deadline; however, your entire application file must still be complete by January 4, 2010 or it will not be considered.
Your application will undergo a preliminary review upon submission. You will receive an email notification to submit a supplementary application if your preliminary application is deemed competitive.
5. If your preliminary MSTP online application is deemed competitive, log back into your application and submit the Supplementary MSTP Application.6. After your supplementary MSTP online application is completed, send your letters of recommendation and the $35 application fee to the UW MSTP (make the check payable to "UWSOM"). Our US Mail address (for US regular mail and express mail) is Health Sciences Center, Room I-264, University of Washington, Box 357470, Seattle, WA 98195-7470. Our UPS/FedEx/DHL address is Health Sciences Center Room I-264, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195. Please note that anything sent via US Mail's Express Mail service has a one-day lag time between when it is delivered to the UW and when it reaches our office and so it should not be used before application deadlines. Letters of recommendation may also be sent at any time to the UW MD/PhD Program's VirtualEvals account. If you pay the MD-only program the $35 application fee during their application process, no second fee to the MSTP is necessary.
Upon receiving all materials, your application will undergo another review. If your application is deemed competitive, you will receive an invitation to interview via email.
Characteristics of Successful ApplicationsLetters of Recommendation
The letters of recommendation are an important part of the application. They help us evaluate your potential for a career as a medical scientist. Letters from your research supervisors are particularly helpful.
Research Descriptions
Descriptions of your research projects help us to understand your research background and future aspirations. Please be as complete as possible when describing them in your application.
Assessing Applications
Admission is highly competitive. Selection is based on research interest, experience, and ability, and academic merit as demonstrated by MCATs and grades. Application to a specific graduate department is not necessary; you will choose and enter your graduate school department after the end of year 2.