For more information, please contact
The Office of International Medicine Programs
2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Suite 300 | Washington, DC 20037
T
he MD Program for International
Students (MD) was developed
by the School of Medicine and
Health Sciences (SMHS) and the
Office of International Medicine
Programs (IMP) at George
Washington University (GW) in
response to the great international
demand for graduates of U.S.
medical schools. The goals of this
program are to provide international students with a superb medical education, and to
prepare them to return to their home country to practice medicine while advancing the
mission of GW SMHS to improve the health and well-being of local, national, and global
communities.
Program Description
The MD Program for International Students is designed for international students who
have completed a bachelor’s degree, including the required pre-medical coursework, at
an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation at SMHS.
Accepted students must meet all requirements for admission and same academic
standards as students offered admission to the regular MD Program. International
students must maintain full time enrollment status throughout the entire program.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the MD Program is designed to provide a medical education
that prepares graduates comprehensively for residency training, provides them the
experience on which to base their career selection, and prepares them for
professional lives of continuous learning. Key features include: increased
incorporation of active learning in place of traditional large-class lectures; enhanced
professional development of students; integration of material to enhance learning and
retention; added independent study time; additional focus on topics such as public
health and clinical reasoning. Each incoming first-year student receives multiple
opportunities to explore career options in the full spectrum of medical specialties;
and unique only-in-Washington, D.C. educational experiences. All students are
required to take and pass Step I of the United States Medical Licensing Examination
(USMLE) before proceeding to year III, and take and pass Step II CK before they
graduate and start their residency training programs.
MD Program for
International Students
MD Program for International Students
Mentoring
International students in the MD Program will receive various student support services and
resources including but not limited to an academic advisor, frequent meetings with staff from
IMP, United States Medical Licensing Examination ("USMLE") Step I registration fees, annual
written progress reports to Sponsor, and other student support services.
Services Provided to International Students by IMP
• Introduce students to GW and to familiarize them with IMP’s role through a special
orientation
• Assist in the cultural adjustment process by providing a buddy system with other
international medical students and hold special meetings with students who need greater
support.
• Advise students who may wish to discuss personal and family issues.
• Provide annual written progress reports to the students’ sponsors.
• Annual evaluation meetings to provide guidance, encouragement, and support to
students, including tutoring resources when needed.
• Pay for students to register for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
Step I registration and cost associated with exam preparation courses.
• Invite students to special IMP social events.
Application Procedures - Minimum Eligibility Requirements
• Applicants must meet all stated requirements for application. In addition to academic
requirements, successful applicants should also have evidence of attributes, experiences
and academic achievement that signal their ability to be Physician Citizens.
• Applicants must not be U.S. citizens, Canadian citizens, or Permanent resident visa
holders. (dual citizens qualify)
• F-1 visa status must be maintained throughout the period of matriculation in the
program; if the visa status of a student changes at any time during his or her matriculation
in the program, he or she will no longer be eligible for the program and will be dismissed.
• Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree, including the required pre-medical
coursework, at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation.
Applicants must have mastered written and spoken English; and have taken the Medical
College Admissions Test (MCAT).
Applicants to this program must be sponsored financially by their Government or by a home country health
institution.
Admission Process
All international applicants must submit the required materials as follows:
• To the Office of Admissions, for application process & requirements please visit:
https://
smhs.gwu.edu/academics/md-program/admissions/application-process
• To IMP: a financial guarantee or a sponsorship letter from a home country medical or
academic institution; CV; PS, AMCAS Application Number and a copy of the GW
Secondary Application.
• Deadlines: The AMCAS Application is due by November 15th and the GW Secondary
Application is due by December 15th.
